MAC Football > 2007 MAC Football Picks > Week #6 Picks
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Nick's 2007 MAC Football Picks - Week #6 Picks
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Central Michigan @ Ball State
Central Michigan (2-3, 2-0 MAC West, 2-0 MAC Overall) at Ball State (3-2, 1-0 MAC West, 2-1 MAC Overall) - Noon
SITE: Scheumann Stadium (22,500/Field Turf) - Muncie, Ind.
TELEVISION: ESPN Plus/ESPN Game Plan
SERIES RECORD: CMU leads 20-18-1 ... the Chippewas have won the last three ... BSU had won the previous four in a row from 2000-04 ... the series began in 1939 and has been continuous since 1977.
COACHES: CMU-Butch Jones (2-3 first season); BSU-Brady Hoke (18-33, fifth season).
CMU @ Ball State - GAME NOTES:
The winner of this game will take the division lead ... Ball State stuffed Buffalo last week 49-14 ... the Chippewas snapped a two-game losing streak with a 35-10 triumph over Northern Illinois ... CMU had five takeaways (4 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery) and a kickoff return for a touchdown (Antonio Brown) vs. the Huskies ... the Chippewas had just seven takeaways in its first four games ... Justin Hoskins, with just 88 rush yards the first four games, got the start and responded with 93 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries vs. NIU ... Ball State features the league’s top offense (490.6 ypg), scoring offense (34.8 ypg) and scoring defense (23.2 ppg) ... BSU rides the arm of QB Nate Davis, who leads the MAC in passing TDs (14), passing yards (1,436) and pass efficiency (149.1) ... with the loss of MiQuale Lewis (447 rush yards) for the season, the Cardinals ground game received a boost last week from true freshman Frank Edmonds, who gained 126 yards and scored two touchdowns on 24 carries in the victory over Buffalo ... BSU is rushing for 203 yards per game after gaining just 92 ypg last year.
Nick’s Pick: Ball State 41 – Central Michigan 28
Line: Ball State by 12
Comment: The Cardinals are running on all cylinders right now and may have gotten the monkey off their back in terms of playing poorly at home. BSU dominated Buffalo last week and now face a Central team that has a suspect defense. While the ‘Chips may have beaten NIU by 25 points last week, they gave up a huge amount of yards and were fortunate enough to win the turnover battle. Look for a shootout with Ball State winning by double digits.
> View the VanDelay Sports selection of CMU Chippewas merchandise & apparel.
Bowling Green @ Boston College
BGSU (3-1, 1-0 MAC East, 1-0 MAC Overall) at Boston College (5-0, 3-0 ACC) - Noon
SITE: Alumni Stadium (44,500/Field Turf) - Chestnut Hill, Mass.
TELEVISION: ESPNU
SERIES RECORD: First meeting
COACHES: BGSU-Gregg Brandon (33-20, fifth season); BC-Jeff Jagodzinski (5-0, first season).
BGSU @ Boston College - GAME NOTES:
BGSU claimed its third overall and second non-conference win last week, 41-21 over Western Kentucky ... BC is ranked No. 7 in both polls after last week’s 24-14 win over UMass ... the Eagles are off to their best start in 50 years, fueled by Matt Ryan’s 11 TD passes ... the Falcons are led by Tyler Sheehan’s 10 scoring passes and 1,304 yards ... Sheehan has complete at least 30 passes in all four games this season ... BGSU is averaging 34.5 points and 340 passing yards per game and leads the MAC in turnover margin at +8 ... the Falcons have three of the top receivers in the MAC with Corey Partridge (22, rec, 203 yards, 1 TD), Fred Barnes (29, 318, 3) and Willie Geter (19, 126, 0 ) ... P.J. Mahone leads the MAC in interceptions with three after picking two against the Hilltoppers ... a win would boost BG’s record to 4-1, equaling the 4-1 start in Brandon’s first season with the Falcons in 2003 ... Brandon’s first BG squad also notched a win over a ranked team in 2003, topping No. 16 Purdue 27-26 in West Lafayette BC was 7-0 at home last year and is 4-0 at home in 2007.
Nick’s Pick: BGSU 29 – Boston College 28 in OT (Special!)
Line: BC by 20
Comment: In my research, I could not find that Boston College has ever lost to a MAC team in the modern era of football. In fact, most of the BC versus MAC team games has been blowouts. The Falcons are playing terrific football right now and are an extremely confident team – and with good reason. There are playmakers on both sides of the ball. The Eagles have a solid team but struggled last week versus UMass. BG is a much better team than UMass and I believe that all streaks must come to an end, including BC’s dominance over the MAC. BGSU to win on a two-point conversion either at the end of regulation or in OT.
