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Nick's 2006 MAC Football Picks - Week #10 Recap

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Ball State @ #2 Michigan

Nick’s Pick: Michigan 45 – Ball State 7

Actual Score: Michigan 34 – Ball State 26

Line: Michigan by 34

Pre Game Comment: Michigan has dominated the MAC every season, regardless of if the MAC opponent is a top team or bottom-feeder. Plain and simple – this is a money game for the Cardinals and the only way the score looks respectable is if Coach Lloyd Carr shows mercy to one of his former assistance coaches, Brady Hoke.

Post Game Comment: Ball State nearly pulled off the greatest non-conference MAC victory ever. Even though Michigan dominated the stats, the Cardinals had a chance to tie the game in the final minute. Tremendous effort by Ball State in the loss.

Kent State @ Buffalo

Nick’s Pick: Kent State 27 – Buffalo 10

Actual Score: Buffalo 41 – Kent State 14

Line: Kent State by 14

Pre Game Comment: After last week’s setback the Golden Flashes are still within a game of winning the division and the opportunity to go to their first bowl since 1972 is right in front of them. Look for Coach Doug Martin to have his troops ready to go and to continue their fine season at UB. Also, look for the Bulls to play their first "good" game in several weeks.

Post Game Comment: No this final score was not a misprint. After jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the second quarter, Buffalo forced five turnovers and outscored the Golden Flashes 38-0 in the second half.

Ohio @ Eastern Michigan

Nick’s Pick: Ohio 21 – Eastern Michigan 19

Actual Score: Ohio 16 – Eastern Michigan 10

Line: Ohio by 6.5

Pre Game Comment: For two straight seasons the Eagles have been the hard luck team of the MAC. EMU could have and should have been 7-4 last season, and once again EMU has let at least three games get away in the 4th quarter that they easily could have won. Ohio is riding high right now to win the East division, but just when you think the Bobcats will finally get over the hump and become a dominant team in the league, they end up struggling against a bottom level team. Look for this contest to be a dog-fight with Ohio winning ugly and EMU losing another heartbreaker.

Post Game Comment: The hard luck Eagles lost yet another game by less than a touchdown. Kalvin McRae powered an Ohio ground attack that rolled up 278 yards as he totaled 141 yards on 23 carries while producing his fifth straight 100-yard rushing game.

Bowling Green @ Akron

Nick’s Pick: Akron 28 – BGSU 17

Actual Score: Akron 35 – BGSU 28

Line: Akron by 9

Pre Game Comment: At the beginning of the season this game looked to be a major contest to determine who would win the East division. Both teams have been a disappointment this year with Akron’s conference record being a real surprise. Since both teams are now playing for pride, give the nod to the home team since they have more experience. After last week’s loss at Temple Coach Brandon provided a lot of excuses for that setback but few answers.

Post Game Comment: Dennis Kennedy rushed for 178 yards and two touchdowns and Luke Getsy passed for 248 yards and two TDs to David Harvey. Falcon QB Anthony Turner passed for 192 yards and rushed for 105.

Central Michigan @ Temple

Nick’s Pick: Central Michigan 34 – Temple 17

Actual Score: Central Michigan 42 – Temple 26

Line: Central by 19

Pre Game Comment: Temple is on "Cloud-9" right now after their first win in over two seasons against future MAC East rival Bowling Green. Central was idle last week and has had two weeks to prepare for this game. Look for the ‘Chips to be a little rusty at first and then pull away from the Owls in the second half.

Post Game Comment: Central jumped out to a 28-0 lead and cruised for a victory in Philadelphia. Dan LeFevour threw four touchdown passes and ran for a fifth while Ontario Sneed accounted for 233 yards of total offense and four touchdowns.

Miami @ Western Michigan

Nick’s Pick: Western Michigan 33 – Miami 21

Actual Score: Western Michigan 27 – Miami 24

Line: Western by 10.5

Pre Game Comment: Western had a close call against in-state rival Eastern Michigan last week while Miami lost a home heartbreaker to Ball State. Western’s defense is very solid right now giving up just 18-points per game while Miami has had trouble scoring and is producing the same 18-points per game. Western’s offense at home should be able to roll and win by double digits.

Post Game Comment: Nate Meyer kicked a 21-yard field goal with 1:16 left to cap an 18-play, 84-yard drive as Western Michigan beat Miami. Western Michigan's Mark Bonds rushed for a career-high 142 yards on 28 carries while tight end Brandon Ledbetter tallied nine catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns, all career highs. Ryne Robinson had his third 10-catch game of the season for Miami - a personal best 180 receiving yards - giving him 1,001 yards for the season.