Toledo picked as favorite to win the MAC
Associated Press
DETROIT
Toledo is the preseason favorite to win the Mid-American Conference title.
The Rockets were tabbed to win the West division while defending champion Miami (Ohio) was narrowly picked to win the East over Ohio. The poll of media covering the MAC was announced Tuesday during the conference’s media day.
Toledo finished second in the West last fall before losing to Florida International in the final minute of the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
“The experience we have is our biggest plus,” said coach Tim Beckman, who welcomes back 19 starters. “And I think we have very good team speed.”
The Rockets have nine returning starters on an offense that features speedy wideout Eric Page. The junior had 1,105 yards receiving and eight touchdowns, and he also returned three kickoffs to the end zone last fall.
“It’s great having so many guys with speed this year,” Page said. “It gives us so many more guys that can make plays.”
Toledo received two more votes in the West than Northern Illinois, which was unbeaten against MAC foes last fall before falling in the conference title game. The Huskies begin the season under former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Doeren, who was hired after Jerry Kill became Minnesota’s new head coach.
Western Michigan was picked to finish third in the West.
Voting was just as tight in the East, where Miami (Ohio) drew one more vote than Ohio and nine more than third-place pick Temple.
Miami won last year’s MAC title during a run that saw it go from double-digit losses to a 10-4 season. The RedHawks’ Don Treadwell, the former offensive coordinator at Michigan State, was one of five new head coaches introduced during the offseason.