NOTE: These are all my predictions, give me yours on Twitter:
AKRON ZIPS:
2015 Schedule:Sept. 5 -- @ Oklahoma -- L 31-10
Sept. 12 -- Pittsburgh -- L 24-21
Sept. 19 -- Savannah State -- W 28-3
Sept. 26 -- @ Louisiana Lafayette -- W 27-21
Oct. 3 -- Ohio -- L 31-24
Oct. 10 -- @ Eastern Michigan -- W 42-14
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| Akron quarterback Kyle Pohl will have a huge role for the Zips in 2015. Photo Courtesy: Toledo Blade |
Oct. 31 -- Central Michigan -- W 24-20
Nov. 7 -- @ UMass -- L 42-31
Nov. 14 -- @ Miami (OH) -- W 28-7
Nov. 21 -- Buffalo -- W 31-17
Nov. 27 -- Kent State -- W 24-14
Prediction: (6-6 overall, 4-4 MAC)
Outlook: Akron returns senior quarterback Kyle Pohl, who averaged just 209 passing yards per game following the week one win over FCS Howard. In the running game, Akron is less than impressive, especially after losing leading rusher, Jawon Chisholm to graduation. Defensively, Akron will feature a shaky secondary, but could have the passing rushing and front-seven to make up for it. As a whole, the Zips will be talented but inconsistent in my eyes. Being in the MAC East (or MAC "Least" as some call it) will certainly help, especially with the division being wide open once again this season. Akron could be a team that makes a push towards the end of the season with four easily winnable games to close out the regular season, only time will tell.
BALL STATE CARDINALS:
2015 Schedule:Sept. 3 -- VMI -- W 35-10
Sept. 12 -- @ Texas A&M -- L 52-17
Sept. 19 -- @ Eastern Michigan -- W 31-28
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| Ball State quarterback Ozzie Mann isn't a big deep-ball thrower but plays very consistently as a game manager. Photo Courtesy: Ball State Daily |
Oct. 3 -- Toledo -- L 31-14
Oct. 10 -- @ Northern Illinois -- L 34-20
Oct. 17 -- Georgia State -- L 24-21
Oct. 24 -- Central Michigan -- L 34-31
Oct. 31 -- UMass -- L 42-28
Nov. 5 -- @ Western Michigan -- L 38-14
Nov. 17 -- @ Ohio -- L 24-17
Nov. 24 -- Bowling Green -- L 45-31
Prediction: (2-10 overall, 1-7 MAC)
Outlook: As illustrated, I have Ball State being a bad team in 2015. My reasons are due to a lack of a rushing attack after the graduation of Jahwan Edwards to compliment a highly inconsistent passing attack, although Ozzie Mann played consistently last year (ten touchdowns, two interceptions), he doesn't stretch the field enough. On defense, Eric Patterson has graduated and the pass rush was weak last season, looking to improve this year. Overall, I see Ball State as a spoiler, a team that could spoil someone's season towards the final few weeks of the season, especially with three tough games to end the regular season. However, it looks like a rebuilding year for the Cardinals.
BOWLING GREEN FALCONS:
2015 Schedule:Sept. 5 -- @ Tennessee (in Nashville) -- W 28-24
Sept. 12 -- @ Maryland -- L 38-31
Sept. 19 -- Memphis -- W 42-24
Sept. 26 -- @ Purdue -- W 31-28
Oct. 3 -- @ Buffalo -- W 41-17
Oct. 10 -- UMass -- W 52-42
Oct. 17 -- Akron -- W 24-21
Oct. 24 -- @ Kent State -- W 35-10
Nov. 4 -- Ohio -- W 28-17
Nov. 11 -- @ Western Michigan -- L 27-24
Nov. 17 -- Toledo -- L 38-35
Nov. 24 -- @ Ball State -- W 45-31
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| Bowling Green wide receivers Ronnie Moore and Roger Lewis will look to provide another spark in 2015. Photo Courtesy: BCSN |
Prediction: (9-3 overall, 6-2 MAC)
Outlook: Bowling Green will have a fast-paced offense and it will provide fits for opposing defenses. Matt Johnson returns as does sophomore Roger Lewis, who is one of the best receivers in the MAC, already. To open the year, the Falcons go on the road to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Volunteers. Honestly, for some reason, I see Bowling Green winning that game on the road. Obviously, it'll be a hostile environment and Tennessee will be a team on the rise this season, but I don't know if they've seen a high-tempo offense like the one Matt Johnson and Bowling Green will show them. Aside from that bold prediction, the year looks bright for the Falcons. At the end of the season, I see Western Michigan and Toledo getting passed them, even though I expect those two games to be extremely, extremely close. Bowling Green should compete for the MAC Championship again in 2015.
