2008 MAC Predictions

Jeff Alexander is all set to go with his 2008 MAC predictions.  He’s rated the conference from top to bottom and gets right to the point on why he likes each team to finish in the position he has designated.  Beat the college football odds all season long with Jeff Alexander calling the shots.

East

1st Place – Miami Ohio Red Hawks

First place in the MAC East doesn’t necessarily mean a bowl game as these teams often beat each other up and usually don’t fair the best in non-conference play.  Miami Ohio is on the bowl fence by my estimation, but a strong defense and the best special teams in the league should get the Red Hawks to the top of the East.

2nd Place – Kent State Golden Flashes

Kent State has a good shot at winning this side of the MAC, too, behind a strong running attack.  Tailback Eugene Jarvis gained 1,600 yards on the ground last season and QB Julian Edelman is a rushing threat at well.  The passing game stinks which gives teams the ability to sit on the run.  A lack of balance likely keeps the Flashes in the No. 2 spot.

3rd Place – Bowling Green Falcons

Bowling Green boasts the most high powered offensive attack on this side of the conference, led by QB Tyler Sheehan.  However, the defense is pathetic and it will be Bowling Green’s major weakness again.

4th Place – Akron Zips

Akron gives up way too many big plays with the worst secondary in the MAC trying to cover talented offensive players.  The Zips best shot is to play field position football, utilizing its strong running game to take care of the ball. 

5th Place – Ohio Bobcats

Losing running back Kalvin McRae will set the Bobcats back, as will playing six of their first eight games away from home.  Home field has been known to be huge in this conference.

6th Place – Temple Owls

Temple is moving in the right direction behind a strong defense which returns all 11 starters from last season.  The Owls need to get stronger on the offensive line though, and they will continue to struggle to score the football until they do.

7th Place – Buffalo Bulls

Running back James Starks goes virtually unnoticed because his team is so poor, but this kid could be a late round steel in the NFL draft.  There’s do “D” in Buffalo and that’s why they’ll be in the gutter.

West

1st Place – Central Michigan Chippewas

The Chippewas will be the best team in the MAC in 2008 behind star QB Dan LeFevour, who is arguable the best QB in this league since Ben Roethlisberger.  Head coach Butch Jones is highly regarded as the best coach in the league and it never hurts matters to have a trusted tactician on board.  A poor defense will keep the Chipps from threatening the top 25 like other mid-majors, but they will be the cream of the crop in the MAC.

2nd Place – Ball State Cardinals

Ball State is all offense and no defense, much like the Chippewas, but its inability to stop the run gives it no chance on the defensive side of the football.  QB Nate Davis does lead an offensive unit which will provide plenty of fireworks.

3rd Place – Toledo Rockets

Expect improvement in Toledo in 2008 as an underachieving defense returns with a chip on its shoulder.  The Rockets could improve as much as two games on last season’s 3-5 conference record.

4th Place – Northern Illinois Huskies

Without a proven QB to run the show, new coach Jerry Kill could have a rough first season.  A defense which return all 11 starters will keep the Huskies in games, but the offense won’t be good enough to win many of them.

5th Place – Western Michigan Broncos

A good defense in this league is never able to stand up to a good offense so even though the Broncos should have the best defense, the offense is not explosive enough to compete.

6th Place – Eastern Michigan Eagles

QB Andy Schmitt won’t get much recognition playing for the Eagles, but he is a very solid QB.  He can’t do it all though, as he will be expected to do, so if the Eagles can’t get early season wins against Toledo and NIU, it could be a long year.

Check out more 2008 MAC predictions at the conferences official website.

 

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August 5, 2008

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