MAC Preseason Rankings Part 2 of 2
Article By: 6. Kent State – Here we have a team that doesn’t look that bad on paper but Coach STLBrandon is still fairly new to the NDL. After a 4-8 performance at Georgia Southern I’m sure Coach B will hope to have a better showing this season. With the talents of Junior HB Gavin Garcia, Sophomore WR Chrishon McCray, and Junior DE Stephen Daley the Golden Flashes will hope that their season isn’t a flash. This team looks like they may have a chance to shake up a few games, but it’s going to come down to how well Coach STLBrandon can make adjustments when needed and limit his mistakes.
Prediction: 4-8
5. Bowling Green – The Falcons had the blessing of playing for the conference championship last season as they surprised a lot of teams in the MAC with the artillery that they had at their disposal. They have a new coach coming in and it will take some time to see if Coach Drew has what it takes to pull out the talent this team has hidden. Senior QB Connor Bazelak is solid despite where he plays ball, and having a rock at HB with Junior Terion Stewart it will help take some pressure off and open up lanes for Senior WR Malcom Johnson Jr. Junior TE Harold Fannin Jr has to be the cornerstone of this offense when it comes to key plays. And he will need to be as their defense is non-existent at best. Poor Senior CB Jordan Oladokun has no help on his side of the ball and the Falcons will need to look towards outscoring opponents instead of making big stops to win games this season.
Prediction: 5-7
4. Miami (OH) - The RedHawks come off of a not-so-great season but a lot of that was due to their coach having outside things going on that kept him away from the locker room and field, add that to getting used to the game and playing after a decade away and you see why Coach Sudden had the year he did. Coach Sudden is a solid coach and is much better than his record shows him to be. If he can lock in to a game and not lose focus when certain things happen even when they shouldn’t I will expect to see a lot more W’s for the Redhawks this season. Senior QB Brett Gabbert is clutch and you will see that in big games. The Redhawks aren’t screaming with talent on the field but they are definitely better at times than their ratings let off. Key your eye on Senior MLB Ty Wise, look for that man to cause some chaos on the field.
Prediction: 6-6
3. Toledo – Coming up in the third spot we have the Rockets. Coach Wasik is an NDL vet and he knows how to work around a team. Toledo has enough talent that Wasik can definitely find himself in the CCG at the end of the season. It will come down to how well the Rockets fits Coach Wasik’s system. Junior QB Tucker Gleason will be looking at throwing dots all season as he has a solid receiving core with Senior WR Jerjuan Newton, Junior WR Junior Vandeross III, and Junior WR Larry Stephens taking the field. The Rockets ground game is nothing to laugh at with Senior HB Jacquez Stuart and his blazing 96 speed, 98 acceleration coming out of the backfield. Having a solid defensive line that have starters and backups at DE over 80 overall and a stud DT, but the Dline and the secondary will have to help make up for the holes they have at the linebacker position.
Prediction: 9-3
2. Ball State- This team grabbed the MAC conference last season but now they have a new coach. In my opinion this is a much more talented coach so to think the conference championship is out of the question would be absurd. Coach Thatdude is a competitor, very good chess match player that will frustrate you on offense and force you to make mistakes with his defense. You can never count him out of the game unless you have him by 35 and out of the months, I’ve spent playing Chris I have never seen that happen. This team is a bit confusing, they have a CB in the QB spot in their depth cart and he’s a 73 overall QB with option king and magician badges (I wonder if my game is glitching out lol) but Freshman QB Kadin Semonza and Sophomore QB Chase Harrison have stats that are worth looking at. This is another team that on paper doesn’t have a lot of talent or weapons to consider but we have seen what this team can do in the right hands. Expect to Thatdude to have Ball St rocking by week 1.
Prediction: 10-2
1. Central Michigan – Coach Chip got his Chippewas and if you think that doesn’t mean anything then you’ve never played a coach that knows his team, couple that with his great stick skills and prowess on the field and you are looking at a contender. Coach Chip took Coastal Carolina to the CFP last season with some impressive wins during the regular season as well. You might see Sophomore QB Bert Emanuel Jr on the field to keep defenses honest as he can hurt you with that 90 speed at QB, and Senior HB Mario Lukes will be in the backfield to help move the chains. Offenses better watch out for Senior CB Donte Kent as stretching the field against this guy will not be an option. I expect Coach Chip to shake things up and be able to cause some unexpected or should I say expected upsets and grab a spot in the top 25.
Prediction: 10-2
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