CSNbbs

I love the ramp up to the opening of football season and this year is no different. And when it comes to MAC football, I'm jazzed for the entire conference!

Here are some things I'm excited to watch and questions I'll be pondering as the season unfolds ...

The East: What a great mix of teams on the rise (Kent, Temple, Buffalo) and recent success (BG, Miami), not to mention Ohio (where do they fit in the hierarchy?). The race should go to the wire.

Akron: There's been so much buzz about Akron's new stadium, which is exciting, but I'm really wondering if Brookhart is as good as some folks thought just a few short years ago, or if he will wind up on the scrap heap of has-been coaches.

Kent State: I'm really hoping their offensive skill position players stay healthy, because they could post some video game-type numbers. Is this the year the Flashes breakthrough?

Ohio: Solich got them to a bowl, scored the big BCS-team win at home. But has he really built a winner? He's had enough time to implement his system and get the right players in the right places.

Buffalo: Plenty of experience on offense. Does Gill have them on the right track or was last season a fluke/false hope?

Temple: Can we believe the hype? I have to say, as a Philly-area resident, I believe Golden has the Owls on the verge of breaking out. A fast start could create the momentum they need. If the O Line steps things up, they will be in contention for a division title deep into November.

BG: Always wearing the orange-colored glasses! Can our staff rebuild the offensive line? Do we have enough horses on the D Line?

Miami: I'm intrigued by the Redskins (sic). They always seem to be in the mix, but they appear to be under the radar this year. Is Montgomery on the hot seat?

The wild, wild West: The stronger division, IMO, right now. I think CMU is the favorite, but what I'm really wondering is, who finishes last in this division?

CMU: Dan is the man. If he stays healthy, he'll be the guy that's always mentioned during Heisman discussions, you know, "if the award were really about the best D-I football player instead of the best BCS-conference player, then you'd have to consider...[/I]" I fully expect the Chips to be in the title game.

NIIU: New coach = new enthusiasm. Lots of it. Can't imagine NIU not running the ball a lot though. Will remain to be seen. Note: Please bring back the Huskie-only helmet.

WMU: I hope they televise the WMU/CMU game in Philly again this year. Grudge matches rule!

EMU: As some have noted elsewhere, the Hurons (sic) won the Michigan MAC trophy last year. When will they finally get some respect? If the leaders falter, the Hurons may get their chance.

Ball State: How good is this QB? Can he carry them to a title game berth?

Toledo: Yes, I despise the Rockets. But I have to say that I am really impressed by Barry Church. I've been amazed to see how Toledo Tom's star has fallen; it'll be interesting to see how he, and in turn, his team, respond.

I got to see a fair amount of MAC games here in Philly last year - am hoping for more of the same in 2008.

Time to tee it up!

BGSUalum1987 Wrote:Toledo: Yes, I despite the Rockets.

You WHAT despite the Rockets? Love the Glass Bowl despite the Rockets? Love UT despite the Rockets? Love to party with Rocket fans despite the Rockets?

Or is there more missing? Maybe "Yes, I (went to BG) despite (my intense love affair with) the Rockets"? Inquiring minds want to know. Take your time; there are a ton of good comebacks here I'm sure.

H2Oville Rocket Wrote:

BGSUalum1987 Wrote:Toledo: Yes, I despite the Rockets.

You WHAT despite the Rockets? Love the Glass Bowl despite the Rockets? Love UT despite the Rockets? Love to party with Rocket fans despite the Rockets?

Or is there more missing? Maybe "Yes, I (went to BG) despite (my intense love affair with) the Rockets"? Inquiring minds want to know. Take your time; there are a ton of good comebacks here I'm sure.

I believe the sentence I was angling for was more like, "Despite some Rocket fans displaying smart a** tendencies ..."

;-)

I don't really have a clue who is going to win the MAC this year, and that goes for both divisions.

I really believe that Toledo will surprise everyone, as they will be back in the title hunt as quckly as they fell in 2006. There is a boatload of talent on offense, a new more forgiving playing surface at the Glass Bowl, and some nice additions on defense to make them better. Many of the players that started on defense for Toledo last season are sitting 2nd or 3rd on the depth chart right now, especially on the defensive line and at cornerback. In fact, I see only about 2 or 3 starters this year that were regular starters on last year's defense. The rest are players that recovered from injury, JUCO's brought in, incoming freshman, or players that moved positions during the spring.

I do think that Temple, Miami, BGSU, and Ohio have the best shot in the East, with CMU, WMU, BSU, and UT having the best shot in the West.

rocketfootball Wrote:I don't really have a clue who is going to win the MAC this year, and that goes for both divisions.

I really believe that Toledo will surprise everyone, as they will be back in the title hunt as quckly as they fell in 2006. There is a boatload of talent on offense, a new more forgiving playing surface at the Glass Bowl, and some nice additions on defense to make them better. Many of the players that started on defense for Toledo last season are sitting 2nd or 3rd on the depth chart right now, especially on the defensive line and at cornerback. In fact, I see only about 2 or 3 starters this year that were regular starters on last year's defense. The rest are players that recovered from injury, JUCO's brought in, incoming freshman, or players that moved positions during the spring.

I do think that Temple, Miami, BGSU, and Ohio have the best shot in the East, with CMU, WMU, BSU, and UT having the best shot in the West.

I have a feeling that the new field turf surface will help in reducing the large number of injuries your guys have had the past few years.

Not knowing who will win the conference is one of the beauties of MAC football and makes it interesting from start to finish.

My $0.02 FWIW:

Questions to be answered

1) Can CMU's prolific offense continue to compensate for a weak defense? Will the D be improved this year? Can LeFevour stay healthy? Threepeat rests on his arm and legs but a favorable schedule helps.

2) Can Toledo avoid the slow starts of the last couple of years? Will they stay healthy? Do the Rockets get their swagger back?

3) Will Ball State's D be improved enough to make them the threat that all the pundits seem to believe as far as winning the MAC? Can they win at CMU?

4) Now that they are out of the limelight and flying under the radar, can the Broncos actually finish games strong and reach the potential they believe they have? (3 losses in last minute last season by 8 total points) Can they win at CMU?

5) Can Kent State stay healthy enough to make a serious run at the East title?

6) Is Temple really on the verge of breaking out and challenging? Can their offense consistently produce and stay healthy?

Gut feelings

1) Buffalo is the sleeper team this year. Should they get off to a good start, watch out for the Bulls. Defense will be the key for them.

2) Miami's defense may carry them and keep them in contention for the East, but until they show more offensive ability and avoid injuries, that's as far as it goes.

3) The Broncos will surprise this year. They are better than they have shown and the large senior class knows it's now or never. Not being expected to do much helps.

4) QB play will be very good this year in the MAC. This will come into play as we will see a few more OOC wins this year from MAC teams.

Captain obvious statement of the year (cliche category)

The talent in this league is not deep enough for our teams to overcome key injuries. Whichever team stays healthiest has a leg up on everybody. For most of our teams, one crucial player going down can destroy a promising season.

I can't wait - the season is upon us. MAC football is back. May the best team win!

I'll be in Lincoln, Nebraska for our opener taking in the Big Red experience and pulling for my team. Good luck to all our MAC brethren on opening day!!