VanDelaySports.com > MAC Football > Nick's 2006 MAC Football Picks > Week #7 Picks

Nick's 2006 MAC Football Picks - Week #7 Picks

MAC Football Season Reaches the Halfway Point
The MAC football season reaches its midway point this week as five conference games could either shake up or solidify the standings. The top four teams in the West Division will face off against each other with Ball State at Central Michigan and Northern Illinois at Western Michigan in the MAC TV Game of the Week. East Division leader Kent State will play Toledo for the first time since 1999. East contender Bowling Green hosts Eastern Michigan and Miami is at Buffalo. Akron is idle this week - The Zips return to action October 21 when they host Miami.

MAC West Division:
Central Michigan’s 42-20 win at Toledo boosted the Chippewas into sole possession of first place in the MAC West Division with a 3-0 record. CMU is the lone West team without a loss in conference play. The Chippewas have a chance to go to 4-0 Saturday if they can beat Ball State (2-1). CMU controls its own destiny and its next three conference games are at home – Ball State, Bowling Green and Western Michigan. Another key clash this week is Northern Illinois at Western Michigan. Both the Huskies and Broncos have one just league loss each.

MAC East Division:
Kent State, the East Division leader with a 3-0 mark, returns to league play when the Golden Flashes host Toledo. The Golden Flashes won at Temple, 28-17, last week for its first I-A non-conference road victory since a Sept. 19, 1987 31-17 win at Kansas, a span of 36 road games against I-A non-conference foes. KSU is the lone East team without a conference loss. The Golden Flashes play their next two conference games at home – Toledo and Ohio. KSU has never started 4-0 in conference play since joining the MAC in 1951. Both Bowling Green and Ohio stand 2-1 and a game behind the Flashes.

Top Seven:
Of the seven MAC teams with no or just one conference loss, four have never appeared in the MAC Championship game since the league went to divisions in 1997. Those teams are West Division members Central Michigan and Ball State, and East members Kent State and Ohio.

Top Five:
Five former MAC quarterbacks were in the starting lineup for NFL teams this week. Bruce Gradkowski (Toledo) made his first NFL start for Tampa Bay and completed 20-of-31 attempts for 230 yards and two TDs at New Orleans. Gradkowski joined established starters Chad Pennington (Marshall) of the New York Jets; Byron Leftwich (Marshall), Jacksonville; Ben Roethlisberger (Miami), Pittsburgh; and Charlie Frye (Akron), Cleveland. In addition, last week former Kent State signal caller Joshua Cribbs was tabbed as the Special Teams Player of the Week for his kickoff returns versus Oakland. The PAC 10 with seven starting NFL QBs leads the way.

Looking Ahead:
Five additional conference games will continue to shape not only the divisional title races, but the lineup for the MAC’s third bowl slot. Thursday, Oct. 19, ESPNU will televise the Bowling Green at Central Michigan game. Saturday Oct. 21 has four league contests slated with Western Michigan at Ball State and Toledo at Eastern Michigan in West Division clashes. In the East, Miami is at Akron and Buffalo is at Ohio. The lone non-league match up is future (2007) MAC member Temple at Northern Illinois.

Stop It:
Two MAC teams snapped losing streaks last week. Ball State ended a four-game skid with its 55-25 triumph at Buffalo and Ohio shook its three-game losing streak with a 27-20 win over Western Michigan.

National Attention:
Among the national leaders from MAC schools, Northern Illinois Garrett Wolfe is No. 1 in rushing yards per game (223.8), all-purpose yards per game (250.8) and points per game (14.3). Wolfe captured headlines Sept. 30 with his 353 rushing yards in a 40-28 triumph at Ball State. Wolfe’s yardage was the fifth highest single game total in MAC history. Wolfe was honored by the Walter Camp Football Foundation as the National I-A Offensive Player of the Week.

Three Other #1’s:
In addition to Wolfe, three other MAC players are national leaders. Ball State true freshman quarterback Nate Davis tops the nation in passing efficiency at 195.2 (63-of-91, 917 yards, 12 TDs, 1 int.). On the other side of the ball, Eastern Michigan defensive lineman Jason Jones is the leader with 2.5 tackles for a loss per game. Ohio freshman Chris Garrett also leads the nation in punt returns at 25.9 ypr. Miami’s Ryne Robinson, although not listed at No. 1, is fourth in punt returns (19.5), fifth in receptions per game (7.4) and sixth in receiving yards per game (98.0). Robinson moved closer to tying an NCAA record with his seventh punt return for a touchdown in the Cincinnati game. Robinson’s 80-yard dash was the RedHawks lone touchdown in the 24-10 loss. He has 1,634 career yards on punt returns and is within 128 yards of the NCAA record held by Wes Welker of Texas Tech.

