As always, these are real e-mails from our readers, who don't mind calling in a bet every once and awhile. 

Not all Miami (OH) quarterbacks are bad guys, just so you guys know. Zac Dysert is the best quarterback in the MAC – can you guys even argue with this?
- Brian, Oxford, OH

Dysert is probably on the top of our list too. But the MAC is full of quarterbacks coming off successful seasons and looking to produce sequels this year. But screw you Brian, we’re going against you and making Northern Illinois’ Chandler Harnish our king of the MAC.

The main reason for selecting Harnish is that NIU has a legitimate chance to win the MAC-West and challenge Temple in the title game. Harnish isn’t as mobile as Dysert, but he’s more agile in the pocket and with Spann next to him, NI might have the best backfield in the MAC. (See: Temple)

Other than those two, Chester Stewart (TU), Spencer Keith (Kent St.), and Phil Bates (Ohio) are all non-seniors, and all very talented non-BCS quarterbacks.

If our program is so bad, how did we produce James Harrison, Antonio Gates, and Josh Cribbs? Huh? Do the current Golden Flashes have any future pro-bowlers?
- Kyle, Kent, OH

We never said Kent State was that bad, you’re too sensitive.

If Kent State has a pro on its roster, it’s on the defensive side of the ball, and we actually like this defense. (We originally had ‘love,’ but if we ‘love’ the Kent State defense, what are we supposed to do to the UNC defense? Stalk it? Search for it on Google Images?)

Kent State’s defense is the most complete unit in the MAC, which is kind of like being the most normal guy at a Slipknot concert. Monte Simmons led the team in sacks last year, so we’re tempted to pick him as our next pro-bowler, but he’s undersized for an NFL 4-3 end and a little slow for a 3-4 OLB. But people probably said the same thing about Harrison, so what do we know?

The best pro prospect on the defense is Cobrani Mixon. He can get to the outside and into the backfield. He transferred from Michigan, because he wanted to play for a team that could beat Toledo. (Zinger.) But he’s undersized and will probably play OLB if he makes it to the next level. Hidden inside the MAC’s best secondary is Kent State’s best DB, Josh Pleasant. He makes up for his lack of speed with a natural ability to get to the ball carrier. Pleasant has been a safety net for the Kent State linebackers, who have been accused of over-pursuing the ball. In the pros, he could move from corner to SS and be an extremely poor man’s practice squad Bob Sanders.

And with all that – there’s definitely no Antonio Gates on this team.

Last year you guys told us to watch out for Temple, and my brothers and I made fun of your site. We now understand your supreme knowledge of non-BCS football – please have mercy on us – and tell us a bold prediction for this year.
- Barry, Sigma Chi Epsilon Omega, Ball State Chapter

It’s okay guys, there weren’t a lot of people who had Temple as a sleeper last year, but if you’re looking for someone else who did, follow @philsteele042. He’s the highest authority on CFB predictions.

As far as this year goes, the Temple Owls are once again no joke. They had a chance to make even more noise, but their stud RB Bernard Pierce went down and the team wasn’t the same. We plan on making some good money going against the Owls this year, who won’t be sneaking up on anyone.

Our sleeper is coming out of the MAC-West, because with Ohio and Temple in the East, it’s going to be hard to be hard for a sleeper to sneak into the title game. This year, Sigma Chi Epsilon will be happy to find out that BB is all over the Ball State Cardinals. Ball State finished last season 2-10 with both of their wins coming in conference. This year they dodge Temple and Ohio in the MAC-East, and get NIU and Western Michigan at home.

Ball State returns QB Kelly Page, three of their top wide-outs, and 6th year underrated (when healthy) RB MiQuale Lewis. Ball State has covered as a dog against a BCS opponent every year since 2006, and the trip to Purdue on September 18th has the makings to be that annual cover. The Cardinals’ season will come down to their trip to Kent State on Oct. 30th and their regular season finale against NIU.

Turner Gill left and now the University of Buffalo is somehow even more depressing. Please give me something to look forward to!
- Kevin, UB, Buffalo, NY

We were sad to see Gill leave too, and it’s a bit strange that he got scooped up after his 5-7 season and not after 2008 when he went 8-6 and won the MAC. But that’s just how Kansas football rolls.

Aside from having arguably the best secondary in the MAC, the bright spot of the Bulls program can still be found on the sidelines. If you’ve followed the career of new ND head coach Brian Kelly, then you should be familiar with Buffalo’s new coach Jeff Quinn. Quinn was the OC at Cincy and coached the Bearcats in their bowl game against Florida after Kelly jumped ship. Strangely, Quinn also coached Central Michigan in their bowl game after Kelly jumped ship there. (Anyone see a pattern?) Quinn named former Cincy QB coach Greg Forest the OC.

Quinn and Forest will get this program going, but let’s keep expectations reasonable. Gill was 18-20 in his last 3 years in Buffalo – not exactly dominant. Gill capitalized on the insanely low expectations that the UB program built into its persona. So that’s our recommendation, keep your expectations low, and you will never be let down. Go Bulls?

Top 5 coolest names? (I’m submitting this for every conference)
- Will, Charlotte, NC

5. Kitt O’Brien, RG, Ball State – The back-up lineman just sounds like someone you need to have 73 beers with before you die..

4. Deauntay Legrier, LB, Western Michigan – Is he a famous French chef, or a psycho MLB? We’re too scared to ask.

3. Branko Rogovic, K, Akron

2. Dak Notestine, DE, Ohio – If he wasn’t 6’3 we’d be all over the Dak Dak Goose jokes…

1. Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, DT, Kent State – It's not my kitchen, it's Molly's kitchen

 

Seeing if I can lead the Owls to the top has to be the biggest storyline in the conference right?
- Bernard Pierce, Philadelphia, PA

Here are the most interesting MAC storylines, and we hate to say it, but Bernard is right.

1. We know Temple is for real, but are they for real when everyone knows they’re for real? Al Golden took the Owls to a bowl for the first time since 1979, and now they’re primed to win the MAC. They have the best player in the MAC (Pierce), probably the best offensive and defensive line, and they get Ohio in Philly. Since you have to assume Golden won’t be at Temple forever, if they don’t reach the title game this year, it may never happen.

2. Will Ohio recruit any black players? (kidding)

3. Can this site make millions of dollars betting on Northern Illinois to cover against BCS competition on the road? (kidding, sort of)

4. Will Akron fans lose control and attack all the Miami fans on November 17th? (Even though it’s the wrong Miami.)

5. There’s something crazy about Frank Solich isn’t there? We were terrified of him while he was at Nebraska, and we think the pale Ohio skies have made him even more terrifying. Can you imagine firing this guy? What about taking his daughter out for a nice dinner, and coming home to that face?

The actual storyline is the Ohio @ Temple game on November 16th. First off, it’s a Tuesday, so all of us will be doing nothing besides watching this game. Secondly, it will be primetime, so the Vegas action on the game will be huge. Thirdly, Ohio has almost two weeks off before the game to get ready for the upset. Finally, we get to see a battle between 2 truly great playmakers: Pierce and WR LaVon Brazill.