Plain Dealer reporter Elton Alexander breaks down the Mid-American Conference East Division, with teams in his predicted order of finish.
View full sizeKent State running back Eugene Jarvis returns after missing almost all of last season with a lacerated kidney.1. TEMPLE
Coach: Al Golden, fifth year, 19-30 record.
Last season: 9-4, 7-1.
Offense (11 starters returning): Key among the veterans will be sophomore RB Bernard Pierce (1,361 yards, 16 TDs) and a veteran OL that should improve upon its 187.0 ypg rushing from last season. Any improvement in the passing game (146.5 ypg) significantly bolsters the Owls.
Defense (eight starters returning): The DL anchored a unit that limited the opposition to 107.6 ypg rushing last season and allowed just nine rushing TDs. The secondary will be tested again (226.4 ypg allowed), but it picked off 16 passes last season, second-best in the MAC.
Special teams: An Achilles' heel, as Owls made just 17 of 25 FG attempts last season and averaged net punting of 32.5 yards per kick.
Overview: A true power football team offensively, with a defense that not only led the league in rushing defense, but also led the league in sacks (34) and was second in INTs. A change at QB (Chester Stewart) is a concern, but with the majority of Temple's starters back, the Owls should only improve upon a breakout 2009 season.
Key game: Oct. 9 at Northern Illinois. Could be a preview of the MAC championship game.
View full sizeOhio quarterback Boo Jackson missed all but two games of last season with a shoulder injury.2. OHIO
Coach: Frank Solich, sixth year, 32-31.
Last season: 9-5, 7-1.
Offense (seven): 2008 starting QB Boo Jackson, who missed all but two games last season to injury, returns as a dual threat in the backfield. He will have three returning linemen in front of him and a proven WR in LaVon Brazill (53 rec., 13.2 ypc, 6 TDs). Running game (112.0 ypg) must improve.
Defense (six): In DE Dak Notestine (65 tackles, 6.5 sacks) and LB Noah Keller (155 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 int.), OU can apply some pressure. OU secondary led the MAC with 20 INTs last season, but only S Gerald Moore (68 tackles, 6 int.) returns.
Special teams: Matt Weller, who made the most FGs (21) of any MAC kicker last season, returns.
Overview: Traditional soft-as-a-Twinkie nonconference schedule (Wofford, Louisiana Lafayette) should keep OU in the bowl picture. Lack of a proven running game is a concern after last season (112 ypg). Road matchups at Temple and Kent State the last two weeks could decide title chances and bowl fates for all three.
Key game: Sept. 11 vs. Toledo. Three straight road games follow this tough MAC matchup, so OU can't afford to lose it.
3. MIAMI
Coach: Mike Haywood, second year, 1-11.
Last season: 1-11, 1-7.
Offense (11): The RedHawks took a licking as they learned last season, yet they still ranked among MAC leaders in passing (273.4 ypg). Any jump in the running game (70.1 ypg), and Miami could be a threat in the division. In sophomore QB Zac Dysert (2,611 yards, 12 TDs), Miami has the best talent at that position in the league.
Defense (nine): Lost in Miami's record was the fact it had the No. 2 pass defense in the pass-happy MAC. Its shortcoming was a lack of turnovers: six INTs, six fumble recoveries and just 14 sacks on the season.
Special teams: Miami needs to find a quality punter and kicker.
Overview: MAC schedule sets up perfectly with two early winnable home games (Eastern Michigan, Kent State).
Key game: Oct. 16 at Central Michigan. A win could put Miami in the MAC East title chase.
4. BOWLING GREEN
Coach: Dave Clawson, second year, 7-6.
Last season: 7-6, 6-2.
Offense (three): No MAC team must replace as many high-profile losses as BG. Look for speedster RB Willie Geter (705 yards, 9 TDs) to be the early focal point, as he and two OL are the only returning starters. Aaron Pankrantz (6-6, 220 pounds) is the heir apparent at QB. Experienced WR Adrian Hodges (46 rec., 2 TDs) and Roy Hudson (28 rec., 2 TDs) will be his targets.
