MAC Season Overview

Drew Biada

Black Squirrel Radio

Bowling Green

The Falcons look to add to their trophy case with back-to-back MAC East titles (2007 East co-champions), with a defense that brings back eight starters. With All-MAC defensive lineman Diyral Briggs, BG will look to top the 15 sacks and 10 interceptions that the veterans had a year ago; three of those sacks came against Kent State.

Miami

The Redhawks have nine returning starters from one of the best defensive units in the MAC in 2007. Miami will be tested in its first two weeks, but remaining in the top five in sacks, passing defense and total defense could propel them to a second-place finish in the MAC East. Leading the defense is the MAC’s top linebacker , LB Clayton Mullins.

Temple

A solid defense will be offset by a nonexistent offense; QB Adam DiMichele and RB Jason Harper are the Owls’ leading returners, and that’s not saying much. As a team, Temple finished dead last in scoring offense and total offense, but another good year defensively could make it a manageable season for Temple coach Al Golden’s squad.

Buffalo

Drew Willy has all the tools to be a top-three MAC QB. James Starks is a great complement to the running game, but I still don’t think they’ll have enough to take on a tougher MAC. Buffalo will still have some “Brahma” in their Bulls, but not quite enough for a date in Detroit.

Ohio

2007 was a disappointing year for the Bobcats, and 2008 doesn’t seem promising. Besides figuring out how to replace Kalvin McRae, one of the best rushers in the MAC, Ohio has a tough schedule from top to bottom. Two of its first three games are at Ohio State and at home against Central. Good luck CATS!

Akron

The Zips have lost their zip. A mediocre recruiting class combined with two years without a 1,000-yard RB doesn’t pose well for a team in a rumble-tumble conference. A tough schedule hurts as well. This analysis has nothing to do with the fact they vandalized our stadium. Honestly.

Ball State

Every starter is back on offense, including the best pure passer in the conference, Nate Davis (3,667 yds, 30 TD, 6 INT). The Cardinals have improved their MAC play in four straight seasons. Davis will throw himself into the Cardinal record books this season and throw the Cardinals into the MAC championship.

Central Michigan

The most exciting player in the conference, junior QB Dan LeFevour, is back, and so is his top receiver and running back (not that he’ll need them). So why do I have them finishing second? Where are the major holes on either side of the ball? How will they lose? I’m not sure. But I’m a Tampa Bay Rays fan.

Western Michigan

Here’s my sleeper. Once in the conference, the Broncos have done pretty well since Bill Cubit has taken the reigns (13-8). Cubit took the offensive coordinator role last season and put the Broncos in the top three in scoring, passing and total offense in the MAC West. Giddyap Broncs.

Eastern Michigan

A middle of the pack defense, led by LB Daniel Holtzclaw (330 career tackles), won’t be enough to improve on the three MAC wins from 2007. In the last 7 seasons, the Eagles have finished over .500 in the MAC just once. This offense is about as exciting and believable as a John McCain economics speech.

Toledo

A solid returning offensive line and both top receivers are always beneficial, except when you don’t have much of a quarterback. With the exception of one win over CMU, QB Aaron Opelt was injured often and played sparingly. The Rockets will experience difficulties “lifting off” from the MAC West basement.

Northern Illinois

My favorite player in the MAC, defensive end Larry English, played on the worst team in 2007. There will be some improvement, but not much, as it’s always difficult to adapt to a new coaching style. Jerry Kill will look to improve a Huskie bunch that needs just two MAC wins to double its total from a year ago.

Contact Drew Biada at [email protected].