From Goose Egg to Glory:
The two most recent MAC teams to go through a conference season without a league win have rebounded the next season to challenge for a league title. In 2004, UCF, then a MAC member, went 0-8. In 2005, after joining Conference USA, UCF posted a 7-1 league record, hosted the first-ever C-USA championship game and played in the Hawaii Bowl. In 2005, Kent State took the 0-8 collar. This season the Golden Flashes are 3-0 in league action thus far. If KSU went from a no-win season to a league championship, it would match the feat by a previous Golden Flashes team in 1972. The 1971 KSU squad went 0-5 before the 1972 KSU team went 4-1 and won the MAC championship.

Other Notes:

• Northern Illinois head coach Joe Novak has 54 all-time wins as a MAC head coach, good for 13th place all-time. Ahead on the list in 12th place is Bill Doolittle of Western Michigan (1964-74) with 58 victories
• Toledo’s Tom Amstutz has 47 wins as a MAC head coach, 19th all-time and one short of tying Terry Hoeppner of Miami (1999-04) and Frank Lauterbur of Toledo (1963-70).

Miami (0-6, 0-2 MAC) at Buffalo (1-4, 0-3 MAC) - 1 pm

Site: UB Stadium (29,013/artificial sportexe momentum) – Buffalo, N.Y.

Television: None

Series: Miami leads 8-0 ... the first meeting came in 1951 and has been continuous since 1999 ... the closest game was a 17-16 RedHawk win in 2000 at UB Stadium.

Coaches: Shane Montgomery (7-10, third season); UB-Turner Gill (1-4, first season).

Notes:
The RedHawks are coming off a 28-25 loss to Northern Illinois ... Miami has two three-point losses and a two-point loss this season ... the Bulls have dropped four games in a row since a season-opening win over Temple ... RedHawk QB Mike Kokal passed for 324 yards and a touchdown Sunday night versus Northern Illinois one week after missing the Cincinnati game ... freshman Dustin Woods had a breakout game versus NIU with 8 receptions for 178 yards, including an 80-yard TD ... senior Buffalo linebacker Ramon Guzman, who played his freshman year at mostly at fullback, is tied for third in the MAC with 6.5 tackles for a loss ... defensively the Bulls ranks last in the MAC by allowing 35.0 ppg ... Miami’s offense ranks 11th in scoring, producing 16.2 ppg ... Bulls QB Drew Willy has just one interception in 158 attempts with that pick coming in last week’s 55-25 loss to Ball State ... Ryan Robinson’s 211 career receptions is tied for 11th all-time in MAC history and one behind Nate Poole (Marshall, 1997-00) for 10th place.

Nick’s Pick: Miami 28 – Buffalo 14

Line: Miami by 8.5

Comment: Miami has never lost to Buffalo and while the RedHawks are having a tumultuous season to date, they still have more talent than UB. Buffalo had been playing better under the new coaching staff but was drubbed last week at home by Ball State. Miami will get their first win of the season this weekend.

Ball State (2-4, 2-1 MAC) at Central Michigan (3-3, 3-0 MAC) - 1 pm

Site: Kelly/Shorts Stadium (30,199/field turf) – Mount Pleasant, Mich.

Television: None

Series: CMU leads 19-18-1 ... the Chippewas have won the last two ... last year’s game was a 31-24 overtime contest and in 2004 CMU edged the Cardinals 41-40.

Coaches: BSU-Brady Hoke (12-28, fourth season); CMU-Brian Kelly (131-50-2, 18th season; 13-15, third season at school).

Notes:
The Cardinals are fresh off a 55-25 win at Buffalo that erased a four-game losing streak with the fourth highest single game point total in school history ... BSU can tie the Chippewas for first place in the division with a win ... BSU QB Nate Davis, a true freshman, leads the nation in passing efficiency at 195.2 (62-of-91, 917 yards, 12 TDs, 1 int.) ... sophomore B.J. Hill ran for a career second-best 116 yards and two TDs on 28 carries at Buffalo ... the Chippewas haven’t been 4-0 in the MAC since 1990 when they won their first six MAC games of the season ... CMU won 42-20 at Toledo last week after spotting the Rockets a 14-0 lead ... Dan Bazuin made a game changing play with a 32-yard fumble return for a touchdown and a 21-14 lead just before halftime ... freshman QB Dan LeFevour has 11 TD passes with just four interceptions and has completed 60.0 percent (102-of-170) of his pass attempts ... senior WR Obed Cetoute grabbed two TD passes at Toledo, doubling his career total.

