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2010 MAC West Division Football Preview
Looks Wide Open!
The Mid American Conference (MAC) West division was won by the Central Michigan Chippewas in 2009. They didn't lose a single game to MAC foes and ended the year 12-2 with an 8-0 MAC record. Things look to be MUCH more competitive this year. Western Michigan, Northern Illinois, and Ball State all figure to rise as strong foes for the Chips and all others in the MAC. Let's take a look at the teams in the MAC West and their prospects for the 2010 college football season.
Western Michigan Broncos - This team returns 7 offensive starters
and 6 defensive starters from a 5-7 2009 team. They have experience at WR, but
they have lost their top QB and RB from last season. Alex Carder takes over at
QB. The 6-2 225 lbs sophomore figures to encounter both struggles and successes
in his first year on the job. HC Bill Cubit has done well with RBs in the past,
and his newest protege is Aaron Winchester. The junior is small at 5-6, but he
is a powerful runner with 1,000 yard potential. The offensive line will be
stronger thanks to the addition of Michigan transfer Dann O'Neill.
The defensive line was very strong for the Broncos back in 2008. It wasn't as
good in 2009. The 2010 addition of this line is improved, but still not quite up
to the lofty standards set in 2008. The DBs and LBs are both more experienced
and better units this season. The out of conference schedule is a bit brutal
with trips to Michigan State, and Notre Dame. In conference they will travel to
play Ball State and Central Michigan. Both conference games are winnable. The
Broncos will be improved and a strong contender to win the MAC West.
Northern Illinois Huskies - After a 7-6 season that ended with a
crushing defeat to USF in the International Bowl, the Huskies are back with 15
starters. The most important returning starters are QB Chandler Harnish and RB
Chadd Spann. The latter rushed for 1,038 yards and 19 TDs while earning 1st Team
All MAC honors in 2009. QB Harnish passed for 1,670 yards and 11 TDs. Look for
vast improvement from Harnish this year as his offensive line will be just as
good and the WRs will be much improved over last year. The secondary is the
brightest part of the defense. The DBs get back senior CB Patrick George who had
2 INTs last year. The LBs also look sold with the return of Alex Kube who had 60
tackles and 6 tackles for a loss last year. The Huskies have a weak schedule and
should pull off an upset against a BCS team on the road. Look for them to
compete strongly for the top spot in the MAC West.
Ball State Cardinals - Last year's 2-10 record was a far cry from
the great season in 2008 which started 12-0. This year the Cardinals bring back
11 offensive starters and 8 defensive starters. Look for marked improvement. QB
Kelly Page had a rough freshman year, but the 6-3 211 lbs passer will get better
in 2010. MiQuale Lewis and Cory Sykes are both back this year at R B. Eric
Williams will also provide help in that area. The defense looks a bit shaky and
may have problems in the trenches. The Cardinals will play a tough MAC schedule.
They must host Western Michigan, Northern Illinois, and Akron. They have to
travel to play Central Michigan. With so many starters back they can expect to
win 7 and perhaps 8 games with a bit of luck. Ball State will be a player in the
MAC.
Toledo Rockets - This team brings back 12 combined starters after
going 5-7 last year. They lose their starting QB and top rusher, but new QB
Austin Dantin has some starting experience. The sophomore passed for 962 yards
and 4 TDs last year. New RB Morgan Williams rushed for 444 yards in 2009. LT
Mike vanDerMeulen is a future NFL player. The offensive line looks great with
100 career starts. The defense looks weak up front, but the secondary has the
potential to grab some interceptions. The Rockets have the top offense in the
MAC, and a defense that is getting better. 2010 is going to be a growing year
for them. Toledo looks like a player in the future.
Central Michigan Chippewas - Butch Jones has left as HC after
leading this team to a 12-2 record in 2009. New HC Dan Enos inherits 12 combined
starters, but loses phenomenal QB Dan LeFavour. Ryan Radcliff takes over at QB.
The sophomore will be taking more snaps from under center than LeFavour did. The
RBs will be just as productive as they have been in recent years thanks to Paris
Cotton. The defensive line and DBs both look to be weakened heavily in 2010. The
LBs are the best in the MAC thanks to Nick Bellore and Matt Berning. They led
the team in tackles last year and both had 3 sacks. Bellore had 2 INTs. This
will be a rough year for an otherwise stellar football program. Fans shouldn't
expect much and may encounter a losing season.
Eastern Michigan Eagles - Most coaches would be enthused that 15
starters are returning, but its hard to get excited about starters back from an
0-12 team. This team has a nice RB tandem in Dwayne Priest and Alex Gillet, but
that's about it. The defense is horrid. The Eagles could be underdogs in all 12
of their games this year.
The Mid American Conference West division looks up for grabs. Western Michigan,
Ball State, Toledo, and Northern Illinois all have a shot at taking top honors.
We will go with a rejuvenated Ball State to take this division in 2010, but
Toledo is the team of the future.
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