The Huskies continue to find their identity under third year coach Jerry Kill. The Huskies have gone to consecutive bowl games and had a signature moment beating Purdue in 2009. Yet under Kill, the Huskies remain 0-11 against teams with winning records including two straight bowl losses. The program is still trying to fully capitalize on a new end zone building built in 2007 to attract upper-tier recruits. This past February NIU lost three key recruits to BCS schools at the last minute. Also, entering the spring defensive end is Jake Coffman, who led the team with 8.5 sacks, elected not to return for his senior year. Tailback Me’co Brown, a solid RB and key player on special teams, decided to leave the program. Despite a few question marks there is still hope due to over twenty returning lettermen on each side of the ball. Read the rest of this entry →

The Broncos now must move forward without record-setting QB Tim Hiller who graduated and signed with the Indianapolis Colts.  RB Brandon West became a staple to the offense too over the past few seasons, leaving as the all-time all-purpose yardage leader in football history.

WMU Coach Bill Cubit welcomes his new offensive players with open arms (Icon SMI)

Even with those 2009 standout players, something was missing.

The Broncos finished 21st in the nation in passing offense last season but just 80th in scoring offense.  Defensively the Broncos ended up 101st nationally in total defense and 77th in scoring defense.  The net-net was a disappointing 5-7 season for a team that should have contended for a MAC championship.

Former Hofstra head coach Dave Cohen is the new defensive coordinator at Western after the school dropped football during the offseason.

The Team

Alex Carder, Drew Burdi and Tyler Van Tubbergen will via for the open QB slot.  Carder appeared in nine games last year but attempted only seven passes.  Losing Brandon West and his 1,164 yards will hurt a rushing attack that wasn’t very good to begin with; Aaron Winchester looks to be the starter even though he averaged just 3.2 yards per carry last season.  No matter who is throwing the ball, Western is loaded at WR, namely Robert Arnheim, Juan Nunez Jordan White and Chleb Ravenell.  The offensive line will be a work in progress with only two starters returning.  With three unproven sophomores listed as starters, it could be a rough early season for whoever wins the QB spot.

The defensive line is led JUCO transfer John Rice, cousin of NFL hall-of-fame receiver Jerry Rice.  Deauntay Legrier is a force at LB while safeties Jamail Berry and Doug Wiggins offer stability for defensive backfield.  Ansel Ponder and Jordan White are splendid return specialists.

The Verdict Read the rest of this entry →

The Rockets needed a change from “Toledo Tom” (former coach Anstutz) and in 2009 Tim Beckman brought new enthusiasm, accountability and discipline.  Unfortunately that led to a 5-7 record, their fourth losing season in a row.

Eric Page led the nation's freshman in 2010 receiving yardage.

Despite a very effective offense and freshmen star Eric Page, the defense was lousy 116th nationally in scoring (37.7 points per game) and the team turned the ball over far too much.  While four-year starter QB Aaron Opelt has graduated, the offense could be stronger behind a solid O-line and talented RBs.

For any chance at a winning season, the defense needs to be vastly improved after giving up 30-points or more in ten of twelve games.

The Team

The offense returns five starters and several proven backups.  While Toledo likes to pass the ball, look for Morgan Williams to lead an active running game backed up by  Adonis Thomas, Jake Walker and Darius Reeves.  QBs Austin Danton, Alex Pettee and David Pasquale make plays but neither has proven himself to be the undisputed starter.  Page is a special player at WR and led the nation’s freshmen last season with 82 catches for 1,159 yards, but star WR Stephen Williams graduation means Kenny Stafford or new freshman James Green need to hit the ground running.

The defensive line has more size than years past but is still unproven; guys like DE Alex Johnson and DE Douglas Westbrook will need to step up this year.  True freshman Jayrone Elliott could contribute immediately as a pass rush specialist.  Archie Donald is a solid MLB and Dan Molls is quickly becoming a stable too at LB.  The safeties can make plays while the CBs will need much improvement.  Outside of return specialist Eric Page, the special teams are not too special.

The Verdict Read the rest of this entry →

Nick Gerogosian of VandelaySports.com is the MAC Daddy – for years he has covered the Mid-American Conference with all a fanatic’s passion and a beat reporter’s attention to detail. You might recall his post-spring MAC briefings - he again joins Fantasy College Blitz to prepare you for your draft like no one else can.

Overview

BGSU WR Freddie Barnes only did this 19 times in 2009.

Bowling Green surprised a lot of people winning seven games in 2009 and earning the Humanitarian Bowl.  In fact, BG easily could have finished 11-2 last season instead of 7-6 as the new coaching staff under Dave Clawson really fired up an offense that ranked 6th nationally in passing yards per game.  This season the Falcons return just four starters on each side of the ball and look to rebuild for 2011 & 2012.  Of the 85 scholarship players, 44 are either true or redshirt freshmen.

The Team

The quarterback position is up in the air as four freshmen and a sophomore vie for starters slot.  RB Willie Geter returns after rushing for over 700 yards and nine TDs, and John Pettigrew is a talented but yet-to-be-proven backup.  With the graduation of WR Freddie Barnes the receiving corps will be looking for a new leader – Tyrone Pronty could become that new prime target.  Ben Bojicic and Tyler Donahue return up front as the offensive line will be young but productive unit.

Six returning lettermen return along the defensive line while the LBs all need to be replaced.  Keith Morgan and Adrien Spencer lead the defensive backfield.

The Verdict

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Nick Gerogosian of VandelaySports.com is the MAC Daddy – for years he has covered the Mid-American Conference with all a fanatic’s passion and a beat reporter’s attention to detail. You might recall his post-spring MAC briefing – Nick again joins Fantasy College Blitz to prepare you for your draft like no one else can.

Overview

Buffalo knew they could not hold on to Head Coach Turner Gill for long. Before he departed to Kansas he took this annual punching bag of a football program and legitimized UB as a real DI-A football team.  The Bulls did hit a home run landing Cincinnati’s Jeff Quinn to take over the controls and continue a positive new direction – the  change to the spread offense will help UB in the long run.

The Team

The QB position is unsettled since Zach Maynard transferred to Cal; Jerry Davis is the only player with any experience while true freshman Alex Zordich could be ‘the guy’ in the near future.  The Bulls are loaded at running back with Brandon Thermilius, Jeffvon Gill, Ike Nduka and hot-shot recruit James Potts (once he gets a nasty tuition bill worked off, scroll to bottom). No matter how ‘the spread’ is implemented by the new coaching staff, look for Buffalo to run the ball a lot this fall.  All-MAC Naaman Roosevelt will be missed at WR where Terrell Jackson is now the most seasoned returning receiver.  The o-line will be solid with four returning starters.

Defensively UB is led by safety Davonte Shannon, an all-conference player who may be the MAC; s top NFL draft pick in 2011.  The entire defensive backfield will be the team’s strength.  Steven Means and Anel Montanez return along the line while Justin Winters leads the LBs.  AJ Principe is one of the league’s most reliable placekickers.

The Verdict

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