FAVORITE TEAMS

The MAC surprised with Buffalo and Northern Illinois representing in the conference title game last season…which I picked both as my underrated team and chose Northern Illinois to win. Check out my 2018 MAC underrated teams at sportsblog.com/xfactor25 for more information. This season may shift back to Ohio and Toledo as conference championship contenders.

Speaking of Ohio, this team lost their opportunity the last two seasons against Akron in 2017 and Buffalo last season (despite defeating them). They should compete for the division, but the only drawback is quarterback Nathan Rourke playing with a group of inexperienced players on offense. Buffalo is expected to dip this season, but their offense should be ok to still compete. Miami (OH) should never be overlooked in the MAC because Ohio and Northern Illinois paid for it while Western Michigan and Buffalo nearly did. Kent State could compete behind the arm of quarterback Woody Barrett, but they still need a year of development. I’m not sure if Bowling Green is back yet. They have a quarterback, but everywhere else is an issue. Akron’s schedule is too tough for them to win six games.

Toledo’s poised to bounce back after a disappointing seven win season. Western Michigan is right behind them with a balanced roster. Northern Illinois wants to prove that their conference title season wasn’t a fluke. I don’t see Eastern Michigan competing against the West this season, but their defense should keep things close. Ball State has a good offense with a backup quarterback and running back that should transition smoothly, but I can’t believe in their defense because of the starting defensive line’s size. I want to believe in Central Michigan’s potential bounce back, but their starting offensive line is the lightest front in the nation. Their freshman right guard is 257 pounds and their heaviest starter is 288 pounds.

MIAMI (OHIO) REDHAWKS

Miami (OH) is currently working out a new quarterback. The winner has skills players to rely on and a returning offensive line. The Redhawks’ defense should be as good as last year with defensive tackle Doug Costin leading the charge. What’s really important is their special teams returning everybody. This team likely starts 1-3 in non-conference, but expect them to be in the middle of the East quietly climbing. The quarterback spot will be key to making Miami (OH) an UNDERRATED contender in the East division. If Ohio’s offense struggles to improve and Buffalo does take a step back, the Redhawks could steal the division title.

WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS

With uncertainty in the West division below the top three, I went with Western Michigan as the underrated MAC West pick. They’re right behind Toledo as the potential runner-up, but quarterback Jon Wassink’s return from injury is key to winning the West. They also return running back LeVante Bellamy and receiver Jayden Reed, who had a good freshmen season. But someone else must follow him after D’Wayne Eskridge switched from receiver to defensive back. The Broncos’ defense allowed 34.5 points per game and was the most allowed since 2013. They allowed over 40 points six times and 50 points three times. They must improve to bounce back from a poor season, including losing to Ball State. Early road games against Michigan State and Syracuse are not likely victories, but their history shows that they’ve competed well against Power 5 opponents and upset a few of them. If quarterback Jon Wassink stays healthy the entire season, the Broncos could win the West division and maybe the conference.