ESPN.com - Can someone finally catch the Herd?

ESPN.com: College Football

Friday, May 11, 2001
Updated: May 16, 9:33 AM ET
Can someone finally catch the Herd?

By Brad Edwards
Special to ESPN.com

Marshall won its fourth consecutive Mid-American title last season, but the Herd didn't thunder through the league as they'd done the previous three seasons.

Could this be the year that some team catches up to the Herd? Could be. Toledo looks like a real challenger with running back Chester Taylor leading the way. New coach Tom Amstutz's team will throw a lot more, but that should make Taylor even more dangerous.

ESPN.com continues its look back at the spring with a team-by-team look at the MAC. Just click on the team to find out how it fared this spring.

Mid-American Spring Recaps
Team	Comment
Akron Zips	Sparks is the early leader to take over at QB.
Ball State Cardinals	Winning season looks within reach.
Bowling Green Falcons	New offense under new coach.
Buffalo Bulls	Joe Freedy getting a challenge at QB.
Central Michigan Chippewas	Lawhorne, Jackson could spark running game.
Eastern Michigan Eagles	QBs Edwards and Crooks offer more mobility.
Kent State Golden Flashes	A change on the defensive side.
Marshall Thundering Herd	Seven offensive starters are back.
Miami (Ohio) RedHawks	May end up with two-QB system.
Northern Illinois Huskies	Holes to fill along offensive line.
Ohio Bobcats	Redshirt freshman FB Ray Huston turns heads.
Toledo Rockets	Eight starters back on both sides of the ball.
Western Michigan Broncos	Battle at RB will continue in the fall.