The West Division, like the MAC East Division, is filled with a few teams predicted to dominate and the rest of the division predicted to trail behind. Toledo and Western Michigan butted heads last season, with the Broncos coming out on top 21-14. With the Rockets’ returning experience a little stronger and their home schedule more favorable, Toledo came out ahead in the preseason poll.
1. TOLEDO
Head Coach: Tom Amstutz
2000 record: 10-1 (4-1 in the MAC)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 41/14
Starters returning/lost: 18/5
The Rockets not only picked up the most votes (287) to win the West Division, but The University of Toledo is also favored as the MAC championship game winner. And why not? Toledo returns the MAC’s leading rusher, Chester Taylor. The senior running back rushed for 1470 yards and 18 touchdowns last year on 250 attempts. Also returning at quarterback is the explosive Tavares Bolden, another leading candidate to make the All-MAC team.
UT opens the season at home against Minnesota. Last season the Rockets brought down Big 10 powerhouse Penn State 24-6 on the road. Toledo will also have nonconference bouts with Temple, Youngstown State and Navy before closing the season on the road against their rival Bowling Green.
2. WESTERN MICHIGAN
Head Coach: Gary Darnell
2000 record: 9-3 (7-1 in the MAC)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 37/17
Starters returning/lost: 13/11
The Broncos lose 11 starters from last year’s squad, but return with some key players, including quarterback Jeff Welsh. Welsh threw for 2,537 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He helped the Broncos to big wins over Iowa, Toledo and Marshall early in the season. WMU also returns receiver Josh Bush, who caught 40 receptions and four touchdowns last season.
Western Michigan opens the season at home on its new grass turf against Illinois State. The Broncos face two tremendous test in week two and three on the road against powerhouses Virginia Tech and Michigan.
3. NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Head Coach: Joe Novak
2000 record: 6-5 (4-3 in the MAC)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 40/20
Starters returning/lost: 11/11
Northern Illinois is looking for its first back-to-back winning season since 1989 and 90. Coach Jay Novak believes his team is a “mystery team” because the Huskies are younger and more athletic than last season. The Huskies quarterback, Chris Finlen ranked number 26 in the country last season in passing efficiency. Their defense also received national ranking in turnover margin (+0.7 pg).
The Huskies had an up-and-down season last year. Northern battled for big wins over Illinois State, Central Florida and Akron. But NIU fell big to Western Michigan and also suffered an embarrassing loss to Eastern Michigan 39-32. The Huskies will open the season at home against South Florida. Other non-conference battles include a showdown with Illinois, Wake Forest and Sam Houston State.
4. BALL STATE
Head Coach: Bill Lynch
2000 record: 5-6 (4-3 in the MAC)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 49/13
Starters returning/lost: 17/6
The Ball State football program was one of the top turnaround stories of the year last season. After not winning a game in 1999, the Cardinals came back five of its last seven games in 2000. They accomplished this task while playing the 30th most difficult schedule among the 110 NCAA Division I teams. A major part of that was the play of MAC freshman of the year, Talmadge Hill. In his first collegiate start, Hill rallied the Cardinals to its first win in two seasons against Miami. Hill passed for 13 touchdowns on the year.
BSU will open the season on the road against the Auburn Tigers. Other non-conference games include Kentucky, Southern Illinois and Connecticut.
5. CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Head Coach: Mike DeBord
2000 record: 2-9 (2-6 in the MAC)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 42/18
Starters returning/lost: 16/6
The Chippewas’ Achilles’ heel last season was running the ball. Central Michigan averaged a puny 92.4 yards rushing complimented with a defense that was just as bad against the run giving up 267.6 yards per game. Coach Mike Debord said he’ll be interested in seeing how improved his squad is for the new season. CMU returns its top rushers including, tailback Vince Webber who rushed for 458 yards on 130 carries, but graduated their two top receivers.
Central Michigan will open its season tonight against Eastern Kentucky. The Chippewas will also play non-conference games against Michigan State and Boise State.
6. Eastern Michigan
Head Coach: Jeff Woodruff
2000 record: 3-8 (2-5 in the MAC)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 40/22
Starters returning/lost: 12/10
Since 1996 the Eagles have always had a prolific passing quarterback. In 1996, current Detroit Lion starting quarterback Charlie Batch took over as starting quarterback. Then in 1998, Walter Church took over. Between the two, they hold every passing record in school history. Now EMU will depend on Jeff Crooks or Troy Edwards. Crooks is a 6-foot 3-inch junior college transfer while Edwards had seven completions for 81 yards last season. Woodruff’s goal this season is to compete in every game.
Eastern home and season opener Saturday will be against Southeast Missouri State. Other nonconference games include Maryland, Indiana State and Connecticut.
