Tuesday, August 29, 2000
Mid-American Conference overview
Toledo
Outside of the opener at Penn State, the Rockets could run the table. TB Chester Taylor, LB Kevin Rollins and DE DeJuan Goulde are the best in the league at their positions. QB Tavares Bolden is a good athlete who can make plays. It shouldn't matter, as the Rockets appear to have more talent than anybody else in the league. A home game Oct.14 against Marshall could be a preview of the MAC title game.
Marshall
The Thundering Herd will have some competition in the East Division (from Akron and Miami). It's an astounding fact because Marshall has won 35 league games and three league titles. QB Chad Pennington is gone, and he will be replaced by sophomore Byron Leftwich. WR Nate Poole is an able target, but there are questions on both lines, though G Jimmy Cabellos is a stud. CBs Daninelle Derricott and Maurice Hines are a tremendous pair.
Northern Illinois
The Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook pegs the Huskies as the No.2 team in the West Division behind Toledo. The Huskies possess a deep stable of running backs (William Andrews and Ivory Bryant) and an offensive line that returns all five starters, including NFL prospect Ryan Diem at tackle.
Western Michigan
Western Michigan must replace QB Tim Lester with Jeff Welsh or junior-college transfer Ryan Harris. The good news is the new leader has a quality runner in TB Robert Sanford and plenty of options at receiver. The Broncos are one of three teams who could win the West Division.
Akron
The Zips were 7-4 overall and 5-3 in the MAC last season, their best season in the MAC since 1992, and this season could eclipse last. Senior QB Butchie Washington is a good one, albeit somewhat inconsistent, and WR Lavel Bailey is a good target.
Ohio
Say hello to the MAC's most unpredictable team. There are days the Bobcats aren't sure who their quarterback will be (sophomore Dontrell Jackson will start the year), and TBs Joe Sherrill (Anderson) and Keland Logan will carry the bulk of the running load. If they can cut down on their fumbles lost (18 in 1999), the Bobcats could contend for a division title.
Central Michigan
Former Michigan assistant Mike DeBord was able to develop balance on offense with the Wolverines, and that is his hope at CMU. TB Vince Webber is back after missing last season with a broken jaw, and QB Pete Shepperd returns as the starter.
Kent
The Golden Flashes have won twice in the past two seasons. TB Chante Murphy gives them hope they can win at least three times this season. But that's assuming the defense can stop somebody.
Eastern Michigan
New Coach Jeff Woodruff comes from Arizona, where he was running backs coach. QB Walt Church is talented, but there's not enough other talented players on the roster. Two good things for Woodruff: The non-conference schedule isn't that tough (Connecticut, South Carolina, Temple and UCF) and eight starters return on defense.
Bowling Green
Not long ago, Gary Blackney was considered one of the nation's most underrated coaches. Now he's close to being unemployed. This year he has six new assistants. Look for the Falcons to try to run the ball more often.
Ball State
If the Cardinals (0-11 last year) don't finish at the bottom of the West Division, it will be seen as a successful season. Ball State has lost 17 in a row — and opens the season at Florida.
Buffalo
There are 115 teams in Division I-A, and the Bulls are No.115. Buffalo got rid of its football program in the 1970s and then revived it eight years ago as a Division III program. It is still learning what playing in I-A means.
Miami turns to freshman tailback
Miami Redhawks Scouting Report
Mid-American Conference overview
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