MAC Reporter Online has completed its 2015 team previews, and we’re just days away from the start of another college football season. To cap off our preseason activity, we give you not one, but two, preseason power lists – one from contributing writer Evan Meyer and one from managing editor Mike Smith.
As you will see, there are many differences between the two, as well as with the MAC Media Preseason Poll from earlier this month. That can be found at the end of this article.
(CLICK READ MORE TO CONTINUE . . . )
As you will see, there are many differences between the two, as well as with the MAC Media Preseason Poll from earlier this month. That can be found at the end of this article.
(CLICK READ MORE TO CONTINUE . . . )
| MRO 2015 Football – Mike’s Preseason Picks EASTERN DIVISION 1. BOWLING GREEN – The Falcons have questions on defense, but that offense should be hard to stop, especially in the MAC East. 2. BUFFALO – There is a lot to like with the Bulls. RB Anthone Taylor and QB Joe Licata give the Bulls excellent balance on offense. Can the defense take that extra step? 3. UMASS – Their remain questions on defense, but as long as QB Blake Frohnapfel is healthy, the Minutemen are very dangerous. 4. OHIO – The Bobcats defense should keep them in games. How much better can the offense get. Injuries took their toll last year? 5. AKRON – The Zips stumbled to the finish line last year, losing five of their last six. UA can’t afford anything close to that if it wants to challenge in the East. The cross-divisional schedule is favorable. 6. MIAMI – How well can the RedHawks replace departed QB Andrew Hendrix and CB Quinten Rollins? MU’s talent pool has been rising, but young talent can be inconsistent. This team could surprise behind some unfamiliar names – or it could be a year away! 7. KENT STATE -- RB Trayion Durham was a beast in 2013 and should be a big boost to the Flashes. His presence should help across a several offensive stats. The defense has some playmakers but must come up with some better overall results. WESTERN DIVISION 1. WESTERN MICHIGAN – RB Jarvion Franklin and QB Zach Terrell should keep the Broncos moving. There are some defensive holes to fill. Bottom line is that WMU must come out on the winning end of head-to-head games against Toledo and Northern Illinois. 2. TOLEDO – The Rockets might have finally reached the title game last year were it not for a spate of injuries. UT is due and it has a bundle of talent. How well can it refill the offensive line and improve some key defensive numbers? 3. NORTHERN ILLINOIS – The road to MAC West championships in this decade seems to run through DeKalb. There are good reasons to believe NIU come through again. 4. CENTRAL MICHIGAN – Quarterback Cooper Rush and the Chippewas were on a pretty good role through the last half of 2014. Can they thrive under new coach John Bonamego, a former Chippewa player who is now battling cancer? 5. BALL STATE – The Cardinals return 17 starters. Quarterback Jack Milas went through some growing pains in his freshman season but seems to be a good fit for coach Pete Lembo’s offense. 6. EASTERN MICHIGAN – Reginald Bell is a dynamic player who can frustrate opposing defenses and bring excitement to EMU fans. There is, however, plenty of rebuilding still to go at the “Factory.” | MRO 2015 Football – Evan’s Preseason Picks EASTERN DIVISION 1. BOWLING GREEN - The return of Matt Johnson at QB, along with eight other starters on offense, should be enough for the Falcons to take the East. 2. AKRON - Can Terry Bowden take the Zips to the next level? He has one of the best defenses in the MAC, led by Jatavius Brown. 3. OHIO - The Bobcats look to rebound thanks to Lucas Powell and Mike Lucas on the offensive line, along with Tarell Basham and Jovon Johnson on the defense. 4. KENT STATE - The return of Tayion Durham to the running game will bolster the offense, while the defense is led by DBs Nate Holley and Jordan Italiano. Keep an eye on the Flashes. 5. BUFFALO - A new coach in Lance Leipold inherits a team experienced at RB with Anthone Taylor 6. UMASS - Minutemen have the best quarterback in the MAC in Blake Frohnapel and top notch receiver in Tajae Sharpe. Jovan Santos-Knox is one of the best LB in the MAC. 7. MIAMI - RedHawks will have to rely on a defense that returns eight starters. WESTERN DIVISION 1. TOLEDO - The Rockets have the complete package this year, led by Kareem Hunt at RB and eight returning starters on defense 2. NORTHERN ILLINOIS - The Huskies will have another title run with Drew Hare at QB. Perez Ford, Boomer Mays and Paris Logan are solid on defense. 3. WESTERN MICHIGAN - The Broncos found a diamond in RB Jarvion Franklin and at QB in Zach Terrell, while the defense led by Ronald Zamort at DB 4. BALL STATE - Cardinals continue their rebuilding, led on the offensive line by Jacob Richard and at WR by Jordan Williams. 5. CENTRAL MICHIGAN – Quarterback Cooper Rush, the Bahamas Bowl star, keeps the Chippewas dangerous. 6. EASTERN MICHIGAN - The Eagles are pretty thin at all areas and could have another long season.  |
MAC Media -- 2015 Football Preseason Picks
| EASTERN DIVISION 1. Bowling Green (18) 160 pts 2. Ohio (1) 118 pts. 2. Akron (2) 118 pts. 4. UMass (3) 113 pts. 5. Buffalo 70 pts. 6. Miami 47 pts. 7. Kent State 46 pts. | WESTERN DIVISION 1. Toledo (11) 121 pts. 2. Western Michigan (8) 120 pts. 3. Northern Illinois (4) 113 pts. 4. Ball State 66 pts. 5. Central Michigan (1) 56 pts. 6. Eastern Michigan 28 pts. |
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