Sports editor Frank Gogola previews the MAC football landscape and gives his predictions for where each team will finish. Today he previews the MAC West Division. His MAC East Division preview was in Tuesday’s Northern Star and can be found online: bit.ly/1ld6f1e.

1. NIU Huskies (10-2, 8-0 MAC)

Last year: 12-2, 8-0 MAC; first in MAC West

Head coach: Rod Carey

Returning starters: 16 (nine offense, six defense, one specialist)

Season outlook: Despite losing quarterback Jordan Lynch, the Huskies’ offense is loaded at the skill positions and the offensive line. The big question mark will be how the quarterback performs in distributing the ball and managing the game. Defensively, the loss of Jimmie Ward and the entire defensive line leaves big holes to fill, but the Huskies have the veteran leadership to hold their own early on and improve as the season progresses.

2. Toledo Rockets (8-4, 6-2 MAC)

Last year: 7-5, 5-3 MAC; third in MAC West

Head coach: Matt Campbell

Returning starters: 19 (eight offense, 10 defense, one specialist)

Season outlook: The Rockets have been a good team the past few seasons; however, they just haven’t been able to get past NIU. They’ve dropped four straight contests to the Huskies and draw NIU on the road this season, a tall task given the Huskies’ 26-game home winning streak. The November meeting with NIU followed by a home date with Bowling Green could be too tough of a stretch late in the season for the Rockets to win the MAC West.

3. Central Michigan Chippewas (6-6, 5-3 MAC)

Last year: 6-6, 5-3 MAC; fourth in MAC West

Head coach: Dan Enos

Returning starters: 20 (10 offense, eight defense, two specialists)

Season outlook: The Chippewas were hampered by injuries last season, but they could be out to surprise in 2014. Quarterback Cooper Rush has a nice, little arsenal of offensive weapons, including wide receiver Titus Davis, who’s arguably the top wideout in the MAC. The Chippewas play a tough non-conference schedule that should help prepare them for conference play should they avoid any serious injuries.

4. Ball State Cardinals (7-5, 4-4 MAC)

Last year: 10-3, 7-1 MAC; second in MAC West

Head coach: Pete Lembo

Returning starters: 14 (five offense, six defense, three specialists)

Season outlook: The Cardinals lost their two biggest offensive threats — quarterback Keith Wenning and wide receiver Willie Snead — from last season’s squad. Running back Jahwan Edwards highlights the offense, but the

Cardinals will rely on their defense. Lembo brings a winning attitude no matter where he coaches, but the offense will have to go through too many growing pains to post a record similar to last season’s.

5. Western Michigan Broncos (3-9, 2-6 MAC)

Last year: 1-11, 1-7 MAC; sixth in MAC West

Head coach: P.J. Fleck

Returning starters: 17 (eight offense, five defense, four specialists)

Season outlook: WMU’s turnaround continues under Fleck, and the Broncos should see a slight improvement over last season’s lone win. The Broncos had few bright spots last season, one of which was wide receiver Corey Davis taking home MAC Freshman of the Year honors. The offense should see some progress over last season’s 17.2 points per game with more familiarity, but the defense may not be able to keep opposing offenses in check.

6. Eastern Michigan Eagles (2-10, 1-7 MAC)

Last year: 2-10, 1-7 MAC; fifth in MAC West

Head coach: Chris Creighton

Returning starters: 16 (seven offense, five defense, four specialists)

Season outlook: Creighton takes over a program that has nowhere to go but up — even if it may take some time. The Eagles have won two games each of the past two seasons and finished last in the MAC in scoring defense (44.6 points allowed per game) and total defense (510.9 yards allowed per game). The offense will be a strength compared to the defense, but the process of turning around the program will be lengthy.