Outlook: UCF had a successful first season in the Mid-American Conference. Its only losses were to Marshall and Toledo, only by a combined eight points. Despite losing two 1,000-yard receivers, the team is stacked with talent, beginning with Schneider — the nation’s returning leader in touchdown passes, and Haynes surpassed 1,000 yards on the ground last season. The defense returns eight starters and is strong up the middle with defensive tackles DeMarcus Johnson and Larry Brown, middle linebacker Mascoe and safeties Bibgy and Peter Sands. Road games at Virginia Tech and Syracuse will be early season tests, but a favorable MAC schedule should benefit the Knights.

What Coach Mike Kruczek is saying: “Our goal is to win the championship. We expect ourselves to do so and that is the focus this year.”

2. Miami RedHawks

Last Year: 7-5, 5-3 MAC

Key Players: QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Luke Clemens, LB Terrell Jones, S Matt Pusateri

Big Games: at Iowa, Marshall, at Central Florida

Outlook: At 6’4” and 245 pounds, Roethlisberger may be the most physically imposing signal caller in the country. He threw for more than 3,000 yards last year and had twice as many touchdowns than interceptions. The offense also returns 1,000-yard rusher Clemens and an experienced offensive line. Defense was the problem last season, but Miami does return its most talented defensive players. Expect Roethlisberger to have another solid season, and the RedHawks to be vying for a division title when they head to Orlando for a season-ending showdown with UCF.

What Coach Terry Hoeppner is saying: “We have the most seniors we’ve had in awhile. There is a combination of experience and youth. We’re also very optimistic with Ben.”

3. Marshall Thundering Herd

Last Year: 11-2, 8-1 MAC

Key Players: WR Darius Watts, WR Josh Davis, OT Nate McPeek, DE Jamus Martin

Big Games: Toledo, at Miami, at UCF

Outlook: Could this be the year the MAC title leaves Huntington? Out is record-setting quarterback Byron Leftwich and in is inexperienced junior Stan Hill. His transition will be eased by the production of one of the nation’s top receiving tandems, Watts and Davis. The defense is rough around the edges with six starters having graduated. The schedule does the Herd no favor with late-season road matchups with Western, Miami and UCF. While the team will continue to roll up points offensively, Marshall’s reign in the MAC East may be in jeopardy.

What Coach Bob Pruett is saying: “We have really good players. I believe we can have the best football team we’ve ever had at Marshall.”

4. Akron Zips

Last Year: 4-8, 3-6 MAC

Key Players: QB Charlie Frye, RB Bobby Hendry, WR Miquel Irvin, LB Chase Blackburn

Big Games: at Miami, at Marshall, at Central

Outlook: The Zips are the MAC’s most experienced team. The squad returns everyone at most key positions, setting up a possible run for the upper tier of the conference. Frye, a junior, already has broken many Akron career passing records and will benefit from solid wideouts Irvin and Matt Cherry. Hendry rushed for 1,021 yards last season and should get much more this season with the return of five starters on the offensive line. While defense was Akron’s achilles heel, linebackers Blackburn and Diontre Earl look to solidify things. The Zips may be a step behind the MACs heavyweights, but the gap is closing rapidly.

What Coach Lee Owens is saying: “We were picked first a couple of seasons ago, and I feel we have a better team this year than we did then.”

2003 Central Michigan Life All-MAC team

QB-B.Roethlisberger, MIA
RB-Michael Turner, NIU
RB-Terrence Jackson, CMU
WR-Darius Watts, MAR
WR-Josh Davis, MAR
TE-Andrew Clarke, UT
OL-Nick Kaczur, UT
OL-Nate McPeek, MAR
OL-Erik Faasen, UT
OL-Todd Ghiliani, NIU
OL-S. Mruczkowski, BG
K-Steve Azar, NIU
RET-Dan Sheldon, NIU
DL-Jason Babin, WMU
DL-Jamus Martin, MAR
DL-Toriano Brown, MAR
DL-DeMarcus Johnson, UCF
LB-Nick Duffy, NIU
LB-Lorenzo Scott, BSU
LB-Terrell Jones, MIA
DB-Randee Drew, NIU
DB-Akil Grant, NIU
DB-Atari Bigby, UCF
DB-Janssen Patton, BG
P-David Rysko, EMU
ST- Jason Feldpausch, WMU

5. Kent State Golden Flashes

Last Year: 3-9, 1-7 MAC

Key Players: QB Joshua Cribbs, WR Darrell Dowery, LB Anthony Henriquez, S Shannon Davis

Big Games: Ball State, at Akron, at Ohio

Outlook: Expectations were high in Kent following a successful 2001 season, but the Golden Flashes limped to a injury-ridden 2002 season. The offense is dangerous, largely because of the two-way capability of Cribbs. Having amassed more than 1,000 yards both passing and running in each of the past two seasons, Cribbs could become the first QB in NCAA history to attain the feat in three straight seasons. He needs the help of Dowery and RB David Alston. The defense will be bolstered by the return of Henriquez, who was hurt for much of last season. Cribbs will make the Flashes respectable, but the squad likely will not have enough firepower to contend.

What Coach Dean Pees is saying: “We don’t like the losing feeling and we’re anxious to get things started against Akron.”

6. Buffalo Bulls

Last Year: 1-11, 0-8 MAC

Key Players: QB Randall Secky, TB Aaron Leeper, LB Lamar Wilcher, S Mark Graham

Big Games: at Rutgers, Ohio, at Kent State

Outlook: A 34-11 win at Rutgers escaped the Bulls from the infamous 0-12 2002 season. Secky and Leeper should continue to improve, and should lead an improved offense. Replacements for WR Andre Forde and TE Chad Bartoszek need to be found. The defense returns 10 starters, led by big play FS Graham. With an experienced bunch, Buffalo could rise out of the MAC basement.

What Coach Jim Hofher is saying: “We have a lot of returning starters. This year, there are a lot more answers than there are questions.”

7. Ohio Bobcats

Last Year: 4-8, 4-4 MAC

Key Players: QB Fred Ray, RB Stafford Owens, LB Dennis Chukwuemeka, S Rob Stover

Big Games: at Kentucky, Kent State, at Akron

Outlook: Despite an embarrassing 31-0 loss to I-AA Northeastern last season, the Bobcats were just two wins away from hosting the MAC title game. Things will be difficult this season, with the departure of star TB Chad Brinker. Ohio’s option offense can fool some teams, and is spearheaded by shifty Ray. The defense is anchored by tackling machine Chukwuemeka, but is thin on the line and in the secondary. Chances are that Ohio’s bid for the MAC title game will end much earlier than it did last season.

What Coach Brian Knorr is saying: “We are coming off a second half of the season where we made tremendous progress.”