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: Kent State

Kent State Golden Flashes

2015 Results: 3-9 (2-6, 5th in East)

Returning Starters: 9 OFF, 8 DEF, 1 SP

2016 Schedule

September:

3rd at Penn State

10th NORTH CAROLINA A&T

17th MONMOUTH

24th at Alabama

October:

1st AKRON

8th at Buffalo

15th at Miami (OH)

22nd OHIO

29th at Central Michigan

November:

8th WESTERN MICHIGAN

15th at Bowling Green

25th NORTHERN ILLINOIS

Head coach Paul Haynes inherited a program fresh off of a near BCS bowl game, falling short against Northern Illinois and missing out on the opportunity. Three years in and Haynes has a record of 9-26, nothing to call home about. He started with 4 wins, dropped to 2, and recovered to 3 last season. They are returning a large portion of their team and if they were able to continue their skill growth, they could work their way back toward the team of old.

Offensively, the Golden Flashes ranked next to last nationally in total offense. For the MAC conference, that is a sin. The rush offense ranked at 107, which is rough, but it doesn't quite compete with their dumpster fire of a passing attack that checked in at 120 nationally. They return every skill position and lose only two of their starting O-linemen. They are all back, but does it actually matter? Here's to hoping that they can gain some sort of traction offensively and not be as terrible as last season.

The defense is clearly the strength of this team. They are returning 8 starters from a defense that ranked 27th nationally in total defense, 35th nationally last season when defending the rush, and 39th against the rush. The lost players on defense will not cripple this team due to the amount of talent they are returning. This is different than the teams we have already previewed in that the defense is clearly the straw that stirs the pot for this team. 

Player to watch: Terence Waugh

If I'm being honest, nobody on the offensive side of the ball deserves any recognition until they go out and prove themselves. Waugh led the team in sacks and TFLs last season. He is back and ready to continue being the main man on the strong defense.

If you only watch them once, watch: 10/8 at Buffalo

It was a 1 point game last season in Kent and it stands to reason that this year's game should be a good battle as well. I look for Kent State to solve the riddle that baffled them last season and get the job done this season.

Prediction: 4-8 (2-6, 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