I saw this a while ago, and as most MAC stories on ESPN are, it was a bit disappointing. There's really very little to it. There's two comments from an opposing coach on each team (except Buffalo, which is excluded for some reason). It's nothing any Ohio fan didn't know already.

It states on Ohio:

Five players logged at least one rushing
TD last year, including three returning Bobcats. Coach, can you talk about how Ohio's offense gets everyone involved?

"They don't overpower you in one particular area, but they spread you out. Their QB runs, their running back runs ... they run a little option, they mix it up." -- MAC head coach

Ohio has never picked off fewer than 12 passes under Frank Solich, and it was one of 16 FBS teams that returned three interceptions for TDs in 2015. Coach, can you talk about the defense's ball-hawk nature?

"You better not lose the turnover battle [against the Bobcats]. They make one less mistake than your team makes." -- MAC head coach



I'm not sure, In summary of the other teams:
BG-Knapke is key because the MAC is QB-oriented. Defense was better than the numbers showed last year.
Miami- Defenses pressure QB Bahl because he can't run. D-lineman J.T. Jones has to be double-teamed a lot.
Kent State- Their offense had no big-play ability. Find one-on-one match-ups before DE Waugh can get to your QB.
Akron-Bring varying pressure to stop the run. Best D-line in the league last year but the rest of the defense doesn't return much.
WMU-Pick your poison based on down and distance to defend WMU. High risk, high reward on defense.
CMU-Put them in longer passing situations to eliminate big play-action plays. Run and use screens against strong secondary.
NIU-Mix it up on defense to stop NIU's offense. Pick your spots against CB Lurry, who had 9 INTs.
Toledo-Can't fill box against Hunt because too many playmakers at WR. Defense will adjust to significant loss of personnel.
Ball State-Kept it simple for QB Neal last year and he succeeded. Defense was awful but filled gaps and returns 9 starters.
EMU-Be physical with WR Daugherty. Defense returns 2 key DL who missed basically all of last year, so avoid going their direction.

Not sure 3rd or 4th team All-MAC means one is a notably good player. Miami has 8 guys mentioned--the same number on each team level (though not the same number on offense/defense).

Of course, to you and the other SFB this is better than actually winning a MAC title, better than actual achieved reality.

+2

Who cares what these lameass coaches in this lameass league say. NO MACC since the old geezers on BA were in school. Not Acceptable.

More of the same. With our conservative, Republican defense teams can pass at will against us, so use the math. Eighty zillion pass attempts a game -- most completed -- we're going pick off a few just by blind luck. No imagination in defensive schemes. Yes, L.C., says it's a new scheme, but it's just as sorry as the last one. This staff has no imagination. They are too damn conservative. They are probably all voting for Trump. Fire them all. NO MACC in almost half a century! Not asking too much. Stop worshipping at the altar of Solich. He's been a failure at every stop in his career. Blown out in National Championship Game at Nebraska. Blown out with regularity at OHIO. Get your OHIO on. Storm Peden with your pitchforks. Time to rise up and demand a MACC Now.

Our battlecry: "What we want? A MACC. When do we want it, NOW!"

That seems to be pretty close to the consensus. BG won't be as good, but perhaps might still be better than anyone else in the East. A few have picked Ohio. Regardless, the West looks much stronger.

BG is #1 in OL Returning Career Starts with 140. Ohio is #63 with 61. Ohio needs the new starters to really step up.

While I agree that overall this was a good article I do need to point out that there was no mention of all our injuries. In particular last season that caused our 3 mid-season losses was a major factor in not getting to the MACC and a 10 win season.
Other than this fact the article was right on.





GO BOBCATS