Before spring football kicks in, how do the win totals look for all of the MAC teams? Here’s where the bar should be set … for now.
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Just how good are all of the MAC teams? There are still plenty of injuries, suspensions, and depth chart changes to come over the next several months – and spring football still has to kick in – but here’s the first look.
Based off of the schedules, timing of the big games, and the talent coming back, here’s around where the win total futures should be set.
The win total line projections are based on the regular season – bowl games or conference championships don’t count. And remember, this is a cold business. The investment market will set the line as the offseason goes on.
MAC EAst
Akron Zips
New head coach Tom Arth should have enough offense to start out fine, at least with more of a passing game. The defense, though, only gets back three starters. There are just enough tough games – at Northern Illinois, at Miami University, at Illinois, Troy – to make it a tough push to get to six games.
CFN Early Spring Win Total Line Projection: 4.5
2018 Record: 4-8
– Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
Bowling Green Falcons
Scot Loeffler should have a strong offense to kick things off. Jarret Doege is a strong passer, the weapons are in place, and the O line gets back four starters. The corners have to be replaced, but seven starters return on defense. Morgan State is the only sure win, with Kent State on the road and Central Michigan almost certain to be better. It should be possible, even in a rebuilding season.
CFN Early Spring Win Total Line Projection: 3.5
2018 Record: 3-9
– Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
Buffalo Bulls
There’s going to be some rebuilding to do on the offensive side, but the line should be a major plus. The defensive side needs more help with just three starters returning. Only the date at Penn State is a certain loss, but the other road games aren’t that bad. The Bulls won’t win ten games again, but they’ll be players in the East.
CFN Early Spring Win Total Line Projection: 7.5
2018 Record: 10-4
– Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
Kent State Golden Flashes
Sean Lewis has to get his offensive style to work a little better in Year Two, and he has everyone back to do it. Experience won’t be an excuse on the offensive side or in the defensive back eight, but the line has to undergo an overhaul.
There are an almost-certain five road losses against Arizona State, Auburn, Wisconsin, Ohio and Toledo, and facing Miami University and Buffalo at home are going to be a problem.
CFN Early Spring Win Total Line Projection: 4
2018 Record: 2-10
– Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
Miami University RedHawks
The RedHawks have the offense to be stronger, and the defense has just enough to be solid. There will likely be a 1-3 start after playing at Iowa, Cincinnati and Ohio State, but there are enough winnable games to get to six wins.
CFN Early Spring Win Total Line Projection: 6
2018 Record: 6-6
– Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
Ohio Bobcats
There’s just enough missing on both sides of the ball to take a minor step back, but the schedule is soft enough to push for the eight regular season wins of last year. Outside of – maybe – the road game at Pitt, there isn’t a game the Bobcats can’t win.
CFN Early Spring Win Total Line Projection: 8
2018 Record: 9-4
– Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
NEXT: MAC West
MAC West
Ball State Cardinals
It’ll be an interesting season. The stars from the offensive backfield transferred, but the line gets everyone back and the defense is loaded with veterans. The first half of the schedule, though, is nasty. Fordham is the only sure thing win for a while, with a rough run up until getting a week off to get ready for Central Michigan in mid-November.
CFN Early Spring Win Total Line Projection: 4
2018 Record: 4-8
– Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
Central Michigan Chippewas
How fast can CMU turn things around in Jim McElwain’s first year? He has to work on his defense, but the offense should be interesting with Tennessee/Houston transfer Quinten Dormady looking to step in at quarterback.
The Chippewas will match last year’s win total in the opener against Albany, and has New Mexico State at home. The rest of the slate is tough in MAC play, but there’s enough to push for around four wins.
CFN Early Spring Win Total Line Projection: 4
2018 Record: 1-11
– Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
Eastern Michigan Eagles
The O line and running game could use some work, and the defense has to replace nine starters. Even so, there’s enough to get to at least five wins – Central Connecticut State, Ball State and Kent State should be a base of home victories – but there are just enough 50/50 road games to make six wins a push.
CFN Early Spring Win Total Line Projection: 5.5
2018 Record: 7-6
– Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
Northern Illinois Huskies
The star pass rushers are done, the corners are gone, and the O line needs a little work, but the pieces are there to be in the mix for the MAC championship again. However, there are three games against Power Five programs, and seven of the first ten games are on the road.
CFN Early Spring Win Total Line Projection: 6.5
2018 Record: 8-6
– Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
Toledo Rockets
The defense loses six starters, and the receiving corps and O line has to undergo an overhaul, but the talent is still there to at least go bowling. The schedule is light enough to run through and get past seven wins – six of the last 11 games are against teams that didn’t go bowling. There just can’t be any major brain cramps.
CFN Early Spring Win Total Line Projection: 7.5
2018 Record: 7-6
– Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
Western Michigan Broncos
The offense should be explosive, seven starters are back on defense. Here’s the problem: road games at Michigan State, Syracuse, Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Ohio and Northern Illinois. The Broncos have to win at least one of those, but they should rip through the home slate.
CFN Early Spring Win Total Line Projection: 6.5
2018 Record: 7-6
– Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
