When will the NCAA put a stop to this

Rivals has an article about a thirteen year old taking a verbal offer from Tennessee. Lets reiterate that Tennessee just offered to a kid who probably has not finished putting all of his eighth grade trip pictures on his face book account. A kid three years away from legally learning to drive, a kid who has probably not looked at any aspect of college other than the fact his big brother is a star with the Volunteers..

• Correction: The NCAA prohibits schools from formally offering scholarships until a prospect has registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center. UT has not offered Berry a scholarship. Initially MS and others have said a scholarship was offerend, this was not the case. and this post has been corrected.
  

When is it OK to recruit HS football players

The NCAA has more rules, regulations, and bylaws than some nations have in their tax codes so how about one more; No more recruiting kids who are less than 18 months away from graduation. You can't stop private organizations from scouting, profiling, and profiting off of high school football but you can keep universities from enabling the process.

"It's the only college I know right now and it seems the best for me. My dad went there and my brother is there now. I know I can do the same things there. I have a real friendly relationship with the coaches there. I know I don't know them too well, but I know I will have plenty of time to get to know them."

Someone needs to tell this kid, and his father, that Tennessee is not going anywhere. They will still have a program in two and a half years. I don't fault the kid how many 13 year old football players don't dream of playing for 'their' college. The fault here lies with the adults The father

"I coached all three to this stage and I can say that Evan and Elliot are further along than Eric was at 13, They are such gifted athletes. I don't want to sound like the dad who's always bragging, but they are."

And Tennessee who gave this kid an offer worth no more than the paper its printed on and yes the kids can change his mind tomorrow but what does this event create the potential for? allowing teams to go after Juniors and even Sophomores was the nose in the camels tent but pushing the NCAA football recruiting threshold back to kids who have just become teenagers is sick..



Hey Lane a friend of mine just had a baby boy, 8 months but already standing and has amazing forearms (for his age).... you interested...

Mid American Conference Athletic Department Rankings

Some compare and contrast moments for the Mid American Conference

The Learfield Sports Directors Cup is an given each year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics to the division I school with the most success in collegiate athletics. Points for the NACDA Directors' Cup are based on order of finish in various NCAA sponsored championships or in the case of Division I Football media base polls.

Rank	School	Points
83	Kent State	239.5
97	Akron	184.5
107	Miami (Ohio)	165
115	Central Michigan	143.25
141	Western Michigan	114
173	Ball State	75
199	Buffalo	50.5
231	Northern Illinois	30.5
235	Ohio	25
235	Toledo	25
265	Eastern Michigan	20.5
DNQ	Bowling Green

Predictably no MAC institution finished anywhere near the top tier universities but given the differences in funding between the top five (Stanford, North Carolina, Florida, USC, Michigan) and the average Mid American Athletic Department budget a more proper measure of success would be one which accounted for the NACDA Directors Cup score and the budget spent by that institution.

Fortunately the folks over at LSIA (Laboratory for the Study of Intercollegiate Athletics) have already provided the numbers for the 25 most efficent schools. Here the MAC does rather well; placing three schools in the top ten. Kent Finished second nationally, Akron placed fourth, and Miami scored the ninth best mark.

Kent should be commended for showing so well in the LSIA rankings right after finishing second in the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators annual awards.

Kent Wins NACMA Award

I can't find the original advertisement (kind of odd that an award winning ad is hard to find) but I am assuming that this is the picture Kent used to win second place among the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators annual awards.

Kent State’s award winning ad was titled “Playing Fair” and featured football wide receiver Shawn Bayes leaping above a defender to catch a touchdown pass.

About NACMA: NACMA is the first organization of its kind to provide educational and networking opportunities; enhancement of acceptable operating standards and ethics; and establishment of the overall prestige and understanding of the profession of athletics marketing administrators. For more information about NACMA, please visit www.nacma.com. NACMA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 44th year. For more information on NACDA and the 11 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.

Could the MAC East lose another AD?

Before Akron has finished finding a replacement for Mack Rhoades they might have competition for talent from within the MAC East. There are some rumblings that Marshall will look to the Ohio Bobcats to replace Bob Marcum. Many say that Jim Schuas is quickly climbing up Marshall's short list being put together by a Dallas firm hired out to find a new AD for the Herd.

While nothing yet is official the Charleston Daily Mail has put together a list of 'why and why not'. The Charleston Daily acknowledges the reality that where you were born, who your parents are and where you went to school can affect your attractiveness to potential college sports jobs and Shuas has this going against him. But they also highlight some of the more compelling reasons he would be a good fit:

• Faculties at Wichita State
• Fundraising track record
• Knowledge of the region

Still no one addresses a critical employment question; If Shuas would take the job would Marshall be interested in someone that would dump a university for greener pastures after only a year?

Akron Zips Seen as a test for Indana

Adam Rittenberg over at ESPN has slated the Akron Zips as being one half of a Big 10 fork in the road. Acording to Adam Indiana has allot riding on the September game:

Indiana enters the season with its head coach on the hot seat and serious doubts about the team's ability to get on track again. That's why an early trip to Akron and the new InfoCision Stadium is so critical. Indiana could be 3-0 after a win against Akron, or it could be 1-2 with a loss and starting the death march.

