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Well, here he is. Mr. Mid-American Conference Highest Rated Offensive Lineman Guy. That's right, if you're another lineman hoping to make the list, we're sorry. Our hog molly list tops off at No. 16 with Northern Illinois tackle Tyler Loos.
Northern Illinois? Did someone say Jordan Lynch?!
Calm down there, pal! We'll get to him. Loos highlights an offensive squad who returns all five of the gents that led them to the Orange Bowl last season. The same five guys who helped NIU rush for a conference-best 241.9, good for twelfth in the nation. The same five guys who helped the Huskies average 455.6 yards and 36.9 per game on their way to a conference title.
The same five guys who helped Jordan Lynch (See?! I told you I'd mention him!) finish seventh in the Heisman vote.
Where does Loos fit into this? After coming off a season-ending knee injury in 2011, he started in every game as Lynch's left tackle. Did you watch the movie read the book The Blind Side? For a right-handed quarterback, any pass rush to his left is his blind side which is where Lynch hopes Loos will have his back.
He certainly did in 2012. Northern's offensive line not only opened holes for Lynch, who compiled 1,815 yards and 19 scores on the ground last year, but they managed to keep the haters off their quarterback only giving up eight sacks on the season.
Although Loos was never taken in by Sandra Bullock, his efforts in 2013 could have the Huskies rolling again. Not to mention his blindside efforts might be more interesting to watch for Lynch than Oher's were for the under-achieving Jevan Snead. NIU kicks off their season against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Aug. 31.