2008 MAC Conference Predictions
Written July 21, 2008 by Jason Lowry
With another NCAA football season right around the corner, Jason Lowry is ready to bring you his 2008 MAC Conference football predictions. Last year Bowling Green, Miami, and Buffalo all tied for 1st in the East division, and Central Michigan and Ball State tied for 1st in the West. This year it looks like it could be another tough battle as the MAC is always a competitive league. Here is a look at our take on the upcoming season as we predict the winners of each division.
East
1) Bowling Green Falcons
The Falcons had a great season going 8-5 including a great run in conference play, this season they bring back nearly the whole starting lineup as 17 starters are coming back for another run at the East title.
2) Miami Redhawks
The Redhawks are another team that has plenty of talent coming back, as they too have 17 starters back this season. The reason we have them 2nd is that they have some concerns at the running game, as they lost their 3 leading rushers from a year ago.
3) Buffalo Bulls
The Bulls are another team that has plenty of talent coming back, as they have 18 starters coming back. This team isn’t far behind the two ahead of them, but we think that their schedule is going to be tough for them to repeat their success from a year ago.
4) Temple Owls
We really think that the Owls are primed for a big season, as they have all 22 starters back this season, and they were 4-4 in conference play a year ago. They haven’t been to a bowl game in almost 30 years, and we think that all ends this season, as this team has what it takes to win 6-7 games.
5) Kent State Golden Flashes
The Golden Flashes were just 3-9 last season, and were the bottom feeders in the East going just 1-5 in conference play. This team could be much better this season if they can keep their starting quarterback on the field, and they can cut down on their takeaways from last season.
6) Ohio Bobcats
The Bobcats finishes 6-6 last season, but weren’t rewarded with a bowl game. This year they bring back just 13 starters in a division that is full of teams with tons of talent coming back. We got the Bobcats finishing just ahead of the Zips this season.
7) Akron Zips
We got Akron as the bottom feeders in the East this season, as they too only bring back 13 starters. Almost all their winnable games come on the road, and that just doesn’t look good for a team that struggled last season.
West
1) Central Michigan Chippewas
We are picking the Chippewas to come through in the West again, thanks to the fact they get Western Michigan at home this season. With 16 returning starters this team should have no problem being solid on both sides of the ball again this season.
2) Western Michigan Broncos
We are really big on the Broncos this season, and all the young talent they put on the field a few years back makes this team one of the most experienced teams in the MAC. We wouldn’t be surprised to see this team give the Chippewas all they can handle in the West.
3) Ball State Cardinals
The Cardinals have their entire starting offense back and 7 more on the defensive side of things, so there is no question this team is a threat to be at the top of the West again this year.
4) Toledo Rockets
The Rockets bring back 15 starters this season, and they should be able to improve on their two win season in the MAC from a year ago. Just a couple years Toledo was at the top of this conference, and they might be moving in that direction again this season. We say look out for the Rockets in 2009.
5) Northern Illinois Huskies
Like the Rockets the Huskies were a real powerhouse in the West in 2006, and they to look like they are ready to start heading in the other direction, after they finished conference play at 0-5 last season.
6) Eastern Michigan Eagles
The Eagles were a slight surprise last season putting together a winning record in conference play at 3-2, but don’t think that means this team is going to climb its way out of the bottom half in 2008. We think that this is the weakest team out of the 6 in the West.
If you want to get a jump start on the upcoming football season, check out Sportsbook.com and do all your MAC betting at one of the best sportsbooks on the net. Also be sure to check out all our other team preview and predictions for the upcoming season.