Defense (four): Three DL starters who combined for 100 tackles and six sacks will be at the core of the reloading defense. LB is where Falcons are vulnerable early. Secondary, led by Adrian Spencer (42 tackles, 2 int.), has experience.
Special teams: Falcons must replace both kickers.
Overview: This is a program used to winning and used to reloa din g. A major hurdle: Seven of 12 games are on the road.
Key game: Oct. 2 vs. Buffalo. MAC opener for BG, followed by games at OU and Temple.
5. KENT STATE
Coach: Doug Martin, seventh year, 24-46.
Last season: 5-7, 4-4.
Offense (nine): QB Spencer Keith (2,147, 14 TDs) and TB Eugene Jarvis (2,470 yards, 19 TDs rushing combined as sophomore and junior) are the focal points, but key to a big season are breakout years from WRs Tyshon Goode (53 rec., 5 TDs) and Kendrick Pressley (21 rec., 2 TDs).
Defense (seven): Strong up the middle with NG Quinton Rainey (29 tackles, 2 sacks), MLB Cobrani Mixon (108 tackles, 3 sacks) and SS Brian Lainhart (87 tackles, 7 int.). Big year from DE Montae Simmons (56 tackles, 8 sacks) is critical.
Special teams: Kent potentially has MAC's best kicking tandem in P Matt Rinehart (40.9 yards per punt) and K Freddie Cortez (13 FGs).
Overview: A lot has to go right, starting with keeping Keith (shoulder injured last season) healthy all season. Jarvis returns from kidney injury as well. Consistently poor OL play must step up to protect both for Kent to flourish and avoid traditional season-ending fade. Special teams could be worth a win or two.
Key game: Oct. 9 vs. Akron. Kent probably can't go to bowl game without this one.
6. BUFFALO
Coach: Jeff Quinn, first year.
Last season: 5-7, 3-5.
Offense (six): A pair of tailbacks in Brandon Thermilus (560 yards, 4 TDs) and Ike Nduka (598 yards, 6 TDs), plus four returning starting OL give the rebuilding Bulls a foundation from which to grow. No proven QB is a concern, plus little depth/experience at WR.
Defense (eight): Experience led by LB Justin Winters (79 tackles, 5 sacks) and DB Davonte Shannon (97 tackles, 2 int.) should keep UB in games, particularly if DL Steve Means (25 tackles, 5 sacks) has breakout year.
Special teams: A.J. Principe only attempted 10 FGs last season, but he made 10. A new punter is needed.
Overview: Buffalo won a weak MAC East in 2008 but fell back to the pack last season, then lost coach Turner Gill to Kansas. UB defense may help team be competitive. Ending the season with weaker Ball State, EMU and Akron might be too little, too late.
Key game: Oct. 2 at Bowling Green. Without a win here, Buffalo might not get a second win until November.
View full sizeAkron quarterback Patrick Nicely of Willoughby South returns for the Zips, but he is playing for a new coach.7. AKRON
Coach: Rob Ianello, first year.
Last season: 3-9, 2-6.
Offense (six): QB Patrick Nicely (1,349 yards, 6 TDs) gives the Zips a veteran under center, albeit in a new offense, and robust TB Alex Allen (188 yards, 5 TDs) gets a sixth season to prove his hip injury is completely healed. WRs must step up.
Defense (eight): MLB Brian Wagner (132 tackles, 2 INT, 2 fumbles forced) is a sophomore stud, but a DL which recorded a league- low 11 sacks last season has to improve. Depth and experience in the secondary also are issues.
Special teams: Kicker Igor Iveljic is a weapon when focused, and punter Zack Campbell (38.3 yards per punt) can't be ignored.
Overview: The key is Ianello, who arrives with a Notre Dame swagger but little else on his r sum . He has never been a head coach or coordinator on any level. Can he gain respect of a young team or lose it due to inexperience? The Zips have enough talent to pull an upset or two, but the difference between a two-win season or a winning one rests squarely on Ianello.
Key game: Oct. 9 at Kent State. The Zips are 8-2 this decade vs. KSU. No Akron head coach has lost his first game vs. Kent since 1974.