DETROIT – Ball State was picked to finish in fifth place in the Mid-American Conference West Division for the third consecutive year in the preseason poll released Tuesday morning by the conference.
Toledo was picked to win the West and the MAC Championship Game, narrowly edging Northern Illinois, the reigning West Division champion. Miami was picked to repeat as East Division champions.
Ball State has finished each of the last two years in fifth place in the division, ahead of only Eastern Michigan. The Eagles were picked to once again finish in last place.
New Cardinals coach Pete Lembo said he didn't pay much attention to preseason polls.
"I don't put a lot of thought into polls and I certainly won't lose any sleep over it," Lembo said. "I think they reflect previous years, and that's probably what they should do."
The West is once again expected to be wide open, with four teams garnering at least one first place vote.
West
1. Toledo (8) 83
2. Northern Illinois (5) 81
3. Western Michigan (2) 76
4. Central Michigan (1) 55
5. Ball State 27
6. Eastern Michigan 24
East
1. Miami (4) 97
2. Ohio (8) 96
3. Temple (4) 88
4. Kent State 57
5. Bowling Green 48
6. Buffalo 37
7. Akron 25
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