BUFFALO BULLS:
2015 Schedule:Sept. 5 -- Albany -- W 31-7
Sept. 12 -- @ Penn State -- L 45-14
Sept. 19 -- @ Florida Atlantic -- W 24-21
Sept. 26 -- Nevada -- L 35-24
Oct. 3 -- Bowling Green -- L 41-17
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| Buffalo quarterback Joe Licata will be a bright-spot on an otherwise youthful squad. Photo Courtesy: Mass Live |
Oct. 24 -- Ohio -- L 21-10
Oct. 29 -- @ Miami (OH) -- W 35-28
Nov. 5 -- @ Kent State -- W 17-10
Nov. 11 -- Northern Illinois -- L 42-24
Nov. 21 -- @ Akron -- L 31-17
Nov. 27 -- UMass -- L 45-20
Prediction: (4-8 overall, 2-6 MAC)
Outlook: With first year head coach, Lance Leipold, Buffalo should be rebuilding in 2015. Quarterback Joe Licata returns for his third season as the Bulls starting signal caller, but the wide receiving core is weak aside from deep-threat Ron Willoughby. Defensively, the Bulls lost both starting safeties to graduation, had a nation-low two interceptions last season, and allowed 8.33 yards per pass attempt in 2014, which was second-highest in the MAC. On special teams, Buffalo is looking for a starting kicker after losing Patrick Clarke, who struggled anyway. All in all, expect a rebuilding year for the Bulls, despite having a veteran quarterback in Joe Licata.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS:
2015 Schedule:Sept. 3 -- Oklahoma State -- L 38-24
Sept. 12 -- Monmouth -- W 42-7
Sept. 19 -- @ Syracuse -- L 24-21
Sept. 26 -- @ Michigan State -- L 35-6
Oct. 3 -- Northern Illinois -- W 24-14
Oct. 10 -- @ Western Michigan -- L 31-28
Oct. 17 -- Buffalo -- W 31-14
Oct. 24 -- @ Ball State -- W 34-31
Oct. 31 -- @ Akron -- L 24-20
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| Central Michigan first year head coach, John Bonamego. Photo Courtesy: The D Zone |
Nov. 18 -- @ Kent State -- W 38-14
Nov. 27 -- Eastern Michigan -- W 42-24
Prediction: (6-6 overall, 5-3 MAC)
Outlook: Central Michigan was caught by surprise when head coach Dan Enos split to become Arkansas' new offensive-coordinator. Now, rookie head coach, John Bonamego will look to lead Central Michigan to another bowl game. Quarterback Cooper Rush returns from what was a stellar sophomore season in 2014. In the backfield, Central Michigan could struggle after the loss of Thomas Rawls to graduation. Aside from the running situation, the receiving core is depleted as well after the losses of Titus Davis and Courtney Williams. On defense, the Chippewas should be solid, especially up front. Joe Ostman and Blake Serpa return to provide veteran experience, but the Chips need to get to the quarterback a lot more in 2015 after just twenty sacks last season, eight in the MAC. The Chippewas could contend for a MAC Championship this season but I still see them falling short to Toledo for the sixth straight season and I also see it difficult to win in Kalamazoo against P.J. Fleck and the rivaled Broncos.
EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES:
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| Eastern Michigan quarterback Reggie Bell will look to provide a spark in 2015. Photo: CFB Performance |
Sept. 5 -- Old Dominion -- L 38-28
Sept. 12 -- @ Wyoming -- L 31-14
Sept. 19 -- Ball State -- L 31-28
Sept. 26 -- Army -- W 35-22
Oct. 3 -- @ LSU -- L 56-10
Oct. 10 -- Akron -- L 42-14
Oct. 17 -- @ Toledo -- L 45-14
Oct. 24 -- @ Northern Illinois -- L 34-7
Oct. 29 -- Western Michigan -- L 28-0
Nov. 7 -- @ Miami (OH) -- W 36-28
Nov. 14 -- UMass -- L 49-24
Nov. 27 -- @ Central Michigan -- L 42-24
Prediction: (2-10 overall, 1-7 MAC)
Outlook: Ah, the struggle of the Eastern Michigan football program. Unfortunately, it looks like Chris Creighton and the boys are en route to another 2-10 overall season or so. At quarterback, Reggie Bell will provide some explosiveness as a dual-threat, that's if the offensive line can protect him. Eastern Michigan could shock a few teams in the MAC this season, but if it goes as schedule, expect one to two wins in the MAC for this team once again.
KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES:
2015 Schedule:Sept. 4 -- @ Illinois -- L 31-10
Sept. 12 -- Delaware State -- W 21-20
Sept. 19 -- @ Minnesota -- L 48-21
Sept. 26 -- Marshall -- L 59-14
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| Kent State runningback Trayion Durham missed all of 2014 due to injury and will look to jump start the offense in 2015. Photo Courtesy: Record Pub |
Oct. 10 -- @ Toledo -- L 44-21
Oct. 17 -- @ UMass -- L 42-35
Oct. 24 -- Bowling Green -- L 35-10
Nov. 5 -- Buffalo -- L 17-10
Nov. 10 -- @ Ohio -- W 24-20
Nov. 18 -- Central Michigan -- L 34-17
Nov. 27 -- @ Akron -- L 24-14
Prediction: (3-9 overall, 2-6 MAC)
Outlook: One of the worst offenses in college football last season after averaging just 16.4 points per contest, the Kent State Flashes are looking to build. This season, another young team for coach Paul Haynes, who is just 6-17 in his two seasons. The return of runningback Trayion Durham will help after he missed 2014 due to injury, but the Flashes are still extremely young. Two wins may be too low for this team, but until I see a reason to up that number, I see one to two wins being realistic for this team in 2015.
MASSACHUSETTS MINUTEMEN:
2015 Schedule:Sept. 12 -- @ Colorado -- W 35-31
Sept. 19 -- Temple -- L 31-24
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| UMass quarterback Blake Frohnapfel is getting national attention after a stellar season in 2014. Photo Courtesy: Gazette Net |
Oct. 3 -- Florida International -- W 35-20
Oct. 10 -- @ Bowling Green -- L 52-42
Oct. 17 -- Kent State -- W 42-35
Oct. 24 -- Toledo -- L 38-35
Oct. 31 -- @ Ball State -- W 42-28
Nov. 7 -- Akron -- W 42-31
Nov. 14 -- @ Eastern Michigan -- W 49-24
Nov. 21 -- Miami (OH) -- L 31-28
Nov. 27 -- @ Buffalo -- W 42-20
Prediction: (7-5 overall, 5-3 MAC)
Outlook: UMass is a team that I'm extremely high on going into 2015. The defense remains a question mark but the front seven will be solid. The Minutemen return linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox, who recorded 143 total tackles last season and was All-MAC First Team as a junior. The team also returns defensive tackle Shai-Ki Holines and Enock Asante to help stop the run. On offense, the Minutemen return quarterback Blake Frohnapfel, who was fourth in the nation last season with 334 passing yards per game. Frohnapfel also returns his biggest weapon from last year in wide out, Tajae Sharpe, who recorded 1,281 yards and seven touchdowns in 2014. The loss of tight end Jean Sifrin to the NFL is a large one as the Minutemen will need to find a red-zone threat, but there's no telling how far Frohnapfel can lead this team, especially if the defensive secondary can improve.
MIAMI (OH) REDHAWKS:
2015 Schedule:Sept. 5 -- Presbyterian College -- W 28-3
Sept. 12 -- @ Wisconsin -- L 52-14
Sept. 19 -- Cincinnati -- L 45-17
Sept. 26 -- @ Western Kentucky -- L 42-21
Oct. 3 -- @ Kent State -- L 24-17
Oct. 10 -- @ Ohio -- L 31-21
Oct. 17 -- Northern Illinois -- L 41-14
Oct. 24 -- @ Western Michigan -- L 38-7
Oct. 29 -- Buffalo -- L 35-28
Nov. 7 -- Eastern Michigan -- L 36-28
Nov. 14 -- Akron -- L 28-7
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| Miami head coach, Chuck Martin has been solid in recruiting but may need time to translate it to the football field. Photo Courtesy: Zimbio |
Prediction: (2-10 overall, 1-7 MAC)
Outlook: After losing quarterback Andrew Hendrix, runningback Dawan Scott, and starting left tackle Zach Lewis, it should be a year of pain for the Miami Redhawks. Chuck Martin is recruiting well and has the program headed upward, but it could be a "wait until next year" mentality for the Redhawks. Defensively, Miami returns six starters on the front seven but they were second-worst in the MAC by allowing 5.1 yards per rush in 2014. The MAC East is extremely weak, so two or three wins in the MAC is possible, but this team is extremely young. It could be another 2-10 overall season in Martin's second year.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS HUSKIES:
2015 Schedule:Sept. 5 -- UNLV -- W 42-21
Sept. 12 -- Murray State -- W 38-10
Sept. 19 -- @ Ohio State -- L 48-17
Sept. 26 -- @ Boston College -- W 31-27
Oct. 3 -- @ Central Michigan -- L 24-14
Oct. 10 -- Ball State -- W 34-20
Oct. 17 -- @ Miami (OH) -- W 41-14
Oct. 24 -- Eastern Michigan -- W 34-7
Nov. 3 -- @ Toledo -- L 24-21
Nov. 11 -- @ Buffalo -- W 42-24
