by Buffalo Bulls
MAC East
Coach: Maurice Linguist
Last year’s record: 7-6
The overcast
The Buffalo Bulls started off last season with three losses before turning their season around, becoming bowl eligible and beating Georgia Southern to earn a 7-6 record. They had a chance to win the MAC East until they lost three of their last four games of the season. The Bulls return five starters on both sides of the ball as well as 36 total returners. Cole Snyder returns as the starting QB after being just the third Bull QB to top 3,000 passing yards in a single season. Running backs, Ron Cook and Mike Washington return this season after eclipsing over 600 yards together. Al-Jay Henderson also returns as he will look to obtain touches this season after being used as the third back in the rotation. WR room took losses due to graduation and the portal, Cole Harrity is the top returner, transfers from Arizona, Duke, UMass, Dartmouth as well as four JUCO transfers look to add more experience in the WR room. The O-line returns a healthy amount of players and brings the most experience to the unit in three years as they look to keep Snyder off of his feet this year. The defense is back with Shaun Dolac at Linebacker as he is in charge of this improved group that proved to be strong last season.
Dom’s overlook
Last season I had Buffalo as the worst team in the East at the start of the season, they proved me wrong as they soared into the top of my rankings. This defense which has improved, added to it’s defensive line, as the rest of the defense little to no drop-off heading into the year. The offense has a running game which I predict to be the best in the MAC, don’t be surprised to see different players used week in and week out in the rotation. The Bulls don’t seem to have much of a weakness this season as they are talented on both sides of the ball. If Snyder can continue his production similar to last season, we could see a new team walk away with the MAC East crown.
Prediction
Out of the four non-conference games Buffalo has a chance to take away three wins against Fordham, Liberty, and Louisiana. When it comes to conference games this Buffalo team can walk away with the most wins in the conference. Playing Ohio and Toledo in back to back games before a bye is brutal. If the Bulls can take one of these games (which I think they will) the MAC east will be in striking distance. I have the Bulls finishing first in the East with eight wins and heading to Detroit with a chance to be crowned MAC champions.
