Now for the West

So, yesterday I ran down the East, and today we move on and look at the MAC West. The East, to review, is wide open. The West is less so. There are, however, much stronger teams in the West. In fact, I would say that at least 3 and maybe 4 of the West teams would win the MAC East. It figures to be a dogfight over on that side.

Here's what I see for the West....

1. CMU
2. WMU
3. Ball State
   
4. Toledo
5. NIU
6. EMU

Now, for the rationalizing and outright wishful thinking and guessing....

Central Michigan

Of course, it does not take a genius to make this pick. Everyone is picking CMU, and with good reason. They have the MAC's best player, a winning tradition, good coaching, a deep, veteran team and don't forget Antonio Brown, probably the best WR in the MAC, too. They are not world beaters on defense, but I think they are the clear choice to win the West and the MAC.

Western Michigan

WMU has a lot going for it and probably makes it back into a bowl game this year. Their QB is also a senior and very good (Tim Hiller). And they have some strength at skill positions too. I can't pick them to beat CMU, however, because they had some huge graduation losses, especially on defense, and if nothing else I can't see them beating CMU head to head.

Ball State

What can you say? Of course, they lost all-everything Nate Davis. They also have Kelly Page in the wings, and the Texan came to this conference very highly touted. He will still have MiQuale Lewis, one of the league's best RBs. There is huge talent in place here and the defense looks to be decent.. Still, the offensive line was the team's quiet strength last year, and they lost a lot to graduation. I think they will surprise and do better than expected, though they could also finish down with EMU.

Toledo

Writing these words does not make me happy, but I have no doubt that UT is on the way back up. Tim Beckman was present for UM's big turnaround at BG, and I believe he is prepared to do the same thing at UT. While last year's team was dreadful, they were very, very young, and as they mature this year with the new energy provided by a new coach, I think they will have a quick turnaround. There was never any reason for them to be that bad anyway. I considered picking them for second in the division, but I don't think they are terribly strong at QB and could be a little upset prone.

NIU

Jerry Kill is in his second year here, and he is going to win in the MAC. Just wait for it. He won at SIU, and he will win here. His team surprised last year, but has some serious holes to fill, especially on defense where Larry English is headed for the NFL and there the front is decimated. For that reason, I don't see them finishing higher in this division, though I think they might be good enough to win the East.

EMU

Of course, Ron English is the new head coach at EMU, which has been a graveyard for coaches over the past few years. The cupboard is not bare, especially on offense, where they have a highly productive QB (Andy Schmitt). But the defense was dreadful last year, and while English is a defensive coach, it isn't likely he can completely turn it around this year. I'd like to pick EMU to finish ahead of someone this year, but I can't figure out who it will be...and, of course, they will not be the cross-over push-over they were in past year.