Nov. 18 -- Western Michigan -- W 21-17
Nov. 24 -- Ohio -- W 28-9
Prediction: (9-3 overall, 6-2 MAC)
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| Northern Illinois quarterback, Drew Hare will have a bit more pressure on his shoulders going into 2015. Photo Courtesy: The Sports Bank |
Outlook: In Rod Carey's tenure, the Huskies have a consistent rushing attack led by quarterback Drew Hare and junior Joel Bouagnon. Following the graduation of leading rusher, Cameron Stingily, Northern Illinois could struggle to find a ground game early on but Bouagnon and Hare will lead a solid stable of backs. The biggest question with the Huskies will be along the offensive line after losing Tyler Loos and center Andrew Ness. Ultimately, I see Northern Illinois finally falling to Toledo but finding a way to beat Western Michigan at home on November 18th. The Huskies will need to rebuild quite a bit after losing top pass rusher Jason Meehan and safety Dechane Durante as well. For any other team, it'd be a rebuilding year and probably an average year at best but for NIU with head coach, Rod Carey, I see them bouncing back just fine after their key losses.
OHIO BOBCATS:
2015 Schedule:Sept. 3 -- @ Idaho -- W 31-8
Sept. 12 -- Marshall -- L 49-28
Sept. 19 -- Southeastern Louisiana -- W 27-3
Sept. 26 -- @ Minnesota -- L 37-14
Oct. 3 -- @ Akron -- W 31-24
Oct. 10 -- Miami (OH) -- W 31-21
Oct. 17 -- Western Michigan -- L 38-14
Oct. 24 -- @ Buffalo -- W 21-10
Nov. 4 -- @ Bowling Green -- L 28-17
Nov. 10 -- Kent State -- L 24-20
Nov. 17 -- Ball State -- W 24-17
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| Ohio quarterback, JD Sprague has the ability to throw or run and will look to win the Bobcats' quarterback battle. Photo Courtesy: BCSN |
Prediction: (6-6 overall, 4-4 MAC)
Outlook: Ohio will look to run the football this fall, no matter who wins the quarterback competition, JD Sprague or Derrius Vick, who are both effective runners. Runningback A.J. Ouellette stepped in as a walk-on true-freshman in 2014 and will provide stability again this season. The passing game could be weak for Ohio, which could be in a problem in the MAC against several solid run defenses. On the defensive end, Ohio was injury-prone in 2014. This year, they'll look to replace defensive linemen Cameron McLeod and Antwan Crutcher. However, the Bobcats have one of the best linebacker combinations in the conference in sophomore Quentin Poling and senior Jovon Johnson. As a whole, Ohio should have a real chance to compete for the MAC East division, especially with it being the weaker division, but may have difficulty hanging with MAC West beasts Western Michigan and Northern Illinois.
TOLEDO ROCKETS:
2015 Schedule:Sept. 3 -- Stony Brook -- W 38-7
Sept. 12 -- @ Arkansas -- L 34-21
Sept. 19 -- Iowa State -- W 42-34
Sept. 26 -- Arkansas State -- W 45-38
Oct. 3 -- @ Ball State -- W 31-14
Oct. 10 -- Kent State -- W 44-21
Oct. 17 -- Eastern Michigan -- W 45-14
Oct. 24 -- @ UMass -- W 38-35
Nov. 3 -- Northern Illinois -- W 24-21
Nov. 10 -- @ Central Michigan -- W 31-24
Nov. 17 -- @ Bowling Green -- W 38-35
Nov. 27 -- Western Michigan -- L 27-21
Prediction: (10-2 overall, 7-1 MAC)
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| Toledo runningback Kareem Hunt will look to carry his team to a potential MAC Championship this season. |
Outlook: Being picked as the favorite to win the MAC is not a certainty, but the Rockets have a serious chance to make the MAC Championship game for the first time since 2004. Maxwell Award preseason nominee, Kareem Hunt will lead Toledo in their backfield after rushing for 1,631 yards in just ten games last season. However, the Rockets are looking to replace all five offensive linemen from 2014, which is a serious question. At quarterback, Philip Ely and Logan Woodside will compete once again, but the Rockets are confident in both after winning nine games combined a year ago. On defense, Toledo is finally healthy after losing defensive backs Cam Cole and Cheatham Norrils a year ago to injury and illness. UAB transfer Rolan Milligan has a chance to be a leader on the Rocket defense as well. Overall, as long as Toledo lives up to expectations, they could end up flirting with Top-25 attention and the season could result in double-digit wins. Again, that's IF they live up to expectations, I expect several wins to be extremely close this season for Matt Campbell and the Rockets.
WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS:
2015 Schedule:Sept. 4 -- Michigan State -- L 37-14
Sept. 12 -- @ Georgia Southern -- W 35-17
Sept. 19 -- Murray State -- W 48-14
Sept. 26 -- @ Ohio State -- L 52-20
Oct. 10 -- Central Michigan -- W 31-28
Oct. 17 -- @ Ohio -- W 38-14
Oct. 24 -- Miami (OH) -- W 38-7
Oct. 29 -- @ Eastern Michigan -- W 28-0
Nov. 5 -- Ball State -- W 38-14
Nov. 11 -- Bowling Green -- W 27-24
Nov. 18 -- @ Northern Illinois -- L 21-17
Nov. 27 -- @ Toledo -- W 27-21
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| Western Michigan runningback Jarvion Franklin looks to lead the Broncos to a MAC Championship in 2015. Photo Courtesy: Campus Press Box |
Prediction: (9-3 overall, 7-1 MAC)
Outlook: What a turnaround under P.J. Fleck. The Western Michigan Broncos went from a below average program to recruiting with top programs and top conferences once Fleck showed up in Kalamazoo. Recruiting is great, but it's about producing on the field. If the Broncos do that in 2015, it could be a historical season for them, especially behind junior quarterback Zach Terrell, who threw for 26 touchdowns and just ten interceptions in 2014. Don't forget about Jarvion Franklin, who won MAC Freshman of the Year as well as MAC Offensive Player of the Year as a true-freshman a year ago. At receiver, Western will feature Corey Davis and Daniel Braverman, who combined for over 2,400 yards receiving in 2014. It will get interesting in the MAC West and right now, it's anyone's division to take. Western Michigan should be in serious contention for that MAC crown in 2015.
CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN (CONFERENCE PREDICTIONS):
MAC East:1) Bowling Green (9-3 overall, 6-2 MAC)
2) UMass (7-5 overall, 5-3 MAC)
3) Ohio (6-6 overall, 4-4 MAC)
4) Akron (6-6 overall, 4-4 MAC)
5) Buffalo (4-8 overall, 2-6 MAC)
6) Kent State (2-10 overall, 2-6 MAC)
7) Miami (OH) (2-10 overall, 1-7 MAC)
MAC West:
1) Western Michigan (9-3 overall, 7-1 MAC)
2) Toledo (10-2 overall, 7-1 MAC)
3) Northern Illinois (9-3 overall, 6-2 MAC)
4) Central Michigan (6-6 overall, 5-3 MAC)
5) Ball State (2-10 overall, 1-7 MAC)
6) Eastern Michigan (2-10 overall, 1-7 MAC)
Bowling Green (East) vs. Western Michigan (West)
Conference Prediction Recap:
As a whole, I have eight Mid-American Conference teams getting to six wins or more, becoming bowl eligible and that's a bit unrealistic. The MAC is a conference on the rise, although teams like Northern Illinois have some slight rebuilding to do. However, UMass is a team that could shock some people by winning seven or even eight games while Western Michigan's recruiting could already pay off this season. Toledo is picked to win the MAC and I see that as a serious possibility. However, over the past few seasons, Toledo has been crushed by the tiebreakers and not being able to surpass Northern Illinois. This season, I see two close games in The Glass Bowl between Toledo and Northern Illinois along with Western Michigan. The conference is stacked with stellar players to watch for, including Jarvion Franklin, Corey Davis, Kareem Hunt, Blake Frohnapfel, and Joe Licata. Overall, UMass can make some noise while Northern Illinois takes a slight step back and Kent State, Miami, Ball State, and Eastern Michigan all remain in the cellar of the conference.Questions, thoughts, or comments? Contact Zach on Twitter: @ToledoZach
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