Incidentally MAC Smack has picked this game for Akron, there is no reason the MAC should not have a banner year against the Big-10 with CMU and WMU getting a crack at the wolverines and also at Michigan State. I doubt the MAC can win more than they lose but anywhere between 3-5 wins is very possible.

This will be the Zips second home game at InfoCision and their first against a FBS team.

The last time Akron Played Indiana the zips dropped the game 41-27 back in 2007. The Zips stayed close in that game (tied at the half) and were only behind by three in the fourth but two pass interference calls assisted Indiana in pulling away. Hopefully the zips will walk away with a win this time..

Steve Simmons leaves Huskies, Returns to Oregon

Steve Simmons put himself on the national radar by turning a downtrodden Huskies team into MAC champions. Today he took a job at a familiar institution as the head coach at Oregon State.

"With the opportunity at Oregon State, there were just too many compelling points that made it the perfect match for me and my family, " Simmons said. "And it was going to take something like that to leave NIU, because of the sweat, equity, and the people here that I've come to love and respect."

Simmons leaves the huskies after six season and a career record of, 59-47-13, A MAC regular season title, a MAC Tournament Title and a first round victory in the NCAA Men's tournament. In his six year tenure Northern Illinois finished second or better four times.

In 2006 season Simmons was recognized as the Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year Award from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. He has also twice been named the MAC Gary V. Palmisano Coach of the Year (2004, 2006).

Simmons began his coaching career as an assistant at Gonzaga University in 1994 and gained his first head coaching post the following summer at Whitworth College (Division III). In his first year a 9-8-2 record earned him Northwest Conference Coach of the Year honors and led to his move to Linfield. With the Wildcats, he gained his second NWC Coach of the Year plaque in 2000. Between Linfield and Whitworth, Simmons compiled a head coaching record of 67-49-5 (.574).

Before taking over at NIU, Simmons spent two seasons as associate head coach for Oregon State, where he worked with defenders and goalkeepers under former Beaver coach Dana Taylor. His teaching was evident in 2002 when OSU climbed to No. 18 in the national polls during a nine-week run in the top-25. Oregon State earned its first trip to the NCAA College Cup as part of a 13-8-0 campaign that was highlighted by victories over No. 6-rated California and No. 12 Tulsa.

Simmons will take over responsibilities at Oregon State immeadatly leaving NIU with some rather large shoes to fill.

EMU Receives $15,000 Basketball Grant

Good news for a program that needs some. The Eastern Michigan Eagles are getting a fifteen thousand dollar grant for women's Basketball from the NCAA. The grant is aimed at improving attendance at women's games through increased awareness and exposure. Before you allow yourself to be too skeptical of this program; it is only in its second year and has some success, in addition to several recipients setting single game attendance marks during the year:

• Texas Tech University, which doubled its student attendance for women’s basketball home games
• Florida State University increased season ticket sales by 63 percent, with a 55 percent increase in overall attendance for women’s basketball
• East Tennessee State University increased its average attendance by 231 percent

The real test for the effectiveness of programs like this is not how well they do while the money is flowing but how well they do when the tap is turned off. Some schools like East Tennessee, and Auburn will get a grant again this year but Texas Tech and Florida State will not. If the schools without the grant this year manage to hold some gains and EMU uses the money wisely this can be a huge boot for their whole athletic department.

Drew Willy, we harly knew ye'

UB Fans will have to be happy with Trevor Scott and Jamey Richard. The Buffalo News reported a few days ago that Willy, the only Bull, to get a sniff at the NFL in 2008 was released. Thus far there has been no word of any teams picking him up and with camps well under way I don't expect Drew has nearly the options he did right after draft day when he chose Baltimore from seven other offers.

It was a surprise too many that Willy was not drafted he had respectable numbers and was much touted by ESPN's Mel Kiper as an absolute late round steal:

“He ran a 4.9 [40-yard dash]. Tom Brady ran a 5.22. Its how you maneuver in the pocket and he does that very effectively. He's got more game experience than any quarterback in this draft. To answer your question, I don’t know why he lasted until the end of the draft and went undrafted.” -- Mel Kiper

When Willy first went as an un-drafted free agent to the ravens he looked to have an outside chance at the third string role but when the ravens picked up Beck from Miami the chances of him making the team dropped dramatically. The Ravens are deep at quarterback Flacco, Smith and Beck are up there are one of the better sets in football.

I waited a few days to post figuring there would be some announcement as to his status, would Bill Polian former Bills GM and someone who has looked at UB Talent in the past (Drew Haddad, Jamey Richard) snatch him up? Would the ravens announce him to the practice squad? or would the CFL / AFL pick him up.

So far there has been no word on what's up with Drew, sometime next month I'm going to do an update on all MAC players drafted maybe Ill tack on a Drew update if there is one at that time.

