Earlier this summer, my first offseason managing the Belt, I decided to look for my sleeper team for the fall. Sure, I could have went chalk and picked another NIU/BG matchup in the MAC Championship. Maybe followed some in the media and cast my lot with Western Michigan or Toledo. I could have went full-on homer and picked the Ball State Cardinals. But I am nothing if not objective.
So when I cast my ballot for the MAC preseason festivities with the home office, I decided I was all in on the Akron Zips, picking them to win the MAC East and upset Northern Illinois for the MAC Championship.