> Browse our online selection of BGSU Falcons hats & apparel!
Eastern Michigan @ Michigan
Eastern Michigan (2-3, 1-1 MAC West, 1-1 MAC Overall) at Michigan (3-2, 2-0 Big Ten) - Noon
SITE: Michigan Stadium (107,501/FieldTurf) - Ann Arbor, Mich.
TELEVISION: Big Ten Network
SERIES RECORD: Michigan leads 7-0 ... the schools first met in 1896 ... the most recent meeting came in 2005, a 55-0 Wolverines victory ... the closest game was a 7-0 UM triumph in 1930.
COACHES: EMU-Jeff Genyk (11-28, fourth season); UM-Lloyd Carr (116-38, 13th season).
EMU @ Michigan - GAME NOTES:
The Eagles had their two-game win streak stopped in a 30-7 loss at Vanderbilt ... the Wolverines won their third consecutive game with a 28-16 triumph at Northwestern as QB Chad Henne returned to game action with three TD passes ... at Vandy, the Eagles suffered five turnovers, including four interceptions ... signal caller Andy Schmitt did complete scoring passes to Travis Lewis and Ken Bohnet ... the Eagles rank second in the MAC in total defense (allowing 380.6 ypg) and are third in scoring defense (25.8 ppg) ... EMU has allowed just four sacks in five games, but also has thrown more interceptions (7) than TD passes (6) ... LB Daniel Holtzclaw leads the MAC in tackles, averaging 12.8 per game, and DL Jason Jones is second in tackles for a loss with 8.0 ... EMU is 0-21 all-time vs. Big Ten opponents.
Nick’s Pick: Michigan 38 – EMU 3
Line: Michigan by 32
Comment: Michigan is playing “Michigan football” right now and that does not spell success for Eastern Michigan. While EMU does have some outstanding defensive players who can keep Eastern in the game, the Eagles' offense will struggle mightily against “blue’s” defense. This game will fall into the typical Michigan butt-thumping of a MAC team type of contest again.
> Look to VanDelay Sports for EMU apparel & merchandise online and Big Ten Fans carries Michigan jerseys & clothing.
Ohio @ Buffalo
Ohio (2-3, 0-1 MAC East, 0-1 MAC overall) at Buffalo (1-4, 1-0 MAC East, 1-1 MAC overall) - 1 p.m.
SITE: UB Stadium (29,013/Sportexe Momentum) - Buffalo, N.Y.
TELEVISION: None.
SERIES RECORD: Ohio leads 9-4 ... the Bobcats have won the last three meetings, including a 42-7 contest last year ... OU holds a 6-2 advantage since UB joined the MAC in 1999 ... both of UB’s wins (2001, 2003) since 1999 have come in Buffalo ... the first game was played in 1949.
COACHES: OU-Frank Solich (15-14, third season at OU; 73-32, ninth season overall); UB-Turner Gill (3-14, second season).
Ohio @ Buffalo - GAME NOTES:
Both teams suffered losses last week to extend their losing streak to three games ... Ohio lost at home to Kent State 33-25 ... Buffalo dropped a 49-14 contest at Ball State ... UB will play three of its next four games at home while OU is on the road for three of its next four ... sophomore QB Theo Scott came on in relief last week to complete 16-of-24 attempts for 161 yards and TDs to help Ohio back from a 17-point deficit ... Bobcat PK Michael Braunstein has made 16 FG in a row, including eight this season ... Ohio leads the MAC in sacks with 14 ... Bobcat Kalvin McRae scored his 33rd career rushing TD and MAC co-leading seventh last week ... Buffalo can take possession of first place in the East Division with a win ... the Bulls are averaging 25 ppg over the last four games ... last week three true freshmen started in the defensive backfield - Domonic Cook, Davonte Shannon and Josh Thomas ... Shannon made 10 solo tackles and 16 total tackles at Ball State ... DL Trevor Scott forced his third fumble of the year after not forcing any in 2006, although his nine sacks last year tied the school’s I-A record ... RB James Starks rushed for his seventh TD this season, already surpassing his 2006 total by one.
Nick’s Pick: Ohio 24 – Buffalo 21
Line: Ohio by 4.5
Comment: Ohio has had opportunities slip past them the past two weeks in close home losses. UB has been playing better football this season and this is just their second home game of the ’07 season. Look for a very close game with the Bobcats making the plays at the end of the game this week to secure a much needed east division victory.
