MAC Football > 2007 MAC Football Picks > Week #8 Picks

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Nick's 2007 MAC Football Picks - Week #8 Picks

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Northwestern @ Eastern Michigan

Northwestern (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) at Eastern Michigan (2-5, 1-1 MAC West, 1-2 MAC Overall) - 7 p.m.

EMU EaglesSITE: Ford Field (65,000/Field Turf) - Detroit, Mich.

TELEVISION: ESPNU

SERIES RECORD: Northwestern leads 1-0 ... the Wildcats won 14-6 in 2006 at Evanston.

COACHES: NU-Pat Fitzgerald (8-11, second season); EMU-Jeff Genyk (11-30, fourth season).

Northwestern @ EMU - GAME NOTES:
The Eagles will be hosting their fourth game at Ford Field in the last four seasons (vs. Central Michigan 2004; Western Michigan 2005; Navy 2006) ... this is the final non-conference game for both teams ... the Eagles 48-42 loss at Ohio last week was the third straight defeat ... Northwestern has won its last two games by close margins, last week in a 49-48 decision over Minnesota ... the Wildcats have played four games decided by seven points or less ... this is the second Big Ten team on EMU’s schedule ... on Oct. 6 the Eagles dropped a 33-22 contest at Michigan ... in the loss at Ohio, EMU fell behind 28-0 before making the game close ... DB Derrick Hunter returned a fumble 80 yards for a score ... QB Andy Schmitt passed for four TD passes at Ohio to give him a 2-to-1 TD - interception ratio (10 TDs, 5 int.) this season after a 2006 campaign that saw him throw just 2 TDs and 6 interceptions ... NU QB C.J. Bacher has 9 TD passes and no interceptions the last two games, completing 79-of-106 attempts for 990 yards ... EMU’s Daniel Holtzclaw leads the MAC in tackles (11.6 tpg) and teammate Jason Jones has a league-leading 14 tackles for a loss.

Nick’s Pick: Northwestern 31 – EMU 21

Line: Northwestern by 9

Comment: Last year EMU had a chance to pull of a mild upset but couldn’t generate enough offense and fell 14-6. This year the game may be just the opposite, an offensive affair rather than a defensive struggle. The Wildcats have already lost to Duke and barely beat Minnesota so the Eagles have a real shot at winning this game, which would be HUGE for the program. Expect a close game with Northwestern pulling away late.

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Northern Illinois @ Wisconsin

NIU (1-6, 0-3 MAC West, 0-4 MAC overall) at Wisconsin (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) - 11 a.m. (CT)

NIU HuskiesSITE: Camp Randall (80,321/FieldTurf) - Madison, Wisc.

TELEVISION: Big Ten Network

SERIES RECORD: Wisconsin leads 9-1 ... the Huskies win came in 1988 by a 19-17 score ... the most recent meeting was a 24-21 Badgers win in 2002.

COACHES: NIU-Joe Novak (62-72, 12th season); UW-Brent Bielema (17-3, second season).

NIU @ Wisconsin - GAME NOTES:
The Huskies 17-13 loss at Western Michigan was their third consecutive loss with the last two defeats coming by a combined five points ... the Badgers started the season with five straight wins but dropped their second consecutive game last week in a 38-7 loss at Penn State ... QB and former walk-on Ryan Morris made his first career start for the Huskies last week, completing 13-of-24 pass attempts for 144 yards with no TDs or interceptions ... the Huskies are averaging 12.7 points per game the last three games after posting 23.8 ppg the first four games ... Justin Anderson surpassed the 100-yard mark for the fifth consecutive contest as he compiled 132 yards on 29 carries ... Anderson’s 124.0 ypg average is the second highest total in the MAC ... LB Larry English leads the MAC with 8.5 sacks and is second in tackles for a loss with 11 ... English has 21.5 career sacks, second in school history behind Scott Kellar’s 23 ... UW’s P.J. Hill has 825 rushing yards and 11 rushing TDs ... Badger QB Tyler Donovan has 1,620 yards and 11 TDs via the air ... UW is 11-0 at home under second-year head coach Brian Bielema.

Nick’s Pick: Wisconsin 33 – NIU 20

Line: Wisconsin by 23

Comment: Just a few seasons ago NIU was robbed of a win at Wisconsin and the Huskies totally outplayed the Badgers on that day. Sadly for NIU, this year’s team is not nearly as good as that previous squad, and NIU has little confidence in a season of frustrating late-game non-heroics. Expect Wisconsin to control this game throughout but the score will be relatively close.



