2011 MAC College Football Preview

[Freddy Wills]

1. Miami University
2. Temple
3. Ohio
4. Kent State
5. Bowling Green
6. Buffalo
7. Akron


1. Northern Illinois
2. Western Michigan
3. Toledo
4. Ball State
5. Central Michigan
6. Eastern Michigan

Don’t forget to check out our entire this year as well as all of our league previews which you can find by clicking article titles below:

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Northern Illinois was one of the best a year ago and I do not see much changing under Matt Canada. We should see the overall pace and tempo of the no huddle system quickened which will lead to more points. This team finished 7th in the nation in rushing and 1st in the MAC in yards, points, passing efficiency and sacks allowed. QB Chandler Harnish returns and could be the best in the conference if he stays healthy. The offensive line will be the best in the league and the 2nd best won’t even be close with all five starters back anchored by Trevor Olson, Scott Wedige and Joe Pawlak. The Next Five: Western Michigan, Toledo, Temple, Miami University, and Ohio.


We already mentioned Chandler Harnish as he could be the best player in the conference. Harnish has the best offensive line and probably the best running game supporting him which will make his job much easier. Expect much more passing under Jerry Kill which should lead to another year leading the conference in passing efficiency. The Next Three: Alex Carder (Western Michigan); Zac Dysert (Miami OH); Austin Dantin or Terrence Owens (Toledo)


Temple has their talented 1-2 punch back from a year ago in Bernard Pierce and matt Brown and then you have Myrol Myles sitting and waiting who would start probably on most MAC teams in the league. If they can stay healthy Temple should stay in the mix despite losing their head coach to Florida a year ago. The Next Three: Northern Illinois, Toledo, Western Michigan.


Western Michigan has the most veteran group of receivers in the conference. They’ll also get Jordan White back for a 6th year and White caught 94 balls for 1,378 yards and 10 TD’s a year ago. Add in that they get back veteran TE’s as well as a deep receiving core with Ponder, Arnheim, and Ravenell who combined for 99 catches a year ago and you have a deep set of receivers that will be the best in the league.


1. WR Eric Page, Junior Toledo
2. DE Roosevelt Nix, Sophmore Kent State
3. QB Zac Dysert, Junior Miami OH
4. RB Bernard Pierce, Junior Temple
5. DE Adrian Robinson, Senior Temple


When talking about defense we have Miami University as the #1 defense in the conference and that is what makes them contenders as they have arguably the best QB prospect and the best defense two ingredients to a special season. This is a team that came out of the blue to win the 2010 MAC Championship by getting into the backfield especially against the run. Up front they get everyone back and Jerrell Wedge leads a group of under rated linebacking corps. The secondary is small, but very fast and athletic and the safeties have plenty of experience to lead this group. The Next Three: Kent State, Ohio, and Temple.


Though we talked about Miami University dominating in the MAC Championship game it was not like that all year long. It was Kent state with the best prospect in the conference on defense led by sophomore Roosevelt Nix. They also have Ishmaa’ily Kitchen and Dana Brown forming the best defensive line in the conference. They finished 4th in the nation against the run a year ago and third in tackles for loss as well as 8th in sacks with everyone returning you have to think Nix could only have gotten better to improve his draft stock and the other are a competitive bunch. Expect at some point for Kent State to be the talk of the MAC with this defensive line. The Next 3: Temple, Ohio, and Miami University Ohio.


Northern Illinois will take this category as they have things in place at corner and safety. You may be able to run on this team, but that changes when you try to throw against them as they were ranked 33rd in pass efficiency defense a year ago. Safety Tommy Davis has the all star potential and Demetrius Stone should be a tackling machine. The Next 3: Central Michigan, Miami University, and Toledo.


Miami University again here as we mentioned they are led by Jerrell Wedge and Evan Harris both are big time stars in this conference and we expect them to put up big numbers in 2011. Wedge had 88 tackles and 2 forced fumbles while Harris added 84 tackles and an amazing 6 interceptions in 2010 expect both to improve on these numbers. There is depth behind them with Ryan Kennedy who saw limited action last year and came up with 3.5 sacks expect him to play a major role if this team is going to repeat. The Next 3: Ohio, Akron, and Northern Ilinois.


1. Western Michigan @ Michigan 9/3
2. Toledo @ Ohio State 9/10
3. Wisconsin vs. Northern Illinois 9/17
4. Miami University @ Minnesota 9/17
5. Ohio @ Rutgers 9/24


Ohio, a regular in the MAC race has not been mentioned much here and they could very well win the entire thing. This is one of the best all around kicking games in America and they also have one of the best coverage units allowing just 6.6 yards per punt and 18.6 per kickoff. They have dangerous returners who were among the best in the MAC and PK Matt Weller is a returning all star. They should dominate this category week in and week out, but that still leaves the other 2/3 of the game. The Next 3: Kent State, Western Michigan, and Ball State.


Northern Illinois @ Toledo, November 1st. This should be a three team race in the West, the better of the two divisions and it could very well come down to this match up to see who will be the team out of the West. Luckily the Rockets get the Broncos at home in what should be the best game of the year.