DETROIT – Having a senior quarterback poised to break a number of conference records was enough for the media to vote Central Michigan Mid-American Conference Champions in a preseason poll.

The preseason poll, which saw nearly 70 percent (18 of 26) of voters pick the Chippewas, was released at the conference’s media day Friday at Ford Field in Detroit.

Western Michigan received four votes, followed by Buffalo and Temple, who garnered two votes each.

Head coach Butch Jones said there was value in last year’s late-season collapse that saw the team lose the last three games on its schedule, including the Motor City Bowl against Florida Atlantic. Jones mentioned the injuries sustained by senior quarterback Dan LeFevour along with the flu virus that passed through the team prior to the bowl game.

“What we took from last year was perseverance,” he said. “I’m very proud of our football team and what we accomplished last year. There’s so many things that we did persevere (through) that the general public doesn’t know.”

LeFevour and senior defensive end Frank Zombo accompanied Jones at the conference event.

LeFevour said he is happy to wipe the slate clean after an injury-plagued 2008 season.

“It’s just good to have a fresh start and have everything that happened last year behind me,” LeFevour said.

CMU was heavy favorites in the MAC West, followed by WMU, Northern Illinois, Toledo, Ball State and Eastern Michigan.

Buffalo, who won the MAC last season after upsetting No. 12 Ball State, was picked to win the MAC East again. Temple, Akron, Ohio, Bowling Green, Kent State and Miami followed.

LeFevour was put on a number of preseason award watch lists, including Lindy’s MAC Most Valuable Player and the Sporting News’s Best Running QB.

Wide receiver Antonio Brown, Zombo, linebacker Nick Bellore and corner back Josh Gordy were also put on various watch lists.

The MAC had five new head coaches that were showcased at the media day. Former Louisville and Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English takes over at EMU, Stan Parrish was promoted from his offensive coordinator post at Ball State, former Tennessee offensive coordinator Dave Clawson takes over at Bowling Green, former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Haywood takes the job at Miami and former Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Tim Beckman is now in charge at Toledo.

Allison forced to leave program

Defensive lineman Josh Allison’s career has been cut short because of an unspecified injury, Jones said.

“There isn’t a kid that loves football more than him,” he said, ” so it’s been a very trying time.”

The Chippewas return Zombo, an All-MAC selection, junior Sean Murnane, senior Sam Williams and senior Larry Knight along the defensive line.

Past that, Jones said the key will be to develop depth and have younger players step up and contribute.

“Our defensive line, we’re probably going to (need) one or two freshman to be able to step up and give us some reps there,” he said.

sports@cm-life.com

E-mail the author: Andrew Stover