Bowling Green State University Athletics
MAC Releases Preseason Football Poll
July 25, 2000 | Football
July 25, 2000
Detroit, MI - The Mid-American Conference released its MAC News Media Association preseason poll today in conjunction with the 2000 MAC Football Media Day being held at Cobo Hall in Detroit.
Bowling Green finished fifth in the East Division with 188 points. Marshall, who has won the last three league championships, received 45 first-place votes and 403 points. Akron garnered seven first-place votes and 310 points to narrowly edge Miami. The RedHawks received four first-place votes and 305, while Ohio had 281 points and five first-place votes. Behind the Falcons were Kent State (126 points) and Buffalo (66 points).
"The East Division is very well balanced with a lot of good football teams from top to bottom," said BG Head Coach Gary Blackney. "For the most part, anybody has a chance to challenge in a division race. After a strong finish last year and with all of our skilled players returning, I'm really optimistic about the upcoming season," added Blackney.
Toledo was ranked first in the West Division with 45 first-place votes and 408 points. Defending West Division champion Western Michigan was second with 13 first-place votes and 328 points. Following the Broncos were Northern Illinois (three first-place votes and 293 points), Central Michigan (240), Eastern Michigan (214) and Ball State (154).
Participants in the MAC Championship game, slated for Dec. 2 (1 p.m.) in Huntington, West Virginia on ABC, will be determined by the teams with the best division records. The 2000 MAC football schedule has each institution playing every school in its division once with a limited number of cross-over games (East Division school versus West Division school). Cross-over games are counted in the MAC overall record and could play an important part if there is a multi-way tie for the division title.
Marshall received 34 of the 61 MAC Championship game winner votes. Toledo garnered 15, and was followed by Western Michigan (5), Ohio (3), Akron (2) and Miami (2).
