In Don Treadwell and Steve Addazio the MAC welcomes two coaches who step into very nice situations. Both are offensive guys taking over programs with plenty of talent returning, and there are plenty of lousy teams to beat up on within the division. Thus the 2011 version of MAC looks like a battle between Miami and Temple, with Ohio looking to make it a three-horse race.
There are more fantasy factors in the MAC West, but this doesn't mean one should avoid the Eastern side altogether. In Zac Dysert, Bernard Pierce and Spencer Keith there are legitimate draft day options, however it's likely that you'll want to view the East as a waiver option once things begin to shake out in September.
Akron
2010 Record: 1-11
Offensive Rank (out of 120): 119
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 99
Base Offense: Pro-style
Returning Starters: 6 offense / 7 defense
Significant losses:
RB Alex Allen, WR Jeremy LaFrance, WR Jalil Carter
Newcomer of Note:
Wide Receiver A.J. Price originally signed with Penn State and then took a detour to Dean College. Now the 6’4” target from Reston, VA will look to make an impact at Akron. Size makes him intriguing.
2011 Thoughts:
This team is bad, though there could be some promising prospects at the tailback spot. Jawon Chisholm and Broderick Alexander are expected to battle for the starting job. If either emerges then he could, I repeat could, serve as a decent spot start when things get tough.
Final Analysis:
There really isn’t too much to see here. This was the nation’s 119th ranked offense last season, and it’ll take a miraculous improvement to warrant any draft day consideration. Patrick Nicely will lead the squad, and he’ll likely throw most of his passes to Antoine Russell and Keith Sconiers.
Bowling Green
2010 Record: 2-10
Offensive Rank (out of 120): 115
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 102
Base Offense: Multiple
Returning Starters: 6 offense / 6 defense
Significant losses:
RB Willie Geter, WR Tyrone Pronty, WR Calvin Wiley
Newcomer of Note:
WR Shaun Joplin isn’t a newcomer; however we expect his role to increase considerably in 2011.
2011 Thoughts:
Kamar Jorden is worthy of fantasy consideration in any league, however he’s held back by a very bad offense. If he can get up to eight scores in 2011 (which would be double his TD output from a season ago) we’d consider it a huge success.
Final Analysis:
Move along on draft day.
Buffalo
2010 Record: 2-10
Offensive Rank (out of 120): 111
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 32
Base Offense: Spread
Returning Starters: 9 offense / 3 defense
Significant losses:
RB Ike Nduka, RB Brandon Thermilus
Newcomer of Note:
Running back James Potts will get every opportunity to seize the starting job. He’s one to watch.
2011 Thoughts:
In Marcus Rivers, the Bulls boast a top-flight wide receiver just begging for someone to get him the ball with more consistency. Jerry Davis and Alex Zordich will battle it out for the starting job, and while Davis is capable of doing more than managing games, it’s very likely that Coach Quinn decides to go with Zordich, a sophomore. The ground game was bad last season, and there’s little reason to believe that RB Branden Oliver will be much better than his 3 ypc from 2010. And we don’t expect WR Ed Young to continue his impressive scoring ways (five scores on only 20 grabs).
Final Analysis:
This offense is going to get better. How much improvement will take place remains to be seen. Good, even steady, quarterback play could bump this unit up considerably. However the lack of a true home run threat at tailback will probably keep this offense from making big strides this year.
Kent State
2010 Record: 5-7
Offensive Rank (out of 120): 99
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 10
Base Offense: Multiple
Returning Starters: 9 offense / 5 defense
Significant losses:
RB Eugene Jarvis, WR Leneric Muldrow
Newcomer of Note:
Beats me. Trayion Durham sounds like an intriguing freshman back, and he played in the Big 33 game. We’ll go with him.
2011 Thoughts:
Tyshon Goode has led the team in receiving the last two campaigns, and he’ll again be the go-to guy in this offensive attack. He’s been very consistent, catching about 55 balls for 750 yards and five scores. He’ll likely be in this neighborhood once again. Jacquise Terry is a solid MAC back, though he’ll have to share carries with Dri Archer. Neither should make a huge impact, though Terry could serve as a week-to-week fill-in.
Final Analysis:
The offense will go as far as Spencer Keith takes it. With nine starters returning there is reason for optimism, but this was the 99th–ranked unit a season ago. Even decent improvement will still leave it well in the bottom half of FBS units.
Miami
2010 Record: 10-4
Offensive Rank (out of 120): 81
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 28
Base Offense: Multiple
Returning Starters: 8 offense / 9 defense
Significant losses:
RB Thomas Merriweather, WR Armand Robinson
Newcomer of Note:
Dawan Scott and Justin Wiley are speedy backs who could earn the chance to compete immediately.
2011 Thoughts:
Quarterback Zac Dysert will have four returning starters on the offensive line, and if he can stay healthy then we’re probably looking at a very nice season of tossing it to Nick Harwell. The running game is a bit more uncertain; we like Tracy Woods to step in and replace Merriweather, but those two freshmen backs could each make a move this fall.
Final Analysis:
Miami coach Don Treadwell is stepping into a very nice situation. He has 17 starters returning from a 10-win team; however the offense must improve upon its 81st ranking from a season ago if another big season is to take place. Look for improved quarterbacking, be it from Dysert or Austin Boucher. Treadwell is an offensive guy, and he’s done very good work wherever he’s been. If a clear tailback emerges then he immediately becomes a factor; however Treadwell’s history also shows a guy willing to share carries among backs.
Ohio
2010 Record: 8-5
Offensive Rank (out of 120): 95
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 41
Base Offense: Multiple
Returning Starters: 6 offense / 3 defense
Significant losses:
QB Boo Jackson, RB Vince Davidson, WR Terrence McCrae
Newcomer of Note:
Running back Kyle Hammonds may be a name to keep in mind down the road.
2011 Thoughts:
We like Tyler Tettleton to emerge as the team’s starting quarterback, and his spring game performance gave indications that he could be the catalyst to an improved Ohio offense. Donte Harden will again anchor the ground attack, but he hasn’t shown the ability to make big plays. TE Jordan Thompson may be the only draft-worthy Bobcat.
Final Analysis:
It’s not pretty, but Frank Solich gets it done…just not for fantasy owners.
Temple
2010 Record: 8-4
Offensive Rank (out of 120): 89
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 16
Base Offense: Multiple
Returning Starters: 8 offense / 7 defense
Significant loss:
WR Michael Campbell
Newcomer of Note:
New coach Steve Addazio and OC Scott Loeffler make this a much more intriguing offense. The new crew will use what works best, and this means a lot of Bernard Pierce. However if you’re looking for a newcomer on the player side, then JUCO quarterback Clint Granger is definitely a fella to watch this fall.
2011 Thoughts:
This is a team that should challenge for the MAC crown. It all depends on how quickly the team adapts to the new spread attack, and if Granger (or another challenger for the job) can seize and excel in the quarterback gig.
Final Analysis:
We know that if Bernard Pierce is healthy then the Owls have a true workhorse at tailback, one who is probably the MAC’s best runner. If you’re looking for a true sleeper then wide receiver Rod Streater could really come from nowhere. Again, a great deal hinges on quarterback play, but Streater could really flourish in this new system.