Tag it:

?

The MAC opens its 65th season with Miami and Toledo as the favorites to make it to Ford Field in Detroit for the 2011 Marathon MAC Football Championship Game. However there are 11 other teams that, with a little bit of magic and a pinch of good luck, could be there in late November.

There are three new head coaches in the league, plus a slew of outstanding athletes a MAC Football 2011 kicks off. The 65th season of intercollegiate football in the conference begins with Akron traveling to Ohio State, Kent State at Alabama, and Western Michigan at Michigan

Here is a look at the thirteen MAC teams as we begin week one

EASTERN DIVISION

AKRON: The Zips look to rebuild from a 1-11 season under second year head coach Rob Ianello. The offense will be led in the opener by junior college transfer Clayton Moore, who won the job from incumbent Patrick Nicely. The defense again will be led by linebacker Brian Wagner. UA opens the 2011 campaign at Ohio State on Saturday

 
BOWLING GREEN: The Falcons were 2-10 last season under third-year head coach Dave Clawson. The offense has four starters returning on the line, along with QB Matt Schilz and one of the best receivers in the MAC in wide-out Kamer Jordan. The defense will be led by linebacker Dwayne Woods Jr. BGSU opens the season Thursday night as the Falcons make the long trip to Moscow, Idaho to face the University of Idaho Vandals (WAC)

 
BUFFALO: The Bulls were 2-10 as Jeff Quinn took over for Turner Gill, who left for Kansas. The offense will have junior Jerry Davis at quarterback and two fine receivers in Marcus Rivers and Terrell Jackson. The defense has just three returning starters, one of which is lineman Steven Means. UB opens the season Saturday at Big East power Pittsburgh
 
KENT STATE: The Golden Flashes start a new era as Darrell Hazell, a long time assistant at Ohio State, takes over as head coach. The offense is led by quarterback Spencer Keith, along with wide receivers Tyshon Goode and Sam Kirkland. The defense returns reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year Roosevelt Nix. KSU has possibly the toughest first game of all the MAC teams as the Flashes travel to second ranked Alabama on Saturday
 
MIAMI: The RedHawks surprised almost everybody in winning not only the MAC East, but then stunning Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship Game. It was part of a 10-4 record, which included a January win over Middle Tennessee in the GoDaddy.com Bowl.
After the departure of head coach Mike Haywood and staff, former MU player Don Treadwell left his Michigan State offensive coordinator position to take over the top spot in Oxford. The Hawks return junior QB Zac Dysert and speedy wide receiver Nick Harwell, while defensively the leader is linebacker Jerrell Wedge. MU opens its 2011 season Saturday at Big 12 power Missouri.
 
OHIO: The Bobcats came oh-so-close to winning the 2010 MAC East title, but Miami slipped past OU with a victory over Temple and a Cats loss at Kent State. Ohio ended its campaign at 8-4 with a loss to Troy in the New Orleans Bowl. Head coach Frank Solich looks to regroup with sophomore Tyler Tettleton leading the offense at quarterback and the “O”will have a healthy Donte Harden at running back. The defense, meanwhile, is led by senior linebacker Noel Keller. Ohio begins its season on Saturday way out west in Las Cruces, New Mexico to face the New Mexico State Aggies (WAC)

TEMPLE: With two weeks remaining last season, the Owls controlled their own destiny in the East, but a home loss to Ohio, followed by a loss at Miami ended took some shine away from what ended up as an 8-4 season. Head Coach Al Golden left to take over at Miami (FLA) and Steve Addazio takes over after being the offensive coordinator at Florida. The offense is led by junior running back Bernard Pierce and quarterback Mike Gerardi, while the defense is led by seniors Tahir Whitehead and Adrian Robinson. TU opens its season Thursday night with the annual Philly battle against FCS power Villanova at Lincoln Financial Field 
 

WESTERN DIVISION

BALL STATE: The Cardinals won two of their last three games in 2010, but it was far from enough to save Stan Parrish, who departed after a 4-8 campaign. Pete Lembo, who was successful at the FCS level at Lehigh and Elon College, looks for similar success in Muncie. The Cards bring back eight starters on offense, including sophomore quarterback Keith Wenning and senior wide receiver Briggs Orsbon. The defense is led by safety Sean Baker. BSU opens the season Saturday night hosting Indiana at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
 
CENTRAL MICHIGAN: The Chippewas struggled to a 3-9 season in their first run under head coach Dan Enos, but they are looking for improvement in 2011. The offense brings back eight starters, including junior quarterback Ryan Radcliffe and wide receiver Cody Wilson. The defense will be led by senior linemen John Williams and Kashawn Fraser. CMU opens the season Thursday night when South Carolina State (MEAC-FCS) visits Mount Pleasant.
 
EASTERN MICHIGAN: The Eagles did improve from 2009 as they won two games. However, both victories came on the road. The next step for third year head coach Ron English pick up some wins  in Rynearson Stadium. EMU does bring back one of league’s outstanding quarterbacks  in junior Alex Gillett. The defense has six starters returning, led by senior linebacker Marcus English. The Eagles open their season Saturday when the Howard Bison (MEAC-FCS) visit Ypsilanti.
 
NORTHERN ILLINOIS: The Huskies were on a serious roll,winning nine consecutive games during the 2010 season. Then came the shock of losing to Miami in the Marathon MAC Football Championship Game. That was followed with the announcement that head coach Jerry Kill would be leaving for Minnesota. The team responded with a victory over Fresno State in the Humanitarian Bowl to finish the season at 11-3, its best since joining the MAC. New head coach Dave Doeren has nine starters returning on offense, including quarterback Chandler Harnisch. The defense has five returning starters, including junior lineman Sean Progar and free safety Tommy Davis. NIU opens the season Saturday when Army invades Huskie Stadium
 
TOLEDO: The Rockets battled Northern Illinois tooth and nail last year, but the crucial head-to-head meeting in DeKalb was all Huskies. UT won its final two games before a disappointing loss to Florida International in the Little Caesars Bowl ended the Rockets season at 8-5. Head coach Tim Beckman does have some very skilled players at his disposal. Among the offensive standouts are quarterback Austin Dantin and wide receiver Eric Page. The defense returns nine starters, including junior linebacker Dan Molis. UT is the favorite to win the Western Division and opens the season Thursday night at the Glass Bowl against FCS opponent New Hampshire

WESTERN MICHIGAN: The Broncos finished 2010 with a 6-6 record, winning four of their final six games. The two losses were back-to-back, close setbacks – one at home against  Northern Illinois (28-21) and the other at Central Michigan (26-22) . As Bill Cubit begins his seventh season in Kalamazoo, he has junior quarterback Alex Carder back at the controls. Seniors Robert Arnheim and Jordan White are excellent targets. The defense will be led by senior linebacker Mitch Zayac. In addition, the Broncs also bring back arguably the best kicking game in the MAC with punter Ben Armer and place kicker John Potter. WMU opens their 2011 campaign Saturday as the Broncos travel east on Interstate 94 to Ann Arbor to face Michigan and former Ball State head man Brady Hoke in his first game in charge of the Maize and Blue.