Mid-American Conference Preview: Bowling Green

Bowling Green Falcons 

2015 Results: 10-4 (7-1, 1st in East)
Lost to Georgia Southern in Go Daddy Bowl 

Returning Starters: 5 OFF, 6 DEF, 1 SP

2016 Schedule: 

September:

3rd at Ohio State

10th NORTH DAKOTA

17th MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE

24th at Memphis

October:

1st EASTERN MICHIGAN

8th at Ohio

15th at Toledo

22nd MIAMI (OH)

November: 

1st at Northern Illinois

9th at Akron

15th KENT STATE

25th BUFFALO

Bowling Green was awesome in 2015. AWESOME. They were a guaranteed cover and made me a decent bit of money last year. They were all about offense and said " screw it" every time the other team had the ball. Dino Babers abandoned ship and went to Syracuse, leaving the program better than he found it. Mike Jinks is new man in charge. Coming over from Texas Tech, I'll let you figure out what kind of offense he prefers. It's looking like the team try to match up with their previous team, but the question will be how the new guys can fill in.

The offense was crazy last year. You could count on BG to drop points, let the ball fly, and have a fun game. Matt Johnson was second nationally in passing yards and touchdowns. You could set your watch by BG. They were going to throw the ball around like mad men and put up points. Johnson threw for 49 touchdowns, which would be around the 50-60 range in team touchdowns. Let that sink in. Their offense was bonkers and if the system can catch on, this next crop can do similar things.

Defensively, BG couldn't care less. They weren't as bad as the Hal Mumme teams who would let the opponent score just so they could get the ball back, but they weren't far ahead. They return half of their starters, which doesn't instill much confidence in them getting better. They need to make monumental strides in order to keep up last year's record and team toughness. They lost far too many offensive weapons to struggle defensively in the coming season.

Player to watch: Austin Valdez

I've been bashing the defense, but Valdez is a beast and he's back for his Junior year. Last year, he was the star of the defense with 101 tackles, 11 TFL, and 2 interceptions. He was everywhere and he had to be. Otherwise, BG may have given up 75 points per game. For them to have success this season, he'll have to step his game up and carry the load.

If you only watch them once, watch: 10/15 at Toledo

They're fighting an absolute battle vs Toledo and it's going to be a revenge game from last year. I have them stunning the Rockets and pulling out the W. "How can you do that after they lost all of those weapons?", you may ask. Simple, I'm the blogger and you're the reader. Kidding. Toledo is replacing a lot of offensive players too, so I'm going with Bowling Green in this one.

Prediction: 8-4 (6-2, MAC)

All my love,

@corbeech

Mid-American Conference Preview: Western Michigan

Western Michigan Broncos 

2015 Results: 8-5 (6-2, T1st in West)
Beat MTSU in Bahamas Bowl 

Returning Starters: 7 OFF, 5 DEF, 1 SP

2016 Schedule: 

September:

3rd at Northwestern

10th NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL

17th at Illinois

24th GEORGIA SOUTHERN

October: 

1st at Central Michigan

8th NORTHERN ILLINOIS

15th at Akron

22nd EASTERN MICHIGAN

November:

1st at Ball State

8th at Kent State

19th BUFFALO

25th TOLEDO

ROW THE BOAT. Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck is ready for his 4th season. He has shown a strong improvement as each season has played out. I'm not going to lie to you, his first season was ugly with a 1-11 record. That will worry anyone. Fear not, he dropped back to back 8-5 seasons to alleviate any fear that was in place. Two of the five losses from last season were to Michigan State and Ohio State. Those two programs are nothing to scoff at. Western Michigan is trending in the right direction and they're going to do some damage this season.

The offense brings back their quarterback in Zach Terrell and he will look to build upon his stellar 2015 season where he threw for over 3,500 yards and paired it with 29 touchdown passes. The run game brings back Jamauri Bogan who ran for over 1,000 yards and had 16 touchdowns to go with it. The offense had firepower last year, but they're bringing it all back this year and that makes them even scarier. 

Defensively, they're going to have to step their game up. They were a middle of the pack defense last year and lost 6 starters from that team. Keion Adams returns for his Senior campaign and looks to expand on his 5.5 sack season last year. Darius Phillips will have to be a rock for the secondary to rely upon if they're going to do better against the pass than their 72nd ranked pass defense of 2015. Coach Fleck better pray his defense gets it's act together or it could spell disaster. I'm praying for it to work out because I'm putting a lot of faith in you boys. Don't make me look even dumber than I am.

