[K-Roo]

http://www.macfootballnation.com/?DB_OEM_ID=9400


Monday, June 28, 2010Sporting News Releases Preseason Rankings


The annual Sporting News College Football Preview has been released and the publication has made its yearly preseason predictions for the Mid-American Conference. The publication also named its All-MAC preseason team and "Rated the MAC" in various other categories. See below for the breakdown and feel free to comment below!

East Division Predicted Order of Finish: 1. Temple, 2. Bowling Green, 3. Ohio, 4. Can't State, 5. Buffalo, 6. Akron, 7. Miami
West Division Predicted Order of Finish: 1. Northern Illinois, 2. Central Michigan, 3. Toledo, 4. Western Michigan, 5. Ball State, 6. Eastern Michigan

All-MAC Preseason Team (Offense)
QB -- Patrick Nicely, Akron
RB -- Bernard Pierce, Temple
RB -- Chad Spann, Northern Illinois
OL -- Darius Morris, Temple
OL -- Colin Madison, Temple
OL -- Anthony Parker, Western Michigan
OL -- Brandon Brooks, Miami
OL -- Peter Dittner, Buffalo
TE -- David Blackburn, Central Michigan
WR -- Eric Page, Toledo
WR -- Jordan White, Western Michigan

All-MAC Preseason Team (Defense)
DL -- Robert Eddins, Ball State
DL -- Adrian Robinson, Temple
DL -- Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple
DL -- Monte Simmons, Can't State
LB -- Nick Bellore, Central Michigan
LB -- Noah Keller, Ohio
LB -- Brian Wagner, Akron
DB -- Davonte Shannon, Buffalo
DB -- Brian Lainhart, Can't State
DB -- Jaiquawn Jarrett, Temple
DB -- Gerald Moore, Ohio

All-MAC Preseason Team (Specialists)
K -- Matt Weller, Ohio
P -- Matt Rinehart, Can't State

Rating The MAC
Fastest Receiver: Tyshon Goode, Can't State
Best Hands: Eric Page, Toledo
Best Passing QB: Zac Dysert, Miami
Best Running QB: Alex Gillett, Eastern Michigan
Most Elusive RB: Bernard Pierce, Temple
Best Instincts: Davonte Shannon, Buffalo
Best Athlete: Chad Spann, Northern Illinois
Best Under Pressure: Ian McGarvey, Ball State
Top Impact Freshman: Jaiquawn Jarrett, Temple
Hardest Hitter: Noah Keller, Ohio

Posted by MAC Sports at 2:43 PM 1 comments
Labels: Preseason Rankings, Sporting News

[Dr Z]

That's funny. Half of this board doesn't even think PN7 is our starter.

[MDZip]

This has been discussed on this board before, and the MAC can turn on a good performance by a quarterback. If Nicely is indeed named as All-MAC QB (which amazes me since there are a number of good MAC QB's), no way do the Zips finish in 6th place in the East. If he is all-MAC (which means his receivers will likely be making a lot of catches), I can't see any lower than third which would represent a significant improvement.

[skip-zip]

This has been discussed on this board before, and the MAC can turn on a good performance by a quarterback. If Nicely is indeed named as All-MAC QB (which amazes me since there are a number of good MAC QB's), no way do the Zips finish in 6th place in the East. If he is all-MAC (which means his receivers will likely be making a lot of catches), I can't see any lower than third which would represent a significant improvement.

Good point. How often would you think you'd see a bad MAC team, but their QB was the best in the league? Which would tend to indicate that you are getting good blocking, good receiving, and scoring a lot of points? Yet, you are still one of the worst teams in the league? I don't see that happening either.

I'm shocked as well, especially after seeing last week that another service didn't even list Patrick as one of the best 12 QBs in the league. Maybe this again reminds us of just how little these ratings matter. Personally, I don't see him becoming the QB we need to be successful. And I hope I am sooooo wrong about that.

Wagner is a no-brainer. I see in him a lot of the same things I saw in guys like John Mackey and Phil Dunn over the years at LB. Good nose for the ball, and a solid tackler. We need a couple more like him.

[Z.I.P.]

This has been discussed on this board before, and the MAC can turn on a good performance by a quarterback. If Nicely is indeed named as All-MAC QB (which amazes me since there are a number of good MAC QB's), no way do the Zips finish in 6th place in the East. If he is all-MAC (which means his receivers will likely be making a lot of catches), I can't see any lower than third which would represent a significant improvement.

Good point. How often would you think you'd see a bad MAC team, but their QB was the best in the league? Which would tend to indicate that you are getting good blocking, good receiving, and scoring a lot of points? Yet, you are still one of the worst teams in the league? I don't see that happening either.

I'm shocked as well, especially after seeing last week that another service didn't even list Patrick as one of the best 12 QBs in the league. Maybe this again reminds us of just how little these ratings matter. Personally, I don't see him becoming the QB we need to be successful. And I hope I am sooooo wrong about that.

Wagner is a no-brainer. I see in him a lot of the same things I saw in guys like John Mackey and Phil Dunn over the years at LB. Good nose for the ball, and a solid tackler. We need a couple more like him.

Hey, hey, hey, now! They pay these guys to be college football experts. Who are you or I to contradict, let alone ridicule the aristocracy of the sports intelligentsia? Gotta, go, I think PTI is coming on soon.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Personally, I don't see him becoming the QB we need to be successful. And I hope I am sooooo wrong about that.

