A wide-open race in the MAC's West will provide an opportunity for any team that can develop quickly this fall.
Toledo's Eric Page (12) should be one of the Mid-American Conference's top wide receivers, but the Rockets will need to find some other offensive performers to place around him this season.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A quickie preview of the Mid-American Conference's West Division football competition in 2010.
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
WEST DIVISION CAPSULES
(In predicted order of finish)
WESTERN MICHIGAN
Coach: Bill Cubit, 6th year, 34-27 record.
Last season: 5-7, 4-4.
Offense (8 starters returning): No returning QB or TB starter only means there is no face for this offense. But Cubit has never had a team that couldn't score (24.7 ppg last season) and a key to what generates points is on hand. Four OL starters should aid the arrival of WMU's next QB and RB. Also, three proven WRs return, led by Jordan White (53 rec., 681 yds., 4 TD).
Defense (7 starters returning): Strong up the middle with safeties Mario Armstrong (62 tackles) and Jamail Berry (58 tackles, 5 INT), LB Deauntay Legrier (44 tackles) should anchor a defense that should improve on its 418.8 ypg allowed last season. Improve upon the 19 team sacks and the Broncos will likely be among the best in the league.
Special teams: Soph. punter Ben Armer (39.0) returns as one of the MAC's best. Kicking game needs a lift.
Overview: In the tough MAC West, a lack of a proven QB can doom a season. But Cubit's history is once he finds his man, all systems are go. With no offensive juggernaut in the division, WMU can rise to the top fast. An improved defense also makes all things possible.
Key game: Oct. 23, at Akron -- Broncos and Zips have had some weird games over the years.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Coach: Jerry Kill, 3rd year, 13-13 record.
Last season: 7-6, 5-3.
Offense (6 starters returning): QB Chandler Harnish (1,670 yds, 11 TD) should raise his passing numbers significantly, particularly with WR Landon Cox (45 rec, 4 TD) returning. Yet NIU is defined by its tailbacks. One must emerge.
Defense (11 starters returning): Tough to find a problem on this side of the ball. The best of the bunch is DE Jake Coffman (39 tackles, 8.5 sacks), LB Alex Kube (60 tackles) and safety Tracy Wilson (93 tackles). A jump in turnovers (8 INT) is all that's needed.
Special teams: FG kicker must emerge.
Overview: Everything seems poised for a dominant season for the Huskies, including a soft MAC beginning (Akron) and ending (Ball State, Eastern Michigan), albeit all on the road. Somehow it's too perfect, even with the best 2009 defense (329.9 ypg/21.6 ppg) returning completely intact. But score more than the 28.6 ppg. from last season and the Huskies could roll.
Key game: Oct. 30, at Western Michigan -- NIU has few road MAC challenges, but this is one.
Will Central Michigan find a suitable replacement for Dan LeFevour, who dominated the MAC for the last four years?CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Coach: Dan Enos, 1st year, 0-0.
Last season: 12-2, 8-0.
Offense (6 starters returning): Leading passer and rusher (QB Dan LeFevour) and top receiver from last season are all gone, leaving a gaping hole at offensive skill positions. Top candidates are QB Ryan Radcliff (115 yds., 2 INT) and RB is Carl Volny (390 yds., 3 TD).
Defense (6 starters returning): The secondary must be completely rebuilt, but LB Nick Bellore (132 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INT) is a great anchor in the middle while DL Sean Murnane (39 tackles, 3.5 sacks) and John Williams (29 tackles, 2.5 sacks) should solidify the line.
Special teams: P Brett Hartmann (38.4 ypg) is solid; K is needed.
Overview: This championship program is on its third coach in five seasons, but only its second QB, which is the major concern. Four OL starters return to protect the new QB and open holes for a new RB as well. Defense should be solid in the MAC West where a lot of transition is going on.
Key game: Oct. 2 vs. Ball State -- A must win at home between road games at Northwestern and Virginia Tech.
TOLEDO
Coach: Tim Beckman, 2nd year, 5-7.
Last season: 5-7, 3-5.
Offense (7 starters returning): Prolific 2009 offense (438.2 ypg) returns all key players minus a veteran QB. Key among point producers will be WR Eric Page (82 rec., 7 TD), while QBs Austin Dantin and Alex Pettee and RBs Morgan Williams and Adonis Thomas battle for starting roles.
Defense (7 starters returning): The Rockets were a sinking ship on defense last season (407.4 yards allowed, last in red zone defense), so while many veterans return only LB Archie Arnold (116 tackles) and S Jermaine Robinson (58 tackles, 3 sacks) seem secure in their positions.
Special teams: Improvement needed in kicking game.
Overview: If the Rockets can maintain their offensive production from last season they won't be worse than .500. But if the defense does not improve, it's tough to see UT getting any better. Over the long haul, defense will determine any bowl chances.
Key game: Oct. 16 vs. Kent State -- Can't afford to lose at home to potent, but unproven, MAC team.
BALL STATE
Coach: Stan Parrish, 2nd season, 2-10.
Last season: 2-10, 2-6
Offense (10 starters returning): QB Kelly Page (1,019 yds, 7 TD) was working on a solid 2009 season before being injured. A healthy season, combined with more production from veteran RB MiQuale Lewis (871 yds., 5 TD) could lift this team.
Defense (7 starters returning): While most starters return, none played on the defensive line. If BSU finds some linemen, OLB Robert Eddins (55 tackles, 7 sacks, 3 FF, 2 blocked kicks) and SS Sean Baker (61 tackles, 4 INT) should hold up the back end.
Special teams: MAC's top kicker, Ian McGarvey (18 of 21); No. 4 punter, Scott Kovanda (40.0 yards).
Overview: The Cardinals have an offense that showed signs of potency before Page's late-season injury. It will take a couple of early upsets (at CMU, vs. WMU) to get into the West race.
Key game: Oct. 16 vs. Eastern Michigan -- Loser of this game likely headed to the back of the MAC West pack.
EASTERN MICHIGAN
Coach: Ron English, 2nd season, 0-12.
Last season: 0-12, 0-8.
Offense (6 starters returning): RB Dwayne Priest (633 yds, 7 TD) has a proven nose for the end zone, and TE Ben Thayer (29 rec, 2 TD) will be a solid outlet for whatever QB emerges. Three OL starters provide experience, but depth is an issue.
Defense (6 starters returning): Three veteran DL starters give the Eagles a chance to be solid up front, as EMU allowed a MAC-worst 427.2 yards last season. But there is also a need to improve on the sack numbers (17) and overall turnovers (23) to make a jump up the ranks of MAC defenses.
Special teams: Improvement needed in the kicking game.
Overview: Tough schedule (at Ohio State, at Vanderbilt, at Virginia) will not make rebuilding easy for English.
Key game: Oct. 2, vs. Ohio U. -- EMU will surely be the underdog, but still a must-win to avoid an 0-5 start to the season.