2010 Mid-American Conference Football Predictions

Below, I have provided a quick run down of how I see both the MAC East and MAC West divisions shaping up this season. Then, I have made my prediction on which team I like to win the overall conference championship. If you are interested in seeing which schools I like to win all of college football’s other conferences, then be sure to check out my 2010 college football predictions. Looking for a place to bet your college football picks in 2010? Do your college football betting at BetUS where our readers get up to 145 percent in special sign up bonuses!

MAC East
1. Temple Owls – The Owls finished 9-4 in 2009, which included a 7-1 mark in conference play. That one loss to Ohio in the last game of the regular season proved to be costly as it kept Temple from playing in the conference championship game. The Owls will use that loss as motivation, and with Ohio at home this season, I look for them to represent the East in the MAC championship game.

2. Ohio Bobcats – Frank Solich has done a great job at Ohio, leading the Bobcats to two MAC East titles in the last four years and getting them back to two bowl games following a 39-year absence. The Bobcats will be right in the mix again because of how solid they are defensively, especially in the front seven, but winning at Temple to claim another MAC East title will be no easy task.

3. Kent State Golden Flashes – Kent State should be one of the most improved teams in the league in 2010. The Golden Flashes finished 4-4 in conference play last season, but I’m expecting a winning record out of them this year. Injuries to QB Giorgio Morgan and RB Eugene Jarvis kept Kent state from realizing its full potential. With both back healthy, the Golden Flashes will have some nice depth at their key skill positions.

4. Buffalo Bulls – The Bulls finished 3-5 in the MAC in 2009, but three of those losses came by three points or less. While the Bulls easily could have finished better in league play, it figures to be difficult for them to best last year’s record. Turner Gill put Buffalo on the map, but now the returning players will have to get used to new coach Jeff Quinn. The defense has the potential to be stout, but it will be interesting to see how the Bulls handle Quinn’s new no-huddle offense. It will likely have a few bugs to work out with an inexperienced QB set to take it over.

5. Akron Zips – The Zips finished just 3-9 in 2009, and they will likely take another step back as it will take time to adjust to new head coach Rob Ianello and his pro-style offensive scheme. The Zips ranked 106th nationally in scoring offense last season (19.3 ppg), and I don’t see this number going up in the first year of a new scheme.

6. Bowling Green Falcons – The Falcons finished 6-2 in the MAC last year, but they will take a step back after losing QB Tyler Sheehan and wide receiver Freddie Barnes. With Sheehan, the Falcons lose over 10,000 passing yards and 70 touchdowns, and with Barnes, they lose nearly 300 catches.

7. Miami Ohio Redhawks – The Redhawks finished 1-11 in 2009 to fall to 3-21 the last two years. The Redhawks could climb out of the cellar, but it may be a bit bold to pick them to do so just yet. I still think head coach Mike Haywood has a lot or work to do.

MAC West
1. Northern Illinois Huskies – The Huskies boasted the No. 1 ranked rushing attack in the conference last season, averaging 195.2 rushing yards per game. They also came through with the No. 1 ranked defense in the MAC in terms of yards allowed, giving up just 330.3 yards per game. Leading a league in those two categories is a great way to win football games. Coach Jerry Kill is confident he has a team that is ready to win the West, and I have to agree, especially now that Dan LeFevour has graduated from Central Michigan.

2. Toledo Rockets – Toledo boasted one of the most explosive offenses in the MAC last season, ranking No. 2 in the league in scoring and No. 1 in total yards. Toledo was good enough to have had a winning record in 2009, but it was haunted by too many turnovers. I don’t see the turnovers piling up the same way, and I’m confident that one of the worst defensive teams in the league will be better in 2010.

3. Central Michigan Chippewas – The Chipps lose a lot. In addition to losing their head football coach and LeFevour, they lose wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Bryan Schroeder. The guys stepping in are talented, and an experienced offensive line will help, but I ultimately see Central Mich falling out of title contention this season.

4. Western Michigan Broncos – Much like Central Michigan, it is going to be tough for the Broncos to operate on the offensive side of the football after losing key contributors QB Tim Hiller and running back Brandon West. Making the transition even tougher is an inexperienced offensive line.

5. Ball State Cardinals – Ball State followed up its magical 2008 season by only winning two games in 2009. The Cards return a lot of starters on both sides of the football, but an offensive unit that ranked 12th in the conference in total offense, and a defensive unit that ranked 9th in total defense, are still a year away. Running back MiQuale Lewis is a talent, and the Cards dodged a major bullet when the NCAA granted their best playmaker a fifth year of eligibility.

6. Eastern Michigan Eagles – The Eagles laid a big egg in 2009, going 0-12, and they have a long way to go. The Eagles ranked dead last in MAC play in total offense last season, racking up only 278.3 yards per game. They also ranked dead last in total defense, allowing 427.3 yards per game. It’s hard to win when you can’t stop the run, and that was Eastern Michigan’s biggest problem a season ago. The Eagles finished dead last in the nation in rushing defense, allowing 276.8 yards per game on the ground.

MAC Title Game – Northern Illinois over Temple

Take the college football odds to school this season with the help of Jimmy Boyd’s award-winning expert football picks!