Miami @ Temple

Miami (4-3, 2-0 MAC East, 3-0 MAC Overall) at Temple (2-5, 1-2 MAC East, 2-2 MAC Overall) - Noon

SITE: Lincoln Financial Field (68,532/Natural Grass) - Philadelphia, Pa.

TELEVISION: ESPN Plus/ESPN Game Plan

SERIES RECORD: Miami leads 1-0 ... the RedHawks won 41-14 in 2005 in Philadelphia.

COACHES: Miami-Shane Montgomery (13-17, third season); TU-Al Golden (3-16, second season).

Miami @ Temple - GAME NOTES:
Two teams who have recently turned their season around meet in an East Division encounter ... the RedHawks have won three in a row and are coming off a 47-14 win at home over Bowling Green ... Temple won its second in a row and first-ever MAC road game, 24-20 at Akron ... the Owls overcame a 20-3, fourth-quarter deficit behind three TD passes (to three different receivers) from Adam DiMichele ... DiMichele also led the team in rushing with 62 yards ... the back-to-back wins were the first for the Temple program since 2002 and the two league victories are the Owls first consecutive conference wins since playing in the Middle Atlantic Conference in 1967 ... Terrance Knighton leads the MAC in fumble recoveries for the Owls with three ... the Temple defense has 16 takeaways, the fourth highest total in the MAC ... Miami’s domination of Bowling Green included a career-high 124 rushing yards and two TDs from senior Austin Sykes ... Sykes led a RedHawk game that produced five rushing scores, the most in a game since 1998 ... Sykes is averaging 85.7 ypg in Miami’s three-game win streak after producing just 28 ypg in the first four games ... QB Dan Raudabaugh completed 16-of-24 attempts for 237 yards, a TD and no interceptions ... the Miami defense has allowed just 13.3 ppg the last three outings.

Nick’s Pick: Miami 34 – Temple 22

Line: Miami by 6.5

Comment: Back in August, who would have thought that this game would be for a share of first place in the MAC East in late October? Well, it is and Miami is beginning to look like a championship team after blitzing the Falcons last week. Temple continues to improve week after week and are one or two recruiting classes away from being in real divisional contention for a championship. Miami will win by double digits.

Central Michigan @ Clemson

Central Michigan (4-3, 3-0 MAC West, 3-0 MAC Overall) at Clemson (4-2, 2-2 ACC Atlantic Division) - Noon

SITE: Clemson Memorial Stadium (81,473) - Clemson, S.C.

TELEVISION: ESPNU

SERIES RECORD: First meeting.

COACHES: CMU-Butch Jones (4-3 first season); Tommy Bowden (64-40, ninth year at school; 82-44, 11th season overall.).

CMU @ Clemson - GAME NOTES:
The Tigers were idle Saturday (Oct. 13) and last played in a 41-23 loss to No. 15 Virginia Tech Oct. 6 ... Clemson has lost two in a row (13-3 at Georgia Tech Sept. 29) since opening the season with four consecutive wins ... the Chippewas won their third consecutive game, a 47-23 conquest of Army ... the Chippewas have averaged 46.7 ppg the last three games ... QB Dan LeFevour was responsible for six touchdowns (4 rush, 2 pass) last week and his numbers from the last three games show 78-of-104 (75.0 percent) for 783 yards, seven TDs and two interceptions passing; and 39 rush attempts for 288 yards and five TDs ... LeFevour became CMU’s career leader in TD passes with 39 and he is just a sophomore ... the win also pushed the Chippewas October streak to 10 consecutive wins dating back to 2004 ... CB Josh Gordy had three interceptions last week to tie a school record ... Clemson QB Cullen Harper has 14 TD passes and 1,530 passing yards ... this is the first of three consecutive road games for CMU (at Kent State and at Western Michigan to follow) ... CMU is second in the MAC in scoring (33.6 ppg) and total offense (428.4 ypg).

Nick’s Pick: Clemson 45 – Central Michigan 34

Line: Clemson by 17

Comment: It has taken a while but Central Michigan is finally looking like a MAC contender after winning the title last year and returning most of their skilled players this year. Unlike their debacles against Kansas and Purdue earlier this year, the ‘Chips will be in this game but Clemson is a real top-25 talent and should be able to cruise to a comfortable win.

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Ball State @ Western Michigan

Ball State (4-3, 1-1 MAC West, 2-2 MAC Overall) at Western Michigan (3-4, 2-0 MAC West, 2-1 MAC Overall) - 2 p.m.