MAC West Predictions and thoughts

The MAC west may be top to bottom a better division (a fact of which us east fans were reminded every single week when ESPN bothered to have a mid major blog) but the MAC east is holding the hardware. Last week I briefly ran through the east teams now its time for the west. who is going to try and take back the Conference Championship?

Ball State: Denial ain't just a river in Egypt -- Mark Twain...

I have seen some bold predictions from Ball State fans (10+ wins, conference title, ranked) but if you take off your Cardinal tinted glasses you'll see, to the left, the last view you'll ever get of 2008's main architects.

While Ball state 'the program' can recover from the early exit of Davis and the untimely exit of Hoke it will not happen this year. Ball state will be a balanced, competitive MAC team, will likely be bowl eligible, and might surprise either CMU or WMU during the regular season.

2009 is a catch a breath moment for the football program and I hope the fan's will come out with the same enthusiasm they showed in 2008. It would be a shame to see any die off in fan enthusiasm before Stan Parrish has had a chance to replace some key personnel and get his young team some much needed experience. From what I have heard over on BSUFans they are really high on Kelly Page but even if he is the real deal it will take at least a season for him to live up to his potential.

2009 schedule: (7-5, 5-3)

Sept. 3 North Texas
Sept. 12 New Hampshire
Sept. 19 @ Army
Sept. 26 @ Auburn
Oct. 3 Toledo
Oct. 10 @ Temple
Oct. 17 Bowling Green
Oct. 24 @ Eastern Michigan
Oct. 31 Ohio
Nov. 12 @ Northern Illinois
Nov. 18 Central Michigan
Nov. 24 @ Western Michigan


CMU: Whil that iren is hoot, men sholden smyte. -- Chaucer

Be careful not to take too much cheer in where the Cardinals find themselves, you very well could be there this time next year Chips. The downside of being set at quarterback for so long is that you can easily be taken for a loop when the star moves on.

No point in talking any more about LeFevour everything that can be said that has been said. Ball State threw a wrench in their plans for a three straight conference crowns but dropping one to EMU at the end of the season made the loss to BSU seem somewhat less bitter.

Expect the Chips once again regain their position as the best team in the MAC though they will be sorely tested and pressured by Western Michigan and maybe NIU depending on how they put their defense back together.

2009 schedule: (9-3, 8-0)

Sep-5 @ Arizona
Sep-12 @ Michigan State
Sep-19 Alcorn State
Sep-26 Akron
Oct-3 @ Buffalo
Oct-10 Eastern Michigan
Oct-17 @ Western Michigan
Oct-24 @ Bowling Green
Oct-31 @ Boston College
Nov-11 Toledo
Nov-18 @ Ball State
Nov-27 Northern Illinois

EMU: "the Dude abides" -- Jeffrey Lebowski

Well for 13 years EMU has been a losing team, yet thanks largely to a private booster buying up thousands upon thousands of tickets they are still here.

The Eagles may be the MAC conferences nearly guaranteed win ( well, except the chips ) but as a program financially they do OK (due in no small part to the afore mentioned benefactor). Clearly the fans deserve a change, and change is coming... but it may take a couple of seasons to undo more than a dozen years of misery.

I like Ron English he has the potential make some headway this year but a three or four win season would be a small miracle. I do think the eagles defense will be marginally better but before this team stops losing English is going to have to imbue it with a culture of winning. Making the fans, the community, and the team believe that they can win is going to be difficult.

The Eagles will probably steal a game (Army, Toledo, Kent all seem like games they can compete in) And who knows they might have another CMU game in them but heads up they are not better than anyone on their schedule. I almost hate to say this but EMU needs to bring in a FCS Cream puff once a year, their fans really deserve to have a home win and if they don't get it done in week one this year they wont get it done in Ypsilanti until at least 2010.

2009 schedule: (0-12, 0-8)

Sept. 5 Army
Sept. 12 @ Northwestern
Sept. 19 @ Michigan
Oct. 3 Temple
Oct. 10 @ Central Michigan
Oct. 17 Kent State
Oct. 24 Ball State
Oct. 31 @ Arkansas
Nov. 5 @ Northern Illinois
Nov. 14 Western Michigan
Nov. 20 @ Toledo
Nov. 27 Akron

======
Update:

I based my praise of EMU fans off of NCAA numbers, my newbie lesson for the day is that NCAA attendance numbers are worthless... I should have known better thanks to the folks at bronco stampede for setting me straight... Does this look like 18K people? I have changed the EMU section to reflect this reality


Northern Illinois: "I see the bad moon arising." -- Creedence Clearwater Revival

One of the reasons that I am so high on the Huskies is because you can watch a stout defense smother an opponent and play a conservative offensive set, there is some smash mouth football in the MAC. Temple is working the same angle and making some good progress but NIU has gotten there first.

Jerry Kill performed an Amazing turn around last year four more wins, a bowl game, and a top twenty defense. Clearly the Huskies are now a team to watch out for in the MAC. The challenge this year will be replacing so many lost starters.

