For years, the MAC and other mid-major conferences have fought for the respect and credibility they felt they deserved.  As a result of that hard work, some great players have emerged.  Jason Taylor, Randy Moss, Byron Leftwich, and Ben Roethlisberger all made their debuts for MAC teams.  So to open this season, I'm taking a look at who could be the next MAC alum to make an impact playing on Sundays.

Five MAC players you may not know, but you will before the season ends...

1.) Garrett Wolfe, RB, Northern Illinois - Hands down the best player in the MAC on either side of the ball.  Wolfe has  the good fortune of running behind the MAC's best offensive lineman, tackle Doug Free, and benefits from an efficient and talented quarterback in Phil Horvath.  In only 9 games in 2005, Wolfe ran for 1,580 yards and 16 touchdowns.  The "little big man" (5'7, 175) should make big noise this season for the Huskies as they contend for the MAC championship.  His 175.6 yard rushing average from last year equates to 2,107 yards over a full season.  If he can match last year's productivity, Wolfe has an outside shot of sitting at the Downtown Athletic Club at season's end.

2.) Ryne Robinson, WR, Miami - Possibly the best punt returner in all of college football, Robinson's speed and agility make it tempting to punt the ball directly out of bounds.  His 1,502 career punt return yards and 6 td's rank first among the NCAA's active leaders.  Moreover, unlike the prototypical return man, Robinson also brings a lot of offensive upside.  Playing second fiddle to Martin Nance last year, Robinson still snagged 75 balls for over 1,000 yards.  He'll be the number one receiver this year and his sheer athleticism makes him a threat to score on any play.  Definitely the MAC's biggest home run threat, and possibly the most explosive player in the conference.

3.) Luke Getsy, QB, Akron - The Pitt transfer who migrated to Akron with head coach J.D. Brookhart threw for 3,455 yards and 23 touchdowns in his first season behind center for the Zips.  His entire offensive line returns from last season and 6'4 receiver Jabari Arthur and 6'6 tight end Kris Kasparek should provide the protection and targets Getsy needs to lead Akron to another MAC championship game.  His 455 yards and 4 touchdowns in last year's Motor City Bowl loss to Memphis left Akron fans feeling confident that Getsy's best football is ahead of him.  The running game is a question mark, but if they can establish even a semblance of a ground game, Getsy's arm should garner national attention.

4.) Kalvin McRae, RB, Ohio - As a sophomore, McRae's tough running resulted in 1,153 yards.  He doesn't have the speed to run away from too many defenders, but has the power to run over them.  If the passing game in Athens contributes, McRae should eclipse 1,400 yards this season.  If not for the presence of Wolfe, McRae would receive a lot of attention as the best back in the MAC.  That title will have to wait until next year, when Wolfe is running on Sundays and McRae enters his senior season with what should be a much improved Ohio Bobcats team behind him.

5.) Dan Bazuin, DE, Central Michigan - Last year's MAC defensive player of the year recorded 16 sacks and wreaked havoc in opponents' backfields in 2005.  He's back, he's a captain, and he's out to prove he's worthy of an early day one draft pick.  The only MAC defensive player on my list isn't simply a sack specialist as he finished second in total tackles for CMU last season.