Nick's 2007 MAC Football Picks - Week #12 Recap

Actual Score: Ball State 41 – Toledo 20

Nick's Pick: Toledo 42 - Ball State 41

Line: Ball State by 6

Notes: The Rockets put up 417 yards of total offense but two turnovers and second half miscues were the difference in the game. Ball State’s Nate Davis was fabulous passing for 265 yards (14 of 20). Toledo’s Jalen Parmele and Stephen Williams had terrific games as did BSU’s Chris Clancy and Dante Love.

> Find a selection of Ball State apparel & merchandise through VanDelay Sports.

Actual Score: Miami 7 – Akron 0

Nick’s Pick: Miami 24 – Akron 20

Line: Miami by 9

Notes: Miami dominated statistically with 320 yards of total offense to just 216 for the Zips but four RedHawk turnovers kept this game close. Miami’s lone score was a defensive fumble recovery for a score in the 4th quarter.

Actual Score: Eastern 48 – Central 45

Nick’s Pick: Central Michigan 35 – Eastern Michigan 23

Line: Central Michigan by 13.5

Notes: In one of the most exciting and wild MAC games of the year, Eastern Michigan won the “Michigan MAC Trophy” by winning at Central Michigan, after defeating Western Michigan a few weeks ago. Pierre Walker rushed for 149 yards on 31 carries with three touchdowns, including a 1-yard touchdown run with 3:08 to play. CMU kicker Andrew Aguila missed a 52-yard field goal attempt wide left with 22 seconds remaining that could have forced overtime. Central had 497 yards of total offense to 441 for EMU.

Actual Score: Temple 24 – Kent St 14

Nick’s Pick: Kent State 30 – Temple 22

Line: Temple by 2.5

Notes: Kent State’s nightmarish ’07 season continued with a loss at Temple generating just seven first downs and 124 yards of total offense. QB Jon Brown threw four INTs. The Owls handed Kent State their 6th straight loss. Temple's win total is the most since 2002 and their four conference wins are the most since 1967 when Temple was a member of the Middle Atlantic Conference.

> Find a nice selection of Kent State merchandise & hats from VanDelay Sports.

Actual Score: BGSU 31 – Buffalo 17

Nick’s Pick: BGSU 34 – Buffalo 26

Line: Buffalo by 1.5

Notes: Tyler Sheehan threw for two touchdowns and caught a third on a 25-yard reverse pass from Anthony Turner; Sheehan 20-of-29 throwing for 248 yards for Bowling Green while Turner gained 97 yards on 22 carries. The Falcons spread offense piled up 413 yards, 273 through the air; Freddie Barnes caught 10 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. James Starks ran for 137 yards and a TD for UB.

Actual Score: Western Michigan 28 – Iowa 19 (Major Upset!)

Nick’s Pick: Iowa 33 – Western Michigan 17

Line: Iowa by 14

Notes: Wow! This publication did not see this one coming at all. Western Michigan, the MAC preseason favorite which to date had been a very bid disappointment, had a huge win at Iowa, possibly knocking the Hawkeyes out of bowl contention. Tim Hiller threw for 367 yards and three touchdowns while Chris Kelly kicked a 30-yard field goal with 1:13 left to seal the win. Brandon West added 116 yards rushing and 93 receiving for the Broncos who raced out to a 19-0 lead and hung on to snap a three-game losing streak.

> Find a nice selection of WMU merchandise & hats from VanDelay Sports.

Actual Score: Navy 35 – NIU 24

Nick’s Pick: Navy 40 – NIU 20

Line: Navy by 15

Notes: After surrendering 45, 44, 59, 44 and 62 points in their last five games, the Midshipmen forced a season-high four punts and allowed only 10 points after halftime. Justin Anderson carried 39 times for 140 yards and a touchdown for NIU while Ryan Morris went 21-for-35 for 206 yards and threw two touchdown passes. The first half saw both teams combine for 417 yards and five touchdowns.

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Ranking the MAC Teams After Week #12

1. NONE - The potential MAC champ should not lost to EMU at home.

2. Miami - Defense wins championships and Miami has a defense.

3. Central Michigan - Certainly has not looked like a MAC champ very much this year.

4. Ball State - A fun team to watch; Nate Davis is the MAC’s next great one.

5. BGSU - A bowl bid is still in sight with a win over rival Toledo next week.

6. Buffalo - Nice season for the Bulls who’s program has turned the corner.

7. Toledo - Nice offense but the nation’s worst defense in points allowed.

8. Ohio - Has more talent than this #8 ranking would indicate.

9. Eastern Michigan - Nice win at Central, Genyk has this team believing.

10. Western Michigan - Win at Iowa shows the Bronco faithful what should have been.

11. Temple - This program is not far way from earning a MAC bowl bid.

12. Akron - This team has more talent then they show; where’s the offense?

13. NIU - The Huskies do have heart, that’s for sure.

14. Kent State - A promising season has been flushed down the you-know-what.

by Nick Gerogosian

published 11.19.2007

Nick's 2007 MAC Football Picks & Recaps

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