TheMat.com Projected Mid-American Conference Finish:  1. Central Michigan  2. Northern Illinois  3. Ohio  4. Kent State  5. Buffalo  6. Eastern Michigan    The MAC has become one of the most underrated conferences in the nation over the course of the past five or six years. Central Michigan originally led the pack, but with the emergence of Northern Illinois and Ohio on a national level, this conference has gained a new respect among some of the top teams in the country. This year's race for the conference crown will be exciting and right down to the wire, as most would expect.    Central Michigan is once again the frontrunner to win the MAC crown, which would be their fifth straight. The Chippewas bring back NCAA qualifiers Jason Mester (141), Ty Morgan (149) and David Bolyard (157), but all three will be expected to win more matches at the NCAA Tournament this year. This program is to a point where the MAC title is no longer significant. They want national prominence.    Northern Illinois and Ohio have solid teams, and both should be able to contend Central Michigan for the conference title. Northern Illinois brings back All-American Scott Owen (157), but it is the health and overall success of Bill Lowney (174) and Ben Heizer (184) that will determine how far this team can go in the MAC and in the NCAA Tournament.     Ohio also brings back an NCAA title contender. Theirs is Jake Percival (149). Outside of him, Luke Moore (174) and Joel Weimer (197), this team has a lot of developing and growing to do before they can realistically contend for a conference title this season.    Kent State is tough in the middle of the lineup with NCAA qualifiers Mike Tolar (157) and Nick Nemeth (165) leading the charge. Jared Opfer (125) is the most dominant light weight in the MAC right now and his further development could help get another team into the national picture for the MAC.    Buffalo has done a good job recruiting over the past couple of seasons, but they must develop that talent in a deep conference before they can jump into the top half of the conference. This team is strong in the upper weights, especially with NCAA qualifier Kyle Cerminara (197) and freshman Tom Curl (285), who should both have a major impact in the MAC this year.    Eastern Michigan returns most of their lineup, but they lost their best wrestler. Travis Kraft (174) and Dane Bonningson (285) will need to step up and have big years to finally get the Eagles out of the basement of the MAC.    TEAM PREVIEWS:  Buffalo  Central Michigan  Eastern Michigan  Kent State  Northern Illinois  Ohio