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Nick's 2006 MAC Football Picks - Week #2 Picks

SATURDAY - September 9th

Akron @ North Carolina State

Akron (0-1, 0-0 MAC) at North Carolina State (1-0, 0-0 ACC) - Noon

Site: Carter-Finley Stadium (57,000/grass) Raleigh, N.C.

Television: ESPNU - Series: first meeting

Notes:

• The Wolfpack opened the campaign with a 23-10 win over Appalachian State, overcoming four turnovers against the No. 1 ranked team in I-AA while the Zips dropped a 34-16 decision at #19 Penn State
• The Zips will play their second of three consecutive road games to open the season (next week at Central Michigan)
• Zip true frosh David Harvey grabbed three passes for 41 yards and a TD while the Zips defense was credited with eight pass break ups, recovered two fumbles and held the Nittany Lions to 282 yards of total offense - offensively, Akron had an 18-13 edge in first downs

Nick’s Pick: NC State 28 – Akron 17

Line: NC State by 10

Comment: Akron played well at Penn State and the Zips defense proved to be quite good in that contest holding PSU to less than 100 yards in rushing. The Wolf Pack did not look very good against Appalachian State and will play better this week. This is a game Akron can win but they have yet to get that signature OOC win since joining the MAC in 1992.

Central Michigan @ Michigan

Central Michigan (0-1, 0-0 MAC) at Michigan (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten) - Noon

Site: Michigan Stadium (107,501/field turf) Ann Arbor, Mich.

Television: ESPN Game Plan - Series: UM leads 2-0; the Wolverines won in 2003, 45-7, and in 1931, 27-0

Notes:

• The Chippewas dropped a 31-24 contest last week at home to Boston College while the Wolverines beat Vanderbilt 27-7
• CMU redshirt QB Dan LeFevour came off the bench to account for 293 yards of total offense (72 rushing yards/2 TDs and 221 passing yards/1 TD) and rushed for two fourth quarter TDs as CMU rallied from a 31-10 deficit
• CMU LB Red Keith was the leading tackler in 2004 and 2005, has had his two most productive days in the past two season openers - last week Keith tallied a game-high 15 stops against Boston College (in the 2005 opener, he recorded a career-high 16 tackles including 13 solo stops against Indiana)

Nick’s Pick: Michigan 45 – Central Michigan 14

Line: Michigan by 28

Comment: UM has owned MAC teams through the years and most of the contests have not been close. Central had every opportunity to upset BC at home last week but fell just short. UM played lethargic against Vandy to open the season and will sail past their in-state rival.

Kent State @ Army

Kent State (0-1, 0-0 MAC) at Army (0-1, Independent) - 1:00

Site: Michie Stadium (40,000/astro play) West Point, N.Y.

Television: ESPN Classic - Series: first meeting

Notes:

• The Golden Flashes were shutout in a 44-0 home loss to Minnesota last week while Army dropped its season opener, 14-6 at Arkansas State
• KSU received 109 rushing yards from Eugene Jarvis and 118 yards receiving from Najah Pruden – the first time a KSU back and receiver posted 100-yards plus in a game since 1999
• Julian Edelman made his first start at QB, completing 7-of-13 pass attempts for 150 yards but suffered three interceptions
• KSU’s 121 rushing yards by halftime last week was more rushing yards than the team had in any single game last season
• This contest will be the first of three consecutive road games for the Flashes (at Miami; at Bowling Green) - KSU last won a road game Nov. 23, 2004 at UCF - this will be Army’s home opener

Nick’s Pick: Army 24 – Kent State 19

Line: Army by 3.5

Comment: Kent State played a decent first half against Minnesota and then totally folded in the second half. Army was surprised by Arkansas State on the road last week. Army’s discipline will lead the Black Knights to victory but from a raw talent standpoint, KSU has the players to win this game if they do not make errors.

Miami @ Purdue

Miami (0-1, 0-0 MAC) at Purdue (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten) - 1:00

Site: Ross-Ade Stadium (62,500/Bermuda grass) West Lafayette, Ind.