> Browse our online selection of Ohio Bobcats gear & hats!
Northern Illinois @ Temple
NIU (1-4, 0-2 MAC West, 0-2 MAC Overall) at Temple (0-5, 0-2 MAC East, 0-2 MAC overall) - 1 p.m.
SITE: Lincoln Financial Field (68,532/Natural Grass) - Philadelphia, Pa.
TELEVISION: None
SERIES RECORD: NIU leads 2-0 ... the Huskies won last year 43-21 and in 1989, 20-17.
COACHES: NIU-Joe Novak (62-70, 12th season); TU-Al Golden (1-16, second season).
NIU @ Temple - GAME NOTES:
One of these teams will win its first conference game of 2007 ... NIU fell by a 35-10 count at Central Michigan last week ... Temple was defeated at Army 37-21 ... the Owls defense allowed just two touchdowns as the Cadets scored via a punt return, kickoff return and a recovered fumble ... DL Terrance Knighton recovered two fumbles and blocked a field goal in the first half alone last week ... Adam DiMichele continues to rank among the league passing leaders as he is third in pass efficiency (132.3) and TD passes (9) and fourth in passing yards (1,115) while completing 60.8 percent (93-of-153) of his pass attempts ... Jason Harper is sixth in rushing with his 62.4 ypg average ... the Huskies feature the league’s No. 2 rushing leader in Justin Anderson (114.6 ypg) ... Anderson has three consecutive games of 100-plus rushing yards and has compiled 492 yards on 91 carries the last three weeks to average 164 yards per game ... last week the Huskies Matt Simon had a career day with nine receptions for 205 yards, including a 92-yard TD reception.
Nick’s Pick: NIU 23 – Temple 19
Line: NIU by 3
Comment: This game is an interesting battle between two teams who have been killing themselves all year with turnovers, penalties and late game meltdowns. Expect a tight game and look for NIU to snag another road victory since their offense is far better than Temple’s.
> Browse our online selection of Temple Owls football merchandise and NIU Huskies apparel!
Miami @ Kent State
Miami (2-3, 0-0 MAC East, 1-0 MAC Overall ) at Kent State (3-2, 1-1 MAC East, 1-1 MAC Overall) - 3 p.m.
SITE: Dix Stadium (29,287/FieldTurf) - Kent, Ohio
TELEVISION: FSN Ohio
SERIES RECORD: Miami leads 43-11 ... Kent Stat’s 16-14 win last year snapped a RedHawks four game-winning streak in the series ... Miami has won 16 of the last 18 meetings.
COACHES: Miami-Shane Montgomery (11-17, third season); KSU-Doug Martin (15-24, fourth season).
Miami @ Kent State - GAME NOTES:
Both teams are coming off wins from last week ... Miami snapped a seven-game home losing streak with a 17-14 victory over Syracuse ... the Golden Flashes captured a road win in a 33-25 decision at Ohio ... this will be KSU’s second home game of 2007 ... the RedHawks triumph was keyed by RB Cory Jones, who came into the game with just eight career rushing yards and gained 125 yards on 10 carries while adding two touchdowns ... Miami lost its No. 1 and No. 2 running backs earlier this year but still ranks fifth in rushing among the 13 MAC teams with 144.6 ypg ... Miami’s 286 rushing yards last week were the most since Nov. 6, 1999, when the RedHawks gained 399 yards via the ground vs. Akron ... the RedHawks passing game shows four TD passes and 10 interceptions ... the Golden Flashes have the top rushing team in the league (236.0 ypg) and the leading individual rusher with Eugene Jarvis (153.8 ypg) ... Jarvis galloped for 230 yards last week at Ohio ... Jarvis’s 769 total rushing yards is the most in the nation ... Nate Reed tied a school mark with four field goals vs. the Bobcats.
Nick’s Pick: Kent State 30 – Miami 21
Line: Kent State by 10
Comment: For those who follow the MAC, they know that Miami has totally dominated this series with Kent State over the past fifty-plus years. Kent State has not won back-to-back contests with Miami since the Glen Mason era in 1987-88. The Golden Flashes are primed to do that again with their solid offense and stingy defense. This publication is having a very hard time getting a handle on this year's Miami club but the RedHawks have not won two games in a row since weeks eight and nine of the 2005 season.
> Browse our online selection of Miami (Ohio) football merchandise and Kent State hats & apparel!