SITE: Waldo Stadium (30,200/Field Turf) - Kalamazoo, Mich.

TELEVISION: Comcast Local

SERIES RECORD: WMU leads 19-14 ... the Broncos won last year 41-27 in Muncie ... the visiting team has won the last two meetings as BSU won in Kalamazoo in 2005 in a 60-57, five-overtime game, the longest contest in MAC history.

COACHES: BSU-Brady Hoke (19-34, fifth season); WMU-Bill Cubit (18-13, second season at school; 50-31-1, 8th season overall);

Ball State @ WMU - GAME NOTES:
Both teams won last week ... the Cardinals beat Western Kentucky 35-12 with three interceptions by the defense and three TD passes by Nate Davis ... Western Michigan won at Northern Illinois 17-13, winning its second divisional road game this season ... WMU is undefeated (2-0) in divisional play while BSU (1-1) has one divisional loss ... two of the top QBs in the league will lead each team ... for WMU, 2005 MAC Freshman of the Year Tim Hiller (159-of-244, 1,713 yards, 13 TDs, 8 int.) is second in the league in pass efficiency at 135.2 ... BSU’s Nate Davis (141-of-245, 1,928 yards, 18 TDs, 3 int.) leads the MAC with a 145.4. pass efficiency rating ... Davis’ 18 TD passes this season ties the school record, which he set a year ago ... the Cardinals will be playing four of their last five games on the road ... at NIU last week, the Broncos received 100 rushing yards from Mark Bonds, allowing them to control the clock for 20 minutes in the second half ... WMU leads the MAC in time of possession at 32:17.

Nick’s Pick: Ball State 45 – Western Michigan 41

Line: Ball State by 1

Comment: Two years ago these two teams played the longest game in MAC history, a five-OT thriller. Good news for Ball State fans, this game is on the road and for some unknown reason, the Cardinals play much better away from Ball State Stadium then they do when they host an opponent during the Hoke era. Expect another shoot-out and the last team with the ball may just be the winner. This publication likes the road Cardinals to eek out a stunning last-second win.

Bowling Green @ Kent State

BGSU (3-3, 1-1 MAC East, 1-1 MAC Overall) at Kent State (3-4, 1-2 MAC East, 1-2 MAC Overall) - 4 p.m.

SITE: Dix Stadium (29,287/Field Turf) - Kent, Ohio

TELEVISION: None

SERIES RECORD: BG leads 52-16-6 ... this is the 75th meeting in the series that started in 1920 ... Kent State won last year’s game 38-3 to snap a five-game losing streak to the Falcons ... BG won 24-14 in 2005.

COACHES: BGSU-Gregg Brandon (33-22, fifth season); KSU-Doug Martin (15-26, fourth season).

BGSU @ Kent State - GAME NOTES:
Both teams lost by wide margins last week, Kent State 48-3 at this week’s No. 1 ranked Ohio State, and Bowling Green 47-14 at MAC member Miami ... this is a match up of the MAC’s No. 1 ranked rushing team (KSU) vs. the league’s No. 1 ranked passing team (BG) ... the Golden Flashes average 220.6 ypg on the ground - yet seven other MAC teams have more than KSU’s 10 rushing touchdowns ... BG’s air attack is producing a league-high 327.8 ypg, yet the Falcons are fifth in pass efficiency at 133.8 ... despite being held to 140 passing yards last week, BG’s Tyler Sheehan tops the MAC with his 286.5 ypg ... LB John Haneline had 18 tackles, 10 solo, last week and his totals are the most in a conference game this season ... the Golden Flashes challenge with Eugene Jarvis, the league’s top rusher with 133.6 ypg and eight TDs ... Jarvis had 84 yards on 16 carries last week at Ohio State ... Julian Edelman is a dual threat as a passer (1,190 yards) or a rusher (308 yards) ... the Golden Flashes are playing their only back-to-back home games the next two week vs. BGSU and defending MAC Champion Central Michigan.

Nick’s Pick: Kent State 26 – BGSU 23

Line: Kent State by 6

Comment: Historically Bowling Green has dominated KSU, much like Miami has dominated the Golden Flashes. Sometimes history and tradition carry over, much like Miami’s win at Kent State two weeks ago. But this year’s Kent State team is very talented and if they could just cut down on their turnovers, this team would be the class of the MAC this season. BG seems to have lost some of their luster that they displayed earlier in the year and in fact seem to be falling into the funk of 2006 when they lost their final five games of the season. This publication sees a real close and entertaining contest with KSU and their tremendous running game to pull off a late score to seal a victory.

