Is this the year that someone finally ends Marshall's streak of six Mid-American Conference Championship game appearances? With a stronger and deeper MAC this year, the answer may be yes.
Eastern Division
In the East, it appears that heavily favored Marshall and Miami (OH) will be vying for the East title. But do not look past the University of Central Florida, who expected to dominate the MAC prior to the beginning of last season, but ended up 6-2 in MAC play and 7-5 overall.
This year the story of the MAC will be the emergence of returning, potent quarterbacks. Byron Leftwich is gone from Marshall, however an excellent duo in Darius Watts and Josh Davis should give Leftwich's replacement, Stan Hill, a nice 1-2 punch at the receiver position.
Ben Roethlisberger boasts one of the best arms in the nation and has passed for 6,343 yards and 47 touchdowns in his past two seasons. Returning tailback Luke Clement (1,009 yards, 4.5-yard average) and the return of a beefed up offensive line should allow Roethlisberger and company to make some noise.
The Golden Knights of Central Florida return prolific QB Ryan Schneider who helped the Knights prove that they are a contender in the MAC in only their first year of conference play. Look for more of the same as Central Florida vies for the title. However, the Knights lost a number of key players to injury and academics. Central Florida must look to two new receivers in Brandon Marshall and Tavaris Capers with the loss of 1,000-yard receivers Doug Gabriel and Jimmy Fryzel.
Akron returns a potent offense with eight returning starters including quarterback Charlie Frye. Frye, who is a proven second year starter, is averaging better than 2,400 yards passing and 12 touchdowns each year. With a great supporting cast, Akron will look to have its first winning season since 1998.
Kent State's phenomenal quarterback is Joshua Cribbs, who returns looking to better his 2002 campaign in which he passed for over 2,000 yards and rushed for over 1,000. However, his less than 50 percent passing accuracy and 14 interceptions will squander his excellence in the run game. With a small supporting cast do not look for much from KSU.
Ohio loses lead rusher Chad Brinker and will look to Stafford Owens at tailback. Fred Ray returns at QB for Ohio in their option run offense. The Bobcats started off slow last year by going 1-5 but came on strong at the end by finishing 4-8. Look for more of the same from Ohio as head coach Brian Knorr once again is promising a turnaround season.
Western Division
A western shootout will go down in the MAC West as three teams can come away with the title. Northern Illinois, Toledo and Bowling Green all have legitimate shots at coming away with a possible bowl birth.
Northern Illinois has the tools to crack the top 25 this year and walk away with the MAC title as the NCAA's leading rusher, Michael Turner, returns. Josh Haldi returns for his sophomore campaign at quarterback where he ranked 27th in the nation in passing efficiency.
Bowling Green has made a complete turnaround. Just a short few years ago Bowling Green was where the Buffalo Bulls are now; at the bottom. But with records of 8-3 and 9-3 the past two years, the Falcons are poised to make a run for a bowl game and the title. Josh Harris returns at QB along with Charles Sharon and Cole Magner at the wide receiver positions. The offense should be set on cruise to the MAC Championship game.
The two time defending MAC West champ Toledo is right in the thick of things as well. Toledo will be looking at new faces in their key positions on offense as Cedric Stevens and Bruce Gradkowski will compete for the spot at QB. Too many new faces for the Rockets to work with will hinder a fast start but after mid-season look for the Rockets to be right up where they belong, near the top of the MAC West.
After going 4-8 in the MAC in the 2002 season, the Broncos of Western Michigan can only get better. Chad Munson returns at QB while the top ranked defense in the MAC returns with most of the core players back. Going .500 this year for the Broncos is as realistic as it gets for them.
Eastern Michigan will look to senior QB Jeff Crooks to keep them from the bottom of the MAC. After going to 3-9 last year and losing key players there should be no reason for the Eagles to even think of MAC title hopes let alone going .500.
Central Michigan is coming off a 4-8 record with no real identity at QB. Jeff Perry could be the game day starter but even that is a toss up with this team. Realistically, it'll be a battle between CMU and Ball State to keep out of the infamous cellar dweller spot.
Ball State's record last year (6-6 overall) might indicate that this program is finally on its upward but with the Cardinal only returning four starters and not having a proven QB, a year similar to or better than the last one may be out of the question.
Prediction
Look for Northern Illinois and Miami of Ohio to play in the MAC Championship and receive bowl births but don't count out proven contenders Marshall, Central Florida, Bowling Green and Toledo. These six teams have legit shots at the title and bowl births.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