Player to watch: 

First off, this picture is dope. Secondly, this kid is going to be the beast that makes this team into a national contender this season. I'm assuming that he is going to be the stud that he has been, only better. If he improves like I believe him to, he will easily be a contender for MAC player of the year and will be a dark horse in the Heisman race. Keep your eyes peeled for Zach and watch him dominate.

If you only watch them once, watch: 9/3 at Northwestern

This is the game that I was torn on predicting. Playing on the road at a decent Big Ten team is a tough game. I at first had Northwestern taking them down, but I've changed my tune. The Big Ten sucks and Western Michigan is going to take a dump on Big Ten Vandy. You're going undefeated Western Michigan, get hyped and enjoy the ride.

Prediction: 12-0 (8-0, MAC)

All my love, 

@corbeech

Mid-American Conference Preview: Toledo

Toledo Rockets 

2015 Results: 10-2 (6-2, T1st MAC)
Beat Temple in Boca Raton Bowl 

Returning Starters: 8 OFF, 4 DEF, 2 SP

2016 Schedule:

September:

2nd at Arkansas State

10th MAINE

17th FRESNO STATE

30th at BYU

October: 

8th at Eastern Michigan

15th BOWLING GREEN

22nd CENTRAL MICHIGAN

27th OHIO

November: 

2nd at Akron

9th at Northern Illinois

16th BALL STATE

25th at Western Michigan

Toledo had a STRONG 2015 season. 10-2 is nothing to scoff at. They only lost to WMU and NIU, two decent teams. Beating either one would have resulted in a MAC Championship appearance. Head coach Jason Candle is beginning his first full season at the helm. He was the OC last season and got to coach the bowl game. As you saw earlier, he won that bowl game, so he's currently undefeated as the head coach (1-0). Yea, he may be unbeatable.

Offensively, they're bringing back a good amount of players and talent. They lose the Alabama transfer Philip Ely, but they return their 2014 starter in Logan Woodside. The passing game should remain roughly similar to the previous season's success, but it's iffy. They return 4 starting linemen and all of their running backs. This should alleviate some of the stress that Woodside will be feeling in the coming season. 

On the defensive side of the ball, there will be a full on roster makeover. They lose basically anybody who made a contribution. Last season, Toledo had the number 10 rushing defense in the nation and now they're all gone. Sure, they were awesome last year, but none of those beasts are back. The returning starters aren't all that impressive, so the defense will be the hindrance for a stellar Toledo team.

Player to watch: Logan Woodside

He's going to be getting his job back as the starter and he's going to have to be better than ever to carry the load. The defense is looking like a dumpster fire, so he better light it up. If he is able to be better than Ely was last year, Toledo can do some damage. Sadly, even if he is awesome they may still tank this season. The defense is just a huge question mark and it worries me.

If you only watch them once, watch: 10/22 vs Central Michigan

This is a match up that was a delightful battle in 2015, with Toledo going to CMU and coming away with the W. Times have changed, and I believe CMU to be a better team this season. This game was fun last year and will probably be a fun battle this year with an improved CMU team coning down to Toledo.

Prediction: 7-5 (4-4, MAC)

All my love, 

@corbeech

Mid-American Conference Preview: Northern Illinois

Northern Illinois Huskies 

2015 Results: 8-6 (6-2, T1st in MAC West)
Lost to Boise State in Poinsettia Bowl 

Returning Starters: 8 OFF, 6 DEF, 2 SP

2016 Schedule: 

September: 

3rd at Wyoming

10th at South Florida

17th SAN DIEGO STATE

24th WESTERN ILLINOIS

October:

1st at Ball State

8th at Western Michigan

15th CENTRAL MICHIGAN

22nd BUFFALO

November:

1st BOWLING GREEN

9th TOLEDO

16th at Eastern Michigan

25th at Kent State

Have you heard about Northern Illinois? They're a decent team. They've only won or tied for 1st in their division for the past six seasons. That's not too bad, but they're still hungry for more. Head coach Rod Carey is ready for battle and has a looooooooooot of offense coming back with him. A friendly schedule (playing 4 of the top 5 MAC teams at home) could be a sign of fun times ahead for the boys.