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Buffalo @ Syracuse

SITE: Carrier Dome (49,262/FieldTurf) - Syracuse, N.Y.

TELEVISION: ESPNU

SERIES RECORD: Tied 3-3-1 ... the Orange have won the last three games, the most recent 31-0 in 2005 ... the first game, in 1896, ended in a 6-6 tie ... UB’s last week came in 1899.

COACHES: UB-Turner Gill (5-14, second season); SU-Greg Robinson (6-24, third season).

UB @ Syracuse - GAME NOTES:
SU’s lone win this year was 38-35 conquest of No. 18 Louisville ... the Orange dropped a 17-14 decision to MAC member Miami University on Sept. 29, and lost a 38-14 game last week to Rutgers for their third consecutive loss ... the Bulls have turned their fortunes with back-to-back home conference wins over Toledo (43-33) last week, and Ohio (31-10) two weeks ago ... the Bulls’ three league wins are the most in their eight years in the MAC ... James Starks has rushed for 427 yards and five touchdowns the last two games ... Drew Willy is tied for the top pass completion percentage (66.5) in the MAC ... UB’s three wins are the most since a 3-8 record in 2001 ... the Bulls have never won four games in a season since going to I-A in 1999 and last won as many as four in a season in 1998 (4-7).

Nick’s Pick: Buffalo 23 – Syracuse 21

Line: Syracuse by 4

Comment: It’s time to believe in UB football; the Bulls' players and coaching staff certainly do. Who would have thought three years ago that ‘The Orange’ would only be a four-point favorite at home? UB has an offense that can score against SU and the Buffalo defense has some real playmakers. The new twist is that UB is playing with tremendous confidence right now and that will spill over this weekend and provide Buffalo a HUGE win over their intra-state rival and certainly seal the fate of Syracuse coach Greg Robinson.

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Ohio @ Toledo

Ohio (3-4, 0-2 MAC East, 1-2 MAC Overall) at Toledo (2-5, 0-2 MAC West, 0-3 MAC Overall) - 7 p.m.

SITE: Glass Bowl (26,248/NeXturf) - Toledo, Ohio

TELEVISION: WSFJ/Ohio Package

SERIES RECORD: Toledo leads 29-19-1 ... the Rockets have won the last 10 meetings and 13 of the last 14 ... Ohio’s most recent success came in 1988 by a 24-14 score ... the last Bobcat win in the Glass Bowl was in 1967 (20-14).

COACHES: OU-Frank Solich (16-15, third season at OU; 74-33, ninth season overall); UT-Tom Amstutz (52-30, 8th season.).

Ohio @ Toledo - GAME NOTES:
Ohio snapped a four-game losing streak with a 48-42 win over Eastern Michigan last week ... the Rockets dropped a 43-33 contest at Buffalo, UT’s third consecutive conference loss this season ... both teams put up prolific offensive numbers last week ... the Bobcats’ 48 points were its highest output of the season ... OU piled up 510 yards of total offense (241 rushing, 269 passing) and averaged 7.1 yards per play ... UT rolled up 526 yards of total offense (307 passing, 219 rushing) while averaging 5.2 yards per play ... Rocket QB and freshman D.J. Lenehan completed 32-of-50 pass attempts for 307 yards and three TDs ... WR Stephen Williams set a UT record with 15 receptions and had a career-high 172 receiving yards ... Jalen Parmele added 171 rushing yards and two TDs ... for the Bobcats, Kalvin McRae had 170 rushing yards and two scores, marking his 16th career game with 100-plus yards ... Parmele (113.0 ypg) and McRae (97.1 ypg) rank third and fourth, respectively, in the MAC in rushing ... Ohio PK Michael Braunstein has made a school record 11 consecutive field goals.

Nick’s Pick: Toledo 42 – Ohio 41

Line: Toledo by 1.5

Comment: Here is a classic game of two underachieving teams. Both had aspirations of playing for a MAC championship and both have laid an egg most of the season. Toledo claims they’ve made new adjustments for this weekend's contest – we’ll see, but one thing is for sure, the Rockets “D” cannot be any worse. Ohio has not played well on defense since the second half of the Wyoming game and has been a bit of a mystery on why they have had major offensive and defensive breakdowns in mid-game. Toledo pulls off another shocking home win off of some wild play(s) much like they’ve done against Iowa State and Liberty earlier in the year.

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Nick's 2007 MAC Football Picks & Recaps