Wrapping up the MAC

I've been talking to you fools for a week about the MAC and all of the MACtion that has happened and will happen. If you're still here, you're obviously TURNT on the fun and are ready to go to war. I've given you some predictions for each team individually, but if you're like me, you're a visual learner. It's our curse. If that's the case, here are your standings.

East:

Ohio                        9-3 (6-2)

Bowling Green       8-4 (6-2)

Buffalo                   5-7 (2-6)

Kent State               4-8 (2-6)

Miami (OH)           3-9 (2-6)  

Akron                     3-9 (1-7)

West:

Western Michigan      12-0 (8-0)

Northern Illinois         11-1 (7-1)

Central Michigan        8-4 (6-2)

Toledo                         7-5 (4-4)

Ball State                     7-5 (4-4)

Eastern Michigan        3-9 (0-8)

Western Michigan is going undefeated. Call your bookie and bet your life savings. As sure as grass is green and the sky is blue, it will happen. They will face Ohio in the title game because I have them winning the regular season game vs BG and owning the tiebreaker. Western Michigan is going to be 13-0 after they handle business against Ohio. Will they get in the playoff? Nope. The MAC gets slept on and doesn't get the respect it deserves. If that happens, I'll riot with you, Broncos. We're in this together. Row the boat boys, it's going to be a blast.

Offensive Player of the Year: Zach Terrell - Western Michigan QB

Defensive Player of the Year: Shawun Lurry - Northern Illinois DB

Coach of the Year: P.J. Fleck - Western Michigan

 All my love,

@corbeech

Mid-American Conference Preview: Ball State

Ball State Cardinals

2015 Record: 3-9 (2-6, 5th in West)

Returning Starters: 6 OFF, 9 DEF, 2 SP

2016 Schedule:

September:

2nd @Georgia State

10th @Indiana

17th EASTERN KENTUCKY

24th @Florida Atlantic

October:

1st NORTHERN ILLINOIS

8th @Central Michigan

15th @Buffalo

22nd AKRON

November:

1st WESTERN MICHIGAN

8th EASTERN MICHIGAN

16th @Toledo

22nd @Miami (OH)

There is a new man on the block in Muncie, Indiana and his name is Mike Neu. He's a former MAC Offensive Player of the Year and has been down in NOLA with my beloved Saints for the past 12 seasons. Knowing the Saints like I do, Neu is an offensive mind who hopefully has a strong defensive coordinator to back it up. 

Offensively, Ball State will return 6 starters from a unit that was 90th nationally in total offense. The passing attack was also 90th and they see their starting QB and two of their top three receivers returning. The rushing attack ranked 71st and returns all three of their main backs. The key for this is that 3 of their starting 5 offensive linemen have moved on to bigger and better things post-college. The offense will only go as far as the new line can carry them, but the skill positions are back and looking strong.

Defensively, things are nearly as sexy for the Cardinals. They were 121st in total defense, which isn't ideal. Their rushing defense is 114th and they gave up 5.9/carry. I'm no scientist, but when your opponent is over halfway to a first down after one carry, you may not be doing your job very well. Things got worse when looking to the 121st ranked passing defense. It could be good or bad news that 9 of the 11 starters from last year are returning. The season will go as far as the defense allows it to.

Player to Watch: Riley Neal

He's the quarterback. He's also the key to Neu's success. As a former qb himself, Neu will have a positive influence on Neal who is coming off a successful 2015 campaign and can only be expected to improve. If the defense continues to struggle, Neal will have to put up even stronger numbers than his 16td:6int ratio from 2015

If you only watch them once, watch:

9/24 @ Florida Atlantic

I'm not certain that they win this game, but FAU provides a team that is as inconsistent as Ball State and this game could mean the difference in bowl eligibility and sitting at home sadly watching the other guys have fun. There are several tossups on their schedule, but this one seems to be the most winnable and thus the most fun. 

Prediction

7-5 (4-4, MAC)

All my love, 

@corbeech

College Football Preview: Mid-American Conference

No disrespect to my fellow blog brothers, but I have the conference that everyone wants a piece of. Everyone loves some MACtion and Thursday nights are the prime example of their glory. I'm giddy to honor my Middle American brethren with some discussion about the hidden gem of college football.

The MAC breaks down into 12 teams making up 2 divisions.

EASTSIDE:
Akron
Bowling Green
Buffalo
Kent State
Miami (OH)
Ohio

WESTSIDE:
Ball State
Central Michigan
Eastern Michigan
Northern Illinois
Toledo
Western Michigan

These will be dropped at a clip of 2 per day up until the end of our journey together. I will be releasing them in reverse order of finish. AKA if you finished on the bottom last season, everyone will hear about you first up until we get through all of the big dogs.

Order will be:

Monday:
Eastern Michigan
Ball State (sorry guys, alphabetical order got ya)

Tuesday:
Miami (OH)
Kent State

Wednesday:
Buffalo
Akron

Thursday:
Ohio
Central Michigan

Friday:
Northern Illinois
Toledo

Saturday:
Western Michigan
Bowling Green
Conference Wrapup

See you soon homies.

All my love,
@corbeech