https://emueagles.com/news/2023/7/20/foo...ision.aspx

"The Eagles' projected finish in 2023 is the highest the program has received in years. Dating back to 1998, this year's selection surpassed the third-place selection earned in 2005, and marks just the sixth time Eastern was voted to finish in the top four of the West Division. Additionally, the first-place vote received by the Eagles is believed to be the first they have garnered in that time span as well."

2023 MAC Football Head Coaches Preseason Poll (first place votes)
West Division
1. Toledo – 66 points (11)
2. Eastern Michigan – 55 points (1)
3. Northern Illinois – 38 points
4. Central Michigan – 37 points
5. Ball State – 27 points
6. Western Michigan – 23 points

East Division
1. Ohio – 63 points (9)
2. Miami – 52 points (2)
3. Buffalo – 51 points (1)
4. Bowling Green – 35 points
5. Akron – 26 points
6. Kent State – 19 points

MAC Champion: Toledo (7), Ohio (4), Buffalo (1)

(07-20-2023 11:51 AM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  https://emueagles.com/news/2023/7/20/foo...ision.aspx

"The Eagles' projected finish in 2023 is the highest the program has received in years. Dating back to 1998, this year's selection surpassed the third-place selection earned in 2005, and marks just the sixth time Eastern was voted to finish in the top four of the West Division. Additionally, the first-place vote received by the Eagles is believed to be the first they have garnered in that time span as well."

2023 MAC Football Head Coaches Preseason Poll (first place votes)
West Division
1. Toledo – 66 points (11)
2. Eastern Michigan – 55 points (1)
3. Northern Illinois – 38 points
4. Central Michigan – 37 points
5. Ball State – 27 points
6. Western Michigan – 23 points

East Division
1. Ohio – 63 points (9)
2. Miami – 52 points (2)
3. Buffalo – 51 points (1)
4. Bowling Green – 35 points
5. Akron – 26 points
6. Kent State – 19 points

MAC Champion: Toledo (7), Ohio (4), Buffalo (1)

Great post Frank, thanks for sharing. I'm suddenly uneasy, however, we have never been rated ahead of our in-state rivals in a long time.

Dear Jerry,
Not uneasy. With these rankings, I just hope we take care of business with both of them, and hope this is our year to shine.

Great article from Tony Paul on EMU at MAC Media Day: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...437836007/

When you finish 9-4! Win A bowl game, then the expectations rise considerably. Can CC do it again after many years of 5-7, 6-7, and 7-6, and be the hunted versus being the hunter........It all depends on our QB, OL, and DB play in my opinion......Can we beat Toledo in Toledo? Beat WMU, and CMU being the favorites? I can see anything from 10-2 to 7-5........

(07-20-2023 06:21 PM)EMUGLORYDAYSthe90s Wrote:  When you finish 9-4! Win A bowl game, then the expectations rise considerably. Can CC do it again after many years of 5-7, 6-7, and 7-6, and be the hunted versus being the hunter........It all depends on our QB, OL, and DB play in my opinion......Can we beat Toledo in Toledo? Beat WMU, and CMU being the favorites? I can see anything from 10-2 to 7-5........

My biggest concerns are QB, WR, and DL play.

QB - Can Austin Smith be more consistent? There's no experienced QB backing him up.

WR - Tanner returns but not much experience behind him. Hass and Dylan are big losses as is Lassiter. Who steps up?

DL - Jose is a major loss. Who will step up, if anyone, and replace his production? Ramirez and Trueman accounted for 15 of the 25 sacks. Next closest was Mikah Coleman with 2.

I love this ranking. It gives them respect for what they accomplished, but effectively says, from the MAC coaches, we don't think you guys are quite there yet. In my eyes, that makes for some great bulletin board material. Make them a little hungry to prove they are #1!

Since the coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team, I am dying to know who gave them a first-place vote. Toledo? Western? Who?

The Free Press take:

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/colle...439688007/

Dear cidbearit,
That was one of the better articles written about Eastern. Maybe, if Eastern can live up to expectations, we will continue to get more and better coverage. I know that I can't wait for the season to start.

(07-20-2023 06:14 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  Great article from Tony Paul on EMU at MAC Media Day: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...437836007/

Thanks for sharing Frank. It kinda says it all, Detroit is our next step.