Can Ohio, even with no passing game, repeat as division champ? Or will the more balanced offense of Kent St or Bowling Green take down the Bobcats?
2006 Record- 9-5
2006 ATS Record- 7-5-1
Offense: 5 Returning Starters
Frank Solich did a tremendous job last year going to the MAC Title game with virtually no passing attack. RB Kalvin McRae is the workhorse and will be asked to carry his team again this year. If QB Brad Bower can prevent from turning the ball over, a repeat trip to Ford Field is a possibility.
Defense: 6 Returning Starters
The defense was very good last year as they finished in the top 5 in almost every category. Losing almost half of the starters is tough to rebound from, but there is enough experience there to not completely drop off the map.
Schedule:
Repeating as division champions will be a lot easier with this schedule. Starting 6-1 is not out of the question, with the only real conference tests at Toledo and at Akron.
2007 Predicted Record: 8-4 (6-2)
Kent St
2006 Record- 6-6
2006 ATS Record- 6-6
Offense: 9 Returning Starters
The offense gets almost everyone back and should be very potent this season, especially in the running game. Their QB, duel-threat Julian Edelman, needs to be more accurate if Kent wants to compete for the division.
Defense: 7 Returning Starters
Kent was very good against the pass, actually #1 in the MAC last season and was second in scoring defense. They need to improve on their rush defense however, as they gave up about 140 yards per game on the ground.
Schedule:
The schedule could be the main thing that prevents the Golden Flashes from wearing a division crown. Five of the first seven games are on the road, including the first two conference ones. A bowl berth is not out of the question though.
2007 Predicted Record: 7-5 (5-2)
Bowling Green
2006 Record- 4-8
2006 ATS Record- 4-8
Offense: 8 Returning Starters
The offense was consistent last season. A balanced ground game allowed the Falcons to finish in the top tier in Rush Offense and Total Offense in the MAC. They need to get more productivity out of their QB, Anthony Turner if they want to improve on last season’s record.
Defense: 8 Returning Starters
The defense was the downfall last season as they got lit up allowing 28 points per game. They defended the pass well, but got run over trying to defend the run. With so many starters returning, it’s hard to think they won’t be collectively better.
Schedule:
Opening with road games at Minnesota and at Michigan State won’t be easy, but the next two are winning with games verses Temple and Western Kentucky. The conference schedule is hard though with no real gimme games.
2007 Predicted Record: 6-6 (5-2)
Buffalo
2006 Record- 2-10
2006 ATS Record- 7-4
Offense: 7 Returning Starters
The Bulls showed signs of improvement each week last season. Regardless of their finishing record, this team has the ability to win some games. The running game is solid and if they can get the passing attack to settle down, they could make some noise in the East.
Defense: 10 Returning Starters
This unit is pretty talented and with virtually everyone returning, this could be the best defense Buffalo has had in quite some time. They need to improve in their run defense, but overall this D should be very consistent.
Schedule:
Considering UB has won only once on the road in three seasons; opening with three straight and four of five road games probably wasn’t the best idea. If they can manage 3-4 wins somehow, this season will be considered a success.
2007 Predicted Record: 3-9 (3-4)
Miami
(OH)
2006 Record- 2-10
2006 ATS Record- 4-8
Offense: 8 Returning Starters
Miami returns most of its key players from a year ago, including QB Mike Kokal. The Redhawks finished third in the MAC in Passing Offense and Passing Efficiency Offense. They need to establish a ground game to go with the potent passing attack if they want to improve from their 2-10 record from a year ago.
Defense: 8 Returning Starters
The defense will return loads of experience which should make them better as a unit. Most of the front seven return as well as three key players in the secondary. The defense needs to improve for any chance to get to .500.
Schedule:
The schedule is tough. Starting 0-6 is not likely, but it could happen. Getting four or five wins should be considered an acceptable season.
2007 Predicted Record: 4-8 (3-4)
Akron
2006 Record- 5-7
2006 ATS Record- 3-9
Offense: 6 Returning Starters
The offense was pretty solid in 2006, finishing in the top 5 in Passing Offense and Total Offense, and the Zips will need the passing game to come up huge this season, especially with four, new offensive linemen.
Defense: 7 Returning Starters
Akron’s defense was very impressive last season, finishing second to WMU in Rush Defense and Total Defense. With a decent amount of starters back, the defense will once again be the backbone of this team.
Schedule:
Non-conference schedule isn’t too bad with games verses Army, UCONN, Indiana and Ohio St. The conference schedule could be easier as they have two separate, back-to-back road games in the middle of their schedule. Getting to .500 might be a stretch, but if there are any signs of a running game, it could happen.
2007 Predicted Record: 4-8 (2-5)
Temple
2006 Record- 1-11
2006 ATS Record- 5-6-1
Offense: 8 Returning Starters
Even with eight starters returning, this Temple team is just horrible on both sides of the ball. The offense finished dead last in the country averaging only about 215 yards per game. They need to establish any type of rhythm whether it be running the ball or throwing it if they want to break into the win column this season.
Defense: 8 Returning Starters
The list is too long to write out on how bad Temple was on defense last year. They finished in the bottom five in just about every category. The Owls do have a lot of players back and they can only get better, but overall this team is just not that good.
Schedule:
Going o-fer is a very good possibility, with the only winnable games being at Army, at UCONN or verse Buffalo.
2007 Predicted Record: 0-12 (0-7)
MAC Championship
Western Michigan- 27
Ohio- 17
Next week, we take a look at the Mountain West Conference…
Click here to view all of Chris Copeland's premium picks.
Social Bookmarking
