2015 College Football Preview: Mid-American ConferenceTo get you prepared for the upcoming college football season, we begin our run of all FBS conference previews over the next several weeks. In our next preview, we’ll be keying in on the Mid-American Conference:AKRON ZIPS2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 5-7
ATS Record: 3-9
Over/Under: 4-8
Points Scored: 22.6 PPG (104th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 23.1 PPG (28th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 6
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
The offense struggled to score in 2014 (22.6 PPG, 101st in FBS), but still has seniors QB Kyle Pohl (5.7 YPA) and RB Conor Hundley (540 rush yds). The Zips make up for an average secondary with an excellent run defense. BALL STATE CARDINALS2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 5-7
ATS Record: 5-7
Over/Under: 6-6
Points Scored: 27.7 PPG (74th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 27.2 PPG (68th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 10
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
QBs Ozzie Mann (10 TD, 2 INT) and Jack Milas (9 TD, 5 INT) will again battle for the right to throw to WR Jordan Williams (753 rec yds). The defense isn’t good, but LBs Zack Ryan and Ben Ingle (178 tackles combined) are solid. BOWLING GREEN FALCONS2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-6
ATS Record: 5-8
Over/Under: 7-6
Points Scored: 30.0 PPG (59th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 33.5 PPG (108th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 10
Defense: Starters Returning: 4
QB Matt Johnson (25 TD, 7 INT in 2013) returns healthy to join star WR Roger Lewis (1,093 rec yds) and RB Travis Greene (949 rush yds). The defense is in dire straits, especially if top CB Nick Johnson (5 INT) stays suspended. BUFFALO BULLS2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 5-6
ATS Record: 5-6
Over/Under: 7-3
Points Scored: 32.3 PPG (44th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 31.5 PPG (97th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 7
Defense: Starters Returning: 4
New head coach Lance Leipold inherits great talents in QB Joe Licata (2,647 pass yds, 29 TD, 11 INT), RB Anthone Taylor (1,403 rush yds, 12 TD) and WR Ron Willoughby (771 rec yds, 9 TD). The Bulls defense is fast, but lacks experience and productivity, tallying a pathetic two interceptions in 2014. CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-6
ATS Record: 6-7
Over/Under: 6-7
Points Scored: 26.9 PPG (81st in FBS)
Points Allowed: 25.2 PPG (46th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 6
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
Junior QB Cooper Rush (3,157 pass yds, 27 TD, 13 INT) has added pressure with the losses of RB Thomas Rawls and WR Titus Young. The defense also lost its two best players (NG Leterrius Walton and LB Justin Cherocci), but DE Blake Serpa (4 sacks) and S Tony Annese (3 INT) are both productive. EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 2-10
ATS Record: 5-7
Over/Under: 6-5
Points Scored: 15.2 PPG (126th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 40.9 PPG (125th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 5
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
Dual-threat QB Reggie Bell (7.0 YPA, 562 rush yds) is not surrounded by proven skill players. The defense stunk (40.9 PPG, 4th-most in FBS) despite the efforts of DT Pat O’Connor (7.5 sacks) and LB Great Ibe (133 tackles). KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 2-9
ATS Record: 5-6
Over/Under: 5-6
Points Scored: 16.4 PPG (123rd in FBS)
Points Allowed: 29.0 PPG (83rd in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 9
New OC Don Treadwell hopes RB Trayion Durham (766 rush yds in 2013) is healthy after missing 2014 (foot injury). QB Colin Reardon (16 INT) needs to improve. S Nate Holley (137 tackles) headlines a subpar KSU defense. MASSACHUSETTS MINUTEMEN2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 3-9
ATS Record: 8-4
Over/Under: 8-4
Points Scored: 27.3 PPG (78th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 33.0 PPG (105th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 10
Defense: Starters Returning: 9
All-MAC first teamers QB Blake Frohnapel (23 TD, 10 INT) and WR Tajae Sharpe (1,281 rec yds) are tough to slow down. ILB Jovan Santos-Knox (143 tackles, 3 FF) and CB Randall Jette (4 INT) star in an improving defense. MIAMI-OHIO REDHAWKS2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 2-10
ATS Record: 7-4
Over/Under: 5-6
Points Scored: 22.3 PPG (106th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 31.8 PPG (100th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 4
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
Senior QB Drew Kummer (5.5 YPA career) and freshman Gus Ragland will compete for the starting job working with WR Rokeem Williams (682 rec yds). Talented CB Quinten Rollins (7 INT) makes the defense respectable. NORTHERN ILLINOIS HUSKIES2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 11-3
ATS Record: 7-7
Over/Under: 5-9
Points Scored: 31.5 PPG (50th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 25.6 PPG (52nd in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 6
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
Dual-threat QB Drew Hare (18 pass TD; 900 rush yds, 8 TD) shines among NIU’s deep offensive skill positions. The D-Line needs work, but LB Boomer Mays (9 TFL) and CB Paris Logan (15 PBU) propel a solid back seven. OHIO BOBCATS2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 6-6
ATS Record: 5-6
Over/Under: 2-9
Points Scored: 20.5 PPG (114th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 24.8 PPG (41st in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 9
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
RB A.J. Ouellette (785 rush yds) will take handoffs from both dual-threat QBs Derrius Vick (7.2 YPA) and JD Sprague (6.1 YPA). The defense is strong, with LB Jovon Johnson (10.5 TFL) and CB Ian Wells (12 PBU) leading the way. TOLEDO ROCKETS2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 9-4
ATS Record: 5-7
Over/Under: 8-5
Points Scored: 36.6 PPG (20th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 30.5 PPG (93rd in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 5
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
Toledo has two able QBs (Phillip Ely, Logan Woodside) but prefer to run with RBs Kareem Hunt (1,631 rush yds, 16 TD) and Terry Swanson (732 rush yds). The defense remains a work in progress, most notably the secondary. WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-5
ATS Record: 10-3
Over/Under: 8-4
Points Scored: 33.8 PPG (33rd in FBS)
Points Allowed: 24.9 PPG (43rd in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 9
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
RB Jarvion Franklin (1,551 rush yds, 24 TD) is explosive and QB Zach Terrell (26 TD, 10 INT) and WR Corey Davis (1,408 rec yds, 15 TD) are a lethal duo. The defense can also play, especially CB Ronald Zamort (4 INT, 17 PBU).
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