Nick’s Pick: Central Michigan 38 – Ball State 34

Line: Central by 9

Comment: One of two key games in the MAC west this weekend. Through the past few years these two teams have played some very entertaining games. Central won in OT last year and by one point in 2004. Ball State won the three years prior. Central is on top of the world right now after their sound beating of Toledo at the Glass Bowl. The ‘Chips control their own destiny right now to win the division and playing at home will be another boost. Ball State has found a future MAC star in QB Nate Davis and will make this game an offensive show. Look for Central to hold on late.

Northern Illinois (4-2, 3-1 MAC) at WMU (3-2, 1-1 MAC) - 2 pm

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

Television: FSN Ohio, Comcast Local, Comcast Sports Net, Time Warner-Buffalo

Series: WMU leads 20-11 ... the Huskies have won the last five in a row, including a 42-7 count last year in a game that propelled NIU into the MAC Championship game ... the Broncos last win was in 2000 in Kalamazoo 52-22.

Coaches: NIU-Joe Novak (58-62, 11th season); WMU-Bill Cubit (44-23-1, seventh season overall; 10-6, second season at school).

Notes:
WMU allowed 257 rushing yards last week in a 27-20 loss at Ohio and now faces the nation’s leading rusher in Garrett Wolfe (236.2 ypg) ... the loss to the Bobcats ended WMU’s three-game winning streak ... the Huskies are on a short week, having extended their winning streak to four with Sunday’s 28-25 win at Miami ... Wolfe was held to a season low 162 rushing yards but scored two TDs and a two-point conversion via the rush ... this match up features the league leader in total offense (NIU at 445.8 ypg) versus the league leader in total defense (WMU at 274.4 ypg allowed) ... as well, WMU tops the MAC chart in turnover margin at +8 and NIU is third at +5 ... the Broncos have three interceptions returned for a score this year, the most recent by C.J. Wilson at Ohio ... a win by NIU would be the Huskies longest winning streak since 2004 (6 games) ... the Broncos are 6-1 in home game under Bill Cubit.

Nick’s Pick: NIU 24 – Western Michigan 21

Line: NIU by 2.5

Comment: The second “big game” of the weekend will be in Kalamazoo. The nation’s best running back, Garrett Wolfe, will go against one of the MAC’s best defenses in one of the league’s finest football stadiums – Waldo Stadium. Expect a great crowd by the Bronco fans and as they proved with their 21-point victory over Toledo last month, playing in Kalamazoo is no longer an easy win. NIU has the edge due to Wolfe but don’t be surprised if Western wins. If the Broncos do pull off a mild upset, their contest against their arch-rival (Central) next month will be for the west title.

EMU (0-5, 0-2 MAC) at Bowling Green (3-3, 2-1 MAC) - 4 pm

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

Television: None

Series: BGSU leads 21-10-1 ... the Falcons have won seven in a row ... this is the first meeting since a 41-20 Falcon win in 2004.

Coaches: EMU-Jeff Genyk (8-19, third season); BGSU-Gregg Brandon (29-14, fourth season).

Notes:

The Eagles were idle last week and are looking to snap their five-game losing streak ... the Falcons dropped a 35-7 contest at No. 1 ranked Ohio State ... EMU WR Eric Deslauriers ranks 10th nationally in receptions per game (6.6) ... Deslauriers has 33 receptions this season and 207 for his career, the 15th highest total in MAC history, and 2,686 yards, 18th in MAC history ... each time the Falcons have lost a game this year, they have responded with a win in the next game ... Chris Bullock led the Falcons in rushing yardage at Ohio State with 72 yards, that coming off a 114-yard outing at Ohio the previous week ... an Anthony Turner to Corey Partridge 12-yard TD pass accounted for the Falcons points as they closed the gap to 21-7 late in the third quarter ... the Falcons are the only MAC team outside of Northern Illinois (253.7) to average 200 rushing yards per game (200.2 ypg) ...Freddie Barnes’ seven rushing TDs is second in the MAC and his 67.0 rushing yards per game is fourth ... LB Terrel White (10.2 tpg) is one of three defenders in the MAC with 10-plus tackles per game ... EMU’s Jason Jones tops the nation in tackles for a loss with 2.5 per game.

