To continue our series of conference previews here on Student Union Sports, we make a stop at everyone’s favorite weekday conference: the MAC. Who doesn’t love a little bit of #MACtion?! This conference has some high powered offenses every year that have no trouble putting up points, so this conference is not for the defensive minded. It also has been home to some nationally relevant Group of 5 teams over the years, including last year’s Cinderella, and former owners of the most annoying phrase in college football, #RowTheBoat at Western Michigan. The MAC is looking strong at the top yet again, with a handful of teams looking to break into that Western Michigan mold. Here is your official, 2017, completely correct, MAC conference preview and predictions.
Standings (last years record):
The Favorites
Toledo (9-4): Seems like Toledo has been at the top of the conference for a while, but has just never able to break through into that coveted #1 spot (thanks to the recent Northern Illinois dominance). Well this is Toledo’s year, and it does not even seem that close. Not only do they return one of the best offensive players in the conference (and one of the best in the G5) in QB Logan Woodside, (4129 yds, 45 TD, 9 INT) they also return two talented position players in RB Terry Swanson (2238 career yards, 17 career TDs as 2nd string) and WR Cody Thompson (1269 yds, 11 TD). We know the offense will be hard to stop, but what about the defense? They return 7 starters from last years unit and should not see too much of a drop-off in PPG allowed. Look for Toledo to flirt with 10 wins (or more).
Ohio (8-6): On the other side of the conference, we have Ohio, who will look to build on their success of last year when they went to the MAC Championship game for the first time since 2011. They lose some talent on both sides of the ball, (three of the top 4 receivers and 2 NFL draft picks on defense) but the talent that is remaining includes DPOY pick Quentin Poling (109 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 FF). The schedule also helps, as they have their two hardest conference games (Miami and Toledo) at home.
Miami (OH) (6-7): There may not have been a hotter team for the second half of last season than the team from Oxford, OH. After starting the season 0-6, they reeled off 6 straight victories and came within a missed extra point of beating an SEC team (Mississippi State) in their bowl game. A big part of that turnaround was QB Gus Ragland, (7 games, 1537 yds, 17 TDs, 1 INT) who returns this year. The defense also returns a lot, including very talented CB Heath Harding (67 tackles, 4 INT, 11 passes deflected). That game at Ohio on Halloween is going to be HUGE for the MAC East race.
The Contenders
Western Michigan (13-1): Bronco fans are probably still riding that high from last season’s incredible 13-1 team, led by PJ Fleck. However, they are losing a decent chunk of that team, but still return the talent to put up a fight in the conference. New coach Tim Lester will have to find a new QB to lead the offense, and whoever is picked will have to put up with the loss of the top three receivers on last years team. The solution? The Broncos bring back their top two rushers led by Jarvion Franklin (1353 yds, 12 TD), so they may lean a little heavier on the running game this year. The defense returns a lot of talent, which helps. They are going to need the experience to lead, as they have out-of-conference games against USC and Michigan State, as well as road games against MAC contenders Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, and Toledo.
Northern Illinois (5-7): Just like Miami (OH), Northern Illinois did not have the best of times at the beginning of the season, stumbling to a 1-6 record out of the gate. Now they didn’t have a Miami-type resurgence, but they finished 5-7 and just missed out on a bowl game. Questions at the QB and WR position will need to be filled early in the season. The defense will be much improved, as injury problems hurt a pretty strong unit. They have no big losses on this side of the ball and they return the whole secondary, so the defense may have to keep the team in games while the offense adjusts to new faces.
Eastern Michigan (7-6): Remember when Eastern Michigan was the joke of the college football universe? Wait, they still are. But this time, not for their play on the field. They are poised for the first back-to-back bowl appearances for the first time in their program. They return their QB Brogan Roback (2694 yds, 18 TD, 7 INT) to lead the offense. The defense should be about where they were last year, but have a lot of key players returning, including 3rd team MAC selection Jeremiah Harris (69 tackles (nice), 4 sacks, 3 FF). The only thing that will keep EMU from back-to back bowls will be their schedule, with away games at Toledo, NIU, Central Michigan, and Miami.
Akron (5-7): Akron is just the very average team of the conference. They return their senior QB Thomas Woodson (2079 yds, 18 TD, 6 INT) and their RB Warren Ball (transfer from Ohio St.) has a clean bill of health. Nothing too spectacular on the offensive side, but a solid unit nonetheless. The defense returns one of the best defensive players in the conference in LB Ulysees Gilbert (121 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 FF).
The Others
Central Michigan (6-7): Everyone remembers CMU for their amazing play against Oklahoma State (that honestly shouldn’t have counted). The rest of the season wasn’t as much of a miracle for them, as they went 6-6 and got destroyed by Tulsa in their bowl game. The big wild card with this team is the arrival of Michigan transfer QB Shane Morris, who, if he wins the job (and performs to his ability), could boost this team up a tier or two.
Bowling Green (4-8): It has been quite a fall from grace for BG the last few years. After going to three straight conference championships with two titles, they fell all the way down to their low point last year, a 1-8 start. Lucky for them, they were able to get out of the funk a little bit and won three straight games to end the season. The biggest problem from last season? Their defense was horrific against the pass and the offense couldn’t keep up. The defense this year loses some key pieces, but there’s not really anywhere but up for the unit.
Ball State (4-8): Ball State started off hot last year but fell in five straight games to end the season. They return 1st team all-MAC RB James Gilbert (1332 yds, 12 TD), but the big question is on the defensive side of the ball. They gave up an astounding 30 PPG and 470 YPG last year. It won’t get much better this year as they are younger, and lost a lot of experience this summer. The offense is going to have to keep up with the points running up on the other side of the ball.
Kent State (3-9): Kent State was all over the place last year. They started four different QBs last season and one of them was converted from WR, Nick Holley (11 games, 868 yds, 4 TD, 3 INT, 920 yds rushing, 10 TD). Well, he will likely be the starter again this year, so a lot of how the season goes will bank on how he adjusts especially in the passing game. The defense lost a lot of talent, and the schedule is not favorable. This may be another long season for the Golden Flashes.
Buffalo (2-10): Buffalo was awful on offense last year (mostly due to a bunch of new starters) so at least they will have some experience on their side this year. Sophomore QB Tyree Jackson (1772 yds, 9 TD, 9 INT) returns to lead the more experienced offense, but the defense has some holes to fill. The linebackers are solid, but the rest of the unit will have a tough time, though not as bad as last year’s nightmare.
Players of the Year
Offensive: QB Logan Woodside, Toledo
Stats: 69.1% completion, 4129 yards, 45 TD, 9 INT, 183.3 passer rating
Logan Woodside is a name the nation will be getting familiar with this season. He exploded last year and put up some stats that look like a typo. He also returns a lot of talent around him on this Toledo team that might will some noise this year. This season, he will get the recognition he deserves, both with the conference offensive player of the year and nationally.
Defensive: Quentin Poling, Ohio
Stats: 109 tackles (66 solo), 13.5 TFL, 4 sacks, 5 passes deflected, 2 FF
Ohio looks poised for back-to-back defensive player of the year awards. Last year it was DE Tarell Basham and this year, LB Quentin Poling is going to take the reigns. He has put up solid stats for all three years of his college career, but his senior year looks like where he goes to that next level. This Ohio team is talented and he will have plenty of big games to shine in.
Biggest non-conference games
Toledo @ Miami (FL)
Miami (OH) @ Notre Dame
Toledo @ Nevada