Western Division

Ball State Cardinals

2005 record: 4-7 Conf. record: 4-4

It is year four for coach Brady Hoke and a roster full of players he recruited awaits. BSU knocked off Eastern Michigan to start the season, and will be led by senior quarterback Joey Lynch.BSU returns their entire offensive line, and will turn to sophomore wide receiver Dante Love to be a playmaker on offense. Senior strong safety Erik Keys headlines a defense that finished last in the MAC in 2005. The Cardinals’ defense allowed 37.8 points per game and allowed 2225 rushings yards, which was nearly twice the Cardinals’ output.

Central Michigan Chippewas

2005 record: 6-5 Conf. record: 5-3

A dual threat freshman quarterback stepped in to call the signals for coach Brian Kelly’s squad in a season opening 31-24 loss to Boston College. Dan LeFevour of Downers Grove relieved Brian Brunner after just two plays and almost upset a foe from the powerhouse ACC conference. Senior defensive end Daniel Bazuin is the reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year. The Chippewas’ offense produced 23.6 points per game, which was exactly what the defense allowed. For CMU to have a big season, the Defense is going to have to pick up the slack.

EASTERN Michigan EAGLES

2005 record: 4-7 Conf. record: 3-5

A talented duo looks to power the EMU offense. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Tyler Jones and senior wide receiver Eric Deslauriers have game-breaking potential. Jones is an efficient rusher as well, racking up a team high 191 yards rushing in a season opening 38-20 loss to Ball State. Sophomore linebacker Daniel Holtzclaw is on the Dick Butkus Award watch list. EMU’s defense allowed 26.8 points per game, while the offense only mustered 21 points per contest. The Eagles will need to establish a run game in order to compete in the MAC.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS HUSKIES

2005 record: 7-5 Conf. record: 6-2

The dean of MAC coaches, Joe Novak, returns for his 11th season with the nation’s leading returning rusher and bowl game aspirations. Senior running back Garrett Wolfe looks to continue carving up opponents’ defenses. Sophomore wide receiver Britt Davis will be counted on to replace the game breaking skills of the graduated Sam Hurd. Senior quarterback Phil Horvath must play well to hold off sophomore Dan Nicholson. A young defense will be a year older, but must prove they can get some stops if NIU looks to return to a bowl game.

Toledo Rockets

2005 record: 9-3 Conf. record: 6-2

Coach Tom Amstutz team can get it done year after year. Toledo has been to a bowl game four of the last five years, was MAC champs in 2001 and 2004, and looks ready for more of the same in 2006. Senior tight end Chris Hopkins will use a 6-5 225 pound frame to provide a massive target for sophomore quarterback Clint Cochran. Junior wide receiver Steve Odom enters with a catch in 27 straight games, the longest streak in the nation. A 45-43 season opening loss at Iowa State saw Cochran throw for 367 yards and 3 TDs.

Western Michigan Broncos

2005 record: 7-4 Conf. record: 5-3

Western Michigan’s solid 2005 campaign led to nothing more than a third place MAC West finish. Luckily for head coach Bill Cubit, the Broncos return 18 starters and are primed for another solid, if not spectacular season in 2006. The loss of standout wide receiver Greg Jennings to the NFL will no doubt hurt the Broncos’ receiving core as will the loss of the team’s other top receivers. Look for the coach’s son Ryan Cubit to struggle out of the gate, but pick up the slack as the season progresses. Cubit completed nearly 60 percent of his passes last season.

Eastern Division

Akron Zips

2005 record: 7-6 Conf. record: 5-3

A program primed for a run at another MAC championship, Akron returns its entire offensive line, and senior quarterback Luke Getsy. The Zips also have a host of new facilities, highlighted by a 155,000 square foot athletic complex to add to the expectations of coach J.D. Brookhart’s squad, which won the MAC Championship in 2005. Brookhart’s unique 3-3 stack defense will rely heavily on sophomore Kevin Grant and junior Brion Strokes . And after a 38-31 loss to Memphis in the Motor City Bowl, Akron appears to have a roster ready for postseason play.

Bowling Green Falcons

2005 record: 6-5 Conf. record: 5-3

The national media buzz has evaporated, and a youth movement is on at BG. The 2005 season started with Heisman Trophy Candidate Omar Jacobs at quarterback and high expectations. But a 6-5 finish kept BG home for the holidays. Coach Gregg Brandon returns with a lineup that will feature only 25 juniors and seniors. Freshman quarterback Freddie Barnes got off to a fast start, earning MAC East Offensive Player of the Week honors in the first week, and will be a dynamic threat in the air and on the ground.

Buffalo Bulls

2005 record: 1-10 Conf. record: 1-7

New coach Turner Gill has his hands full. Buffalo is 10-69 since returning to Division I in 1999, was 1-10 in 2005, and has never been to a bowl game. The offense scored a lowly 10 points per game last season and will turn to freshman running back/quarterback James Starks to make plays in 2006. In a 9-3 season-opening win over Temple, Buffalo posted 356 yards, and held them to 183 yards. Senior Ramon Guzman was the MAC East Defensive Player of the Week with a 14-tackle effort. However, it will take more than Guzman this season.

Kent State Golden Flashes

2005 record: 1-10 Conf. record: 0-8

A disastrous 1-10 season in 2005 saw 14 freshmen take the field. This year, 18 returning starters look to improve a team that finished last in rushing in the MAC. A young lineup will again lead the way for KSU, as freshman running back Eugene Jarvis will lead the ground attack. Senior wide receiver Najah Pruden will be the main threat in the passing attack. The Golden Flashes allowed 30.1 points per game while racking up a miniscule 16.4 points. There is hope, however, with the experience that KSU returns.

Miami RedHawks

2005 record: 7-4 Conf. record: 5-3

Coach Shane Montgomery heads into his 2nd year with the task of replacing 19 seniors. A team that tied for first last year could play as many as 10 freshman this year. Junior quarterback Mike Kokal will look often to the sure hands of senior wide receiver Ryne Robinson. On special teams, Robinson is a dangerous threat as a speedy punt returner. Cornerback Frank Wiwo led Miami-Ohio with four interceptions last season. A pair of Big Ten opponents, Northwestern (a 21-3 loss) and Purdue (Saturday) opens the season for the Miami.

Ohio Bobcats

2005 record: 4-7 Conf. record: 3-5

Junior Kalvin McRae returns at running back for former Nebraska coach Frank Solich’s run-happy offense. Expect senior Austen Everson to see the most time at quarterback. And on defense, senior corner back T.J. Wright has a nose for the ball. A grueling three-game trip that starts on Saturday at NIU continues at Rutgers on Sep. 16 and concludes with Missouri on Sep. 23 could define the season for Ohio. Expect Solich to lead the Bobcats to MAC title contention, maybe not this season, but in the seasons to come.