2009 MAC Preview

This is the most odd of the Super Conferences. While most have 12, the MAC has 13. That makes for interesting scheduling, and gives one weight over the other. Is it fair? No, but it shouldn't matter. The MAC is getting better as a conference, and could have had a big star last year in Ball State had they beaten Buffalo in the title game last year.



MAC East


1. Ohio-Frank Solich has transformed Bobcat football for the better since arriving in 2005. With 14 starters back (7 on each side) and playing in tight games last year, the Bobcats are a team with a lot of upside in them. This is despite going 4-8 last year, but they could easily have been 9-3.

2. Akron-The Zips used to be a joke, but now they are a force to be reckoned with in the MAC, and should have a break out 2009. Penn St and Indiana are the 2 big NC games, and only Buffalo is the major road test in the conference. Look for a surprising 2009 here, especially if they knock off Indiana on Sept 19.

3. Buffalo-Many didn't think Turner Gill would return the last 2 years after not getting jobs at Nebraska and Auburn, but he is back and Bulls fans couldn't be any happier. He has lead them to their first winning seasons in years, and has done an excellent job in recruiting. Now Buffalo is no longer a pushover, but this is a rebuilding year, and the defense with 8 starters back has to carry this team.

4. Temple-My joke of the NCAA, Temple is best known as Bill Cosby's alma mater. They were kicked out of the Big East b/c they were horrible and used to bring in homeless people to fill the stands while they recruited football players. The Fighting Bill Cosby's under head coach Al Golden have a conference, and an impressive return with 15 starters back, 9 on defense. Temple would be higher if they had a proven track record of winning, but I think they are on the verge of being good.

5. Bowling Green-The Falcons haven't flown so high lately, but 1st year HC Dave Clawson hopes to bring back the intensity they had when Urban Meyer was there. The good news is that the future is bright. But they will take some lumps this year breaking in a new coach.

6. Kent St-The alma mater of Lou Holtz and Nick Saban has a lot of work to do. Doug Martin may be out this year, unless the Golden Flashes can pull it together. If the Flashes Special Teams can improve, it may be another long year, but the positives outweigh the negatives this year-15 starters return (8 on offense).

7. Miami, OH-Mike Haywood steps in after being at the 3 biggest programs in college football the last 15 years (LSU, Texas, and Notre Dame). He has a big task ahead of him as the Redhawks are in a rebuilding phase. Former Texas and LSU DC Carl Reese should get the defense up to speed, as this is a team to watch out for in the future.


MAC West


1. Central Michigan-WHat do you call a team that returns all of its weapons on offense, 10 defensive starters and losing only 10 lettermen from last years team? No it isn't Florida (the numbers are close) but the Chippewas have had that type of success and could replicate it like thye did in 2006. All the big playmakers on both sides are back, and this could be a special year. The 1st 2 games though-Arizona and Michigan St are tough tests.

2. Toledo-Holy Toledo! Okay, bad joke aside (sorry :( ) the Rockets break in Tim Beckman who replaces Tom Amstutz who is moving up to the AD job. Despite going 3-9 last year, the system isn't changing and that is good news for the 16 returning starters (9 on offense).

3. Northern Illinois-Jerry Kill has the coolest name of any coach in College Football, and when he played the game in his younger days. The Huskies can be a breakout team, but only 4 starters are back on Defense, and 7 on offense. It may be another year for the Huskies to break out of the fold, but they should be better in year 2 of the Kill era.

4. Western Michigan-Bill Cubit has had his teams come close to big things here, abut this is a tough task this year. The Broncos have 10 starters back, with 7 on offense but only 3 back on defense. This is a tough team to call, but I am going a bit pessimist here, only because the numbers don't favor the Broncos.

5. Eastern Michigan-Ron English has the task of getting things looking up for the Eagles. The good news is he is a good defensive coach and recruits in state fairly well (Former Michigan DC). He has brought an NFL type defense and offense to the Eagles, and has 17 returning starters, which may not mean much, but if they grasp the new systems thay should be decent and make a jump to 6-6.

6. Ball State-The best college name now that Beaver College changed its name, the Fighting David Letterman's gave him something to be proud of a year ago, but now have a new HC in Stan Parrish, who 6 years as a HC in other schools has a total to 2 wins. He follows a pattern of being an assistant to a successful coach who takes over when that coach leaves for what that coach thinks is a better job. Looks like Ball State won't be on Letterman's top 10 list this year.


MAC Championship Game

Ohio vs Central Michigan


MAC Champ

Central Michigan