For only the second time in the MAC’s 70-year history, a MAC team went to a major college bowl game. The undefeated Western Michigan Broncos went to the Cotton Bowl last year and ultimately lost to Wisconsin 24-16. Now the 12 teams in the Mid-American Conference are gearing up, in hopes that they become the third team to achieve this feat.
Here is a look at those 12 teams.
Ohio Bobcats
1st in the MAC (1st MAC East)
The National audience will forget that this team went 6-2 against MAC opponents and lost to Western Michigan by only six points in the MAC Championship Game. This season the team returns 12 starters on offense and defense, including running back A.J. Ouellette, who missed almost all of last season after tearing 3 ligaments in his foot. Ouellette will have a veteran offensive line in front of him, which should allow him to add to his 1,517 career rushing yards. The defense has some big shoes to fill with the departure of Tarell Basham and Blair Brown, but look to have a great linebacking corps and solid secondary.
Toledo Rockets
2nd in the MAC (1st MAC West)
Last season, the Rockets finished 2nd in the west and only MAC losses were to top two teams in the MAC. The return a star-studded offense that features the MAC’s best quarterback, Logan Woodside. Woodside will have two All-MAC wide outs, Cody Thompson and Jon’Vea Johnson, and what should be a decent offensive line. The potential downfall down fall of this team would be their defense. This defense allowed nearly 400 yards per game last season. If they want a shot at a MAC title, that defense will need to help this great offense.
Miami (Ohio) Redhawks
3rd in the MAC (2nd MAC East)
The Redhawks have the potential to be a special team in 2017. Chuck Martin’s team will return 15 starters, including quarterback Gus Ragland. Ragland became a hero in Oxford after his coming back from injury to lead them to six straight wins to end the season. Keeping him healthy will be a key for a team that is deep everywhere but quarterback and defensive end. If he does stay healthy, this team could be headed toward big things this season.
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Western Michigan Broncos
4th in the MAC (2nd in the MAC West)
Dominance is the only way to describe the Broncos last season. However, going into 2017, they have a lot of roles to fill. First, head coach and offensive wizard P.J. Fleck left for Minnesota. Also, maybe the best player in school history, Corey Davis, left for the NFL. New head coach Tim Lester will also have to replace stand out quarterback Zach Terrell. This team certainly has a lot to like still. One of the best offensive and defensive line in the conference. Western Michigan also returns the two-headed rushing monster of Jarvion Franklin and LeVante Bellamy. The losses will take their tole and drop the Broncos to 3rd in the West.
Central Michigan Chippewas
5th in the MAC (3rd MAC West)
Central Michigan will have a new quarterback in either the returning Tony Poljan or Michigan transfer Shane Morris. First-year offensive coordinator Chris Ostrowsky has a difficult choice. Starting a new OC and QB in the same year is scary, but the Chippewas have plenty of weapons to ease this transition. Pass catchers like Corey Willis, Mark Chapman, and Tyler Conklin will help whichever QB takes the job. The defense has five returning starters, but don’t let that fool you. There is plenty of depth on this defense. This season for Central Michigan will either be mediocre or great; that will depend on how fast Morris/Poljan and Ostrowsky can get this team going.
Northern Illinois Huskies
6th in the MAC (4th MAC West)
For the first time in nine seasons, the Huskies failed to make a bowl game. Their 5-7 record was their first losing record in as many years. A big reason for their drop was inconsistency at quarterback. That question remains. Coach Rod Carey has yet to pick a starter from his three candidates, junior Ryan Graham, sophomore Daniel Santacaterina, and freshman Marcus Childers. Outside of the QB spot, this could be a pretty good team. Senior running back Jordan Ruff had 1,356 yards and 13 touchdowns over the last two seasons. He (and which over passer starts) will have a solid offensive line in front of them. The defense will be better than last season, but the load will still be the offenses to carry. The big plus for the Huskies is they do not have to play the top teams in the East (Ohio, Miami, and Akron).
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Akron Zips
7th in the MAC (3rd in the East)
Fans of the Zips have to be excited to see the return of QB Thomas Woodson (injury) and RB Warren Ball (eligibility). This offensive line was not well last season, but they return all five starters, so there will be experience. The defense should be solid at linebacker, but they had to replace key pieces in the secondary and up front. All will be tested early when they travel to Happy Valley to take on the defending Big Ten Champs. Frankly, Akron needs big games from Woodson if they want to put pressure on Ohio and Miami.
Eastern Michigan Eagles
8th in the MAC (5th in the West)
Last season Head Coach Chris Creighton and the Eagles ended their 29-year bowl drought with an impressive seven-win season. Repeating this year will be all up to quarterback Brogan Roback. He will still have weapons to work with, but the offensive line looks like it will be taking a step back. The defense will be decent with returners like Kyle Rachwal and new comers like Shaq Jones. However, the offense will still need to carry the load if they want to go bowling for the second straight season.
Bowling Green Falcons
9th in the MAC (4th in the East)
The Falcons should be slightly better than last season, but only slightly. Sophomore quarterback James Morgan had a rough go of it last season when he was thrown into the starting spot. His offensive line will have issues with even though softest of defensive lines this year. The one bonus on offense is the return of first-team All-MAC wide out Scott Miller. The defense should be much better than the team that allowed Memphis to hang 77 on them. However, the lack the top end talent to make them an elite MAC unit.
Ball State Cardinals
10th in the MAC (6th in the West)
Ball State looked poised for big things in 2016 after a 3-1 start that included a big upset over Georgia State. Then the MAC conference play began. Ball State snuck one win out against Buffalo, and that was their only win in the conference. This year the offense will still revolve around running back James Gilbert. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, Gilbert is the only thing to be excited about. This team is young and inexperienced. Between Riley Neal throwing picks and the defense not being able to stop anyone, this should shape up to be a long season for Ball State.
Buffalo Bulls
11th in the MAC (5th in the East)
The Bulls crowning achievement this season will come from not being dead last in the MAC. This team ranked last in points scored and 10th in points allowed in the MAC last year, and things won’t be much better. Sophomore quarterback Tyree Jackson will be forced to carry this team on his back. He will have a decent backfield and passable offensive line, but a complete lack of talent or experience at wide receiver will hinder him. On the other side of the ball, they did return 8 starters, but the lack talent on every level. Expect to hear “At least we are not Kent State” from the mouths of Buffalo fans all season.
Kent State Golden Flashes
12th in the MAC (6th in the East)
Kent State has had more zero-win season than it does bowl appearances. This season will honor that tradition. This offense was better than the 2015 version, which finished in the nation in scoring. However, it still was not good. Wide receiver turned quarterback, Nick Holley was a breath of fresh air for the Golden Flashes, but his injury late in the season sealed their fate. On the other side of the ball, this team was solid last season. Unfortunately, they lost just about every playmaker in the off season. The defense will no longer be able to keep Kent in games, and this offense is not good enough to win on their own. It doesn’t help that they start their season off against the defending champs, either.
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