EASTERN DIVISION
BOWLING GREEN
Key players: QB Tyler Sheehan, Jr.; MLB Erique Dozier, Sr.; WR Freddie Barnes, Jr. Returning starters: 8 offense, 9 defense.

Notes: Sheehan completed 303-of-476 passes for 3,264 yards and 23 touchdowns. ... S P.J. Mahone led the MAC in interceptions with seven.

MIAMI (OHIO)
Key players: LB Clayton Mullins, Sr.; LB Caleb Bostic, Jr. Returning starters: 8 offense, 9 defense.

Notes: After going 7-4 in coach Shane Montgomery’s debut season, the RedHawks have won eight games the last two years. ... Lost last season’s MAC title game 35-10 to CMU.

BUFFALO
Key players: QB Drew Willy, Sr.; RB James Starks, Jr. Returning starters: 10 offense, 8 defense.

Notes: Coach Turner Gill, the former Nebraska star, popped up as a candidate for the Cornhuskers’ job last season. .. Bulls have a distinct shot at their first winning record in the Bowl Subdivision.

KENT STATE
Key players: RB Eugene Jarvis, Jr.; LB Derrek Burrell, Sr. Returning starters: 8 offense, 8 defense.

Notes: Eugene Jarvis (1,669 yards, 139 per game) is MAC’s leading returning rusher. .. K Nate Reed was tops among returners in field goals with 18.

TEMPLE
Key players: NT Andre Neblett, Jr.; DT Terrance Knighton, Sr. Returning starters: 10 offense, 11 defense.

Notes: The Owls went 4-4 in the MAC last season and 3-3 in the East, just one game shy of a share of the division title.

OHIO
Key players: CB Mark Parsons, Sr.; LB Michael Brown, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Replacing RB Kalvin McRae and his 1,434 yards rushing and 19 TDs is key for the Bobcats’ option attack.

AKRON
Key players: DE Almondo Sewell, Soph.; KR Andre Jones, Sr. Returning starters: 8 offense, 5 defense.

Notes: Two years removed from a Motor City Bowl berth, the Zips are regrouping after finishing sixth in the division. It’ll be hard to turn things around against a brutal schedule that includes Wisconsin, Syracuse and Cincinnati.

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