EAST
DIVISION
AKRON
STRENGTHS: The
offensive line returns
four familiar faces and
they are all juniors and
seniors. Erratic QB Chris
Jacquemain had a descent
junior campaign and now
former Pitt head coach
Walt Harris is the passing
coordinator which can
only help him reach his
potential. Almondo Sewell
has a chance to be the
star from his defensive
end position. Four of
five starters return to
anchor the defense in
this five back secondary
scheme.
CONCERNS:
Gone are RB Dennis Kennedy
and his 1,321 rushing
yards and 17 touchdowns.
While Jacquemain shows
flashes of brilliance
at times he also has a
propensity to force the
football, which leads
to turnovers and mistakes.
No team was more injured
this off-season and so
the question marks as
to how ready these Zips
can be come to question.
The run defense was far
inferior last fall and
the linebackers are on
the smallish side.
PROGNOSIS:
The Zips are looking to
make a big splash in their
brand new stadium. Sixth
year head coach J.D. Brookhart
cannot afford a fourth
straight losing season.
Assuming some injuries
heal the offense has some
real firepower but the
defense may be another
story trying to stop the
run again.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 6-6
BOWLING GREEN
STRENGTHS:
Tyler Sheehan returns
for his third season as
the starter behind center
and he is carrying high
expectations despite being
in a new system under
first year head coach
Dave Clawson (former Tennessee
OC). One of his favorite
targets is senior tight
end Jimmy Scheidler who
had seven of his 17 catches
go for touchdowns. The
best defensive aspect
will be at safety where
returning senior starters
P.J. Mahone and Jahmal
Brown assume the starring
roles.
CONCERNS:
No commodity
exists at running back
where this new offensive
scheme will try to rely
more on the ball carriers.
QB Sheehan is the returning
leading rusher. The Falcons
are also trying to refill
both cornerback spots.
At every level on defense
coaches have said incoming
freshman will have a chance
at playing since only
three starters are back
on this side of the ball.
PROGNOSIS:
QB Tyler Sheehan has gotten
some looks from pro scouts
the past three seasons
and this new offense goes
from being a high-percentage
passing attack to a more
balanced approach. They
just need to find some
ball carriers to make
the plan work. The defense
is breaking in a ton of
new faces. Bowling Green
was only a few plays away
from winning nine or ten
games last fall. With
a few breaks they can
get to that plateau.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 6-6
BUFFALO
STRENGTHS:
The Bulls calling card
is James Starks running
out of the backfield.
The 6'2, 211 power slasher
is also a great weapon
catching passes. The other
playmaker on this team
is Naaman Roosevelt who
demands a ton of attention
after averaging over 100
yards receiving per game
last fall. This unit is
set as senior Brett Hamlin
completes the wide out
package. The back seven
on defense returns every
single starter and is
by far the fastest in
the league. A trio of
cornerbacks are worthy
of All-MAC consideration
and the safety combo of
Mike Newton and Davonte
Shannon could play on
just about any BCS level
team.
CONCERNS:
Departed QB Drew Willy
established nearly every
school passing record.
The incumbents are freshmen
and sophomores. All-MAC
guard Jeff Niedermier
and two other starters
on the front line have
been replaced. While the
defense is full of stars
in the secondary the entire
defense relies on speed
and athleticism to make
up for size and power.
Power game, grind-it-out
opponents will cause problems.
PROGNOSIS:
While many of the '08
stars are back the big
returnee is head coach
Turner Gill who has certainly
upped the ante. The Bulls
have now won back-to-back
East Division titles.
Can Buffalo keep rolling
without all-time leading
passer Drew Willy? They
certainly can as this
team is starting to build
confidence levels and
Gill has them believing.
