The Favorite: Central Michigan returns to top team status after a one year hiatus with Ball State going undefeated in the regular season. Quarterback Dan Lefevour returns for his senior season and is already the school's all-time leading passer. Wide Receiver Bryan Anderson only needs less than 400 yards to become the school's all-time leading receiver. The schedule isn't great with road trips to Buffalo and Western Michigan, but the Chippewas appear to be good enough to win the MAC regardless.
The Challenger (West): Western Michigan won nine games last year including wins over eventual MAC champion Buffalo and Illinois. The receivers and most of the defense took heavy losses to graduation, but they still look like the second best team in the West and are definitely a contender.
The Challenger (East): Last year should have been the year that Temple turned the corner. Temple lost two games in overtime and another to Buffalo on the last play of the game. If one of those games goes the other way, Temple is bowl eligible. If all three go their way, they're 8-4 and playing in the MAC Championship Game. I don't think they will be that unlucky this season. Temple is likely to represent the East in the championship game this year and to go bowling for the first time since 1979.
The Sleeper: Buffalo may be discounted with the loss of a four year starter at quarterback and the unfortunate loss of their starting running back in preseason practices. Buffalo does have one of the best young coaches in Turner Gill, and the East is wide open. Despite the losses, you can't count them out.
The Letdown: Ball State could go from a 12-0 regular season to a losing record. They lost too much to remain a contender. Head coach Brady Hoke left for the San Diego State job, quarterback Nate Davis is in the NFL, and the receivers and offensive line lost most of their experience. They do have a great running back in MiQuale Lewis, but he can't carry the load all by himself. The Cardinals are going to take a big step backwards.
Conference Player of the Year: Dan LeFevour (QB Central Michigan) on offense, Nick Bellore (LB Central Michigan) on defense.
I Wrote What?: In last year's preview, I had Miami contending in the East division. Instead they only won two games and fired their head coach. I thought Ball State would be good last season, but I didn't think they would be that good.
Non-conference Games to Watch:
* Central Michigan at Boston College, Oct 31 - I'm not even sure if this will be an upset if CMU is the best team in the conference and Boston College is in as much turmoil as I think they are.
* Temple at Navy, Oct 31 - Last year, Navy was down 20 points with just over nine minutes to go, but found a way to force overtime and then win. Will this year's game be as memorable?
* Northern Illinois at Purdue, Sept 19 - Jerry Kill got NIU to a bowl game in his first year, but the best win was against Bowling Green. This could be his first win against a Big Ten team.
* Connecticut at Ohio, Sept 5 - Connecticut loses almost half of its offense from last year with just the loss of Donald Brown to the NFL. They could be ripe for an upset in a road opener.
* Iowa St at Kent St, Sept 19 - These teams split the first two games at Iowa State, and now the rubber match is in Kent.
Projected Standings:
West:
Central Michigan | 9-3 | 7-1
Western Michigan | 7-5 | 6-2
Northern Illinois | 7-5 | 4-4
Toledo | 4-8 | 4-4
Ball St | 5-7 | 3-5
Eastern Michigan | 3-9 | 2-6
East:
Buffalo | 6-6 | 5-3
Temple | 7-5 | 5-3
Ohio | 6-6 | 4-4
Akron | 5-7 | 3-5
Kent St | 5-7 | 3-5
Bowling Green | 3-9 | 3-5
Miami (OH) | 2-10 | 2-6
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