Television: ESPN 360 - Series: PU leads 8-3-1 with the Boilermakers winning three in a row, including the most recent meeting in 1989, 27-10

Notes:

• Miami opened 2006 with a 21-3 loss at home vs. Northwestern - Purdue won last week, 60-35 over I-AA Indiana State - Purdue’s 60 points last week was the highest point total in the nation
• The RedHawks last played back-to-back games against the Big Ten in 2003 (at Iowa; at Northwestern)
• RedHawks starting tailback Brandon Murphy (1,122yards in 2005) missed last weeks game and is listed as questionable for this week
• Miami has won its last three road games (Ohio, Temple, Eastern Michigan) while the Boilermakers have won their last three home games (ISU, Illinois, Michigan State)
• WR Ryne Robinson was a bright spot vs. Northwestern with 9 receptions for 144 yards - Robinson is 24 receptions shy of 200 catches for his career

Nick’s Pick: Purdue 35 – Miami 10

Line: Purdue by 17

Comment: Miami couldn’t muster up much offense against a Northwestern team that is not known for good defense. Purdue’s offense is far more potent than the Wildcats. Look for Purdue to start slow and then role in the second half.

Ohio @ Northern Illinois

Ohio (1-0, 0-0 MAC) at Northern Illinois (0-1, 0-0 MAC) 2:00 (CT)

Site: Huskie Stadium (28,000/field turf) DeKalb, Ill.

Television: CSN Chicago - Series: NIU leads 9-7; the Huskies won the most recent meeting in 2003, 30-23, snapping a three-game Bobcat winning streak in the series

Notes:

• The league opener for both teams; the Huskies are the preseason choice to win the MAC with NIU losing to #1 ranked Ohio State 35-12, while the Bobcats beat I-AA Tennessee-Martin 29-3
• Garrett Wolfe ran for 171 yards on 26 carries and grabbed four passes for 114 more yards vs. the Buckeyes - Wolfe leads the nation in all-purpose yards (285) and is the active career rushing leader (3,407 yards)
• Ohio had just 144 yards of total offense on 58 offensive plays for an average of 2.5 yards but Ohio’s defense was led by T.J. Wright, who rambled 35 yards for a TD with a recovered fumble
• NIU has won three of its last four MAC openers - Ohio had 16 players in their first collegiate game last week

Nick’s Pick: NIU 38 – Ohio 16

Line: NIU by 15

Comment: NIU played respectable against the #1 team last week and know goes against a team more on their level. Ohio played terrific defense against a mildly regarded I-AA team and struggled mightily on offense. Look for NIU to come out fast and furious and control the game from start to finish.

Related VanDelaySports.com Links:

Week #2 MAC Football Quick Notes

Week #1 MAC Football recap

2006 MAC Football Pigskin Preview

2006 Preseason All-VanDelay team

Buffalo @ Bowling Green

Buffalo (1-0, 0-0 MAC) at Bowling Green (0-1, 0-0 MAC) 3:00

Site: Doyt Perry Stadium (23,724/grass) Bowling Green, Ohio

Television: BCSN - Series: BGSU leads 2-1; UB won the first meeting in 2000, 20-17 but the Falcons have captured subsequent meetings 35-0 in 2001 and 27-7 in 2005

Notes:

• The Bulls are coming off a successful debut under Turner Gill, a 9-3 triumph over Temple in overtime - UB claimed the win on an 18-yard TD run by James Starks, who rushed for 86 yards in the game
• The Falcons received a boost at QB where Freddie Barnes rushed for 158 yards and two TDs on 29 carries in a 35-14 loss to Wisconsin at Cleveland Browns Stadium
• UB last won a MAC opener in 2000 with a 20-17 win at home over Bowling Green - the Bulls have just one road win in conference play, but that came in their final road game last year, 10-6 at Kent State

Nick’s Pick: BGSU 24 – Buffalo 13

Line: BG by 21

Comment: The Bulls have a defense that compares to mid-level MAC schools right now. Offensively they moved well the ball against Temple but just failed to score. BG is still in transition after Omar Jacobs left early for the NFL. Expect a surprisingly tough game for the Falcons.

Eastern Michigan @ Michigan State

Eastern Michigan (0-1, 0-1 MAC) at Michigan State (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten) 3:30

Site: Spartan Stadium (75,005/grass) East Lansing, Mich.

Television: ERT/Game Plan - MSU leads 6-0; the Spartans won the last meeting held in 2002, 56-7

Notes:

• The Eagles play their second consecutive road game after a 38-20 loss at Ball State the Spartans tallied a 27-17 home triumph over Idaho last week
• EMU plays its first three games on the road while MSU has four of its first five at home - EMU QB Tyler Jones completed 11-of-16 attempts for 146 yards and a TD and added a six-yard scoring run - Eric Deslauriers caught 10 passes and is 16 receptions shy of 200 for his career
• EMU has not started a season 0-2 since 2000 - Andrew Wellock booted two FG and two PAT to increase his career total to 244 points, 22 shy of breaking into the MAC all-time top 10 list for points scored by kickers
• MSU’s Drew Stanton, the leading returning passer in the Big Ten, threw for 225 yards and a TD vs. Idaho last week

Nick’s Pick: Michigan St 42 – Eastern Michigan 20

Line: MSU by 26

Comment: MSU is the biggest "Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde" team in America. They are the type of team that can beat Ohio State or Notre Dame and nearly lose to Idaho. EMU doesn’t have the horses to play with the Spartans and if MSU gets their act together early in the game, the score may get really ugly.

Indiana @ Ball State

Indiana (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten) at Ball State (1-0, 1-0 MAC) 6:30

Site: Scheumann Stadium (22,500/grass) Muncie, Ind.

Television: Comcast Local - Series: IU leads 2-0; the Hoosiers won 33-6 in 1997 and 21-9 in 1999 with both games at Bloomington

Notes:

• Ball State stepped into the MAC West Division lead with a season-opening 38-20 win over Eastern Michigan last week - Cardinal QB combo of Joey Lynch and Nate Davis completed 17-of-28 passes for 230 yards and four TDs; Davis was 7-of-8 for 108 yards and 3 TDs
• Former Miami University head coach Terry Hoeppner will coach against a MAC team for the second consecutive week after opening with a 38-20 triumph over Western Michigan last week
• IU will be the first Big Ten team to play in Muncie with the Cardinals looking for their first 2-0 start since 1995 wins over Miami and Western Illinois to start the season
• The Hoosiers are 4-0 in non-conference games under Hoeppner

Nick’s Pick: Indiana 35 – Ball State 30

Line: IU by 3.5

Comment: Indiana has not lost to a MAC school in nearly 30 years. Ball State is hosting their biggest non-conference game in school history (no offense to Boston College). The 'Cards will have their biggest home crowd ever and just may pull off the upset, but history states that the Hoosiers will find a way to win.

Toledo @ Western Michigan

Toledo (0-1, 0-0 MAC) at Western Michigan (0-1, 0-0 MAC) 7:00

Site: Waldo Stadium (30,200/field turf) Kalamazoo, Mich.

Television: None - Series: Toledo 36-24; the Rockets have won the last five in a row and 11 of the last 12; UT’s last two victories have been by scored of 56-23 (2005) and 59-33 (2004)

Notes:

• These are two programs which have combined to represent the MAC West Division in seven of nine MAC Championship games in nine years
• The Rockets started the season with a 45-43 triple overtime loss at Iowa State - the Broncos came away from Indiana with a 39-20 defeat
• Broncos QB Ryan Cubit (16-of-22, 166 yards) suffered a hand injury and will not play this week - JUCO transfer (Bakersfield College) Thomas Peregrin (9-of-12, 51 yards, 1 TD) stepped in at IU and will replace Cubit
• Toledo’s Clint Cochran stepped into the fulltime starter's role at QB and responded with 39-of-49 completions for 367 yards and 3 TDs - TE Chris Hopkins grabbed 13 receptions for 139 yards and 3 TDs (4, 21, 25 yards)
• UT is 5-0 in MAC opening games under Tom Amstutz - the Rockets last loss in a conference opener was in 2000 at Western Michigan, 21-14

Related VanDelaySports.com Links:

Week #2 MAC Football Quick Notes

Week #1 MAC Football recap

2006 MAC Football Pigskin Preview

2006 Preseason All-VanDelay team