Marshall might have won the Mid-American Conference East Division, and Toledo might be the two-time defending champion in the West Division, but the MAC football titles might have to go through Oxford, Ohio, and DeKalb, Ill., respectively.
At least, that is what the MAC News Media Association voters figured when the group tabbed the Miami with 254 votes and Northern Illinois with 269 votes to win their respective divisions. But two other teams, Marshall and Central Florida, were just six votes or fewer back in the East poll, while another duo, Toledo and Bowling Green, received first-place ballots in the West. Ohio football was placed sixth overall.
Bowling Green coach Gregg Brandon said no easy games exist within the conference.
"Every given Saturday, every given Thursday, you're going to have to play," Brandon said.
The theme was repeated often throughout MAC Media Day.
"This year, every game is going to count in this East Division," Ohio coach Brian Knorr said. "I wouldn't be surprised if you see the winner of the East Division with two (conference) losses."
Ohio was slated to finish sixth in the MAC East Division.
"It's probably as wide open as it's been in a long, long time," said Joe Novak, the Northern Illinois coach. "If you look at the past several years here, Toledo and Marshall have dominated our league.
"The Western Division Championship still goes through Toledo, and the Eastern Division Championship still goes through Marshall.
"There are still a lot of teams that could win this whole thing, but I think those two teams are the ones you've got to beat to get there."
Novak said the league has plenty of talent to compete against each week.
"There are some awful good football players in this league," Novak said, noting names such as Miami quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Northern Illinois running back Michael Turner.
Both are considered potential Heisman candidates.
One key for the MAC will be its record against non-conference opponents. Seven BCS conference teams will play in MAC stadiums this season. Overall, the MAC plays the top five teams in last year's Big Ten race, the second through fifth finishers in the Big East and SEC West Division winner Alabama.
The Bobcats play host to Minnesota and take on Iowa State and Kentucky on the road this fall.
"The biggest thing for our conference, our program is to knock off a BCS team," Knorr said.
2003 Ohio football schedule*
Date Opponent Time
Aug 28 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE 7 p.m.
Sep 6 at Iowa State 2 p.m
Sep 13 MINNESOTA 1 p.m.
Sep 27 WESTERN MICHIGAN 4 p.m.
Oct 4 at Northern Illinois 7:30 p.m.
Oct 11 University of Central Florida 2 p.m.
Oct 18 at Kentucky 7 p.m.
Oct 25 at Buffalo 1 p.m.
Nov 8 KENT STATE 2 p.m.
Nov 15 at Akron 12 p.m.
Nov 22 MIAMI 2 p.m.
Nov 28 at Marshall 4:30 p.m.
*bolded are played in Peden Stadium
Source: ohiobobcats.com
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Eric Pfahler
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Ohio coach Bryan Knorr talks to his team after a practice last season. The Bobcats are gearing up to improve off a 4-8 record in 2002.