The defense is clearly going to fall off this year, a team in the MAC can not lose someone like English and replace his on the field production. Losing 6 other starters does not help the cause but they wont be as bad as the Huskies defense was in 2007 and may still manage to be in the upper tier of MAC defenses. This season is Jerry Kills proving point, was last years defense a fluke built on his predecessors recruiting or could NIU, and maybe Temple start to move the MAC in a new direction.

The fall off on Defense should be offset by a slightly improved offense, specifically a more mature Chandler Harnish. They will compete well with, but not be able to overtake, Central or Western Michigan. Another Bowl appearance is possible if enough at large spots open but they will have to beat Ball State in mid November or they will be, at best, fifth in line for a bowl.

2009 schedule: (8-4, 6-2)

Sept. 5 @ Wisconsin
Sept. 12 Western Illinois
Sept. 19 @ Purdue
Sept. 26 Idaho
Oct. 3 Western Michigan
Oct. 17 @ Toledo
Oct. 24 @ Miami University
Oct. 31 Akron
Nov. 5 Eastern Michigan
Nov. 12 Ball State
Nov. 21 @ Ohio
Nov. 27 @ Central Michigan

Toledo: "Houston, We have a problem" -- Captain Jim Lovell (too easy?)

No the quote is not a shot at Toledo's on the field performance which I expect to improve over last year. The problem will be adjusting to a world without Toledo Tom who had been coaching the Rockets as a head or assistant for more than a thirty years!

His resume as a head coach includes Two Bowl Wins (in Four Bowl Appearances) , Two double digit win seasons, Two conference Titles, Four Division Titles, and one Top 25 ranking. Tom Amstutz built a great program at Toledo before the wheels started coming off in 2006. Though he is still a part of the program he will be missed on the sidelines.


In his own words:

“I enjoyed every aspect of being a head coach. I will remember sharing great victories with the players, singing the UT fight song and passing around championship trophies with them. But I also remember encouraging them after tough losses, telling them I still believed in them and was still proud of them.”

Tim Beckman takes over a team who's coach was synonymous with the program I don't envy him that task. He does, however, get 18 starters returning from the last incarnation of the Amstutz Rockets so there is allot of in game experience at his disposal for the 2009 campaign. These are the starters that took Fresno to the wire, beat Michigan, and fought hard against CMU, there is allot of potential for the Rockets. The team should improve if they believe in Beckman. It may not translate into more win's this year but they will be far more competitive and consistent in every game.

2009 schedule: (4-8, 2-6)

Sept. 5 @ Purdue
Sept. 12 Colorado
Sept. 19 Ohio State (in Cleveland)
Sept. 26 @ Florida International
Oct. 3 @ Ball State
Oct. 10 Western Michigan
Oct. 17 Northern Illinois
Oct. 24 Temple
Oct. 31 @ Miami University *
Nov. 11 @ Central Michigan
Nov. 20 Eastern Michigan
Nov. 27 @ Bowling Green

* I know I also picked Miami to win this game: It's just too close to call, the more I look at Toledo the more I like them and I don't see the harm in calling it a draw at this point as Miami and Toledo are (1) in different divisions and (2) not going to compete for their respective division crowns.

Western Michigan: “Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you.” -- Walt Whitman

One could easily be tricked into believing that Central Michigan's full name ended with 'And Western Michigan'. The two find themselves constantly mentioned together usually with the Bronco's sitting second chair. Its unfortunate because WMU has a solid team and a solid program if WMU knocks off the favored Chips for the division it would be only a slight surprise.

Like the team as a whole Tim Hiller often gets overlooked. Last year clearly Hiller was the second best Quarterback in the conference (albeit LeFevours injury played no small part in that) yet he was beaten out by the three year Central Michigan starter for the second team All-MAC honors... Really?

On offense WMU brings back Hiller, most of his line, and Brandon West but lose wide outs Simmons and Julian. The losses are pretty deep on defense so Hiller and the offensive unit is going to be under more pressure than last year but expect them to handle it well. The team will be solid and finish first or second in the conference. October 17th all eyes should be on the Central Michigan game and, if they win it, the next week versus Buffalo could easily be a trap.

2009 Schedule: (10-2, 7-1)

5-Sep @ Michigan
12-Sep @ Indiana
19-Sep Miami (OH)
26-Sep Hofstra
3-Oct @ Northern Illinois
10-Oct @ Toledo
17-Oct Central Michigan
24-Oct Buffalo
31-Oct @ Kent State
7-Nov @ Michigan State
14-Nov @ Eastern Michigan
24-Nov Ball State

Dan Lefevour, Quarterback and Coverboy...

If you look to your left (my right) you will see the face of USA Today's College Football Preview 2009 (thanks to CMUChippewa from Chippaws Insider for finding the image). Lefevour for the second time get's some recognition as one of the top college Quarterbacks in the general press.

This does not remove the stink that occurred two years ago when, ignoring the fact he had better numbers than Tebow, the press disrespected LeFevour by failing to consider him in any measure for the Heisman. Hopefully he can ride the early publicity and capture the 'buzz' needed to get into the Heisman landscape. Winning from the mid majors is a herculean task but it would do much for his draft stock and even the CMU program as a whole if he gets even a few votes.

