2024 MAC Opponents Off-Season Review

[catdaddyp]

Now that the majority of roster moves are complete, I’ll do a somewhat brief run down of all the conference teams we play. I’ll just bump the thread when a new team is added.
 

OHIO REVIEW:

2023 Record = 10-3 (6-2)

2023 At Akron = Win 25-14

As far as offensive production goes, Ohio has lost more than any other team in the MAC. All-MAC QB Kurtis Rourke is gone. Leading running backs Bangura and Allison hit the portal. The top 7 reception leaders either graduated or entered the portal. Only 2 of last year’s starting offensive linemen return. 

Defensively, 9 of the top 12 tackling leaders either graduated or entered the portal. Both All-MAC linebackers Houston and Thompson are gone. All-MAC defensive linemen Buell and Watkins, as well as sack leader Bonner have exited from the defensive line. Starting defensive backs Birchette, Cox, and Reynolds will need to be replaced.

 

2024 MAC Comprehensive Recruiting Rank = 6th (9 Players still need a rating)

22 HS/JUCO Signees:

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - ILB Jasen Kelly (OH) *

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - ILB Parker Startz (IL)

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - S JT Haskins (KY)

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - S Tony Mathis Jr. (GA)

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - RB Duncan Brune (Germany)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - WR Dominic Dorwart (MD)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - WR Kaden Hurst (OH) *

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - WR Max Rodarte (CA) (JUCO)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - TE Nick Segarra (NC)

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - TE AJ Miller (OH)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - IOL Seth Anstead (MI)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - IOL Bryce Parson (MO)

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - DE Samuel Ehret (FL)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - DT Andrew Erby (PA) *

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - OLB Brock Arndt (WI)

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - ILB Stellan Bowman (MI) *

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - S Hunter Thompson (MD)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - S DJ Morton (IN) *

NR - QB Nick Poulos (CA) (JUCO)

NR - OT Benjamin Maldonado (KS) (JUCO)

NR - DT Nathan Hale (IA) (JUCO)

NR - CB LJ Shumpert (MS) (JUCO)

21 Portal Signees:

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - RB Anthony Tyus = Northwestern

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - WR Coleman Owen = Northern Arizona

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - WR Eian Pugh = Illinois

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - DE Ben McNaboe = North Dakota

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - LB Blake Leake = Bucknell

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - S Dustin Johnson = Northern Colorado

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - WR Delaney Crawford = Virginia

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - TE Jake Bruno = St. Francis

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - OL Tigana Cisse = Idaho

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - DT CJ Doggette = Cincinnati 

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - CB Michael Mack = Wisconsin

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - CB Jacob Proche = Coastal Carolina

NR - WR Eamonn Dennis = Michigan

NR - OL Trent Allen = Davenport

NR - OL Carson Heidecker = Notre Dame College 

NR - OL Zach Reiners = Centre College

NR - DE Sinn Brennan = San Diego State

NR - DE Cam Rice = West Liberty

NR - DE Marcel Walker-Burgess = Nevada

NR - LB Reise Collier = UAB

NR - S Jaylen Johnson = Memphis

Portal Departures:

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - QB Kurtis Rourke (2022 MAC POY) = Indiana

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - RB Sieh Bangura (2022 All-MAC 3rd Team) = Minnesota 

(5.6) 3 ⭐️ - WR Miles Cross = Indiana

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - WR Tyler Walton = Eastern Michigan 

(5.6) 3 ⭐️ - TE Tyler Foster = Oklahoma State

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - TE Will Kacmarek = Ohio State

(5.7) 3 ⭐️ - OL Kurt Danneker = Baylor

(5.6) 3 ⭐️ - OL Shedrick Rhodes = Rutgers

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - DE Tristan Cox = N/A

(5.7) 3 ⭐️ - DT Rayyan Buell (2023 All-MAC 3rd Team) = Colorado

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - LB Keye Thompson (2023 All-MAC 1st Team) = Pittsburgh 

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - CB Torrie Cox = Illinois

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - QB CJ Harris = California 

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - RB O’Shaan Allison = Austin Peay

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - RB Bryce Kitrell = N/A

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - RB Quintell Quinn = N/A

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - WR Jacoby Jones = UCF

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - WR Aramoni Rhone = Arkansas Pine-Bluff

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - WR Keegan Wilburn = N/A

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - TE Alec Burton = N/A

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - LB Caden Campolieti = Valdosta State

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - CB Cam McCullum = N/A

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - S Ben Johnson = N/A

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - S John Motton = N/A

NR - WR Jailen Hammer = N/A

 

IN MY OPINION:

Ohio has brought in some talented pieces from the portal, but replacing the high amount of lost production is not realistic. High school recruiting has been solid for the past few years, so that should help where depth is concerned. However, it will be difficult for this year’s squad to come close to double digit wins again. Losing Rourke to Indiana is a major blow to the offense, especially at a key position like quarterback. The Bobcats have lost a total of 12 players to P4 programs since the regular season ended. 

