The new-look Akron Zips hope to continue last year's success

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Running backs who couldn't run. Small, disinterested crowds. Substandard facilities. Linemen who couldn't block one of the cheerleaders.
Over the years, the forlorn Akron Zips had those problems and many more. One of the few things that they have not had to worry about is overconfidence.
That has all changed, however, thanks to last season's stunning 31-30 victory over Northern Illinois in the Mid-American Conference title game.
All of a sudden, the team with the plucky kangaroo mascot named Zippy has to guard against looking past opponents?
"For a couple of years, we weren't even competitive -- and then we became champs," coach J.D. Brookhart said. "We have to respond to that in the right way."
Akron (7-6, 5-3) won its first league championship after nearly two decades of disappointment since moving up from I-AA in 1987. It took quarterback Luke Getsy's 36-yard touchdown pass to Domenik Hixon with 10 seconds remaining and the extra-point kick by Jason Swiger to eke by the Huskies in the championship.
Repeat expectations
Now many expect the Zips to perform that same magic again.
"We enjoyed it last year, but now we've got to try to get there again," said Getsy, who led the MAC in total offense. "Last year was a fun ride, but we only won seven games. We need to win eight or nine this year."
Miami (Ohio) and Bowling Green shared the top spot in the East with Akron last year.
For a change, however, the Zips have a bounce in their step heading into a season.
"I was concerned about how our team would handle it, finding out what success can bring, but this has probably been the best summer of practice we've had here," Brookhart said. "It's easy to set goals when you are the defending champs. You want to do it again."
It won't be easy. Even a year ago, Akron won three games decided by six or fewer points, including a regular season game in overtime against Northern Illinois.
A capsule look at the teams in predicted order of finish:
East
The Zips have plenty to build on, with eight starters back on either side of the ball. The schedule is a killer, including the opener at Penn State. The biggest holes to patch are replacing TB Brett Biggs (1,230 yards, 14 TDs) and Hixon (75 catches, 1,210 yards).
Second-year Miami coach Shane Montgomery must replace QB Josh Betts. Just two defensive starters return, meaning lots of freshmen will see action. WR/PR Ryne Robinson is MAC's most exciting player.
Bowling Green loses QB Omar Jacobs, the Falcons' record-holder for TD passes (71). Anthony Turner will step in.
The biggest news on Ohio's campus has been coach Frank Solich's contention that someone slipped him "date rape" drug before a November drunken driving conviction. The coach has just about everybody back from 4-7 debut season, but must improve a woeful passing game (four TD passes, 12 interceptions).
Kent State was the worst rushing team in the nation. Memphis' DeAngelo Williams rushed for 130 yards more per game by himself than their meager 46 yards per game.
Remember former Nebraska QB Turner Gill? He's the new coach at Buffalo, and must find a way to turn things around with the Bulls (1-10), who were beaten by Connecticut 38-0 and Syracuse 31-0 in their first two games and never got better.
West Division
Northern Illinois boasts the MAC's two-time defending rushing leader in Garrett Wolfe (1,580 yards, 17 TDs) and two quality QBs in Phil Horvath (71 percent completion rate, 18 TDs, eight interceptions) and Dan Nicholson (62 percent, six TDs, two interceptions). Coach Joe Novak, former Warren Western Reserve High coach, must replace three starting offensive linemen, top two receivers and two All-MAC defenders.
Toledo went 9-3, shared the division title and shellacked UTEP 45-13 in the GMAC Bowl, yet missed out on MAC title game. QB Bruce Gradkowski is gone, along with his 29 TD passes. Clint Cochran takes over and is surrounded by eight returning offensive starters, with seven more back on defense.
Western Michigan went from 0-8 in the MAC to 5-3 last year -- the most dramatic turnaround in conference history.
Central Michigan lineman Dan Bazuin is the league's best defensive player. A year ago he had 16 sacks, 26.5 tackles for a loss and forced five fumbles for team that went 6-5.
Ball State has more starters returning (nine offense, nine defense, two special teams) than any other school. But no back gained more than 420 yards and the defense gave up 459 yards a game.
Eastern Michigan, which lost three games by two or fewer points, must plug holes at QB and TB.
COPYRIGHT 2006 ASSOCIATED PRESS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN, OR REDISTRIBUTED.