Updated: 5:45 p.m.

DETROIT – Rather than being the hunted this season, the Central Michigan football team will have to do the hunting.

After being picked to win the Mid-American Conference the past two seasons, CMU was picked to finish second in the West Division Friday by members of the media at the 2010 MAC Football Preview at Ford Field.

The Chippewas received a total of 83 points, including three first-place votes.

“I don’t know if anyone puts any merit in any of that stuff,” said senior linebacker Nick Bellore. “It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks of Kito, of I, or our team right now or six games into the season – it’s at the end of the season that really counts. I don’t think it really affects (us).”

Northern Illinois was tabbed to finish first in the West after receiving 15 of 20 possible votes. The Huskies finished 7-6 in 2009 with a 7-6 overall record, going 5-3 in the MAC, and earning an invite to the International Bowl.

Temple was named the media’s preseason pick to win the MAC East Division. The Owls were also predicted to win the MAC Championship game.

Temple is coming off a 9-4 season in 2009 – their best since joining the MAC – and a share of the MAC East title. Sophomore running back Bernard Pierce, named MAC Freshman of the Year, returns after rushing for 1,361 yards and 16 touchdowns.

USA Today and Sporting News also predicted CMU to finish second in the West, while Lindy’s was the only outlet to project a division title for the Chippewas. Athlon predicts the Chippewas to finish third, while Phil Steele tabs them fifth – just ahead of Eastern Michigan.

Head coach Dan Enos also rebuffed the predictions, saying he doesn’t put much stock in preseason polls.

“The guys that do those predictions don’t go around and watch everybody at spring practice,” Enos said. “Ultimately, if they pick you first and you finish last or they pick you last and finish first – I’d rather finish first.”

Western Michigan (two first-place votes), Toledo, Ball State and EMU round out the West Division projections.

Ohio, with three first-place votes, Kent State, Bowling Green, Miami (OH), Buffalo and Akron round out the East.

CMU was predicted to win the West and MAC championship by several publications last season. It followed through, closing out the 2009 season with a 12-2 record and MAC championship. The Chippewas went on to beat Troy 44-41 in double overtime at the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

E-mail the author: Aaron McMann