Akron @ Western Michigan
Akron (2-3, 1-0 MAC East, 1-0 MAC Overall) at Western Michigan (2-3, 1-0 MAC West, 1-0MAC Overall) - 7 p.m.
SITE: Waldo Stadium (30,200/FieldTurf) - Kalamazoo, Mich.
TELEVISION: None
SERIES RECORD: WMU leads 11-3 ... the Broncos have won the last three meetings, including last year’s game by a 17-0 margin ... the Zips last win was a 27-7 triumph in 1996.
COACHES: UA-J.D. Brookhart (20-21, fourth season); WMU-Bill Cubit (17-12, second season at school; 50-30-1, 8th season overall).
Akron @ WMU - GAME NOTES:
Both teams are 1-0 in the MAC overall and 1-0 in divisional play ... the Zips lost a 44-10 game at Connecticut last week while the Broncos stopped Toledo 44-28 in the Glass Bowl ... WMU’s win at Toledo was its first in the Glass Bowl since 1988 ... Tim Hiller passed for three touchdowns in a game for the sixth time in his career ... after averaging 40.3 yards per game in the first four games, Mark Bonds racked up 143 yards and two TDs on 26 carries at Toledo ... Bonds also became the 11th player in WMU history to rush for 2,000-plus career yards as he now stands at 2,068 ... for the second straight year Londen Fryar made a game changing play vs. Toledo ... in 2006 he returned an interception 92 yards for a TD and a 21-10 lead in a game that finished 31-10; and in 2007 with his team down 7-0, Fryar grabbed a UT pass in the goal line and race 53 yards to the Toledo 47-yard line ... the Zips have played two QBs in all five games thus far in 2007 ... Chris Jacquemain (51-of-82, 381 yards, 2 TD, 1 int.) and Carlton Jackson (30-of-59, 346 yards, 3 TD, 2 int.) have shared the duties ... the combined record of the teams that Akron has lost to this season (Ohio State, Indiana and UConn) is 14-1 to date ... the Zips have excelled on special teams as they have the nation’s No. 3 ranked return men in kickoffs (Bryan Williams, 35.2) and punts (Andre Jones 21.6) ... this is Akron’s fourth road game of 2007.
Nick’s Pick: WMU 33 – Akron 14
Line: WMU by 9
Comment: Western has gotten two straight offensive efforts but both of their opponents have had lousy defenses. Akron has a solid defense that played horrible in the second half last week at UConn and an offense that struggles to score. In Kalamazoo, the Broncos will win by a comfortable margin due to the Zips lackluster offense.
Liberty @ Toledo
Liberty (3-2, 0-0 Big South) at Toledo (1-4, 0-2 MAC West, 0-2 MAC Overall) - 7 p.m.
SITE: Glass Bowl (26,248/NeXturf) - Toledo, Ohio
TELEVISION: None
SERIES RECORD: UT leads the series 2-0 ... the Rockets won 47-37 in 1994 and 49-3 in 2003.
COACHES: LU-Danny Rocco (9-7, second season); UT-Tom Amstutz (51-28, seventh season).
Liberty @ Toledo - GAME NOTES:
The Rockets lost a 42-28 MAC divisional game to Western Michigan last week ... Liberty drilled St Francis (Pa.) by a 68-10 count ... due to injuries to QBs Aaron Opelt and Clint Cochran, the Rockets will start true freshman D.J. Lenehan vs. the Flames ... Lenehan came into the WMU game and directed a late fourth-quarter scoring drive ... the Rockets rank eighth in the MAC in total offense (347.6 ypg) ... last week Opelt completed 2-of-9 passes for 46 yards and a TD last week before leaving the game in the second quarter with an injury ... Cochran was 7-of-12 for 112 yards until he was injured in the fourth quarter ... with Lenehan and freshman DL Marlin Parker making their collegiate debut, the Rockets have had 41 freshmen and sophomore play this season ... Jalen Parmele remains the most reliable offensive weapon as his 90.2 rushing yards per game ranks fourth in the MAC ... Parmele also leads the nation in kickoff returns with a 38.1 average ... Brett Kern has punted a league-high 33 times and also tops the list with his 47.0 ypk average ... DB Barry Church is tied with a MAC high 30 solo tackles.
Nick’s Pick: Toledo 41 – Liberty 27 Line: NL Comment: At the beginning of the season this contest looked like a real blowout game for the Rockets. UT has not looked good at all this season due to a whole host of reasons. Liberty is a decent team with good size but they have yet to win a road game in 2007. Toledo will struggle and this game will end up a lot closer than it should, but in the end the Rockets will get a much needed “W.” |
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