Nick’s Pick: BGSU 34 – Eastern Michigan 20

Line: BGSU by 11

Comment: BG looked very good against Ohio State last week and may have picked up some much needed confidence while hanging with the nation’s best team. Eastern needed the time off after losing big to a Sun Belt team two weeks ago. EMU has a slim shot here but expect the Falcons to win by a comfortable margin.

Toledo (2-4, 0-2 MAC) at Kent State (4-2, 3-0 MAC) - 4 pm

Site: Dix Stadium (29,287/field turf) – Kent, Ohio

Television: None.

Series: Toledo leads 22-20 ... this marks the first meeting since 1999, a 47-7 UT victory ... the Rockets have won the last four in the series.

Coaches: UT-Tom Amstutz (47-22, seventh season); KSU-Doug Martin (10-18, third season).

Notes:
A win by Kent State would give the Golden Flashes a 4-0 MAC record for the first time since joining the league in 1951 and provide the school’s first five-game winning streak since 1976 ... the Rockets are on a two-game losing streak and could have three league losses for the first time since 1994 (4-3-1) ... not since 1985 has a Toledo team started 0-3 in MAC play ... UT has allowed 87 points in its last two games ... KSU is the league’s top ranked scoring defense, allowing just 18.3 ppg and has not allowed more than 17 points in any of its last five games ... junior John Drager replaced Eugene Jarvis at running back last week and responded with a career-high 84 yards and two TDs in a 28-17 win at Temple ... the win was KSU’s first non-conference road victory against a I-A opponent since beating Kansas 31-17 in 1987 ... in last week’s 42-20 loss to Central Michigan, the Rockets’ four turnovers led to 21 Chippewa points ... the game marked the first start for frosh Andy Opelt, who completed 31-of-52 attempts for 288 yards and three touchdowns ... KSU has harassed QBs for 20 sacks, a league high.

Nick’s Pick: Kent State 28 – Toledo 17

Line: Kent State by 7

Comment: What has happened to Toledo? How has Kent State jumped into a commanding lead within the MAC East division? If this was a Superman flick, we would be in “The Bizarre-O World.” Toledo is a mess right now with continuous dropped passes, flagrant penalties, lack of team concentration and even more penalties. KSU is top of the world and is playing with tremendous confidence right now. The Rockets have the better talent and should win this game but Kent State is the team that is playing like a team. Look for the Golden Flashes to continue their winning ways and for Toledo to be officially knocked out of any MACC opportunity.

Related VanDelaySports.com Links:

Week #6 MAC Football recap

2006 MAC Football Pigskin Preview

2006 Preseason All-VanDelay team

Ohio (3-3, 2-1 MAC) at Illinois (2-4, 1-2 Big Ten) - 7 pm

Site: Memorial Stadium (69,249/astro-play) – Champaign, Ill.

Television: None

Series: Tied 2-2 ... this will be the first meeting since 1950, a 28-2 Illini win.

Coaches: OU-Frank Solich (65-29, ninth season overall; 7-10, second season at school); UI-Ron Zook (27-27, fifth season overall; 4-13, second season at school).

Notes:
The Illini are coming off a 34-32 last-second loss to Indiana, making their home record this season 1-3 ... the Bobcats snapped a three-game losing streak with a 27-20 triumph over Western Michigan ... OU’s Kalvin McRae busted out with 120 rushing yards and two TDs for a team that had been averaging 66.0 ypg rushing going into the contest ... Ohio became the first team to rush for 100 yards versus WMU this season ... Chris Garrett’s 88-yard punt return for a score gave the Bobcats a 7-0 lead and set the tone for the game ... Garrett, a redshirt freshman, leads the nation with 25.9 average on punt returns ... the 27 points versus WMU were more than the previous three games (22) for Ohio ... Illinois’ 14 lost turnovers is tied for the most among Big Ten teams ... the Illini’s Pierre Thomas is averaging nearly 6 ypc and has gained 475 yards ... Illinois head coach Ron Zook is a 1976 graduate of MAC member Miami University and was all-MAC in 1975 as a defensive back

Nick’s Pick: Illinois 21 – Ohio 13

Line: Illinois by 6

Related VanDelaySports.com Links:

Week #6 MAC Football recap

2006 MAC Football Pigskin Preview

2006 Preseason All-VanDelay team