Inside the MAC

From Akron and Kent State preparing to open the season against a conference foe and rival, to a QB battle at Cenral Michigan, to life after Byron Leftwich at Marshall to Heisman candidate Michael Turner, Insider has the lowdown on the MAC.

Akron

Akron coach Lee Owens knows his team's season-opening matchup with Kent State is a marketer's dream: warm weather, under the lights, the Wagon Wheel trophy at stake. But he wouldn't mind pushing the game back a week or two. "From a pure coach's perspective, it's tough to open up with a conference team, a divisional team and a rival," Owens said. "You wish you had a chance to put a few games under your belt."

Owens hasn't been shy about shifting positions during the offseason. Nine players have swapped spots, including five players going from offense to defense. Among the changes is sophomore DT Andy Wills, who moves over from the offensive line.

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Adam Rittenberg | email

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• ESPN.com Big Ten blogger
• Joined ESPN.com in 2008
• Wrote for Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald