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2008 MAC Football Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on August 3, 2008

Jimmy Boyd’s 2008 MAC predictions let you in on who he likes to win each side of what should be a very tight conference race. Jimmy loves betting the MAC because the college football odds have proven to be off the mark often in this conference. Make sure you’re taking advantage of Jimmy’s MAC college football picks this season.

East

1st – Miami Ohio Red Hawks

The defending Division champs have a strong defense and talented special teams. They should come out on top in the East again and will be on the bowl bubble. Again.

2nd – Kent State Golden Flashes

Unlike Miami Ohio, Kent State can run the football. QB Julian Edelman runs well and so does running back Eugene Jarvis, who rushed for 1,600 yards in 2007. The passing attack is the weak link.

3rd – Bowling Green Falcons

The fire power is here for Bowling green, led by QB Tyler Sheehan, but the defense is not. The defense was manhandled last season and it will be the downfall again in 2008.

4th – Akron Zips

The Zips have a loaded backfield, led by power back Dennis Kennedy. They’ll need to control the ball and the clock to be effective because as soon as they give it up, the talented MAC passing attacks will torch the weakest secondary in the league.

5th – Ohio Bobcats

There’s no replacing running back Kalvin McRae and playing six of their first eight on the road will be too much to overcome. At least dual-threat QB Theo Scott will provide some fireworks along the way.

6th – Temple Owls

Twenty-one starters, including all 11 on a solid defense are back, but this team is still a year away. The offensive line is still suspect and allowed 45 sacks in 2007.

7th – Buffalo Bulls

Running back James Starks is special, but he can’t win games all by himself. The problem with the Bulls is the same as with many MAC teams; they give up more points than they score.

West

1st – Central Michigan Chippewas

With the best player in the league in QB Dan LeFevour, and with perhaps the best coach in Butch Jones, the Chipps are still the team to beat. The defense needs to get better. There’s no doubt about that. But teams haven’t showed that they can stop the offense.

2nd – Ball State Cardinals

QB Nate Davis leads a talented offense which returns all 11 starters. Ball State also has to win shootouts until it can prove that it can stop the run. The Cards ranked 106th in the nation against the run in 2007.

3rd – Toledo Rockets

The Rockets defense underachieved in 2007 and the result was a 3-5 conference record. If the “D” plays up to its potential, like we think it will, instant progress will be made.

4th – Northern Illinois Huskies

It won’t take long for new coach Jerry Kill to make his mark with the Huskies, but he doesn’t have a solidified signal caller this season, and that is what it takes to win in this league.

5th – Western Michigan Broncos

The Broncos have the league’s best defense with all 11 starters returning, but the offense has not proven to be consistent or explosive enough to challenge for a title.

6th – Eastern Michigan Eagles

QB Andy Schmitt is solid. He resembles Matt Grothe at times. But the Eagles are unproven at running back and the defensive line is a major area of concern. Unless, the Eagles can pull off early surprises at home against Toledo and NIU, .500 is the goal.

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