just picked up Phil Steele's bible of college football...

[Falconfreak90]

Has BG with the 8th best ST's, 16th best WR corps, 24th best O Line & 39th best RB unit in the nation. He picks us to win the East and lose to tsun in the MAC Title game.

Saw Lindy's in passing and they have BG winning the MAC Title.

67 days...

[MarkL]

I can't get the UT to the MAC title talk. Their strength last year was their o line, which was all fifth year seniors so naturally they are all gone. Their coach is an offensive line coach and I'm sure he'll have the line ready come our game but they will not have anything of the previous year's chemistry so there will be growing pains and plenty of them. Their offensive game plan revolves around their running game which was made strong by the line. Their backfield is strong and veteran but how will their running backs play behind a brand new line?
I put UT at third in the west behind NIU and WMU and I would entertain putting them fourth behind BSU. You just can't get better by graduating the strength of your team, even if you have good players in other key positions.

[Falcon137]

Steele is the best. Obviously this went to print before BG potentially lost, Thomas, Rhodes, and Watson. I wonder if that changes anything for him, Thomas completely changed the dynamic on the defensive line.

[Falconfreak90]

Steele is the best. Obviously this went to print before BG potentially lost, Thomas, Rhodes, and Watson. I wonder if that changes anything for him, Thomas completely changed the dynamic on the defensive line.

Steele is the best, by far. He puts so much info in his preview and has a great pulse on every team. Being HQ'ed in Cleveland is great for the MAC since most of our teams are close.

Losing Thomas is huge but at least Colvin is back this year. My biggest concern is the LB corps. We need youngins to step up immediately.

I don't get the love for tsun, either. Mark you are correct...they lost their entire OL and they were all 5th year grad students. I know they have stud RB's and a decent QB but man. Of course we've lost 5 in a row (1 in a row is too many!!!) so until we beat them....

I think NIU is still the top dog in the West until someone knocks them off. WMU will be a very good team and Ball State and CMU could be sleepers.

[transfer2BGSU]

I don't get the love for tsun, either. Mark you are correct...they lost their entire OL and they were all 5th year grad students. I know they have stud RB's and a decent QB but man. Of course we've lost 5 in a row (1 in a row is too many!!!) so until we beat them....

It's the power of prayer! To God be the glory.

[jpfalcon09]

WMU is my logical pick from the West, they're primed for another good season and last year provided them with good experience on how to close out teams. UT and NIU will probably be 2a/2b barring any injuries to the Broncos.

[Schadenfreude]

WMU is my logical pick from the West, they're primed for another good season and last year provided them with good experience on how to close out teams.

I agree. Surprised the Boat Rowers aren't getting more love. I figure NIU second, Toledo third.

On our side, I think we have to be the favorite. The Akron and UMass games will be interesting.