Fret not, Skip...you are dead wrong.

[GP1]

Personally, I don't see him becoming the QB we need to be successful. And I hope I am sooooo wrong about that.

Fret not, Skip...you are dead wrong.

I agree. The kid has too much natural talent to flop in the MAC unless at some point he becomes a compete head case and I don't see that happening either.

My only concern was his accuracy, but he has some good coaches around him who can help with that part of his game. If he is willing to listen to his coaches and work hard during the summer, his accuracy should not be a problem. I hope he is working hard this summer. The responsibility for his development falls squarely on his shoulders.

[johnnyzip84]

I agree with CK and GP1 on PN7. Although it's a bit strange to see SN picking him 1st team all-MAC, only a major injury can stop Nicely from having a very good UA career IMHO.

I'll even go so far as to say this. Don't be completely shocked if Wagner isn't the standout on defense as he was last year. Oh I still think he'll be good, but I just feel there's a good chance the tackles will be more evenly distributed in the 4-3.

[skip-zip]

Personally, I don't see him becoming the QB we need to be successful. And I hope I am sooooo wrong about that.

Fret not, Skip...you are dead wrong.

I agree. The kid has too much natural talent to flop in the MAC unless at some point he becomes a compete head case and I don't see that happening either.

My only concern was his accuracy, but he has some good coaches around him who can help with that part of his game. If he is willing to listen to his coaches and work hard during the summer, his accuracy should not be a problem. I hope he is working hard this summer. The responsibility for his development falls squarely on his shoulders.

Amen Captain. Here's to hoping I am wrong, and you are right

GP...I think it's tough to say that accuracy is the "only" concern.....when it could be a HUGE problem if it continues. But, a lot of other people are seeing it besides you. I'm not sure how tough it is to "coach" a kid out of something like that. It seem a lot like the challenge of trying to coach a basketball player to become a more accurate shooter.

[GP1]

I'm not sure how tough it is to "coach" a kid out of something like that. It seem a lot like the challenge of trying to coach a basketball player to become a more accurate shooter.

Coaching or instructing a kid how to play the game is the easy part. The hard part is getting the kid to improve himself when nobody is watching. His progress will be up to him.

[Captain Kangaroo]

PN7's only obstacle in 2010 will be finding a decent WR beyond LaFrance.

I have no concerns that PN7 will bust his butt in the off-season. I hope and pray that some of the incumbent WR's see the huge opportunity for playing time in 2010 and bust their hump to get it.

I see LaFrance being a lot like David Harvey this upcoming season. Not the head case stuff, but in an "as-he-goes-so-go-the-Zips" way. LaFrance needs to be All MAC for the Zips to make any noise this season.

[johnnyzip84]

That's funny. Half of this board doesn't even think PN7 is our starter.

Neither does this guy at CBSSportsline. You have to wonder if he contacted Razor and Razor alone on this

Elsewhere, Akron's Matt Rodgers and Patrick Nicely return to compete for the Zips' quarterback spot. Rodgers is generally considered the favorite to win, but Nicely performed much better as a passer last year.

Link

[Captain Kangaroo]

That's funny. Half of this board doesn't even think PN7 is our starter.

Neither does this guy at CBSSportsline. You have to wonder if he contacted Razor and Razor alone on this

Elsewhere, Akron's Matt Rodgers and Patrick Nicely return to compete for the Zips' quarterback spot. Rodgers is generally considered the favorite to win, but Nicely performed much better as a passer last year.

Link

Matt Rodgers is a candidate for the starting QB position in much the same way as Ralph Nader has been a presidential candidate.

[Darkwaters1122]

That's funny. Half of this board doesn't even think PN7 is our starter.

Neither does this guy at CBSSportsline. You have to wonder if he contacted Razor and Razor alone on this

Elsewhere, Akron's Matt Rodgers and Patrick Nicely return to compete for the Zips' quarterback spot. Rodgers is generally considered the favorite to win, but Nicely performed much better as a passer last year.

Link

Matt Rodgers is a candidate for the starting QB position in much the same way as Ralph Nader has been a presidential candidate.

You mean the unpopular choice who is better than the current job holder?? I don't think I agree with you. While I agree with most that Nicely is the best option, he has yet to prove he belongs. I am not sure that either guy is the answer. And I am sure that arm strength and accuracy are the hardest thing to improve or coach up.

We can discuss the merits of telemarketing vs. billboards vs. reduced prices vs. lot 9 parking all day. Attendance will not improve until the teams improve on the field and that will not happen without a very good QB. Personally, I don't care who starts as long as they are successful. Hopefully both deserve to start and the competition make them both better.


Go Zips!!!!

[Captain Kangaroo]

You mean the unpopular choice who is better than the current job holder?? I don't think I agree with you.

Hopefully both deserve to start and the competition make them both better.

Go Zips!!!!

I mean the guy whose name is on the ballot, but who has no chance of winning.

I do hope the competition makes them better. And Rodgers is key to the Zips success in 2010, because he can successfully manage a game or two if Nicely gets dinged up. It is nice to have an experienced back up. But if the Zips think they can win a championship...or even finish .500... with Rodgers playing 12+ games, they are crazy.