Ball State

The Cardinals are counting on new head coach Pete Lembo to help the passing game. Lembo coached the second-best passing attack with the Division II Elon Phoenix, and hopes to bring the same numbers to Ball State. Sophomore quarterback Keith Wenning may lack the experience the coaching staff wants, so senior Kelly Page will have a chance to win the job.

Central Michigan

The Chippewas are trying to chip their way back to the top of the MAC. The pressure was on for sophomore QB Ryan Radcliff last season as he had to replace Chippewa great Dan LeFevour. Radcliff did a decent job under center passing for 3,358 yards and having 17 scores through the air. The junior signal caller will try to lead the disappointing Chippewas of 2010 (3-9 record) to the team they once were with LeFevour running the offense.

Eastern Michigan

To earn some respect in the MAC, junior QB Alex Gillett will have to continue his dual-threat capabilities and get better in the passing game. Gillett led the team in both passing (1,633 yards) and rushing (766 yards) in 2010, and is the clear-cut starter for the Eagles to open the season this fall.

NIU

Jerry Kill is taking his coaching talents to Minnesota after the Huskies finished last season with a school record 11 wins and a dominating bowl victory over Fresno State. Huskies quarterback Chandler Harnish took big strides last season after questions on how he would hold onto the starting job. Harnish overcame the critics and became a First-Team All MAC recipient. This year, the dual-threat signal caller will have to improve his leadership after the departure of Chad Spann, and he’s off to a great start by being the only MAC player to be named to the Maxwell Award Watch List.

Toledo

The Rockets finished with an unexpected 8-5 record last season with a loss to Florida Atlantic in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. Junior QB Austin Dantin started nine games before going down with a shoulder injury, allowing sophomore QB Terrance Owens to take the helm for the final four games of the season. Owens led the Rockets to three wins in those four games and is the projected starter for this coming fall.

Western Michigan

The Broncos finished last season with a record of 6-6, with five of those victories coming against MAC opponents. Quarterback Alex Carder averaged nearly 278 yards per game last year and looks to improve his already impressive numbers towards a MAC West, and possibly, MAC title. Carder finished the season with 3,334 passing yards with 30 passing scores and 12 interceptions.