 

THE LINE = 6.5

Vegas probably has this one pegged about right. 
 

SCHEDULE:

At Syracuse

Vs South Alabama

Vs Morgan State

At Kentucky

Vs Akron

At CMU

At Miami

Vs Buffalo

At Kent State

Vs EMU

At Toledo

Vs Ball State

PROJECTED STARTERS:

Offense:

QB = Parker Navarro

RB = Anthony Tyus

WR = Coleman Owens

WR =Rodney Harris

WR = Chase Hendricks

TE = Mason Williams

LT = Jacob Dennison

LG = Joseph Habonowski

C = Parker Titsworth

RG = Christophe Atkinson

RT = Carson Heidecker

Defense:

 

 

BOWLING GREEN REVIEW:

2023 Record = 7-6 (5-3)

2023 Vs Akron = Win 41-14

The Falcons return both their quarterbacks in Bazelak and Orth, as well as most of their offensive line. All-MAC running back Terion Stewart will be back, but much of the depth behind him will be new faces. Only role players return at wide receiver, meaning BGSU will be counting on those players plus transfers to fill the production void. At tight end, All-MAC Harold Fannin will again be featured.

BGSU returns the majority of the defense with the exception of linebacker standouts Cashius Howell and Darren Anders. All-MAC cornerback Jalen Huskey also left for P4 pastures.

2024 MAC Comprehensive Recruiting Rank = 8th (4 Players still need a rating)

21 HS/JUCO Signees 

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - RB Nakai Amachree (MI)

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - WR Caleb Goodloe (FL)

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - WR Maurice Hayes (GA)

(5.6) 3 ⭐️ - DE Martreece Dillard (GA)

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - RB Jaden Copening (CT)

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - RB Cameron Pettaway (MI)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - RB Markel Porter (TX)

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - WR Winn Sharp (OH)

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - TE Caden Campbell (MI)

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - TE Isaac Hill (OH)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - TE Eli Jacon-Duffy (OH) *

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - IOL Dillon Robinson (OH) *

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - OT Alex Harris (OH) *

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - OT Rico Steele (PA) *

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - DE Malik Moses (GA)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - DE Joe Shimko (FL) *

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - ILB Dorian Pringle (OH)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️️ - OLB Elias Owens (OH)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - CB TJ Nelson (OH)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - CB Kal-El Pascal (FL)

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - S D’Kyah Banks (GA)

Portal Signees:

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - WR RJ Garcia = Kansas State

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - WR Malcolm Johnson = Auburn

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - OL Nick Reimer = Merrimack

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - LB Justin Eklund = San Jose State

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - CB Ja’Corey Benjamin = Texas Southern

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - CB Edward Rhambo = Northern Arizona 

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - S CJ Brown = Northern Illinois

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - K Zach Long = Troy

NR - TE Elijah Boyd = UTEP

NR - CB Todd Bumphis = Cincinnati 

Portal Verbals:

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - TE Blane Cleaver = Army

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - LB Donovan Stephens = Oklahoma State

NR - RB Justin Pegues = Tennessee Tech

NR - CB Darius McClendon = FAU

Portal Departures:

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - WR Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim = Louisiana Tech

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - OL Armon Bethea = N/A

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - DE Kitione Tau = Nevada

(5.7) 3 ⭐️ - LB Cashius Howell (2023 All-MAC 3rd Team) = Texas A&M

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - CB Jalen Huskey (2023 All-MAC 2nd Team) = Maryland

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - CB Deshawn Jones = N/A

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - RB Ta’Ron Keith = Western Kentucky

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - RB Nick Mosley = N/A

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - WR Tae’Shaun Johnson = N/A

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - TE Andrew Bench = South Alabama 

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - DE Bam Booker = N/A

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - LB Marquette Harris = N/A

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - LB Davion Mayo = Central Arkansas 

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - LB Canaan Williams = Kent State

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - CB Romello Flowers = N/A

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - CB Justin Lynch = N/A

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - S Shamoun Duncan-Niusulu = Stony Brook

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - S Davion Daniels = Slippery Rock

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - S Jordan Jackson = Stony Brook

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - S Steve Lubischer = N/A

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - K Jack Sauder = N/A

NR - LB Diego Neri = Western Illinois

 

IN MY OPINION:

If BGSU is ever going to win the MAC under Loeffler, 2024 is the year to do it. Funny how even the Falcon fanbase was ready to send Loeffler packing before the 2023 season and now the expectation is no less than a bowl berth. The Falcons have a veteran roster and need to put it all together as there will be many holes to fill come 2025.