To get an idea of just how good the Illinois native is one needs to step back and try to find something he does not do well. He is mobile enough to not only escape pressure but also to run, in three years and around five hundred carries he has never put the ball on the ground. When healthy he is an adaquate primary running game and he does this without sacrificing the pass.

He has an outstanding arm and makes great decisions in the pocket, a career mark of 100 touchdowns is not unreasonable if he stays healthy (currently he is over seventy touchdowns with less than thirty interceptions). He is also on pace for ten thousand yards and more than eleven hundred completions.

His numbers might have seemed down in 2008 but he was battling injury and missed outright two games.. Despite that he still put up numbers almost any team in the MAC would have traded their quarterback for.

He has won numerous awards, in addition to having two MAC championships, and players of the week honors under his belt:

• 2006 MAC Freshman of the Year
• 2006 All-MAC first team selection
• 2006 Honorable mention Freshman All-American by Sporting News
• 2006 Academic All-MAC honoree
• 2006 MVP of the Motor City Bowl
• 2007 MVP of the MAC Championship Game
• 2007 All-MAC first team selection
• 2007 Manning Award Watch (one of 35 players)
  

Passing:

YEAR	TEAM	CMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	AVG	TD	LNG	INT	RAT
2006	CMU	247	388	63.7	3031	7.8	26	88	10	146.24
2007	CMU	355	543	65.4	3652	6.7	27	76	13	133.50
2008	CMU	251	376	66.8	2784	7.4	21	93	6	144.19

Rushing:

YEAR	TEAM	ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	FD	FUM	LOST
2006	CMU	132	521	3.9	41	7	0	0	0
2007	CMU	188	1122	6.0	43	19	0	0	0
2008	CMU	168	592	3.5	27	6	0	0	0

LeFevour is listed with other quarterback Max Hall (Brigham Young), Tim Tebow (Florida), Todd Reesing (Kansas), Daryll Clark (Penn State) and Cole McCoy (Texas). The USA Today's College Football Preview will remain on newsstands through July 27. The magazine also can be ordered by calling 1-800-872-5149 or by visiting www.usatodayservice.com/specialeditions.

Wanted: Athletic Director; Must like Kangaroos and Spiffy Rubber Shoes..

Mack Rhoades was hired Thursday as the new athletic director at the University of Houston. He had been with the university of Akron for only two years but in that time the Zips have seen improvements both in the teams that they fielded and on the field that they use.

You really can't say enough for what Rhoades (edit: and his predecessor Mike Thomas) did in Akron million dollars stadium, indoor football practice facility. He was also in the beginning process of trying to upgrade Akron's Basketball facilities.

He did this while fighting some loud opposition on Akrons campus who felt like the athletic program which was losing up to three million dollars a year was not worth a thirteen million dollar subsidy.

To his credit in these regards the Zips have been improving in the area of attendance and this improvement was seen even before Akron got a new, and on campus, stadium. If you can tell the caliber of a man by who they beat out consider the other finalist; this USC senior associate AD Brandon Martin.

You can't stress what an accomplishment it was to so quickly leave your mark on a program. A good athletic director, especially in the mid majors, is very hard to come by and so far there have been no names floated for his replacement. But Captain Kangaroo over at Zip's Nation makes the case that Akron will have an esier time replacing someone like Rhoades than they had finding him.

The next 3-4 years at UA are a AD resume' filler's delight. The only tough decision to be made is regarding football. I think JD needs to win 8 games this season to get a contract extension. 7 wins is likely too few in a weak MAC, with a 1-AA school opponent on the schedule. But if the coach is not retained...Proenza didn't authorize a $61.5 million dollar stadium to lose football games. You can guarantee the new AD will be given a nice allowance to hire an attention-getting replacement. [Side note - JD will win 8-games this season. But that is another thread for later this summer]

As long as the next AD doesn't go "Kevin Mackey" (link to wiki for those outside the Cleveland area) and get caught with hookers and crack, he's planted his foot on the biggest, fattest stepping stone in the history of mid-major athletics. If things go as they should, the 3 1/2 year AD turnover cycle will probably be broken. It'll be more like 2 1/2. --Captain Kangaroo

Well so long as they are not caught right, kinda like offensive holding...

MAC Quarterbacks in 2009

Update: I have had several Miami and Ball State fans tell me that perhaps I was too rough on Raudabaugh. So I'm getting my crow recipes ready in case they are right.

Much has been made this off season about the MAC coaching carousel, with more than a third of MAC teams sporting a new coach there was plenty to talk about on the sidelines. I have not yet seen anyone talk about the on the field changes in leadership (or potential leadership) with several Quarterbacks graduating, leaving for the draft and at least one Quarterback controversy brewing in Ohio I thought it might be nice to catch up around the conference:

Akron: (Chris Jacquemain)

The Zips are in a good place at QB; not only do they have a two year starter returning they also have someone who has shown good year over year improvement. Its quite reasonable to assume that if the running game does not fall off too much Jacquemain can hit 3,000 yards and perhaps upwards of 25 touchdowns.

