Ball State at Tennessee (7 p.m. ET)
Central Michigan at Oklahoma State (7 p.m. ET)
Saint Francis (Pa) at Akron (6 p.m. ET)
Long Island at Toledo (7 p.m.ET)
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Huskie Stadium - DeKalb, Ill
ESPN+
Defending MAC Champion Northern Illinois kicks off its 2022 campaign by hosting Eastern Illinois. The Panthers, an FCS (Division I-AA) member playing in the Ohio Valley Conference,
>> EIU finished sixth of seven teams in last year’s conference race, posting a 1-5 OVC mark and going 1-10 overall. A preseason poll by head coaches and communications directors predicted the Panthers to again finish sixth, with just one more point then last place Lindenwood.
>> Wide receiver Isaiah Hill and tight end Jay Vallie were preseason First Team selections on offense. Defensive ends Jordan Miles and Tim Varga, along with (CB) Russell Dandy and (NB) Jordan Vincent were listed on the First Team defense. Linebacker Foday Jalloh was among the newcomers to watch.
>> Former EIU quarterback Tony Romo later became a standout for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.
>> The Panthers will be taking the field for the first time under new head coach Chris Wilkerson.
>> Sophomore Jonah O’Brien connected on 12-of-21 (57.1%) with one interception during a 2019 game against Southeast Missouri. Freshman QB Zach Weir appeared in four games last year, completing 47.8 percent of his passes with one TD and four interceptions.
>> While only four starters return on an offense that struggled last year, the Panthers are much more experienced on defense. EIU was second in total defense in 2021. However, it will be facing a very formidable Northern Illinois offense that is more than capable of grinding out drive after drive.
>> Given EIU’s offensive struggles last year, it may be difficult to measure the Huskies still-young defense. Nonetheless, NIU fans will no doubt be interested in seeing how the “D” performs in its first outing of 2021.
NOTE: For a complete preseason preview on Northern Illinois, CLICK HERE
Neyland Stadium - Knoxville, TN
SECN
BSU begins the post-Drew Plitt era with a big challenge Thursday when it meets Tennessee in Knoxville.
>> Last season was a year of great transition for the Volunteers. Josh Heupel was hired in January, replacing Jeremy Pruitt. A flurry of transfers followed, but Heupel put together a squad that finished 4-4 in Southeast Conference play and 7-6 overall.
>> Most notable, perhaps, was UT’s offensive prowess. The team averaged 39.3 ppg. Only Alabama (39.6 ppg) had a better average among SEC teams. With eight starters returning, including senior QB Hendon Hooker, senior RB Jabari Small and senior WR Cedrick Tillman, Tennessee is set to again do plenty of damage this season.
>> Four starters return along the O-line, along with TE Princeton Fant and classmate Jacob Warren.
>> The Volunteers were second among SEC teams in rushing (217.8 ypg) and fourth in passing (257.1 ypg).
>> Hooker completed 68.2 percent of his passes last year. He tossed 31 TDs against just three interceptions. However, he was sacked 36 times.
>> Small averaged 5.7 ypc, and had a team-best nine rushing TDs
>> Tillman’s 12 receiving touchdowns were a team high. He could 84 balls for a total of 1,081 yards, averaging 16.9 ypc.
>> Tennessee’s big challenge this year will be improving on defense. UT allowed 27.5 ppg. Naturally, playing in the SEC East didn’t help, and the Volunteers were 12th among 14 teams in scoring defense. They were 11th against the pass (251.4 ypg). There has been turnover in the secondary, so senior safeties Trevon Flowers and Jaylen McCollough will anchor a group trying to step up in 2021.
>> Ball State is turning to redshirt senior John Paddock at QB. An experienced line will try to clear the way for sophomore running back Carson Steele, who averaged 4.6 ypc while totaling 891 yards and six TDs in 2021.
>> Yo’Heinz Tyler and Jayshon Jackson are the top returning wideouts.
>> For a complete preseason preview of Ball State, go to: https://www.macreporteronline.com/blog/mac-football-preview9328911
Boone Pickens Stadium - Stillwater, OK
FSI
Can the CMU Chippewas extend their late-season success of 2021 into the coming year? It won’t be easy, as Central Michigan takes on No. 12 (ESPN) Thursday night.
>> The Cowboys won 12 games last year and nearly claimed the Big 12 title. No. 9 Baylor edged the Cowboys 21-16 Dec. 4. That contest, and a 21-14 setback at Iowa State, were the only losses for OSU during a remarkable season.
>> Known for its offense, Oklahoma State led the conference in defense, yielding just 16.8 ppg last year. Overall, OSU ranked as the nation’s No. 5 defense. However, with six of its eight top tacklers gone, OSU will need production from some new and/or less experienced players. The Cowboys will also be operating under a new defensive coordinator as Jim Knowles left to serve as DC at Ohio State. Stepping in at Oklahoma State is former Auburn coordinator Derek Mason.
>> Sophomore DE Colin Oliver registered 11.5 sacks last year while earning Freshman All-American honors. Senior DT Brendon Evers is back and junior DE Trace Ford has experience. However, he is returning from injury.
>> There are new faces at linebacker and Jason Taylor II is the only returning starter in the secondary.
