2011 MAC Football Predictions
Written by Patrick Webb
The Mid American Conference should be wide open this season as it is top heavy in both divisions and eleven of the thirteen schools have coaches in their third season or less. Five schools made a coaching change heading into this season: Miami (Ohio), Northern Illinois, Ball State, Temple and Kent State. Miami, Northern Illinois and Temple all figure to be involved in their respective divisional races even after the coaching change.
This conference returns nearly every starting QB, explosive playmakers at every skill position and boasts some of the top returners in the nation. Miami pulled off a stunning season last year going from 1-11 (1-7 MAC) to 9-4 and an East title as well as the conference championship win. Akron, Buffalo, and Bowling Green each managed only one conference win last season and Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan will be looking to improve on their two conference wins last season.
MAC East
The East features three teams that will likely vie for the championship berth. Temple lost coach Al Golden to Miami (Fla), but returns a lot of skill talent (three-man race for QB spot/ two players who started games last season), three senior starters on the offensive line. The defense returns several experienced players including difference maker Adrian Robinson at DE.
Ohio is one of the few MAC schools to maintain some coaching continuity as Frank Solich returns for his 7th season. The Bobcats may have the easiest path in the east and if they can find a solution at QB as well as reload on the defensive line they figure to match or exceed last season’s 6-2 MAC record.
Miami is coming off a magical turnaround year, but lost coach Mike Haywood to Pittsburgh (Haywood was dismissed from Pitt after a couple of weeks after a domestic incident). The Redhawks return two talented QBs as well as four starters from the offensive line. Nine starters return to the defense and could improve on rock-solid defensive numbers from conference play last season.
MAC West
The West may be a three team battle as well with Northern Illinois looking to replace Jerry Kill (Minnesota) and win the championship game this season after a disappointing loss to Miami last year. Dave Doeren takes over after leading Wisconsin’s defensive units for the last five seasons (two as Co-DC/ DC last three years). Doeren inherits a talented roster, but must retool a defense that returns only two starters. Quarterback Chandler Harnish is a Player of the Year-candidate and will work with the entire offensive line from last season (likely the most talented unit in the league).
Toledo figures to be a very solid team on both sides of the ball in coach Tim Beckman’s third season. They return nearly their entire defense as well as two talented QBs and the most dynamic player in the conference returner/ receiver Eric Page.
Western Michigan had one of the conference’s best offensive units last season and are looking to improve as they return QB Alex Carder and a several key receivers from last year’s team. The Broncos return 7 of 8 starters along the defensive line and secondary, but must replace two talented linebackers.
Marquee Out of Conference Games:
Several MAC schools schedule up and play BCS foes. MAC schools have pulled several upsets over the last few seasons over Big Ten, Big 12 and Big East teams. This year they face the usual slate of several games versus Big Ten teams before the conference race begins.
September 3- Miami at Missouri, Army at Northern Illinois, Western Michigan at Michigan
September 10- Toledo at Ohio State, Northern Illinois at Kansas
September 17- Miami at Minnesota, Penn State at Temple, Marshal at Ohio, Wisconsin at NIU
September 24- Central Michigan at Michigan State, Western Michigan at Illinois, Toledo at Syracuse
October 1- Western Michigan at Connecticut, Cincinnati at Miami
Quick and Dirty Preseason Picks:
East
1. Temple- very good schedule, excellent running game and should reload on defense
2. Miami- very veteran squad and talented defense, could repeat as conference champ
3. Ohio- need a passer to step up to relieve pressure on running game, must reload on defense
4. Kent State- tough luck last season and return a lot to a solid defense, talent suited to new offense
5. Akron- look for big improvement from this squad as they return key players and add impact transfers
6. Buffalo- tough schedule for first 6 games of conference, need more from quarterbacks
7. Bowling Green- talented offensive line and secondary building blocks for Clawson
West
1. Northern Illinois- excellent o-line and skill talent/ defensive minded head coach
2. Toledo- great schedule, solid in every phase, Page can beat you 3 ways
3. Western Michigan- talented offense and defense, tough road slate in conference
4. Central Michigan- lost 5 games by 7 points or less, -11 turnover margin should lead to more wins
5. Ball State- new coach, system, same problems- no pass rush or consistent QB play
6. Eastern Michigan- could be better than last season and match 2 win total, rough schedule
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