by Week one Power Rankings
1 Buffalo
With a more experienced team, I expect them to make a significant jump this season. AL-Jay Henderson will be a dominant rusher, backed by Lamar Sperling, who will form the best duo in the Group of 6. Ta’Quan Roberson transfers in and should be an improvement at QB.
2 Toledo
The Rockets reload and get ready to launch every season. Former faces return to the offense, including Junior Vanderross and Tucker Gleason. With 13 starters back on both sides of the ball and Jason Candle on the sidelines, Toledo will be a force once again.
3 Ohio
This Offense returns a projected seven guys with transfer transfer-ready to go and compete for a title. This team looks better and better the more you look at them.
4 BGSU
Eddie George has brought in a strong culture and recruiting class to BGSU this season. Former Notre Dame QB Drew Pyne is expected to have a big year alongside WR Finn Hogan.
5 Miami
The RedHawks lost a lot of guys this year. On a good note, they have incoming transfer DeQuan Finn, who was once the QB at Toledo. With Finn at QB, expect a new look for Miami.
6 Western Michigan
I am a big fan of what Coach Taylor has built in Western, even though they have lacked major results the past few seasons. This year, with Buckley returning as the rusher, I expect this team to be more competitive than six wins.
7 Central Michigan
A new coach and culture that looks convincing on social media, the question is, can a veteran like Joe Labas buy into what the staff is selling?
8 NIU
This team is clearly building for the Mountain West next season. This young roster may be talented, but it lacks the experience needed to win in this league
9 Eastern Michigan
This team is filling a lot of holes on a roster that wasn’t very impressive a season ago. This may be Coach Creighton’s worst team yet at Easter.
10 Akron
This team is filling in the gaps at a lot of spots, but still has talent with Finley at QB and Alex Adams out wide. This could be a six-win season for Akron if things are nearly perfect.
11 Ball State
This is a rebuild year for a program that wants to find its style and identity. I expect a bad year but a lot of growth from the Cardinals.
12 UMass
A lot of Roster turnover, not a lot of promise. This will once again be a bad year for UMass.
13 Kent State
Kent State is projected to have fewer than two wins this season. It’s been a mess of an offseason with coaching changes all over the place. Kent will be the worst team in FBS for the third straight season.
