Chippewas picked to finish fifth in MAC West
Toledo picked to win MAC West in preseason media poll
CANTON, Ohio — Coming off of a 6-7 season and a fifth-place finish in the Mid-American Conference West Division, the Central Michigan football team was predicted to finish in the same spot in the upcoming season.
The preseason poll was released Wednesday before the MAC Football Media Day at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. Head Coach John Bonamego said it doesn't matter where his team is picked to finish before the season.
"I don't see anyone going home with a trophy today," he said. "We could be picked to finish first.I still wouldn't care. The (MAC Championship) will be given out at Ford Field in December. We hope to be there this year."
Members of the media picked Toledo to win the division, receiving 22 first-place votes and 142 points. The Chippewas, who received 62 total points, will host the Rockets on Oct. 14 for CMU's homecoming game.
Ohio was predicted to win the East Division for the second straight year with 11 first-place votes and 131 total points.
With Tim Lester replacing PJ Fleck as head coach, Western Michigan was picked to finish second in the West with 107 points and one first-place vote. The Broncos were followed by Northern Illinois (89) and Eastern Michigan (74). Ball State received 30 points and was picked to finish sixth in the West.
Miami (OH) was picked to finish second in the East with 129 points, followed by Bowling Green (88), Akron (79), Buffalo (41) and Kent State (36).
CMU opens its regular season under third-year coach Bonamego, on Aug. 31 against Rhode Island at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
