A new precedent has been set in the MAC after this past year. For the first time in five years, the conference championship game did not include Toledo, Miami or Bowling Green. In 2006, the rise of Akron and Northern Illinois should again set the table for the rest of the conference.

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Akron is expected to finish first in the East division with NIU taking the top spot in the West. Miami and Toledo will still be good and possibly good enough to get back to their dominance of the MAC. However, this conference is no longer theirs. They both will need to knock off last year's champs to get back to the title game. Again look for Round two of Akron and Northern Illinois come December.

The MAC has been known for its NFL-ready quarterbacks and last year Akron's Luke Getsy emerged from the shadows and is labeled as the next big thing in the Midwest. With the MAC's best arm, Getsy led Akron to the top of the East division without much press. Similarly, the MAC's top rusher, Northern Illinois' Garrett Wolfe, carried his team to the conference title game. However, the Huskies still fell short and were unable to capture their first title since 1983 as the Zips came away with the 2005 MAC crown. Toledo, a heavy favorite last year, finished tied for 1st in the West but were not able to advance any further. As well, former conference giants Miami and Bowling Green had off years and were not able to create the same kind of buzz throughout Ohio.

CONFERENCE FAVORITE: Akron Zips (7-6 overall, 5-3 conference, 1st in East)

Returning Starters: 16 (8 offense; 8 defense)

Skinny: Led by their star quarterback, Luke Getsy, the Zips should find themselves on top of the division in '06. Last year as a junior, Getsy threw for a school record 23 touchdowns along with 3,455 yards through the air. Despite difficult non-conference road games against Penn State and NC State, Akron should be a top team in the MAC. All five offensive linemen return, as only six position starters need to be replaced.

Best Bet: Sept. 16, vs. Central Michigan. A 7-6 record ATS last year, one disappointing loss on the road to CMU should be reversed in 2006. With another year in the system, the offense should be firing on all cylinders and ready to start off the conference schedule on a high note.

TEAM ON THE RISE: Western Michigan Broncos (7-4, 5-3; 3rd in West)

Returning Starters: 18 (7 offense; 9 defense, punter, kicker)

Skinny: Behind their wonderful quarterback Ryan Cubit, WMU should again make strides towards the top of the MAC. While they might not find themselves with a West division crown, head coach Bill Cubit should again improve in his second year with the program. Wideouts Joe Chapple and Jamarko Simmons lead the aerial attack and should be the primary options for Cubit. With 18 starters back, nothing more than an improvement in the record will be acceptable.

Best Bet: Sept. 23 vs. Temple. Not very consistent for backers, going 5-5 ATS in '05, however its game against Temple should bring profits. After a small win on the road in Philly, Western Michigan should find an easier win at home this year.

TEAM ON THE DECLINE: Toledo Rockets (9-3, 6-2; T-1st in West)

Returning Starters: 16 (8 offense; 7 defense, punter)

Skinny: After graduating quarterback Bruce Gradkowski to the NFL, Toledo will not produce the same offensively. As well, last year's starting tailback is gone. Not only will the 9-3 record most likely drop by a win or two, but also the 35 points per game by the offense should fall too. Sophomore Clint Cochran takes the offensive now but is a year away from producing big time numbers as a starter. 2006 will not be the Rockets' year in the MAC.

Best Bet: Oct. 21, at Eastern Michigan. Last year's success proved dissimilar to its 5-6 record ATS, however EMU should be an easy victory. Winning 30-3 last year, Toledo is 4-0 against EMU since 2002.

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TEAM TO WATCH OUT FOR: Northern Illinois Huskies (7-5, 6-2; T-1st in West)

Returning Starters: 15 (6 offense; 7 defense, kicker)

Skinny: Back from its spot in the conference title game, this year the Huskies look to finish the job. Its all-conference offensive stars are back in quarterback Phil Horvath and tailback Garrett Wolfe. Not much else is back from the offensive unit, but Wolfe is one of the most talented backs in the country and can be leaned on for support. NIU is established in the conference and after six straight winning seasons, the Huskies should find themselves back at the top this year.

Best Bet: Nov. 7, vs. Toledo. Similar to its 7-5 mark, NIU went 6-4-1 ATS last year, including a big time win on the road against Toledo. This year they get the Rockets at home should and again should chalk a win, as the offenses are no longer comparable.