While the MAC may be one of the less entertaining conferences to watch, superstars such as Jordan Lynch, Zurlon Tipton, and Dri Archer are littered throughout. While Northern Illinois as the clear cut leader, the rest of the conference will be fighting for scraps.
Akron
2012-2013 Record: 1-11 (0-8)
Last Bowl Game: L, 31-38 vs Memphis (2004-2005 season)
Head Coach: Terry Bowden
Returning Starters: Offense- 7, Defense- 5
2013 Schedule
at UCF
James Madison
at Michigan
Louisiana
at Bowling Green
Ohio
at Northern Illinois
at Miami (OH)
Ball State
Kent State
at Massachusetts
Toledo
Offense Preview
The Zips will be lead by Sophomore QB Kyle Pohl, who threw for five TDs through the air on only 58 attempts last season. While Pohl is promising, the run game won’t lose any speed either with RB Jawon Crisholm returning. Surprisingly enough, Akron was 45th in overall offense in 2012. If they want any success, this will have to be consistent.
Defense Preview
Ranking in as the 101st defense in 2012, the loss of six starters doesn't help at all. Only one of the team’s five interceptions were by a returning player and their two leading tacklers are no longer Zips. Once again, they are primed to struggle defensively.
Top Newcomer: Mykel Traylor-Bennett, Wide Receiver- At 6’3”, he will tower over opposing CBs and should be able to his QB’s safety blanket.
Key Games
Kent State- Dri Archer will be absolutely impossible to shut down in this rivalry game.
at Massachusetts- This game may very well decide who the worst team in the conference is.
Season Prediction: 2-10, not Bowl Eligible
Bowling Green
2102-2013 Record: 8-5 (6-2)
Last Bowl Game: L, 29-20 vs San Jose State
Head Coach: Dave Clawson
Returning Starters: Offense- 9, Defense- 9
2013 Schedule
Tulsa
at Kent State
at Indiana
Murray State
Akron
Massachusetts
at Mississippi State
Toledo
at Miami (OH)
Ohio
at Eastern Michigan
at Buffalo
Offense Preview
As they did in 2012, the Falcons will lean on Anthon Samuel for consistent offensive production. Samuel only ran for three fewer TDs than starting QB Matt Schilz threw for (Samuel had 11 TDs). Luckily for Schilz, he will have his entire WR corps returning by his side next season.
Defense Preview
Despite losing a third of their sack production because DT Chris Jones will not be returning, the Bowling Green front seven is returning most other starters, thus it is still primed to impress. A majority of their interception production is also returning, which should help out the DL after the loss of Chris Jones.
Top Newcomer: Fred Coppet, Running Back- The 3-star running back should take over starting responsibilities after Anthon Samuel and may even contribute this year.
Key Games
at Kent State- After only losing by 7 to Kent State last year, the Falcons need to show their MAC dominance early on in the year.
Toledo- Bowling Green needs to prove they are still the kings of this rivalry.
Season Prediction: 6-6, not Bowl Eligible
Buffalo
2012-2013 Record: 4-8 (3-5)
Last Bowl Game: L, 38-20 vs Connecticut (2008-2009 Season)
Head Coach: Jeff Quinn
Returning Starters: Offense- 9, Defense- 8
2013 Schedule
at Ohio State
at Baylor
Stony Brook
Connecticut
Eastern Michigan
at Western Michigan
Massachusetts
at Kent State
Ohio
at Toledo
at Miami (OH)
Bowling Green
Offense Preview
While Alex Zordich was the starting QB until he was injured, Joe Licata proved he could steal the job at any time. The real headliner at Buffalo is RB Branden Oliver who was averaging 100+ yards per game when he was healthy. In games where Oliver had less than 20 carries, the Bulls were only 2-6.
Defense Preview
Highly praised linebacker Khalil Mack returns as the Bulls reigning tackles and sacks champion and he can only get better. His athleticism is quite rare. DBs Najja Johnson and Cortney Lester return with a combined nine interceptions in 2012. There is an abundance of veteran talent on the Buffalo defense and it doesn’t appear as if they’ll disappoint.
Top Newcomer: Kyvaune Brammer, Wide Receiver- While he’s only a 2-star recruit, Brammer is big enough to be able to make his mark.
Key Games
at Baylor- Buffalo will have an early chance for a huge upset that would put them on the map.
at Kent State- This rivalry match will be a battle of high powered offenses.
Season Prediction: 5-7, not Bowl Eligible
Kent State
2012-2013 Record: 11-3 (8-0)
Last Bowl Game: L, 17-13 vs Arkansas
Head Coach: Paul Haynes
Returning Starters: Offense- 7, Defense- 6
2013 Schedule
Liberty
Bowling Green
at LSU
at Penn State
at Western Michigan
Northern Illinois
at Ball State
at South Alabama
Buffalo
at Akron
Miami (OH)
at Ohio
Offense Preview
Stud running back Dri Archer is returning from a 2012 season in which he had a total of 20 touchdowns. Archer averaged a stunning nine yards per carry through his 1,429 yards. Despite losing Spencer Keith as the starting QB, the offense will not lose a beat as long as Archer is healthy.
