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Football picked second in MAC Preseason Poll

July 25, 2012

Northern Illinois, the defending Mid-American Conference champions, will once again contend for the league crown, according to the 2012 MAC Preseason Poll released Tuesday by the league office.

For the second straight season, NIU is listed second in the MAC’s West Division behind Toledo by the members of the media representing league markets who make the predictions.

MAC champions!

Ohio, which dropped a 23-20 decision to the Huskies in the MAC Championship game a year ago, was picked to win the overall title in 2012, and the Bobcats earned all 17 first-place votes in the East Division.

In the West Division, Toledo garnered seven first-place votes from the 17 poll voters to outdistance Northern Illinois by four points, 87-83. The Huskies, who earned five first-place votes, were followed closely by Western Michigan, who collected 79 points and four first-place votes. Ball State (42 points), Eastern Michigan (34) and Central Michigan (32) rounded out the West voting.

On the East side, Ohio was followed by Bowling Green (91 points), Miami (84) and Kent State (76).

Five voters picked Ohio to win the Marathon MAC Championship game while Toledo was picked by three voters and NIU, WMU and Central Michigan each earned one vote.

For more information on NIU football and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.