The MAC has always been an excellent source for fantasy stars and sleepers, and the 2011 campaign appears to be no different...at least from the sleeper perspective. A few big names have moved on, thus it's expected that some of the big producers in 2011 may be relative unknowns at this point.
While change is certainly no stranger to college football, there are even more new faces in the MAC West. Ball State and Northern Illinois welcome new coaches, and Toledo and those Huskies welcome two high-profile runners (Josh Haden and Jamal Womble) to their backfields.
We may not have a Nate Davis or Dan LeFevour in the MAC West, but the fantasy cupboard is far from bare.
Ball State
2010 Record: 4-8
Offensive Rank (out of 120): 106
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 79
Base Offense: Pro-set
Returning Starters: 7 offense / 7 defense
Significant losses:
MiQuale Lewis, Eric Williams
Newcomer of Note:
New coach Pete Lembo welcomes running back Jahwan Edwards and Horatio Banks, two youngsters that could make a bigger impact now that Eric Williams has left Muncie.
2011 Thoughts:
The offense has nowhere to go but up, though it’s really difficult to select a breakout player. Briggs Orsbon has been around forever, but this is not the same offense in which he operated during his freshman year. It will be strange not seeing MiQuale Lewis running around the field, and there are a ton of unknowns at the tailback spot.
Final Analysis:
If not for the coaching change we’d tell you to move along immediately…because of the new coach we’ll at least give the Ball State offense a cursory glance. Nope, still nothing to see here. Keith Wenning and Kelly Page will battle it out for the starting quarterback job, but even significant offensive improvement will keep this unit in the bottom 20% nationally.
Central Michigan
2010 Record: 3-9
Offensive Rank (out of 120): 50
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 66
Base Offense: Pro-style
Returning Starters: 8 offense / 5 defense
Significant losses:
RB Carl Volny, WR Kito Poblah
Newcomer of Note:
RB Anthony Garland chalked up a whole bunch of yards. The Ferndale High School (my alma mater) alum could see the field early.
2011 Thoughts:
I love quarterback Ryan Radcliff’s potential for a huge campaign, and in Cody Wilson he’ll have one of the MAC’s top targets out wide. Thanks to an experienced offensive line, we could see improved numbers from RB Paris Cotton as well. Looking for a sleeper? TE David Blackburn can play.
Final Analysis:
Year II of the Dan Enos era will see the Chips make significant strides, with the offense taking a big step forward. Sure it was ranked a respective 50th nationally, but CMU has had an impressive run of late, and last year was a small step back. Trips to Kentucky, Michigan State and NC State won’t be easy, but the defensive coordinators of those three schools certainly won’t be tipping back cold ones the night before the Chips roll into town. This will be a dangerous team capable of putting up big numbers against anyone on the schedule.
Eastern Michigan
2010 Record: 2-10
Offensive Rank (out of 120): 91
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 113
Base Offense: Multiple
Returning Starters: 7 offense / 7 defense
Significant loss:
RB Dwayne Priest
Newcomer of Note:
Running back Ryan Brumfield brings some very impressive high school accolades with him from Chester Springs, PA.
2011 Thoughts:
This team will be better, and early-season games against Howard and Alabama State could see a 2-0 start before trips to Ann Arbor and Happy Valley leave this team bruised and battered. Four returning starters on the offensive line are cause for a wee bit of optimism. Four wins are possible.
Final Analysis:
This is a program hidden in the shadow of that other school in Washtenaw County; they can’t draw flies, and they haven’t been athletically relevant since Ben Braun was patrolling the hardwood. And I like Ron English. So this is a program to pull for, however there really is little reason for optimism. They have a hard time recruiting Detroit and are losing the battle for in-state talent to league foes Central, Western and even Toledo. In an era where everyone goes to a bowl game, the Hurons/Eagles are looking to go to their first since the 1987 California Bowl. What’s sadder is that I remember the game.
What little optimism we have is based around QB Alex Gillett, a gamer who needs help. Go get em Alex!
Northern Illinois
2010 Record: 11-3
Offensive Rank (out of 120): 19
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 26th
Base Offense: Multiple
Returning Starters: 9 offense / 4 defense
Significant loss:
RB Chad Spann
Newcomer of Note:
Former Tar Heel RB Jamal Womble is ready to womble.
2011 Thoughts:
This will again be a very good offense. Both running backs, Jasmin Hopkins and Jamal Womble, could emerge as serious fantasy factors. Of course neither will come close to matching the crazy production of Chad Spann; however this is an offense that will move the ball. And in Chandler Harnish the Huskies boast one of the MAC’s top quarterbacks. Five starters return on the offensive line…that’s all of them.
Final Analysis:
Losing a coach like Jerry Kill following such a memorable 2011 campaign would normally be cause to mourn and win about five games the following season. This will not be the case here. NIU will continue to run the ball, and Chandler Harnish will continue to lead. This team will again gash MAC opponents on the ground.
Toledo
2010 Record: 8-5
Offensive Rank (out of 120): 74
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 56
Base Offense: Spread
Returning Starters: 9 offense / 9 defense
Significant losses:
When you return 18 of 22 starters from the previous season then there aren’t too many significant losses.
Newcomer of Note:
Former Boston College running back Josh Haden is ready to make a big splash.
2011 Thoughts:
There is some serious firepower at Toledo. Whether it’s Terrence Owens or Austin Dantin under center, in wide receiver Eric Page the starter will have one of the nation’s top pass catchers at his disposal. And with Adonis Thomas and Josh Haden running the ball behind an offensive line that returns three starters, it will be impossible to sell out to stop the forward pass.
Final Analysis:
The September 17 visit from Boise could be fun. Provided the Rockets don’t get too beat up the previous weekend in Columbus, there’s reason to believe that Toledo can hang around for a while with the Broncos. This was the nation's 74th-rated offense a season ago, and I’m willing to bet that they climb into the Top 50 this season. This is a talented group, and if the defense can get a few stops now and then there’s a very good chance that Tim Beckman’s boys are lining up in the MAC Championship Game.
Western Michigan
2010 Record: 6-6
Offensive Rank (out of 120): 34
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 73
Base Offense: Multiple
Returning Starters: 6 offense / 8 defense
Significant loss:
WR Juan Nunez
Newcomer of Note:
Wide receiver Kendrick Roberts appears to be the real deal.
2011 Thoughts:
Alex Carder was damn good last season, though this will be an inexperienced offensive line in 2011. Wide receiver Jordan White was granted another year of eligibility, and his presence will do more than just provide Carder a go-to guy; it will go a long way towards opening up the ground attack, one we expect to be led by the speedy Tevin Drake.
Final Analysis:
We’re looking for the 34th-ranked offense from 2010 to take a few steps back in 2011. The offense must replace six starters, included are the three aforementioned starters on the offensive line. There is a little bit of concern that Jordan White may struggle without Juan Nunez around to take off some of the pressure. The opener at Michigan may go a long way towards predicting the rest of the season. I don’t look for the Broncos to pull the upset, but if they can hang around and make this a game in the fourth quarter then it’ll likely be a sign that the offense has plugged the holes…and that the defense has kept Denard Robinson in check.