Defense Preview
While only losing one starting DB, two starting defensive lineman and two starting linebackers won’t be suiting up on Saturday’s anymore. Sack leader Roosevelt Nix will have to lead the young front seven and help them prove their worth.
Top Newcomer: Dusty Moore, Inside Linebacker- Considering the loss of two starters, Moore could come in and be a solid rotation player, at the least, as a Freshman.
Key Games
Bowling Green- Kent State kicks off it’s conference play with a rivalry.
at Akron- “Battle for the Wagon Wheel”
Season Prediction: 9-4, Bowl Eligible
Massachusetts
2012-2013 Record: 1-11 (1-7)
Last Bowl Game: W, 35-14 vs UC Davis (1971-1972 Season)
Head Coach: Charley Molnar
Returning Starters: Offense- 6, Defense- 8
2013 Schedule
at Wisconsin
Maine
at Kansas State
Vanderbilt
at Bowling Green
Miami (OH)
at Buffalo
Western Michigan
Northern Illinois
Akron
at Central Michigan
at Ohio
Offense Preview
Between two QBs, both of which are returning, the Minutemen threw 19 interceptions, but only nine touchdowns. On the ground, the team only mustered up eight touchdowns. To make things worse, five of those eight are accredited to a non-returning player.
Defense Preview
UMass’ leaders in both sacks and interceptions were both Seniors last year and won’t be Minutemen any more. That being said, the defense may struggle to come up with explosive plays that tip games in their favor.
Top Newcomer: Lorenzo Woodley, Running Back- With the loss of their former starting RB, don’t be shocked if Woodley gets a considerable amount of carries.
Key Games
Akron- Considering Akron was UMass’ only win in 2012, the Minutemen need to beat them again to keep themselves from going 0-12
at Ohio- After a loss of only 3 points last year, UMass may have a legitimate chance to win.
Season Prediction: 1-11, not Bowl Eligible
Miami (OH)
2012-2013 Record: 4-8 (3-5)
Last Bowl Game: W, 35-21 vs Midd Tennessee State (2010-2011 Season)
Head Coach: Don Treadwell
Returning Starters: Offense- 8, Defense- 7
2013 Schedule
at Marshall
at Kentucky
Cincinnati
at Illinois
Central Michigan
at Massachusetts
at Ohio
Bowling Green
at Kent State
Buffalo
at Ball State
Offense Preview
Losing starting QB Zac Dysert will have a tremendously negative effect, especially considering nobody with more than 20 carries had a 4+ yards per carry average. While a majority of the WRs/TE are coming back, they were holding Dysert back, not helping him. Expect very little from the Miami offense.
Defense Preview
The Redhawks only totalled 15 sacks in 2012, which is even more frightening considering five of them were by Seniors who won’t be back next season. Fortunately, the top three tacklers will be returning, including Chris Wade, who racked up 128 tackles.
Top Newcomer: Randy Heideman, Offensive Tackle- With an O-line that struggled to keep Dysert safe, Heideman should really fortify the line.
Key Games
Cincinnati- This is the Redhawks most difficult opponent and will show what they are made of.
at Ohio- “Battle of the Bricks” (Rivalry)
Season Prediction: 4-8, not Bowl Eligible
Ohio
2012-2013 Record: 9-4 (4-4)
Last Bowl Game: W, 45-14 vs Louisiana-Monroe
Head Coach: Frank Solich
Returning Starters: Offense- 9, Defense- 7
2013 Schedule
at Louisville
North Texas
Marshall
Austin Peay
at Akron
Central Michigan
at Eastern Michigan
Miami (OH)
at Buffalo
at Bowling Green
Kent State
Massachusetts
Offense Preview
Tyler Tettleton, starting QB that only threw four interceptions on 367 attempts, will be back for his Senior campaign and could be one of the nation’s sleeper QB prospects. Also, his running back, Beau Blankenship, another sleeper prospect, is returning off of a 16 touchdown Junior season. With their two star pupils returning, this offense should be lethal.
Defense Preview
We will see the same DB corps from last year in 2013 as well. The presence of an all-veteran corps should allow more time for the front seven, who lost four starters, to work around offensive lineman and attack opposing QBs.
Top Newcomer: Justin Wyatt, Wide Receiver- Although most of the WR corps is coming back, the 6’0” WR adds great depth and a future weapon.
Key Games
at Louisville- The Bobcats start off the year with, what should be, an offensive shootout.
Miami (OH)- “Battle of the Bricks” (Rivalry)
Season Prediction: 10-2, Bowl Eligible