Jacquemain lost his running back (and third favorite receiver) but he does return his two biggest targets.


Ball State: (Kelly Page)

I don't think any quarterback will be missed by their team as much as Ball State is going to miss Nate Davis. Leaving early for the draft was a predictable event after Hoke left but it still cut Card fans to the quick.

The good news for Ball State is that their Running game should be as strong as it was last year (minus the Dual threat Davis possessed) The bad news is that right now the odds on favorite Kelly Page is a Red Shirt Freshman though he is built as a dual threat in the mold of Davis somethings only come with game experience. He will compete against Tanner Justice, a senior who has taken a hand full of snaps in the five or so games he has seen any time in.

Bowling Green: (Tyler Sheehan)

Bowling Green brings back Tyler Sheehan for his final year but they are losing some real weapons on offense. How will he do having lost wideouts Corey Partridge and Marques Parks?

Sheehan has already shown he can get it done; throwing for more than three thousand yard his sophomore season. He did fall off a bit last year and there is no way guess if will improve on the twenty six hundred passing yards he put up. But you can probably count on him for upwards of 20 touchdowns and probably nearly half as many interceptions.

Buffalo: (Zack Maynard)

The only question for the Bulls on offense this year is what will they do without four year starter Drew Willy?

In Zack Maynard not only are the Bulls going to try to replace their leader they are going to have to reshape their offense. Maynard is a dual threat Quarterback and while this may hurt the numbers of Naaman Roosevelt it may take some of the pressure off of James Starks.

Maynard saw too little action last year for any kind of an idea how he will lead but he did show he has wheels and pretty solid arm strength. Turner Gill made his name in an option offense and I would not be surprised if he moved Maynard away from the spread and closer to that philosophy.

Central Michigan: (Dan LeFevour)

Perhaps the envy of all MAC schools right now the Chip's return Dan LeFevour for his final season. He is as likely to throw for three thousand yards as he is to run for more than five hundred. There is not a whole lot more to be said about LeFevour who might be the next Big Name QB to come out of the MAC.


Eastern Michigan: (Andy Schmitt)

Perhaps nobody in the MAC has been as good an athlete in as bad a position as Andy Schmidt. This year things might be looking up for him as a new coach and the potential for a somewhat respectable running game might help take the pressure off of him.

Even with the lack of a running game and as bad as EMU was Schmitt looked good last year. He does not turn the ball over too much, has a decent completion ratio and came on strong towards the end of the year. If he gets any kind of run support Schmitt can be a very dangerous weapon in 2009.

Kent: (Giorgio Morgan (photo) or Anthony Magazu)

Julian Edelman stepped up in a big way last year, while his passing numbers were, at best, pedestrian his rushing numbers were amazing (1,370). Losing him is up there with the losses suffered by Ball State and Buffalo if Eugene Jarvis can not stay healthy there is going to be allot of pressure on whoever wins the starting job.

Whoever wins the job is going to be a better passer than Edelman and Kent returns much of its offensive line so there is room for hope this year. There has been no word on who the 'favorite' to start is but Magazu has allot more game experience than Morgan so the job could be his to lose.

Miami: (Daniel Raudabaugh)

The poor performance of Miami was the surprise of the season last year and while there is no reason to expect this program to stay down very long this next year could be ugly.

Raudabaugh will have allot of familiar faces around him but if he performs as poorly as he did last year Clay Belton might get a crack at the job early in the season, if not win the job outright before 2009's first snap.

If CMU is in the most enviable position Miami is without doubt in the more pitiable position. Raudabaugh had a promising Sophomore year when the RedHawks won the east but the fall off last year may push coach Haywood to look to youth.

NIU: (Chandler Harnish)

When a sophomore takes away the QB job from one of the better quarterbacks in school history opponents and fans alike should keep their eye on him.

While the strength of the Huskies was on defense fifteen hundred yards passing and five hundred rushing are great numbers for a sophomore quarterback who is leading his team for the first time. There is no reason to think That Harnish wont improve and the the Huskies won't give a challenge to CMU and WMU for the MAC West Title. The only area that need significant work is ball ball control, throwing more pics than touchdowns is not going to fly on a team without Larry English.

Ohio: (Boo Jackson or Theo Scott (Picture))

Ohio has the potential for a very healthy quarterback controversy. Last year Boo Jackson benefited from Theo Scott going down. He took his opportunity and ran with it, and ran, and ran, and ran.

Hats off to Frank Solich for giving Scott a show of support by not endorsing either of his returning quarterbacks before camp; A starter should never lose his job due to an injury, Nor should Boo Jackson should not be expected to quietly go back to holding a clip board. Boo Jackson has to have the inside track after his performance last season but Scott did beat him out once, perhaps he can do it again. MAC defenses need to ask themselves, if Boo Jackson is the Second best QB how good is scott?

Temple: (Vaughn Charlton or Chester Stewart)

Temples loss of Adam DiMichele might be the biggest hurdle they have to overcome this year. Vaughn Charlton has been the go to guy when DiMichele went down starting a total of seven games over two years but Coach Al Golden, perhaps taking a note from Turner Gill and Frank Solich has given no indication who is the favorite to start this coming year.

