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Nick's 2007 MAC Football Picks - Week #2 Recap

Not a good weekend for MAC football

Week #2 had a lot of promise entering into Saturday’s contests with Miami taking on a Minnesota team that just lost to Bowling Green, Kent State traveling to Kentucky fresh off of a win at Iowa State, Western Michigan hosting Indiana and the red-hot Falcons traveling to Michigan State. Unfortunately for all of these MAC programs, none of them won over the weekend and a few of these games turned into blowout losses. Couple that with NIU’s home meltdown in the 4th quarter to I-AA Southern Illinois, and the only MAC team to get a non-conference win this weekend was Ohio, who won 31-23 at Louisiana-Lafayette. The other non-conference game of note was Akron @ Ohio State where the Zips' defense played very well and kept the game close until the 4th quarter before losing 20-2.

Within MAC play, Ball State looked like the team they were predicted to be putting up an offensive show at Eastern Michigan while Central Michigan defended their MAC title blowing out Toledo at 52-31. And finally, what is with the Buffalo Bulls? After being knocked around by nationally-ranked Rutgers last weekend, the Bulls went into Philadelphia and dismantled a Temple team that was supposed to be much-improved.

Here is a quick glimpse at the week that was not…

Miami @ Minnesota

Actual Score: Minnesota 41-35 (3OTs)

Nick’s Pick: Miami 28-21

The RedHawks had this game in the second OT but Trevor Cook was wide right that would have given Miami a dramatic 34-31 2OT win on the road. Miami trailed by 16 points with eight minutes remaining before making their comeback. This game was awfully similar to last year’s OT loss at Purdue.

Bowing Green @ Michigan State

Actual Score: Michigan State 28-17

Nick’s Pick: Michigan State 34-26

BG was shooting for its second straight road upset of a Big Ten opponent but faded in the second half after a 14-14 tie at intermission. Falcon QB Tyler Sheehan completed 32 of 50 passes for 295 yards with a TD and ran for another score, but threw two INTs.

Akron @ Ohio State

Actual Score: Ohio State 20-2

Nick’s Pick: Ohio State 37-13

The Buckeyes' defense forced Akron to punt 14 times, including after 12 consecutive three-and-out series. The statistics were as weird as the final score - Akron managed just three first downs and 69 total yards. The Zips had two first downs during their first possession, but didn't pick up another until late in the 4th quarter.

> Browse our online selection of Akron Zips apparel!

Ball State @ Eastern Michigan

Actual Score: Ball State 38-16

Nick’s Pick: Ball State 35-23

BSU’s Nate Davis's threw three touchdown passes as Ball State led 24-9 at halftime before cruising to a 38-16 final. The Cardinals set the tone in the first quarter when Davis hooked up with MiQuale Lewis on a 77-yard reception to set up a two-yard touchdown pass to Darius Hill for a 7-0 lead. Davis was 19-for-38 for 306 yards, four TDs and no interceptions for Ball State while Dante Love finished with seven catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns.

Buffalo @ Temple

Actual Score: Buffalo 42-7

Nick’s Pick: Temple 28-14

UB QB Drew Willy completed 20 of 22 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns and Buffalo scored early and often in a 42-7 win at Temple. Mario Henry gained 126 yards on 17 carries and scored once for the Bulls who rolled up 414 yards of total offense to Temple's 141.

Kent State @ Kentucky

Actual Score: Kentucky 56-20

Nick’s Pick: Kentucky 31-24

The Wildcats' offense overcame their porous rushing defense to defeat Kent State 56-20. The Golden Flashes diced the Wildcats' defense for 215 rushing yards in the first half including 124 from Eugene Jarvis and 79 from quarterback Julian Edelman and finished the game with 324 rushing yards. KSU lost out on the turnover battle, 4-0, which ended up being the difference in the game. UK had a slight edge of 484-453 in total offense.

Ohio @ Louisiana-Lafayette

Actual Score: Ohio 31-23

Nick’s Pick: Ohio 24-21

Kalvin McRae ran for three second-half touchdowns as Ohio overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to beat Louisiana-Lafayette. McRae rushed for 84 yards on 20 carries for Ohio and also caught three passes for 52 yards which included a 44-yard touchdown throw from Brad Bower. Bower finished 17-of-28 for 264 yards while ULL dominated statistically with 534 yards of total offense to 416 for OU.

> Browse our online selection of Ohio Bobcats hats & apparel!

Toledo @ Central Michigan

Actual Score: Central Michigan 52-31

Nick’s Pick: Central Michigan 31-27

Antonio Brown’s TD catch in the third quarter began the Chippewa barrage as the defending MAC champs broke a 31-31 second half tie and rolled over Toledo 52-31. Ontario Sneed rushed for 168 yards as CMU rushed for 218 as a team. Aaron Opelt had a terrific day for Toledo passing for 334 yards and accounted for three of four Rocket TDs. It also was Central Michigan's third straight win against Toledo, which hasn't happened since 1992-94.

Southern Illinois @ Northern Illinois

Actual Score: Southern Illinois 34-31

Nick’s Pick: NIU 20-17

NIU had a total 4th quarter melt down as SIU scored 20 unanswered points in the final 11 minutes of the game, including 13 points in a 39 second span with just over a minute to go in the game. NIU led 31-14 when a "pick-six" turned the game around for good. The win was Southern Illinois' first over Northern Illinois since 1979.

> Browse our online selection of NIU hats & apparel!

Indiana @ Western Michigan

Ranking the MAC Teams after Week #2

Strength of the MAC is in the east division thus far

1. Ohio - As the MAC’s only undefeated team; they get the early #1 nod

2. BGSU - Two solid efforts at Big Ten stadiums; could be this year’s surprise

3. Miami - Should be 2-0; difficult loss but season looks promising

4. Ball State - Plays so much better on the road then at home

5. Kent State - Lots of yards but lots of mistakes at Kentucky

6. Central Michigan - Needed the win against Toledo; now where do they go?

7. Akron - Quality defense to date; suspect offense

8. Western Michigan - Preseason MAC favorite is not looking good at all

9. Buffalo - Is this team no longer a doormat? Impressive in week #2

10. NIU - How will their home debacle effect the rest of their season

11. Eastern Michigan - Decent defense, very little offense

12. Temple - Look good against Navy; looked awful against Buffalo

13. Toledo - Poor coaching, poor discipline, poor everything to date

by Nick Gerogosian

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