The 2018 spring college football rankings, taking the first look at the MAC. Contact MAC 2018 Spring Rankings Based on how strong the teams appear to be this spring. Kent State Golden Flashes The Golden Flashes are starting over with the youngest head coach in college football. 31-year-old Sean Lewis has a whole lot of work to do with a team that hasn’t done anything offensively for several years, but gets back four starters up front and an attack that welcomes back ten starters overall. The defensive front has to undergo an overhaul. Ball State Cardinals After a disappointing season with way too many injuries, the Cardinals at least have a little bit of depth. Four starters are back on the O line, and the skill players should be solid, too.
The entire defensive back seven returns, but the experience has to turn into production. Bowling Green Falcons The offense that started to show up over the last part of the season only gets back five starters, but getting the attack going isn’t a concern. The mediocre defense gets back everyone in the secondary, and eight starters are back overall. Now, everyone has to be better.
Akron Zips The Zips always seem to rise up and surprise when they don’t seem that great. But the defending East champ loses almost all of the key offensive skill guys. The D will be a killer, though – nine starters are back. Okay, Akron should probably be higher. Central Michigan Chippewas 2017 was supposed to be the big year – and it was okay. There’s way, way too much to deal with offensively. QB Shane Morris is done, the receiving corps has to undergo an overhaul, and just four starters are back overall.
The defense has too many key parts missing in the secondary, but five starters return on the front seven. Eastern Michigan Eagles The Eagles might lose all of their top receivers, but all five starters are back on the line, the running backs are good, and Iowa transfer Tyler Wiegers is an upgrade at quarterback. The secondary is loaded, and the defensive front six should be fine. Expect a bowl appearance. Miami University RedHawks After a disappointing season, the RedHawks should be interesting. The already good quarterback situation got better with Alex Malzone transferring in from Michigan. With all five starters back up front to pave the way for a loaded veteran O.
With eight starters back on defense and both kickers, look out. Western Michigan Broncos It was a disappointing first year under Tim Hiller – going 6-6 but not getting a bowl invite – and it’ll be a bit of a fight to be in the mix for the MAC title this year. The offense should be stronger with a ton of experience back, but the entire linebacking corps is gone and the secondary needs some work. Toledo Rockets The defending MAC champion didn’t do all that much at times defensively, but at least it returns enough experience to be at least as good as last season. Yeah, the offense always revamps and reloads in a hurry, but the line is gutted and the backfield gets a whole new group of starters. Ohio Bobcats The Bobcats are going to be good – as always. The entire O line is back and seven starters return on defense.
As long as the receivers show up – the offensive backfield is going to be terrific – Ohio might just be the best team in the MAC again. Only this time, it might actually get to the MAC Championship to prove it. Buffalo Bulls Get in early on the stock – Buffalo is about to be this year’s Group of Five big deal. 6-7 Tyree Jackson is a big-time talent for an offense that returns all 11 starters. All 11 starters are back, too.
They’re back. After being snubbed for a bowl game, UB won’t have a problem getting to one this year. Northern Illinois Huskies The Huskies might need a few new starting receivers, but the running game will be back to the dominant form the program is used to. With all five starters are back up front, the O line will be outstanding for a deep backfield. The linebacking corps might need a little bit of reworking, but the rest of the defense will be solid.
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