Charlton was red shirted Charlton last year so he could get two years out of him as a starter meanwhile he burned away one of Chester Stewarts so if you have to put money on it expect to see Vaughn Charlton under center this fall.

Toledo: (Aaron Opelt)

Toledo returns almost their entire team, where they in the east they might very well compete for the title. Part of that strength is going to come from Opelt who is efficient, productive, and careful with the ball He won't blow you away but he does ont tend to give games away either.

He has not always had the tools around him to do serious damage but this year he will have an improved target at wide out and more support from the running game. About the only thing that will Keep Opelt from having a banner year would be an injury to either him or one of the other key components on offense.

Western Michigan: (Tim Hiller)

The Bronco's return one of the premier quarterbacks in the conference; Its likely that when the draft comes around next year Tim Hiller will get snatched up in the mid level rounds.

Aside from Ball State and Rice Hiller did not have a bad game last year, he is a solid pocket passer who is physically gifted and football smart. Its a toss up between Him and Dan LeFevour as to whom is the most impressive quarterback in the MAC and on who is more important to their team. They have such different styles a decent comparison is not possible. LaFevour has two MAC titles to his credit so give the nod to him.

MAC East Predictions and Thoughts

Akron: Their Shiny new Digs wont be enough to make up for key losses and a much improved Eastern Division.

Last year was Akron's big shot at taking the east, they may have missed their chance for a couple of years. Where last years East Champs (the Bulls) thrived in close games four of the Zips seven losses came by less than a touchdown. Its going to be hard for Akron to be in the drivers seat this November; the East as a whole should improve a bit and the Zips have a decent out of Conference slate.

The offense lost key personnel in Dennis Kennedy and Chris Kemme. Chris Jacquemain is going to have a hard time of it with these losses but his year over year performance has been impressive and he does have most of the starters returning for his final year.

Schedule:

(7-5, 4-4)

Sept. 5 @ Penn State
Sept. 12 Morgan State
Sept. 19 Indiana
Sept. 26 @ Central Michigan
Oct. 10 Ohio
Oct. 17 @ Buffalo
Oct. 24 @ Syracuse
Oct. 21 @ Northern Illinois
Nov. 7 Kent State
Nov. 13 Temple
Nov. 20 @ Bowling Green
Nov. 27 Eastern Michigan


Bowling Green: MAC-Smack likes the new coach but will he take off running or not? One thing is for sure, I don't think he will be dumb enough to bad mouth fans after a tough loss.

Fifteen Minutes is all that separated the Falcons from the MAC east title and that 15 minutes Pushed Gregg Brandon into kind of meltdown that ends coaching careers. Bowling Green has been one of the better teams in the east for some time now and there is no reason to think that they cant continue to challenge but when will they stop challenging and start winning division titles?

Last year after the Pitt game most everyone saw Bowling Green as the team to beat, and that precisely what they were, again. Losing to Miami in 07, and Buffalo in 08 has to leave a bitter taste but Gregg Brandon's protest aside the Falcons have some of the best fans in the MAC, they will be out again this year.

Like Akron they return most of their offense and little of their defense. In a high scoring league like the MAC overcoming 8 new starters on defense is going to be very difficult.

Schedule:

(7-5, 5-3)

Sept. 3 Troy
Sept. 12 @ Missouri
Sept. 19 @ Marshall
Sept. 26 Boise State
Oct. 3 Ohio
Oct.10 @ Kent State
Oct. 17 @ Ball State
Oct. 24 Central Michigan
Nov. 3 @ Buffalo
Nov. 12 @ Miami University
Nov. 20 Akron
Nov. 27 Toledo


Buffalo: Sorry guys Turner go bye-bye... But he will leave you with a nice parting gift.

What UB did last year was just amazing, what Turner Gill has done in three years is earth shattering. UB comes in not as a joke, not as an also ran but as the defending Champion (albeit on the back of two close overtime games late in the season). The question is can UB do it without Drew Willy?

Part of the reason for UB's success last year was that no matter how late in the game, how bad the score Drew Willy never blinked. Comeback wins Against Army, Temple, Bowling Green, Akron, and a near miss against the Chips showed that UB was never out of a game. For the Bulls 2009 a win-lose situation; If they win games the lose Gill and if the lose Games they win Gill. If UB gets to another Bowl game no way Gill does not get that offer from a program he considers worthy of a move.

While losing Willy is a real kick in the teeth what UB is sporting on defense this coming year has the Bulls fans excited. Not only the best secondary in the MAC but a very deep Line backing core and bigger, faster linemen then UB has ever fielded. Mark my word Darius Willis (LB) will be starting by mid season and will be a terror.