Outside of maybe Pittsburgh,
there is no one on the
schedule Buffalo cannot
beat. This secondary is
special.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 7-5
KENT STATE
STRENGTHS:
At 5'5, Eugene Jarvis
is the shiftiest ball
carrier in the MAC after
rushing for 1,669 yards
in 2007 while injuries
hampered his efforts last
fall. He has four of his
down linemen returning
to open holes and a replacement
in Andre Flowers that
will keep his number of
carries from being overloaded.
The polished secondary
will be a team strength
with three starting veterans
back in mix...a good combination
for the spread happy MAC.
CONCERNS:
The receivers
are not helping this offense
and none of them are stars.
There are also big changes
at quarterback where the
likely starter Giorgia
Morgan did nothing but
hold a clipboard last
season. The run defense
has been a problem and
the linebackers will attempt
to improve their '09 fate
with two new faces. Special
teams play has been horrible.
PROGNOSIS:
Based on the strengths
and concerns...the Golden
Flashes are all about
running the ball with
a sound line and Jarvis
behind them much as they
attempted to do last year
with this ball control
offense. The QB and receivers
need lots of time to develop
so this factor is going
to play out early. Getting
back to a 6-6 record like
they did three years ago
would be an accomplishment.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 5-7
MIAMI OH
STRENGTHS:
The RedHawks are putting
all their eggs in the
Daniel Raudabaugh basket.
The senior QB had a great
spring outing bringing
some ray of hope to a
bewildered program. But
he will be on a short
leash if he continues
to toss more picks than
touchdowns. His favorite
target is physical receiver
Chris Givens. The depth
at the offensive skill
positions appears set
as the top four rushers
and top four receivers
are all back.
CONCERNS:
The defense was gutted
by player departures.
The run defense needs
more than one person to
step up. Two All-MAC linebackers
are gone. In fact the
top four tacklers on the
team are history. The
offensive line can do
better opening holes (ranked
dead last in rushing).
A good many young blockers
will attempt to resurrect
a damaged rushing attack.
PROGNOSIS:
Former offensive coordinator
at Notre Dame Mike Haywood
takes over a once proud
program that has been
10-27 over the past three
years. His non-conference
games are brutal (Kentucky,
Boise State, Northwestern
and Cincinnati). This
team could easily start
out 0-7. If Raudabaugh
does not provide a spark
this season from behind
center it could be another
long and disappointing
road. Building for the
future may involve a total
rebuilding effort this
fall where younger players
take priority. Getting
out of the divisional
cellar will prove extremely
difficult.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 2-10
OHIO
STRENGTHS:
A pair of senior quarterbacks
in Theo Scott and Boo
Jackson gives this offense
a ton of diversity. Gone
is the I-formation as
the Bobcats look to get
the ball in the hands
of talented veterans Taylor
Price and LaVon Brazill,
two of the better wide
outs in the conference.
The beacon on defense
is middle linebacker Noah
Keller. Without him the
Cats are in trouble on
this side.
CONCERNS:
The offensive
line had trouble even
putting together seven
able bodies during scrimmages
this spring and none of
the four returning running
backs were able to separate
themselves from the pack.
Defensively, the front
line is extremely thin
and inexperienced while
the secondary lost two
of their stand out players.
PROGNOSIS:
Both quarterbacks Scott
and Jackson are going
to play. With blocking
and running back questions
Ohio may throw the ball
more than ever as head
coach Frank Solich begins
to uncharacteristically
open up the offense more
while using the spread
as a base set. This may
be the jolt needed to
put Ohio in a position
to challenge for the East
Division. The defense
on the other hand may
be another story where
the player turnover was
significant.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 6-6
TEMPLE
STRENGTHS:
Nose tackle Andre Neblett
is the leader of the defense.
He will also receive a
great deal of help from
other senior leader Junior
Galette at end. There
are some big hitters at
linebacker and safety
and the Owls have a chance
to be one of the better
conference defenses.
CONCERNS:
Gone is three-year starter
Adam DiMichele behind
center. Two guys are still
battling to take over
which will not be decided
any time soon. Both are
game tested though after
having to fill in for
the oft-injured DiMichele
last fall. The rushing
attack has been less than
average and the number
of handoffs will get split
between several backs.
