Ball State
2012-2013 Record: 9-4 (6-2)
Last Bowl Game: L, 17-38 vs UCF
Head Coach: Pete Lembo
Returning Starters: Offense- 8, Defense- 7
2013 Schedule
Illinois State
Army
at North Texas
at Eastern Michigan
Toledo
at Virginia
Kent State
at Western Michigan
at Akron
Central Michigan
at Northern Illinois
Miami (OH)
Offense Preview
Quarterback Keith Wenning and running back Jahwan Edwards combined for 38 total touchdowns last year and ran a rather efficient offense. Along with those two, the rest of the skill position starters will be returning as well, which gives the Cardinals a huge advantage in terms of experience.
Defense Preview
The entire starting linebacker corps will be gone next year and will lead to loads of problems. On the bright side, all of their starting defensive backs are returning and their veteran presence should help ease the pain of having an entirely new linebacker corps.
Top Newcomer: Jack Milas, Quarterback- With Wenning entering his Senior year, the Cardinals will need a successor and Milas is likely their man.
Key Games
at Virginia- This is likely their toughest game of the year and will push the Cardinals to their breaking point.
at Northern Illinois- Late in the year, Ball State needs to prove they are better than Jordan Lynch and company.
Season Prediction: 9-4, Bowl Eligible
Central Michigan
2012-2013 Record: 7-6 (4-4)
Last Bowl Game: W, 24-21 vs Western Kentucky
Head Coach: Dan Enos
Returning Starters: Offense- 7, Defense- 7
2013 Schedule
at Michigan
New Hampshire
at UNLV
Toledo
at NC State
at Miami (OH)
at Ohio
Northern Illinois
at Ball State
at Western Michigan
Massachusetts
Eastern Michigan
Offense Preview
Zurlon Tipton (ran for 1,492 yards and 19 touchdowns last year) returns as the base of the offense. Without him, CMU will crumble, especially considering their 2012 starting quarterback is not returning. Luckily, a majority of the wide receiver corps, including the starting tight end, will be returning for Junior quarterback Cody Kater to work with.
Defense Preview
The same three starting linebackers from last year will suit up again on Saturdays as seasoned veterans. Although, both the defensive line and the defensive backs corps have lost two starters each, which raises concern for the pass game. Loss of pass rush production along with a loss of experienced defensive backs could be problematic.
Top Newcomer: Wesley Thomas, Wide Receiver- While only 5’11, Thomas has the speed to be a deep threat and could even contribute as a freshman.
Key Games
at Michigan- CMU starts the year with their hardest game of the year and a chance to prove their worth.
at Western Michigan- Battle for the Cannon Trophy (Rivalry)
Season Prediction: 8-4, Bowl Eligible
Eastern Michigan
2012-2013 Record: 2-10 (1-7)
Last Bowl Game: W, 30-27 vs San Jose State (1986-1987 Season)
Head Coach: Ron English
Returning Starters: Offense- 9, Defense- 4
2013 Schedule
Howard
at Penn State
at Rutgers
Ball State
at Buffalo
at Army
Ohio
at Northern Illinois
at Toledo
Western Michigan
Bowling Green
at Central Michigan
Offense Preview
Although he didn’t play in the first two games, Tyler Benz ending the year and will be returning as the starting quarterback. More importantly, running back Bronson Hill, who averaged about 6.5 yards per carry, will be back as a junior to attempt to carry a lethal offense.
Defense Preview
The loss of seven starters, including all three of the linebackers, will be tough to bounce back from. As a whole, EMU only had seven sacks and only one was by a returning player. With losses in the defensive back corps as well, the Eagles pass defense will struggle.
Top Newcomer: Jaleel Canty, Cornerback- With a lack of returning players, Canty should have an immediate impact.
Key Games
Western Michigan- This may be EMU’s only solid shot at a conference win.
at Central Michigan- The rivalry continues......
