Predictions for the 2005-2006 season.
(Part 2; Mid-Major Conferences)
June 3rd , 2005
Tim Bond
CFBmedia.com
Last week I gave some predictions for the BCS Conferences. Now I am about to give you the predictions for the Mid-Major Conferences. I am not a professional writer, so bare with me, if this isn't wrote grammatically correct. I think you will get the idea.
Conference-USA
The departure of Cincninnati, Louisville, and South Florida has opened this conference up. In my opinion, with the loss of these teams, C-USA has really dropped in talent and in competition. However, they play each other, and therefore, their own competition is tough for each team.
UTEP shouold be able to walk away from the field this year. Their coach, Mike Price, has proven that he can win games, and this year will be no different, especially with Louisville out of the way. UTEP returns 6 Offensive starters and 5 Defensive starters. They hardly lost any key players, except their running back, Howard Jackson. They play a very good offensive scheme and last year, they proved, with a good coach, they can return to the top of their conference.
The only questions are: who will get to carry the rock the most, and and the Offensive Line. Their defense has their sacks leaders back, Thomas Howard and Chris Mineo. They both had 8 sacks last year, so they will have a good pass rush this coming year.
The MAC
Bowling Green should win this conference. They have one of the best QBs in the nation returning along with 11 other starters on offese and defense. Their biggest competition will be Toledo, and Bruce Gradkowski.
Their offense seemed to get better from last year, at least in the Spring. Their only mark against them is the OL. They had to replace 3 starters fromlast year, but even that didnt stop Omar Jabocs from throwing 441 yards and 4 TDs in the spring game.
Their defense needs to improve though, returning 6, but they lost 4 All-MAC starters. Their DL is an issue but most likely not their greatest concern, since they have to replace their two starting safeties from last year. And their CBs could get a little better too. Coach Gregg Brandon seems to have this team on track for a great season. They travel to Boise State this year, probably their toughest overall game this season, and to Wisconsin, no slouch of a team either.
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