Also gone is school record
setter Bruce Francis at
receiver and two-time
defensive MVP Terrance
Knighton from the defensive
line.
PROGNOSIS:
The Owls are actually
making progress under
fourth year head coach
Al Golden. The 5-7 record
last year actually was
not so unimpressive considering
the Owls lost three games
on the very last play.
They showed an ability
to compete with Navy and
UConn last fall and confidence
is much better than is
has been the past two
decades or more. If one
of the QBs and/or a ball
carrier emerges on to
the scene, Temple is capable
of being in this division
race full of parity.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 5-7
WEST
DIVISION
BALL STATE
STRENGTHS:
The centerpiece of this
offense is none other
than 1,736-yard rusher
MiQuale Lewis, one of
the top performers at
any position in the MAC.
TE Madaris Grant and WR
Briggs Orsbon continue
to give this offense some
playmakers. All four starters
on the defensive line
return. Finding two better
safeties than Alex Knipp
(team leading tackler)
and Sean Baker (six interceptions)
in this league is difficult.
They have the potential
to be really special.
CONCERNS:
All the Cardinals have
to do is replace their
most prolific offensive
team ever. That includes
QB Nate Davis who split
early for the NFL Draft.
Freshman Kelly Page replaces
him; a guy with potential
but has a huge learning
curve ahead. Only one
starter returns to the
blocking unit. Getting
the same type of rushing
numbers with Lewis won't
be nearly as easy. While
the safeties look solid,
both corners need replaced.
Head coach Brady Hoke
left for San Diego State.
PROGNOSIS:
The Cardinals were the
story of the year in 2008
before crumbling the last
two games. The loss of
Davis at QB and some of
the coaching staff will
lower the expectations.
But Ball State is more
than capable at winning
the West again as former
offensive coordinator
Stan Parrish replaces
Hoke as the head ball
coach. The schemes and
continuity won't change
too much. There's still
a ton of star players
that need replaced however.
Blocking could be a big
problem.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 8-4
CENTRAL MICHIGAN
STRENGTHS:
No one single player has
bigger expectations than
senior QB and four year
starter Dan LeFevour.
His legs and arm continue
the MAC traditions behind
center in terms of pro
abilities. He has three
incredible receivers at
his disposal. Bryan Anderson
caught 63 passes a year
ago and Antonio Brown
snagged 63 of them. Brown
is an All-American return
man as well. The defense
has 10 starters back led
by All-MAC player Nick
Bellore at LB and Frank
Zombo on the line. Every
aspect of the special
teams is stacked.
CONCERNS:
LeFevour needs big time
help from someone in this
backfield. They are all
young and unproven. Two
offensive tackles need
to be found to help with
pass protection and injuries
are not helping matters.
While the defense is loaded
with experience they still
pose a huge question mark
in terms of how good the
Chippewas can be. The
pass defense was the second
worst nationally last
fall.
PROGNOSIS:
If CMU can find some better
defensive play from all
these experienced returning
starters they have serious
potential. Granted the
OL needs some help but
this passing offense with
LeFevour behind center
and three of the best
receivers found anywhere
is going to light up quite
a few scoreboards. They
only problem are three
non-conference road games
at Arizona, Michigan State
and Boston College. This
keeps CMU from gaining
national prestige. But
this team is easily the
favorite to win the MAC.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 9-3
EASTERN MICHIGAN
STRENGTHS:
The offense averaged 417.5
yards per game last year.
Senior quarterback Andy
Schmitt is one of the
most unsung players in
the conference. A strong
offensive line with four
starters back can help
the transition period
to the pro-style offense.
They have two solid running
backs in Dwayne Priest
and Corey Brown and the
receivers make this offense
move via the air. Jacorey
Stone is capable of snagging
100 receptions.
CONCERNS:
The good news...eight
starters are back on defense.