Their offense will be the straw that stirs the pot. They were sort of middle of the pack offensively last season, but all the boys are back to party and you can add in Tommy Mister the Indiana transfer. This turns an already strong rushing attack (41st nationally in 2015) into an even more beastly being. Quarterback Drew Hare is back from an achilles injury and is ready to continue the winning legacy that he has known since graduating from high school.

Defensively, they have some work to do. They are losing their top performers on the d-line, linebacker, and secondary. That's a good amount to replace on a unit that was less than stellar the season before. This means the returning players Sean Folliard and Shawun Lurry are going to have to repeat their 2015 efforts and even expand upon them. Luckily for the defense, they have a few friendly games to get the season started and give them the reps they need to get in the rhythm.

Player to watch: Shawun Lurry

#DefensiveLivesMatter. I've been too biased toward offensive players in my MAC previews, so the defense needs some more love. Lurry had 9 interceptions in 2015. If that seems like a lot, that's because that was the most in the NCAA. Yea, Lurry is that dude. He knew what to do with the ball when he got it too, leading the nation with 273 interception return yards. Keep rolling Shawun.

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

This is the MAC West championship. The top two teams from the previous year will meet with championship aspirations and see who is the better man. Last year, NIU took care of business, but this year they head into Kalamazoo to do battle. Will the result be the same? Time will tell.

Prediction: 11-1 (7-1, MAC)

All my love, 

@corbeech

Mid-American Conference Preview: Central Michigan

Central Michigan Chippewas 

2015 Results: 7-6 (6-2, T1st in West)
Lost to Minnesota in Quick Lane Bowl 

Returning Starters: 7 OFF, 7 DEF, 1 SP 

2016 Schedule:

September:

1st PRESBYTERIAN

10th at Oklahoma State

17th UNLV

24th at Virginia

October:

1st WESTERN MICHIGAN

8th BALL STATE

15th at Northern Illinois

22nd at Toledo

29th KENT STATE

November:

4th at Miami (OH)

15th OHIO

22nd EASTERN MICHIGAN

Head coach John Bonamego is returning for his second season and has a solid team to back him up. NIU got the bid to represent the West in the MAC title game, but they couldn't handle the Chippewas back in the regular season. A 4 team tie for the top spot in the division didn't fall the way they needed it to and they had to sit back and accept that. They have the core group back and will be a threat to run the West again this year.

On the offensive side of the ball, they are an easy team to profile, but a tougher team to stop. They're going to throw the ball. Plain and simple. They ranked 19th nationally last season and they return their top 3 receivers and a stud quarterback. Care to guess the game plan for this season? THEY'RE GOING TO BE THROWING THE BALL! Quarterback Cooper Rush is in the hood for his final hoorah and is looking to build on his 3,848 yard season with 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He's got everything he needs to succeed and he's going to do some damage.

Defensively, they are BEASTS! Top 30 in all three main categories and returning nearly all of their key players. This defense is going to be stronger than last season and provide the offense with the support they need to be great. As long as some unforseen issue doesn't present itself, the defense will be able to anchor the load and allow the offense to be the passing machine that it previously has been.

Player to watch: Cooper Rush

This goofy son of a b is the trigger man who is going to guide the Chippewas to glory! He has the golden arm that will carry his fellow man and put them in the position to dominate the West this season.

If you only watch them once, watch: 9/24 at Virginia

I'm not sure they're able to go to Virginia and knock off the Cavaliers, but it wouldn't surprise me if they did. They are that talented. This Chippewas team is a sneaky good team that has a goofy mascot and is deceptive. Don't sleep on them or else you'll get slapped.

Prediction: 8-4 (6-2, MAC)

All my love,

@corbeech

Mid-American Conference Preview: Ohio

Ohio Bobcats 

2015 Results: 8-5 (5-3, T2nd East)
Lost to Appalachian State in Camellia Bowl

Returning Starters: 6 OFF, 7 DEF, 0 SP 

2016 Schedule:

September:

3rd TEXAS STATE

10th at Kansas

17th at Tennessee

24th GARDNER-WEBB

October:

1st at Miami (OH)

8th BOWLING GREEN

15th EASTERN MICHIGAN

22nd at Kent State

27th at Toledo

November:

3rd BUFFALO

15th at Central Michigan

22nd AKRON

Forget about the Buckeyes, there's another team in Ohio that can do some damage. The Bobcats have been a consistent 6+ win team since Frank Solich took over in 2005. Solich brought a winning pedigree to the program and they have picked up what he has been putting down. Last year, they were one game away from battling it out in the conference championship. The downer is that they got trounced by Bowling Green by 38, so that was a biiiiiiiiiiig L. 

