The Kiss of the Spider?

The MAC predictions are out from the Media Day, which is today at Ford Field in Detroit. The media makes its annual picks, which is normally about the same as receiving a kiss from a black widow spider.

A few comments. The narrative here says BG got 17 first place votes. The final count only shows BG a little ahead of Miami, which means that significant portions of the MAC media must have picked BG below second. And, for reasons I will outline in a couple weeks, I don't think that's an unthinkable scenario.

Having said that, like everything else in the media, these picks are all about chalk. The media is all about conventional wisdom, and then when you start averaging it across multiple people, and, well, welcome to the bell curve.

(As an aside, if you want a great read about these circle jerk opportunities--this time about the Big 10--read Mgoblog accounts here and here of Big 10 media Day. I rarely hear an interesting interview with a coach or athlete because they are more or less trained never to say anything interesting. And, rarely are they asked an interesting question).

The other thing I would say today is that I think winning yet another title just gets really tough for Central. I know they have the best player and a good program, but winning year after year is tough.

I am entering the picks from the online blogs, the MAC media, and a couple publications along with mine into a spreadsheet. In December, we'll see who picked better and who picked worse.

If you are interested, you can follow the MAC Media Day here.

Here are their picks, for whatever it is worth.

WEST DIVISION (6-5-4-3-2-1 point system)

1. Central Michigan 207

2. Ball State 168

3. Western Michigan 143

4. Toledo 98

5. Eastern Michigan 80

6. Northern Illinois 60

EAST DIVISION (7-6-5-4-3-2-1)

1. Bowling Green 206

2. Miami 202

3. Buffalo 145

4. Kent State 137

5. Temple 120

6. Ohio 119

7. Akron 78