The bad news...eight starters
that gave up a MAC-worst
427 points last fall are
back on defense. Six guys
return to the front seven
so there is no reason
why this defense should
be that bad in 2009. But
it won't happen over night.
PROGNOSIS:
EMU will have to outscore
opponents to win games
based on how poor this
defense has performed
in the past. This is possible
at times however as the
entire offense appears
sound at every single
position. The Eagles have
not won a conference championship
in 22 years. That fact
will not change but this
team under first year
head coach Ron English
has a chance to be much
better than they were
last year. They could
easily prove to be a spoiler
with all this experience.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 4-8
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
STRENGTHS:
A talented pair of sophomores
in this offensive backfield
gives the program a great
future. Strong armed QB
Chandler Harnish did well
for a freshman last fall
and also led the team
in rushing with 539 yards.
Speedy running back Me'co
Brown had a great spring
and is an integral part
of this offense.
CONCERNS:
Only three starters return
on defense making this
a total rebuilding effort.
Gone is two-time MAC MVP
Larry English at defensive
end. With five receivers
graduating the offense
needs to find someone
capable of scoring points.
PROGNOSIS:
Jerry Kill took over as
head coach last year with
a ton of returning talent.
This got the Huskies into
a bowl game at .500. This
time around the opposite
will be in effect. The
defense was one of the
best in the league and
now has a ton of new faces.
If the red zone problems
for this offense continue,
the defense won't be there
to bail them out. NIU
righted the ship last
fall but likely take a
step back as they try
to rebuild.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 4-8
TOLEDO
STRENGTHS:
The offensive line has
all five starters back.
Senior QB Aaron Opelt’s
solid play last fall has
to be encouraging although
his stats do not rank
near the top of the MAC
quarterback list, but
they might this time.
Senior receiver Stephen
Williams has the potential
to be a one-man show while
the backfield of DeJuane
Collins and Morgan Williams
is extremely legitimate.
On defense safety Barry
Church has a chance to
leave the program as a
four-time All-MAC honoree
and LB Archie Donald is
a tackling machine.
CONCERNS:
Depth and quality talent
at receiver is slim after
Stephen Williams, which
could easily make this
team one-dimensional without
someone else taking the
heat in these oft-used
four receiver sets. The
sack totals have been
awful (118th nationally)
and the front line of
defense has kept this
team from reaching any
success.
PROGNOSIS:
The Rockets should be
leaps and bounds better
compared to the last couple
of seasons with all these
returning starters back.
If the defense can make
some kind of an improvement
with some all-star caliber
players sprinkled in the
Rockets are going to make
this West Division extremely
competitive. They are
still lagging behind the
divisional heavy hitters
and if they competed in
the less competitive East
they could make a case
for winning that side
of the MAC. If Opelt can
stay healthy behind center
the Rockets might be a
big surprise.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 5-7
WESTERN MICHIGAN
STRENGTHS:
Senior QB Tim Hiller is
a projected mid-round
future NFL pick. He has
already thrown for 8,080
yards and 76 touchdowns
in his career. He has
plenty of support around
him with 1,000-yard rusher
Brandon Anderson and a
very athletic offensive
line that returns four
starters. First Team All-MAC
linebacker Austin Pritchard
has to be counted on to
get this defense close
to respectable.
CONCERNS:
The significant issues
are on defense where eight
starters were lost. The
secondary lost three All-MAC
performers and the front
line has to replace three
starters too. Outside
of Juan Nunez, the receivers
are slim on players that
have logged significant
snaps.
PROGNOSIS:
Like most heavy hitters
in the MAC, the Broncos
are loaded in terms of
offensive fireworks but
extremely short in defensive
talent and experience.
The rebuilding effort
is large at many positions
where six All-Conference
players are no longer
on this team. With Hiller
behind center and a great
running game they will
be capable of keeping
most defenses guessing
while getting into their
third straight bowl invite.
The can and will outscore
many of their opponents.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 8-4 |
