UT Picked Fourth in MAC West Preseason Poll

The Toledo Rockets were selected fourth in the MAC West at the Mid-American Conference's annual media day which kicked off at Ford Field in Detroit last night. Two-time defending MAC Champion Central Michigan was the near unanimous selection as the favorite to claim a third straight MAC title. Bowling Green State was selected as the favorite for the East division.

DETROIT -- The University of Toledo Rockets were selected to finish fourth in the MAC West according to local media at the 2008 Mid-American Conference media day held at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich.

The defending MAC Champion Central Michigan Chippewas were selected by the media to win both their third straight West division crown and third straight MAC Championship Game.

Central Michigan hauled in 29 of 36 first place votes in the West division. Ball State and Western Michigan split the remained votes to place ahead of the Rockets in the preseason standings.

Toledo collected 98 points to claim the fourth slot in the poll. Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois rounded out the West division with 80 and 60 votes each.

In the East division the Bowling Green State Falcons finished tops with 206 points on 17 first place votes.

Toledo opens MAC competition with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff on Sat., Sept. 13 at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich.

WEST DIVISION
1. Central Michigan - 207 Points
2. Ball State - 168 Points
3. Western Michigan - 143 Points
4. TOLEDO - 98 Points
5. Eastern Michigan - 80 Points
6. Northern Illinois - 60 Points

EAST DIVISION
1. Bowling Green - 206 Points
2. Miami - 202 Points
3. Buffalo - 145 Points
4. Kent State - 137 Points
5. Temple - 120 Points
6. Ohio - 119 Points
7. Akron - 78 Points