MAC: Herd ahead of pack

By Stewart Mandel, CNN/SI

QB Chad Pennington is ready the prove that the Thundering Herd are a serious D-IA contender.    Rick Stewart/Allsport Projected Order of Finish EAST 1. Marshall 2. Miami 3. Bowling Green 4. Ohio 5. Akron 6. Kent 7. Buffalo WEST 1. Western Michigan 2. Toledo 3. Central Michigan 4. Eastern Michigan 5. Ball State 6. Northern Illinois

Top Storylines Heisman hoopla in the heartland In only its third year of MAC play, Marshall appears poised to prove what many already believe: The Thundering Herd have outgrown their conference. And much like 1997, with now-NFL star Randy Moss, they even bring a potential Heisman candidate to the table in QB Chad Pennington. Meanwhile, new coach Terry Hoeppner shoulders the burden of carrying on Miami's noble tradition, while the nation's leading returning rusher, Travis Prentice, shoulders the RedHawks' offensive load.

Going Bowling Locks: Marshall Maybes: Miami, Western Michigan, Toledo, Bowling Green No Way: Ohio, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Ball State, Akron, Kent, Northern Illinois, Buffalo

Trev's Take CNN/SI's Trev Alberts offers his team to watch "I think Marshall could step up and compete with the big boys this season. Besides Chad Pennington, they've got a capable squad with 15 of their top 16 tacklers back. Bob Pruett has had great success there, but he also had the great fortune early on of having a couple great, NFL-type transfers with QB Eric Kresser and WR Randy Moss. You wonder what will happen when they don't have those former big-school I-A players on their roster."

Top Five Offensive Players Chad Pennington, QB, Sr., Marshall Having thrown for more than 10,000 yards and led Marshall to consecutive MAC titles, Pennington could soon join fomer receiver Randy Moss at the next level. Travis Prentice, RB, Sr., Miami The nation's top rusher last year was, obviously, Texas' Ricky Williams; No. 2, not so obviously, was Prentice, with 1,787 yards. Tim Lester, QB, Sr., Western Michigan After a staggering 3,311 passing yards in '98, Lester needs 2,629 more to become the MAC career leader. Eric Flowers, RB, Sr., Central Michigan Having already broken 1,000 yards, Flowers tacked on 253 more in season-ending win over Ball State. Doug Chapman, RB, Sr., Marshall Pennington's sidekick is going for a fourth straight 1,000-yard season.

Top Five Defensive Players Dustin Cohen, LB, Sr., Miami Another pro prospect along the lines of departed JoJuan Armour, Cohen had 146 tackles and two INTs returned for touchdowns in '98. Jason Lamar, LB, Sr., Toledo All-MAC performer anchored defense that surrendered 18 points a game last year. Rogers Beckett, SS, Sr., Marshall Has been terrorizing opponents for two years with NFL free-safety body (6-foot-3, 205 pounds). Danny Derricott, CB, Jr., Marshall Second nationally in '98 with six interceptions as a sophomore, including several game-savers. Girardie Mercer, DT, Sr., Marshall Registered 16 tackles-for-loss last year.

Top Special Teams Player Drew Haddad, KR, Sr., Buffalo MAC fans will find out real quick what I-AA observers already know: Haddad is impossible to stop on the punt return (17.2 average in '98).

You Don't Know Him Yet, But... Dan Jordan, QB, So., Ohio The Bobcats are sticking with the option, but the highly versatile sophomore could surpass the departed Kareem Wilson's '98 completions - 26 - by mid-September.

Hot Coach Bob Pruett, Marshall Besides winning 37 games in his first three years, Pruett has stars like Pennington and Moss making his pro-style offense look like it's being done in the pros.

Coach on the Hot Seat Bill Lynch, Ball State During his four years in Muncie, the Cardinals have slipped from league champions in 1996 to 1-10 last year, worst in school history.

Secret Weapon Craig Harmon, QB, Soph., Northern Illinois The former walk-on will return to the bench after leading the Huskies to two wins as a freshman, but you never know when your first- through fifth-string arms will get hurt again.

Toughest Schedule Ohio Road games at Minnesota, Ohio State and Marshall are literally unwinnable.

Kansas State Schedule N/A It's because of MAC schools that teams like Kansas State can have schedules like Kansas State's.

Mark Your Calendar Top Storylines Miami at Northwestern, Sept. 4 New Wildcats coach Randy Walker debuts against his former team. Northern Illinois at Vanderbilt, Sept. 11 Just kidding. Marshall at Miami, Oct. 2 The MAC's premier matchup even includes a "Heisman showdown" this year.

Make sure to check out CNN/SI's previews of all 13 MAC teams on Aug. 11.