2014 MAC Preseason Media Poll: Bowling Green Selected To Repeat As MAC Champs

The Bowling Green Falcons have been tabbed to repeat as MAC Champions in 2014 by members of the MAC media. The Mid-American Conference released its official preseason media poll Wednesday morning and the Falcons, and their dynamic offense, are heavy favorites to win the East, while the West the Toledo Rockets just beat out NIU as the favorite to win the division.

The Falcons, which trounced NIU 47-27 this past November, received 18 first place votes in the East. They return 13 starters including All-MAC quarterback and running back duo Matt Johnson and Travis Greene, and most of the pieces from the MAC's top rated defense. The Falcons did undergo a coaching change, as former head coach Dave Clawson left for Wake Forest shortly after the 2013 MAC Championship game. The Falcons brought in offensive-genius Dino Babers to replace Clawson, which has an already powerful BG offense looking like something concocted in lab.

BGSU opens its season on Fri., Aug. 29 at Western Kentucky.

Akron received three first place votes

Toledo narrowly beat out Northern Illinois in the West, receiving 11 first place votes to NIU's eight (CMU received two). The Rockets return most of the MAC's best offensive line, some exciting offensive weapons and arguably the MAC's best defensive player, Junior Sylvestre.

Toledo opens its season at home vs. New Hampshire on Sat. Aug. 30.

These two teams face off in Toledo two weeks before the MAC Championship in the Battle of I-75