>> Quarterback Spencer Sanders was a key catalyst for OSU’s offense last year. He completed 62.1 percent of his passes, good for 2,839 yards and 20 TDs. He was intercepted 12 times and sacked on 14 occasions. The senior was named Fiesta Bowl MVP after completing 34-of-51 passes for a total of 371 yards and four TDs in the Cowboys 37-35 win over Notre Dame.
>> There are questions at running back and along the line, which could include several transfers.
>> Top receiver Tay Martin is gone, but Brennan Presley is back after grabbing 50 balls for 619 yards and five touchdowns.
>> Central Michigan’s offense improved as quarterback Daniel Richardson developed. He finished the year completing 60.4 percent of his pass attempts. In addition to 2,633 passing yards, Richardson produced 24 TDs while throwing six picks. He was sacked just nine times.
>> Kalil Pimpleton is gone, but senior Dallas Dixon was a productive target in 2021 at returns.
>> For a complete CMU preseason preview, go to: https://www.macreporteronline.com/blog/mac-football-preview9351034
Infocision Stadium - Akron, OH
ESPN3
Akron hopes to get new head coach Joe Moorehead his first Zips win Thursday when UA meets St. Francis (PA) at Infocision Stadium. The Red Flash are an FCS-level team that plays in the Northeast Conference. Their last league title was in 2016, and they are predicted to finish third (among eight teams) in this year’s race.
>> St. Francis finished 2021 with a 5-6 overall record, never winning or losing more than two games in a row. It was 4-3 in conference play.
>> Redshirt junior QB Justin Sliwoski returns after starting six games (9 appearances) last year. He registered 90 completions for 1,165 yards and 12 TDs, with just one interception. He came in relief after halftime to lead San Francis to its first road win over Duquesne. He had a 61-yard rush in that victory. Silwoski ranked fifth in the FCS with a 162.2 passing efficiency
>> Wide receiver Brandan Lisenby recorded 36 catches and 471 yards while starting six tilts in 2021. He had a career-long 70-yard reception against Central Connecticut.
>> The entire offensive line returns.
>> Saint Francis' defensive unit is led by returning defensive lineman Donnell Brown, linebackers Sebastian Benjamin and Willie O'Hara and defensive backs Kerry Galloway and Gregory Reddick. Brown was a preseason All-NEC (and 2021 All-NEC Second Team selection).
>> Kicker Alex Schmoke hit 15 field goals and led the NEC with 70 points scored. He is a preseason All-NEC selection and earned 2021 post-season First Team honors.
>> Akron returns seven defensive starters and 16 or its top 18 tacklers. The Zips also have access to an influx of transfers.
>> For a complete Akron preseason preview, CLICK HERE
Glass Bowl -- Toledo, OH
ESPN3
Toledo opens 2022 play Thursday when it hosts the Long Island Sharks.
LIU is an FCS school that is part of the Northeast Conference.
>> The Sharks went 2-8 overall (2-5 NEC) last year and were predicted to finish sixth among eight teams in this year’s preseason poll.
>> Among LIU’s eight defeats in 2021 was a 42-7 loss to Mid-American Conference member Miami. The two wins were against Central Connecticut (30-13) and Wagner (28-14)
>> Ron Cooper is the new head coach at Long Island. He comes to the program after most recently serving on Lou Saban’s coaching staff at the University of Alabama. Overall, he has 10 years of experience s a head coach in Division I football, and decades of work as a defensive coordinator and assistant coach at both the NCAA Division I level and in the NFL. Cooper has served as head football coach at Eastern Michigan University, University of Louisville, Alabama A&M and Florida International. Other notable experience includes coaching at Texas A&M, LSU, University of Arkansas, University of Notre Dame, South Carolina, Mississippi State and the University of South Florida. Cooper also served as the defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for one season.
>> In addition to Toledo, the Sharks also have a date with Kent State on this year’s schedule. Both schools are predicted to be among the MAC’s top contenders this season.
>> Former SMU backup quarterback Derek Green joined LIU over the summer and is likely to start in Week One. The 6-4, 215-pound grad student was unable to beat out Oklahoma transfer Tanner Mordecai during SMU’s spring practice and wanted to get on the field for a final year.
His father, Trent Green, enjoyed a 15-year NFL career that included two Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl XXXIV victory with the Rams. His brother TJ Green was a quarterback at Northwestern from 2015 through '20. And Ben Skowronek — a first cousin on his mother's side of the family — played at Notre Dame and then alongside TJ at Northwestern before being drafted by the Rams in the seventh round in 2021 and winning a Super Bowl this past February.
>> While Green will help in 2021, the growing LIU program is also bringing in two high profile freshman from Florida - Luca Stanzani and Maurice Smith -- for the Shark’s future quarterback needs.
>> RB Jonathan DeBique (590 yards, four TDs) and tight end Owen Glascoe (36 receptions, 555 yards) are key returners on offense. Larry Elder paced LIU’s defense with 63 tackles.
>> Toledo led the MAC in scoring (33.4 ppg) last year and returns an offense with a plethora of threats.
>> >> For a complete CMU preseason preview, go to: https://www.macreporteronline.com/blog/mac-football-preview8822898