DETROIT -- One year after the first Mid-American ConferenceChampionship Game without either Marshall or Toledo playing, 2004is expected to be a return to normalcy.
The Thundering Herd, in its last year in the MAC before leavingfor Conference USA, and the Rockets were selected as preseasonfavorites Aug. 3 by the MAC News Media Association. Marshallreceived 21 of 41 first-place votes and 278 points, edging outdefending-conference champion Miami (18 first-place votes) by onepoint in the East Division. Toledo (34 firsts) was selected by a278-225 margin over Nortern Illinois in the West Division.
Akron was third in the East, followed by Central Florida, KentState, Ohio and Buffalo. Bowling Green, the defending champ in theWest, was third. Behind the Falcons were Western Michigan, BallState, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan.
Toledo received 22 votes to win the MAC Championship Game. TheRockets last won the title in 2001, Tom Amstutz's first year ashead coach.
Like Amstutz and most other coaches, Ball State's Brady Hoketook an indifferent approach to the preseason poll. He stated thatconsistency is the key in BSU's attempt to climb the West standingsand said he believes that with a year of experience under his belt,the foundation is solid.
"Because of familiarity with the philosophy in a program andhopefully me doing a better job being a head coach and evaluatinglast year's mistakes, I think it's positive where we're at rightnow," Hoke said.
"The nine seniors, they have done a great job with theirleadership and things we've asked them to do through the spring andsummer."
The Cardinals have one of their youngest teams in recent memory,with just nine senior letterwinners. However, that hasn't held backthe excitement of strong safety Justin Beriault, last year'sleading tackler, who feels more comfortable under Hoke now.
"After a year that he's been here, everybody's bought into whathe's saying," Beriault, a first-team MAC selection in 2003, said."We're much further ahead at this point than we were last year.
"We have seven new guys coming in [on defense], so hopefullythey can step up and make a difference."
Beriault said he hopes switching from a cover two defense in thesecondary to corners cover will help get a better pass rush.
"I think that's going to be a big part of it this year,"Beriault said.
MOVING ALONG NOW
In moving from receiver to competing for the starting nod attailback -- his high school position -- 5-7 junior Larry Bostic hasadded about a dozen pounds and is now at 190, according toHoke.
"In Scott Blair and Charles Wynn, we have two big backs. Withthe addition of Larry, it gives us a different dimension in thebackfield," he said
Another player, third-year sophomore Todd Racine, is adding someweight and has embraced the move from quarterback to tight end.
"Todd's happy; he went from 215 to 245, so he gets to eat alittle more," Hoke said. "I'd be happy if I were him."
ANOTHER BIG DAY FOR THE MAC?
Miami coach Terry Hoeppner is looking forward to election nighton Nov. 2. Not just to vote, but because his RedHawks play host toToledo in a nationally televised matchup that could also be achampionship game preview.
"I'm going to make sure all my players register and vote," saidthe sixth-year coach. "You can't watch all the [election]speculation on the networks, so they'll flip to the ESPN. It'll getthe highest ratings."
SETTLING RIGHT IN
Life for new Central Michigan coach Brian Kelly sure has beenrough since he left Grand Valley State after coaching the Lakers toback-to-back NCAA Division II titles.
"My office is much bigger at Central Michigan," he joked."That's been the hardest thing to adjust to."
When asked about the lack of playing experience of hisquarterback position, Kelly quipped that the candidates have plentyof sideline experience -- charting plays on the clipboard ("He hasexcellent penmanship") and signaling in plays.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
