DETROIT (AP) — 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 of 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 of 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.
Quarterback Zac Dysert
was injured late last season. He will battle Austin Boucher, who led the
RedHawks to victory in the MAC title game, for the job when the team
opens practice next month.
"It’s exciting," Dysert said. "We know everyone is going to be gunning for us."
Twenty starters are back in Oxford, including nine on defense.
Ohio
is one of the few teams that doesn’t welcome back an experienced
signal-caller. Coach Frank Solich said he expects a deep offensive line
and backfield to carry the load until the Bobcats settle on a starter.
The division winners return to Ford Field on Dec. 2 to decide the MAC championship.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.