Offensively, J.D. Sprague is now the man. Derrius Vick has graduated and the quarterback position is Sprague's to lose. Last year's offense was top-56 in all three categories. This is essentially the spot that a 7 to 8 win team should be falling. Sprague will be loaded with weapons for the season, seeing as how he returns his leading rusher and top 3 wide receivers. The offense should be able to expand upon last season's progress and I can see them doing some damage in the coming season. 

On the defensive side of the ball, they return 6 of their front 7. That bodes well for their rush defense, which was the weak link of the team last season. Unfortunately, only Toran Davis returns from their starting defensive backfield and will be tasked with anchoring the young secondary around him. The defense will be strong up front, but will be as good as their secondary will allow them to be. In the pass-heavy MAC, a weak secondary could be crushing for a team, so it will be interesting to watch.

Player to watch: J.D. Sprague

To paraphrase the great Shooter McGavin, "It's J.D.'s turn!" He's ready to take the lead and continue the winning ways of Coach Solich. Sprague is a dual-threat quarterback who will be loaded with weapons around him and prepared to put in work on the MAC. I look forward to seeing how he handles the season.

If you only watch them once, watch: 10/8 vs Bowling Green

This is the rematch of the (essentially) the East division championship from last season and Bowling Green is coming to Athens for battle this time. This game should be the East championship for this coming season as well. Winner takes all!

Prediction: 9-3 (6-2, MAC)

All my love, 

@corbeech

Mid-American Conference Preview: Akron

Akron Zips 

2015 Results: 8-5 (5-3, T2nd in East)
Beat Utah State in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl 

Returning Starters: 3 OFF, 4 DEF, 0 SP 

2016 Schedule:

September:

3rd VMI

10th at Wisconsin

17th at Marshall

24th APPALACHIAN STATE

October:

1st at Kent State

8th MIAMI (OH)

15th WESTERN MICHIGAN

22nd at Ball State

27th at Buffalo

November:

2nd TOLEDO

9th BOWLING GREEN

22nd at Ohio

Oooooooooh Akron. Look at you, you 8-5 studs. LeBron won a title, you won your bowl game, and the Browns have RG3 quarterbacking them. LIFE IN OHIO IS STROOOOOOONG! Head coach Terry Bowden is a gem for them to have at the helm. That last name Bowden probably ounds familiar because Terry is the son of football legend Bobby Bowden. Terry is the rebuild king and even has an undefeated season and possible national title to his name at Auburn. Terry is going to have to rebuild this team because they lost 15 of their 22 offensive and defensive starters, so the entire team will be a new experience.

Looking at last year's stats will not give you much of an estimate of this team's success because very few faces will be familiar. So we'll just take a look at what is coming back. They return a quarterback, wide receiver, and tight end. No linemen return, no running backs, a limited run game. It appears all we will address is the passing game, or what remains from it. Quarterback Thomas Woodson is their returning leader in rushing and passing. For them to have a shot at success this season, he's going to have to bring it and stay healthy.

Defensively, they had a pretty strong unit last year, boasting 83rd pass defense and the 3rd best rush defense (TOP 3!). That rush defense is unreal, but unfortunately they are losing a good chunk of their core. They return 157 tackles between the 4 returning starters. That's a lot to replace and I'm not so sure they'll be able to mange it. That ridiculous defense is all broken up now and DC Chuck Amato is going to have his hands full in developing his next batch of defenders.

Player to watch: Thomas Woodson

He's the quarterback and he's the key to Akron's success. If he is able to build upon his successful 2015 campaign, he may be able to help maintain the stream of success that Akron is coming to enjoy under Coach Bowden. There is the off chance that even if he does build upon that success, they will still struggle. There are so many moving pieces that it's impossible to predict. Woodson is the biggest hop that they have.

If you only watch them once, watch: 10/8 vs Miami (OH)

This is looking like a battle of two rebuilding teams and it will be interesting to see who is where on the rebuilding scale. This will be their best shot at a conference win and it will be extremely interesting to see who is able to make that first step. 

Prediction: 3-9 (1-7, MAC)

All my love, 

@corbeech