 

THE LINE = 6

Quality depth in certain areas could be a problem for BGSU, but if they can stay healthy through the early portion of the schedule, they will have a good chance at 6 or more wins. Toledo and Miami will probably be two of the better teams in the MAC, so that’s a tough draw for the Falcons.

 

SCHEDULE:

Vs Fordham

At Penn State

At Texas A&M

Vs Old Dominion

At Akron

Vs NIU

Vs Kent State

At Toledo 

At CMU

Vs WMU

At Ball State

Vs Miami

 

 

WESTERN MICHIGAN REVIEW

2023 Record = 4-8 (3-5)

2023 Vs Akron = Did not play.

WMU returns Hayden Wolff at quarterback, breakout sensation running back Jalen Buckley, most of the receiving production, and the majority of the offensive line. 

On defense, the Broncos return almost all starters with the notable exception of All-MAC players defensive end Marshawn Kneeland and cornerback Keni-H Lovely.

 

2024 MAC Comprehensive Recruiting Rank = 3rd (2 Players still need a rating)

23 HS/JUCO Signees

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - WR Jayquan Reid (FL) *

(5.7) 3 ⭐️ - OLB Joshua Lloyd (FL) *

(5.7) 3 ⭐️ - S Carlos Mitchell (FL)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - QB Jeff Davis (GA)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - QB Mason Reynolds (IN)

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - WR Najiib Anderson (GA)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️️ - WR Terence Marshall (FL)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - TE Ryan Brotherton (IN) *

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - IOL Jeremy Schleicher (KS)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - OT Joshua Thoman (IN)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - OT Gavin Dabo (OH)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - OT Conor Kenzinger (IL)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - DT Jordan Buckley (IL)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - DE Noah Bishop (MI)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - OLB Maddux Babin (FL)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - OLB Huston Eubank (MI) *

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - OLB Derek Pennington (MI)

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - CB Isaiah Paul (CA) (JUCO)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - CB Cameron Powell (FL)

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - CB La’Varis Stanford (FL) *

(5.4) 2 ⭐️️ - S Charles (CJ) Miles (MI) *

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - S Braden Steely (IN)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - S Jameson Young (FL)

NR - S Michael Gravely (IL) (JUCO) *

Portal Signees:

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - DE Rodney McGraw = Louisville 

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - DE Popeye Williams = Louisville

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - DT Anterio Thompson = Iowa

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - WR Bugs Mortimer = Louisiana-Monroe

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - WR Jordin Parker = New Mexico State

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - TE Christopher Toudle = NC State

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - LB Domanick Moon = Purdue

NR - CB Ryan Raybuck = Saint Anselm

Portal Verbals:

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - QB Broc Lowry = Indiana

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - OL Quinn Murphy = Notre Dame

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - CB Nyquann Washington = Tennessee Tech

Portal Departures:

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - TE Mitch Bartol = Illinois State

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - DE Joshua Nobles = Jackson State

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - QB Treyson Bourguet = BYU

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - QB Jack Salopek = Elon

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - QB Stone Hollenbach = N/A

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - RB CJ Hester = UMASS

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - WR Nate Anderson = Bucknell

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - WR Jashawn Johnson = Ferris State

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - WR Tyren Mason = N/A

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - WR Henry Wilson = Gardner-Webb

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - OL Brandon Smith = Illinois State

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - DT Logan Wilson = Cincinnati 

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - DT Ryan Wynn = N/A

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - LB Naahlyee Bryant = Northern Iowa

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - LB Quinton Cannon = Gardner-Webb

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - LB Marcus Woodley = N/A

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - CB Cam Griffin = N/A

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - CB Jeremiah Piper = Western Illinois

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - CB Anthony Romphf = Charlotte

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - S SaVeon Brown = Buffalo

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - S Anthony Enechukwu = N/A

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - S Ryan Kilburg = Eastern Illinois

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - P Carson Voss = Michigan State

NR - WR Logan Lester = N/A

 

IN MY OPINION:

I thought WMU was poorly scouted by most media outlets in 2023, hence their win projections being off. WMU had more talent returning than what was being accounted for. It’ll be year two of Lance Taylor’s regime and there has been some roster and coaching staff turnover. Most of the players that transferred out were no more than depth pieces. That said, quality depth is important when/if injuries occur.

 

THE LINE = 6.5

WMU probably has the easiest conference slate this season. Even if the team is not significantly better than last year, they should still have a chance to become bowl eligible.

 

SCHEDULE:

At Wisconsin

At Ohio State

Vs Bethune-Cookman

At Marshall

At Ball State

Vs Akron

At Buffalo

Vs Kent State

Vs NIU

At BGSU

At CMU

Vs EMU

 

 

 

Edited July 2, 2024 by catdaddyp

[catdaddyp]

Bump for addition of BGSU.