MAC Season Overview

Overall

Bowling Green

8-5 in 2007, 17 returning starters.

Randy and Drew agree the Falcons will be the outright MAC East champions, while Brock is looking down the I-75 highway. Regardless, BG should have one of the most dynamic offenses in the conference and a defense that isn’t a slouch. Prediction: 9-3, MAC East champions.

Miami

6-7, 17 returning starters.

Brock feels that defense wins … well, everyone knows the saying, so he picks Miami as the MAC East champions. Meanwhile, Randy and Drew agree the Redhawks will go 7-5 and finish second in the MAC East. They must be drinking … the Falcon Kool-Aid.

Temple

4-8, 22 returning starters.

Brock and Drew see a one game improvement for the Owls to 5-7 and a fourth place finish in the MAC East. Randy thinks a 4-8 season, and fifth place in the East, will be the 2008 Temple fate. Let’s hope Randy doesn’t meet Al Golden in a back alley somewhere.

Buffalo

5-7, 18 returning starters.

Randy believes this team will lose to UTEP and will struggle against Ohio. Drew believes BU could be a sleeper, while Brock was the only one who has BU losing to Temple. Regardless, this team has the talent to win in the MAC and will certainty pose a tough last game for Kent State … again.

Ohio

6-6, 13 returning starters.

Randy has the Bobcats as a sleeper. Brock thinks back-to-back games against the defending MAC champions (Central) and the defending Big Ten champions will stunt the team’s winning goals. Drew … well, it’s going to be a rough year for Frank and the boys.

Akron

4-8, 13 returning starters.

Brock, Randy and Drew believe this will be a low point in Akron football and the legendary Rubber Bowl.

Ball State

7-6, 18 returning starters

This was a strong unanimous pick for the panel, and it’s risky. The football team in Mount Pleasant, Mich., has two straight MAC titles to show how wrong we could be, and a talent. However, with a D that was +17 in turnover margin and an offense such as the Cardinals’, BSU takes the MAC.

Central Michigan

8-6, 16 returning starters

Second place in the MAC West, and that’s saying a lot about Ball State. In order for this team to finish out at the top spot, it will need to lose at home in chilly November to Ball State or lose a key player. Regardless, this team will overcome defensive shortcomings.

Western Michigan

5-7, 17 returning starters.

Randy predicts fifth place is where the Broncos will land in the standings. Drew and Brock have the Broncos slated for third behind rival Central Michigan.

Eastern Michigan

4-8, 16 returning starters

It’s probably becoming redundant to say it will be a long football season for Eastern, but the Eagles could finish third. Randy doesn’t think so, as he picks the Eagles dead last. Drew believes this team is as bland as a Triscuit and will finish fifth. Brock has them in fifth place in the west.

Toledo

5-7, 15 returning starters

The Rockets are still rebuilding, but Randy has them finishing third in what would be a slumping MAC West division behind Ball State and Central Michigan. Drew isn’t sold on the Rockets and has them finishing fifth, while Brock has Amstutz’s team last in the MAC West. Sorry, Tommy.

Northern Illinois

2-10, 20 returning starters

Randy hast the Huskies second-to-last. Drew is down on NIU, predicting a fifth-place finish. Meanwhile, Brock sees 20 returning starters, plus the best defensive player in the MAC (and the scariest named coach in the conference), and has this team finishing at least fourth behind Western.