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Nick's 2007 MAC Football Picks - Week #6 Recap

Over the eight years this publication has listed “Nick’s Pick’s,” never has there been a weekend where this publications picks were this bad. My apologies to all for the dirty crystal ball that certainly failed this week.

Cheers

To Buffalo for leading the MAC East at 2-0 and to Temple for earning their first MAC win.
To Temple’s Jake Brownell for making three of four FGs against NIU after going 2-5 on the season entering that game.
To Akron’s special teams for their stunning TD return on the final play of the game along with WR Jabari Arthur, possibly the best overall player in the MAC this season.
Buffalo ’s James Starks for rushing for 183 yards against Ohio, including 112 in the second half
Miami’s MLB Joey Hudson. The junior made 10 tackles, leading a swarming unit that limited the nation's leading rusher, Eugene Jarvis, to 82 yards. It was the first time Jarvis failed to break 100 this season
Central’s QB Dan LeFevour's 506 all-purpose yards were the third-highest single-game total in MAC history while his five touchdown passes tied a school record. LeFevour passed for 360 yards, rushed for 146 yards and recorded six total touchdowns
Eastern Michigan – for their solid effort at Michigan this weekend; the Eagles lost at UM 55-0 two years ago, this weekend it was 33-22; progress is being made by Genyk and his staff
NIU’s Larry English, lost in the Huskies forgettable season is his stellar play each and every week
Toledo’s RB Jalen Parmale for his weekly solid play rushing for 169 yards and four TDs against Liberty
Western QB Tim Hiller

Jeers

Nick’s Picks for Week #6
Temple’s offense not able to score an offensive TD against NIU
BG QB Tyler Sheehan for tossing five interceptions in five straight possessions
Kent State continuing to turn the ball over while dominating statistically in their losses
To the Ohio Bobcats for their 4th straight loss; Ohio's focus and discipline has come under fire in recent weeks. The Bobcats were flagged eight times for 74 yards against the Bulls after being tagged with 155 penalty yards in a Sept. 29 loss to Kent State. Against Buffalo, three different defensive penalties issued first downs on eventual Bulls' scoring drives
Ball State ’s pass defense
NIU’s QB Dan Nicholson
Toledo ’s coaching staff for being clueless on defensive adjustments, giving up big plays, and constantly being so heavily penalized week after week after week after week …
Western’s final kickoff coverage against Akron

New Kids at the Top:
Buffalo sits atop the East Division with a perfect 2-0 division mark after Saturday’s 31-10 win over defending East champion Ohio. The Bulls have tied the school record for the most MAC wins ever as twice in their previous seven MAC seasons they have won two league games. UB goes for a school record-setting third MAC win Saturday afternoon at home vs. Toledo. UB’s win vs. the Bobcats also marked the first time in winning against a defending divisional champion.

Historical Win:
Temple scored it’s first-ever conference win as a member of the MAC. The first-year conference member Owls secured a 16-15 win over Northern Illinois when Jake Brownell nailed a 39-yard field goal with nine seconds left in the fourth quarter.

The Week After:
A week after Syracuse scored 38 points in an upset win over No. 18 Louisville; the Miami RedHawk defense limited the Orange to 14 points, beating the Big East team 17-14. And one week after Kent State’s Eugene Jarvis, the MAC’s top rusher, gained 230 yard at Ohio, the RedHawk defense held Jarvis to just 93 yards, his lowest total of the year, in a 20-13 Miami win. The RedHawks will take that momentum into Saturday’s home game with Bowling Green, which features two of the four teams in the East Division without a divisional loss.

LeFevour Fever:
Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour had 506 yards of total offense in Saturday’s 58-38 win at all State, the seventh highest total in the nation this year. LeFevour had 360 yards passing (30-of-38, 5 TDs) and 146 yards rushing (16 attempts, 1 TD).

Mid Term Report:
Halfway through the 12-game season, four MAC teams are undefeated in both divisional play and MAC over competition - Central Michigan in the West Division; and Akron, Bowling Green and Miami in the East. Buffalo (East) and Western Michigan (West) have spotless divisional records, but each also have one overall MAC loss. That will change this week as Miami is at Bowling Green Saturday at 3 p.m. on FSN Ohio.

