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Posted 08/30/2009 at 02:43 AM
First off, a tip of the cap to Chris Redman. The veteran backup QB was lights out late against the Chargers. He converted a fourth and goal for the go ahead score with just seconds to play as the Falcons nipped the Chargers by three. Just enough to squeeze out the cover on what was a big play for me. I had the wrong side as the Chargers were the better team in this game, but got the right result. And I’ll definitely take it!
The college conference previews continue with a look at the MAC West. This is clearly the stronger of the two MAC divisions and I project at least three schools having a good shot to be eligible for bowl consideration.
Toledo is my long shot of the year. I see the Rockets being vastly improved this season following three straight losing campaigns, including last year’s dismal 3-9. The offense should be strong, as they return their entire offensive line and two talented running backs. Aaron Opelt is now a senior and while he’s not a great QB, he’s become a good game manager. The defense was not good at all last season, but should show substantial improvement this season. Most of all, I see a big upgrade in the coaching department. Tom Amstutz was never high on my list as far as game planning was concerned, and he gambled far too often for my liking. The MAC always seems to have one team that confounds the experts, and I think it might be Toledo this year.
Central Michigan looks like the best of the lot on paper, but there’s something a little off with this team. The Chippewas won eight games last year and garnered their third straight bowl invite. That said, I thought they underachieved slightly, as they struggled to win some games they should have taken easily. CMU won five contests by three or fewer points, and that means the Chips are in a scenario where they could bounce. Truth be told, I’m not sold on head coach Butch Jones, and while CMU is the consensus choice to win the MAC, I’m going to pick against them.
Western Michigan should be right in the mix as well. The Broncos return only three starters on defense, but there’s lots of optimism regarding the replacements and that unit should again be just fine. Tim Hiller is as solid as it gets at QB, and WMU has a good running game. The big concern is the receiving corps, which was hit hard by graduation. Bill Cubit has done a very nice job with this team in his first four years at the helm, and I’ll be surprised if this team isn’t playing in December.
Northern Illinois enjoyed a nice rebound last year following their 2007 disaster. The Huskies were ravaged by injuries that year and fell all the way to 2-10. They bounced back to win six games and grabbed a bowl invite in Jerry Kill’s first season at the NIU helm. They did so by displaying loads of grit on defense, which enabled them to win games despite being limited on offense. The attack still looks a little feeble although the hope is that Chandler Harnish improves in his second year as the starting QB. He’ll have to, as the defense lost some vital elements and is unlikely to be as staunch this year. NIU may have also caught some opponents by surprise last season, which doesn’t figure to happen again. I’m thinking a break even year might be NIU’s ceiling this time around.
Eastern Michigabn has been awful for what seems like forever. The Eagles may finally have a light at the end of the tunnel with the hire of Ron English as their new head coach. He’s well connected and should be able to get more talented recruits to Ypsilanti. For now, English will have to be make do with what he’s got, and while the current roster is limited, they are also very experienced. But there just aren’t enough good athletes on hand right now, and while the Eagles might be a little better than they’ve been, another losing season seems inevitable.
Ball State is likely to take a huge tumble this year. The Cardinals lost their coach and loads of talent, including sensational QB Nate Davis. The running game still features an outstanding back in Miquale Lewis. But without the threat of Davis in the backfield as well as with a very young offensive line, there’s no way he’s duplicating last year’s numbers. The defensive front looks solid, but there’s concern at linebacker and in the secondary. Sorry, but I’m just not excited about the hire of Stan Parrish as the new head coach. Parrish is 62 and his track record as a head man is, to put it mildly, discouraging. Ball State won 12 in a row to start last season before blowing the MAC title game and then getting hammered in their bowl game. The wins this year could be few and far between.
Next up, it’s Conference USA on Monday.
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