Schedule:

(7-5, 5-3)

Sept. 5 @ UTEP
Sept. 12 Pittsburgh
Sept. 19 @ U.C.F.
Sept. 26 @ Temple
Oct. 3 Central Michigan
Oct. 10 Gardner Webb
Oct. 17 Akron
Oct. 24 @ Western Michigan
Nov. 3 Bowling Green
Nov. 10 Ohio
Nov. 18 @ Miami University
Nov. 27 @ Kent State

Kent: No flashes, leaving you out of 'who will win the MAC East' was not an accident. You might surprise someone again this year but the odds of doing more than once or twice is minimal.

Well you did beat the 2008 MAC Champions and you did it in their house, other than that it was a painful season and there is no reason to think that 2009 will be any better. I mean you are losing about every starter you had so that's something to put in the plus column.

Nobody seems to know exactly what the deal is with the flashes they nearly beat Akron, they take out Buffalo but the inexplicable losses and inconsistent play will haunt them until something *cough cough* coaching *cough cough* changes.

Schedule:

(2-10, 1-7)

Sept. 3 Coastal Carolina
Sept. 12 @ Boston College
Sept. 19 Iowa State
Sept. 26 Miami (Ohio)
Oct. 3 @ Baylor Oct. 10 Bowling Green
Oct. 17 @ Eastern Michigan
Oct. 24 @ Ohio Oct. 31
Western Michigan
Nov. 7 @ Akron
Nov. 21 @ Temple
Nov. 27 Buffalo

Miami: pssst... You guys have been watching the death spiral that is Notre dame football right?

In all seriousness the word on Haywood is that he is a demon in the recruiting game and this will greatly benefit Miami, but not this year. Instead Miami will go the only place they can after last year.... up but not enough to be competitive week in and week out. Games might end up being closer (for some reason I have the feeling they might shock NIU) but they will still lose, albeit in a more respectable fashion. Sill if Haywood can deliver recruiting classes up to expectations the future is very bright for the Hawks.

The offensive line of Miami has taken some real hits with the losses of Steve Sutter and Dave DiFranco but aside from that the offensive unit as a whole is in tact. Losing Joey Hudson and Clayton Mullins on Defense is going to hurt the unit deeply.

Schedule:

(2-10, 2-6)

Sept. 5 Kentucky
Sept. 12 @ Boise State
Sept. 19 @ Western Michigan
Sept. 26 @ Kent State
Oct. 3 Cincinnati
Oct. 10 Northwestern
Oct. 17 @ Ohio
Oct. 24 Northern Illinois
Oct. 31 Toledo
Nov. 5 @ Temple
Nov. 12 Bowling Green
Nov. 18 Buffalo

Ohio: Are you really the early favorite to start if you took over the job last year by injury and did absolutely nothing with it?

For some reason a mini bandwagon is starting up for Ohio, some folks have them winning the east and just about everyone has them in the mix at the end. One has to ask themselves why? What exactly transpired last year that has such high hope this year?

Is it the late season close win over a demoralized Akron team of the more convincing win over a hapless Miami team the last week of the year? Maybe it losing more than half of your starters on offense and defense or the looming battle for the Quarterback position? Whatever it is some folks think its magic time for the Bobcats...

There is an outside chance of them competing, this is the MAC east so pretty much everyone starts with two division wins (over Miami and Kent) Steal a game or two and you are right in the mix. But getting NIU and Ball state from the West does not help the Bobcats. They also draw three of the Better east teams (Bowling Green, Akron, and Buffalo) on the road flip a couple of these to home games and they might be a stronger challenger.

Schedule:

(5-7, 3-5)

Sept. 5 Connecticut
Sept. 12 @ North Texas
Sept. 19 Cal Poly
Sept. 26 @ Tennessee
Oct. 3 @ Bowling Green
Oct. 10 @ Akron
Oct. 17 Miami University
Oct. 24 Kent State
Oct. 31 @ Ball State
Nov. 10 @ Buffalo
Nov. 21 Northern Illinois
Nov. 27 Temple


Temple: And speaking of bandwagons who the heck did Al Golden give his kidney to? Sorry Temple Second Verse same as the first...

The Owls may well win the east, they will almost certainly compete well for the crown but their personnel losses are as deep as any in the MAC and despite solid recruiting Al Golden has done little to blow me away.

The Owls were one or two plays from winning the MAC last year but then again who wasn't? Aside from Miami, Kent, and Ohio. Unless there has been some real growth of character among the returning players there is no reason to think the Owls will fair any better in clsoe games this year. Temple does have a nice schedule draw from the East getting EMU from the west (the gift that keeps on giving), and budding rival Buffalo at Home. They also get out of playing Bowling Green which is a plus for both teams (who would'nt want to swap Toledo for the Falcons).

If Temple gets the bounces this year, or learns how to take them they can win the east, they will almost certainly be Bowl eligible which for a program booted from the Big East for under performance is saying something.

Schedule:

(7-5, 5-3)

Sept. 03 Villanova
Sept. 19 @ Penn State
Sept. 26 Buffalo
Oct. 03 @ Eastern Michigan
Oct. 10 Ball State
Oct. 17 Army
Oct. 24 @ Toledo
Oct. 31 @ Navy
Nov.05 Miami (OH)
Nov.13 @ Akron
Nov.21 Kent State
Nov.27 @ Ohio