Burning Questions for the Thirteen MAC Teams:

1. AKRON - Has the Zips offense finally arrived in 2007 after the "Miracle in Kalamazoo" this past weekend?

2. BALL STATE - Can the Cardinals play every game on the road since they cannot win at home very often?

3. BGSU - After getting humbled at BC this weekend, was this six-turnover and highly-penalized Falcon effort just one bad game or a bad omen for the upcoming divisional games?

4. BUFFALO - Will the Bulls beat Toledo and eventually become “the beast of the east in 2007” by season’s end?

5. CENTRAL MICHIGAN - Is this team now fully ready to defend their MAC title in a division that is very weak?

6. EASTERN MICHIGAN - Are the Eagles really as improved as Michigan's Lloyd Carr stated, or is UM just that bad now?

7. KENT STATE - Would the Golden Flashes have any losses this season if they could hold on to the ball and why is the coaching staff passing so much considering KSU is the league's best rushing team?

8. MIAMI - Can anyone figure out this RedHawk team - and will Miami actually win the MAC East?

9. NIU - Can the Huskies begin the season all over again since they have given away three games already?

10. OHIO - Will the Bobcats stay in the MAC East cellar after winning the division last season?

11. TEMPLE - Can the Owls win two in a row after winning their homecoming game for the second consecutive season; can the Owls schedule every home game as "homecoming?"

12. TOLEDO - Will the Rockets win another game this season after struggling against a mid-level I-AA team? Note: Liberty lost to Elon 42-14 on September 22.

13. WESTERN MICHIGAN - Can Western re-kickoff to Akron after taking the intentional safety?

Actual Score: Central Michigan 58 – Ball State 38

Nick’s Pick: Ball State 41 – Central Michigan 28

Line: Ball State by 12

Actual Score: BC 55 – BGSU 24

Nick’s Pick: BGSU 29 – Boston College 28 in OT (Special!)

Line: BC by 20

Actual Score: Michigan 33 – EMU 22

Nick’s Pick: Michigan 38 – EMU 3

Line: Michigan by 32

Actual Score: Temple 16 – NIU 15

Nick’s Pick: NIU 23 – Temple 19

Line: NIU by 3

Actual Score: Buffalo 31 – Ohio 10

Nick’s Pick: Ohio 24 – Buffalo 21

Line: Ohio by 4.5

Actual Score: Miami 20 – Kent State 13

Nick’s Pick: Kent State 30 – Miami 21

Line: Kent State by 10

Actual Score: Akron 39 – WMU 38

Nick’s Pick: WMU 33 – Akron 14

Line: WMU by 9

Actual Score: Toledo 35 – Liberty 34

Nick’s Pick: Toledo 41 – Liberty 37

Line: NL

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Ranking the MAC Teams after Week #6

1. NONE – No MAC team to date looks to be of championship caliber and the best record in the MAC right now is 3-2.

2. BGSU – Slapped around at Boston College but still looks to be the most complete team to date.

3. Central Michigan – Maybe the drubbing ND State laid on the ‘Chips woke them up.

4. Miami – The RedHawks continue their domination of Kent State.

5. Akron – The “miracle in Kalamazoo” will not be forgotten and may end up being the game that puts the Zips into a MAC bowl.

6. Kent State – Has the best talent in the MAC but cannot hold on to the ball; why is this team passing so much when they run the ball so well?

7. Western Michigan – The Broncos are lucky the Akron game doesn’t really count in the standings; what a way to lose though.

8. Ball State – Hoke needs to schedule everyone on the road, this team just cannot play at home.

9. Buffalo – Don’t be surprised if the Bulls beat Toledo by two, three or even four touchdowns this weekend.

10. Eastern Michigan – Genyk’s hard work is paying off, the Eagles really are a better team, especially on defense.

11. Ohio – How the mighty have fallen; was listed #1 by this publication after week #2.

12. Temple – Slowly building confidence to become a decent MAC team by season’s end.

13. NIU – Finds new ways to lose every week.

14. Toledo – Ranks as #119 of #119 IA teams after six weeks according to this publication.

by Nick Gerogosian

published 10.08.2007

Nick's 2007 MAC Football Picks & Recaps

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