Brad’s 2010 MAC Predictions
Posted by deaconcat08 on July 13, 2010
The Mid-American conference will lack a solid top 25 team like they had the past two years with Ball State (2008) and Central Michigan (2009). In fact, I don’t see any MAC teams finishing in the top 50 this year. The conference will clearly be the worst in all the land, except for the Sun Belt of course.
The number to the left of each team name is their predicted conference ranking with the conference champion displayed in all caps. The number in parentheses to the right of each team name is their predicted rank nationally. Also, after my written analysis for each team, I have provided my prediction of where each team will end up spending their postseason. Furthermore, I have underlined my ten surprise picks and italicized my ten disappointment picks. Separate entries for my surprise and disappointment picks will be posted later on, which will compare my preseason predictions with the average of the (allegedly) expert predictions from Athlon, the Sporting News, and Phil Steele.
MAC East
1. TEMPLE (71)- Running back Pierce should lead this team to their first MAC title, as Al Golden becomes one of the hottest coaching commodities in the country. (Postseason prediction: Little Caesars Bowl vs. UL-Lafayette)
2. Ohio (77)- I’m giving the Owls a slight nod in this division because the Bobcats have to play them on the road. I would love to see Solich’s crew give Ohio State another early season scare this season. (Postseason prediction: GMAC Bowl vs. Troy).
3. Kent State (87)- I predicted the Golden Flashes would surprise last season, and they ended up finishing higher than all the other experts envisioned. This year I see them taking one more step forward and playing in their first bowl since 1974. (Postseason prediction: New Mexico Bowl vs. Wyoming; this will be a replacement pick for the WAC who I predict will be unable to fill this tie-in.)
4. Buffalo (96)- I greatly overestimated Buffalo last season, as I pegged them to repeat as MAC Champions and they ended up with a losing record in conference. The loss of Drew Willy hurt them a lot more than I expected. I am not going to make that mistake again, especially with this program basically having to start from scratch after the departure of Turner Gill. (Postseason prediction: No Bowl)
5. Miami-OH (105)- It amazes me that this once prominent MAC program has struggled for so long recently. I think they finally take some steps forward as they return more starters than almost any other team in the country with a grand total of 17. (Postseason prediction: No Bowl )
6. Akron (107)- Major scheme changes that come with the hire of a new coach will keep the Zips near the bottom of the MAC. (Postseason prediction: No Bowl)
7. Bowling Green (110)- If you read the intro above, you’ll know that my italics means a team is predicted to disappoint, and that is exactly what I see the Falcons doing this season. Tyler Sheehan and Freddie Barnes are gone and so are most of their supporting cast. This is the textbook definition of a rebuilding season, and a brutal schedule won’t do anything to help matters. (Postseason prediction: No Bowl)
MAC West
1. Central Michigan (85)- Many people are calling for a huge letdown season for the Chippewas because of their losses at QB and head coach. I think a lot of the doubt stems from Ball State’s analogous situation where they collapsed last season after losing their QB and coach from their 12-win 2008 campaign. I think things will be different for CMU though as they return 7 starters on offense and 5 on defense. This squad was miles better than anyone in this conference last year, and I think they have enough guys returning to stay atop this division. (Postseason prediction: Humanitarian Bowl vs. Fresno State)
2. Northern Illinois (94)- Jerry Kill is building a solid program, as the Huskies will make their second consecutive bowl this season. QB controversy is the only thing that will prevent them from winning the division. (Postseason prediction: Armed Forces Bowl vs. Tulsa)
3. Toledo (98)- Quarterback Aaron Opelt was the one bright spot on an overall subpar Rockets squad last year. Now, he’s gone and so are Toledo’s shot of making a bowl game. (Postseason prediction: No Bowl)
4. Western Michigan (100)- The Broncos were a huge disappointment last year, as they failed to make a bowl game with veteran QB Tim Hiller. The defense will be a little better, but the offense will be much worse, so I’m predicting this team to make a slight drop in the standings and once again fall short of bowl eligibility. (Postseason prediction: No Bowl)
5. Ball State (118)- Until Head Coach Stan Parrish wins more than two games in a season (something he hasn’t done in a quarter of a century), then I’m going to continue to call for struggles in Muncie. Brutal late-season schedule won’t help matters. (Postseason prediction: No Bowl)
6. Eastern Michigan (120)- They were probably the worst team in the nation last year, and things aren’t looking too bright for the Eagles this season either, as there are huge questions at quarterback, receiver, special teams, and on the defensive front. I’m predicting that English drops to 0-24 when things are all said and done. (Postseason prediction: No Bowl)