MAC Conference Tournament Preview

Welcome to another exciting College Football season and we here at Great Lakes Sports will give our MAC Conference predictions on who we think will win the MAC championship, and as always good luck this season from Great Lakes Sports.

East Division:

1. Miami Ohio-  The Redhawks had a rough year last year with a dismal 2-10 record, and their worst season in quite sometime. We look for big improvements from Miami with eight starters back on offense led by senior QB Mike Kokal who threw for over 2,400yds last year; the Redhawks also have a solid running game led by senior Brandon Murphy (4.5ypc) the last three years. The defense also returns six players including an experience LB corps with three juniors starting. We look for the Miami Redhawks to put last year behind them, and win the eastern division, but we have them losing to Toledo in the MAC championship game.

2. Kent State-  The Golden Flashes had a big turnaround last year going 6-6, and they will be even better than 2007 with eight starters back on offense and eight starters back on defense including junior QB Julian Edelman who started 11 games last year. The Golden Flashes did not finish well last year losing four out of the last five games, but with the experience they endure from last year, the Golden Flashes will be in the title hunt this year.

3. Bowling Green- The Falcons a terrible 4-8 record last year, and their worst season since 2000. There is optimism among the Falcons faithful with seven starters on offense back from last year team led by junior QB Anthony Turner who threw for over 1,500yds, and completed 67% of his passes. The Falcons have eight starters back on defense, and will have some depth along the defensive line with two starting juniors, and a senior defensive end. The Falcons also have a strong LB corp. led by Erique Dozier with 98 tackles last year. We look for Bowling Green to be vastly improved, but are still a year away from contending.

4. Ohio U. - The Bobcats made their first bowl appearance last year since 1968, but Ohio U is in a transition year with only five returning offensive starters, and lost their QB from last year. The Bobcats also took a hit on defense with six starters coming back, but do have a solid coach in Frank Solich which turns this team around in only two years. We look for The Bobcats to drop off a little from last year, and should finish fourth in 2007.

5. Akron- The Zips return six starters on offense, and lost their QB, this will be a very inexperience team on offense, but the Zips do return eight starters back on defense, and are very experience on defense with only one underclassman starting. The Zips will need to put points on the board to compete, and we look for points to be hard to come by for the Zips. The Zips will be in fifth place in 2007.

6. Temple- The Owls made the conversion from the Big East to the MAC conference this year, and it still won’t make much of a difference this year, as Temple is only 1-22 the last two years. The Owls do return eight offensive starters including junior QB Adam DiMichele who threw for over 1,500yds last year with 10 touchdowns, but had 12 interceptions. The Owls also have only six starters coming back on defense. We look for the Owls to struggle the first year in the MAC, and finish sixth.

7. Buffalo- The Bulls are one of the worst teams in the country, as they are 3-20 the last two years. The Bulls will have some improvement this year, as they have nine starters back on offense, and nine starters back on defense including junior QB Drew Willy with 1,391yds, and completed (59.7%) of his passes last year. We look for the lack of depth to hold back Buffalo of making major strides this year, and will be competing with Temple for cellar dwellers this year.

West Division:

1. Toledo- The Rockets had a down year last year going 5-7, will be back in a bowl game this year, The Rockets have eight starters back on offense including sophomore QB Aaron Opelt. The Rockets also return eight starters back on defense led by senior Tyrrell Herbert who led the team with 74 tackles last year, and 3 interceptions. We look for the Toledo Rockets wind up in the MAC Championship game, and will beat Miami Ohio the MAC Title this year.

2. Western Michigan-The Broncos had a very nice year last year going 8-4, and returns 16 starters this year with eight on offense, and eight on defense. The Broncos did lose their QB but have a capable replacement in Thomas Peregrin who complete (69.2%) of his passes last year. We look for Western Michigan to contend this year but will fall short for a second place finish.

3. Central Michigan- The Chippewas had a very good year last year going 9-4, and Central Michigan made their first bowl appearance since 1994. Central Michigan won eight of their last nine games including a 31-14 win over Middle Tennessee State in the Motor City Bowl. With Central Michigan returning seven starters on offense, and seven starters back on defense, we look for the Central Michigan Chippewas to finish third in this tough West Division.

4. Eastern Michigan- The Eagles might be one of the most improved team this year in the MAC, as they return seven starters back on offense including sophomore QB Andy Schmitt who threw for 1,182yds last year. The Eagles also have nine starters back on defense. We look for the Eagles to vastly improve from their terrible 1-11 record last year, and end up a respectable fourth place in 2007.

  5. Northern Illinois- The Huskies will have trouble running the ball this year with the lost of Garrett Wolfe. The Huskies only return six offense starters, and six defensive starters, but with the lost of half of their offense from last year, we look for Northern Illinois to have their problems this year, and finish fifth.

   6. Ball State- The Cardinals has not had a winning year in quite sometime, and this year will not be any different. The Cardinals do return seven starters on offense and seven starters on defense, but the Cardinals lack depth, and will have their problems this year. We look for the Ball State Cardinals to end up in last place this year.

This is Great Lakes Sports MAC Conference College Football Preview for the 2007-2008 season and good luck this up coming Football season.

Back to Article Listing