From some write...hell if I know who he is
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1. The MAC is loaded beyond belief at quarterback. Everyone knows that, but the league is also stocked at...
Linebacker. Sure, Byron Leftwich, Ben Roethlisberger, Ryan Schneider, Josh Harris, Joshua Cribbs, Dontrell Jackson, Charlie Frye and Talamadge Hill will provide more than their share of thrills, but the MAC might be even better at linebacker. Which players possibly get the nod for first-team All-MAC honors? Start with the Miami corps which is tremendous with Terrell Jones and Matt Robillard standing out both looking like locks for All-League honors, but Northern Illinois's tandem of Larry Williams and Nick Duffy might be even better. Toledo's pair of Tom Ward and David Gardner should also be included on the list of MAC's top tandems. Ball State's Lorenzo Scott is a machine. The four in the Central Michigan 3-4 defense can all fly. Kent State's Anthony Henriquez made 101 stops last year. Western Michigan's Brian Lape was the team's MVP and made 120 tackles. Finally, UCF's JUCO transfer Chad Mascoe could become the best of the whole lot before the season is over.
2. The deep, deep Rip Van Winkle MAC sleeper will be...
Central Michigan. With 41 returning lettermen and 20 returning starters, this is a veteran team that looks suspiciously like Bowling Green did last year at this time. The receiving corps is very strong and Terrence Jackson might be the MAC's best running back. No, the Chippewas won't be in the MAC title game, but they could be a huge thorn in the sides of the contenders.
3. Marshall will win the MAC, but it will be a little bit of a fight
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't pick against the Herd, but this is a conference full of great offensive players with enough talent to jump up and shock someone. Miami and UCF has almost as much firepower, but unfortunately for the RedHawks and Knights, both have to travel to Huntington.
4. Marshall's Darius Watts will lead the league in almost all receiving categories, but the MAC's best receiver is...
UCF's Doug Gabriel. Ask the NFL scouts who they're drooling over and as good as Watts is, the 6-2, 200+ pound Gabriel averaged over 28 yards per catch last season. With his size and sprinter's speed, Gabriel is an elite level prospect. Watts isn't far behind though.
5. And the winner of the MAC West will be...
You've got me. Everyone except Eastern Michigan is going into the season with an equal shot at getting to the MAC title game. Bowling Green, Toledo, Western Michigan, Ball State, Northern Illinois and yes, even Central Michigan are all thinking division title and there might be a repeat of last year where there's a tie at the top. It's that even. With that said, None of these teams would have a prayer in the MAC East.
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1. The MAC is loaded beyond belief at quarterback. Everyone knows that, but the league is also stocked at...
Linebacker. Sure, Byron Leftwich, Ben Roethlisberger, Ryan Schneider, Josh Harris, Joshua Cribbs, Dontrell Jackson, Charlie Frye and Talamadge Hill will provide more than their share of thrills, but the MAC might be even better at linebacker. Which players possibly get the nod for first-team All-MAC honors? Start with the Miami corps which is tremendous with Terrell Jones and Matt Robillard standing out both looking like locks for All-League honors, but Northern Illinois's tandem of Larry Williams and Nick Duffy might be even better. Toledo's pair of Tom Ward and David Gardner should also be included on the list of MAC's top tandems. Ball State's Lorenzo Scott is a machine. The four in the Central Michigan 3-4 defense can all fly. Kent State's Anthony Henriquez made 101 stops last year. Western Michigan's Brian Lape was the team's MVP and made 120 tackles. Finally, UCF's JUCO transfer Chad Mascoe could become the best of the whole lot before the season is over.
2. The deep, deep Rip Van Winkle MAC sleeper will be...
Central Michigan. With 41 returning lettermen and 20 returning starters, this is a veteran team that looks suspiciously like Bowling Green did last year at this time. The receiving corps is very strong and Terrence Jackson might be the MAC's best running back. No, the Chippewas won't be in the MAC title game, but they could be a huge thorn in the sides of the contenders.
3. Marshall will win the MAC, but it will be a little bit of a fight
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't pick against the Herd, but this is a conference full of great offensive players with enough talent to jump up and shock someone. Miami and UCF has almost as much firepower, but unfortunately for the RedHawks and Knights, both have to travel to Huntington.
4. Marshall's Darius Watts will lead the league in almost all receiving categories, but the MAC's best receiver is...
UCF's Doug Gabriel. Ask the NFL scouts who they're drooling over and as good as Watts is, the 6-2, 200+ pound Gabriel averaged over 28 yards per catch last season. With his size and sprinter's speed, Gabriel is an elite level prospect. Watts isn't far behind though.
5. And the winner of the MAC West will be...
You've got me. Everyone except Eastern Michigan is going into the season with an equal shot at getting to the MAC title game. Bowling Green, Toledo, Western Michigan, Ball State, Northern Illinois and yes, even Central Michigan are all thinking division title and there might be a repeat of last year where there's a tie at the top. It's that even. With that said, None of these teams would have a prayer in the MAC East.