Season Prediction: 1-11, not Bowl Eligible
Northern Illinois Huskies
2012-2013 Record: 11-2 (8-0)
Last Bowl Game: L, 31-10 vs Florida State
Head Coach: Rod Carey
Returning Starters: Offense- 7, Defense- 5
2013 Schedule
at Iowa
at Idaho
Eastern Illinois
at Purdue
at Kent State
Akron
at Central Michigan
Eastern Michigan
Massachusetts
Ball State
at Toledo
Western Michigan
Offense Preview
2012 Heisman Candidate Jordan Lynch returns from a season in which he scored 44 touchdowns. While his starting running back will be by his side again in 2013, two of his three wide receivers will not be. Lynch will have to prove he can win even under such circumstances.
Defense Preview
A lot of familiar faces will be seen in the defensive backfield, but the front seven has almost completely lost it’s identity. Junior linebacker Jamaal Bass will have to be the leader of the front seven and keep the young guns in check. The Huskies are also losing their top two producers in sacks (totalled for 17.5 of the team’s 38 sacks).
Top Newcomer: Malik Mitchell, Wide Receiver- At 6’3”, Mitchell could fill in for the loss of multiple WRs and be an immediate contributor.
Key Games
at Iowa- After losing to them last season, Jordan Lynch and his crew will want revenge.
at Kent State- The critical conference matchup will be a shootout of lethal offenses.
Season Prediction: 11-1, Bowl Eligible
Toledo
2012-2013 Record: 9-4 (6-2)
Last Bowl Game: L, 15-41 vs Utah State
Head Coach: Matt Campbell
Returning Starters: Offense- 8, Defense- 4
2013 Schedule
at Florida
at Missouri
Eastern Washington
at Central Michigan
at Ball State
Western Michigan
Navy
at Bowling Green
Eastern Michigan
Buffalo
Northern Illinois
at Akron
Offense Preview
The Rockets count heavily on their rushing attack to win games. Senior running back David Fluellen will be back to lead the vicious running crew. Even returning quarterback Terrance Owens contributes to the running attack as he had 395 yards and five touchdowns via his legs last year.
Defense Preview
The scarce amount of returning starters, including most of the front seven, raises a considerable amount of concern, especially considering only one of the team’s top five tacklers is returning. The few returning defensive backs will have to anchor this defense.
Top Newcomer: Rodney Adams, Wide Receiver- While the team has a “run first” mentality, Adams adds a lethal element to the pass game.
Key Games
at Bowling Green- A heated rivalry rages on
Northern Illinois- This will be Toledo’s shot to dethrone to champs of the MAC West.
Season Prediction: 7-5, Bowl Eligible
Western Michigan
2012-2013 Record: 4-8 (2-6)
Last Bowl Game: L, 32-37 vs Purdue (2011-2012 Season)
Head Coach: P.J. Fleck
Returning Starters: Offense- 6, Defense- 10
2013 Schedule
at Michigan State
Nicholls
at Northwestern
at Iowa
Kent State
at Toledo
Buffalo
Ball State
at Massachusetts
at Eastern Michigan
Central Michigan
at Northern Illinois
Offense Preview
The passing attack leaves question considering they had two quarterbacks splitting starts meaning they didn’t have enough faith in Van Tubbergen. Luckily, three of the team’s top four receivers will be back to support the shaky quarterback situation. Running back Dareyon Chance also returns after being the Broncos leading rusher in 2012.
Defense Preview
With an almost entirely veteran squad, the Broncos shouldn’t lose a step defensively. In fact, with the experience, they should be improved and may give a few teams a run for their money.
Top Newcomer: Cameron Thomas, Quarterback- Thomas may finally be the savior at quarterbacks that the Broncos desperately need.
Key Games
at Michigan State- The Broncos start off the year against their in-state big brother.
at Northern Illinois- The veteran defense will need to stop Lynch to dethrone the Huskies.
Season Prediction: 4-8, not Bowl Eligible