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Nick's 2006 MAC Football Picks - Week #11 Recap

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Toledo @ Northern Illinois

Nick’s Pick: NIU 37 – Toledo 24

Actual Score: Toledo 17 – NIU 13

Line: NIU by 11

Pre Game Comment: The Rockets got a much needed win nearly two weeks ago against Akron while NIU lost a tough game at Iowa. The Huskies have more at stake here since they have a shot at gaining a 4 th bowl birth for the MAC should the opportunity arise. Toledo is still going through growing pains and has yet to win a road game this year. Look for NIU to beat their former nemesis for the second straight season.

Post Game Comment: I was really surprised to see UT pull this game out. NIU had the ball on the 2-yard line in the final forty seconds but could not get a TD to win. Jalen Parmele had a huge night for the Rockets rushing for 131 yards as Toledo surprising out-rushed the Huskies 238-23. NIU has become the league’s most disappointing team this year considering the talents of Garrett Wolfe.

Buffalo @ Akron

Nick’s Pick: Akron 31 – Buffalo 16

Actual Score: Akron 31 – Buffalo 16

Line: Akron by 17

Pre Game Comment: Buffalo had an impressive win over Kent State last week while Akron rebounded from a loss at Toledo to beat BGSU. The Zips have never lost to UB even though there have been some close games through the years. At this point in time, Akron has more talent – give the nod to the Zips at home.

Post Game Comment: This game went exactly as predicted. David Harvey hauled in six passes for 143-yards and two TDs. He is a top candidate for a earning a ‘MAC Freshman of the Year Award’ next month.

Western Michigan @ Central Michigan

Nick’s Pick: Central 30 – Western 27 (2 OTs)

Actual Score: Central 31 – Western 7

Line: Central by 6

Pre Game Comment: This is the MAC ‘game of the year folks.’ Sure there have been some very good games to date but these are the two best teams in the league this year. Western has a solid defense and the knack to win close games. Central continues to improve every week and both programs feature extremely talented coaching staffs. Give the nod to the home team in one of the MAC’s most intense rivalries.

Post Game Comment: Central broke open a close game in the second half to earn their first MAC West title and will appear in the MAC Championship game on November 30th. With this victory look for the ‘Chips to get an invitation to the Motor City Bowl in January. Marcel Archer had three TD runs in the second half as Central Michigan capitalized on three Bronco turnovers. A terrific crowd in excess of 30K initially attended before awful weather throughout the contest made the attendance quite sparse by the game’s end.

Navy @ Eastern Michigan

Nick’s Pick: Eastern Michigan 24 – Navy 21

Actual Score: Navy 49 – Eastern 21

Line: Navy by 13

Pre Game Comment: This pick is nothing more than a hunch. At some point, the Eagles have to get lucky and win a close game and why not against a solid team like Navy. Navy is well on their way to a fourth straight bowl birth and has Army coming up in three weeks. Is Navy really going to be taking Eastern very seriously? It’s a gut feeling – I’m picking EMU.

Post Game Comment: I picked this game on a hope that the Eagles could pull off a stunner. Navy was by far the better team and dominated Eastern rushing for 353 yards and putting up 474 in total offense. The Navy QB was 7-9 passing for 151 yards as the Midshipmen averaged 7.3 yards per offensive play.

Kent State @ Virginia Tech

Nick’s Pick: V-Tech 42 – Kent State 10

Actual Score: V-Tech 23 – Kent State 0

Line: V-Tech by 28

Pre Game Comment: Two weeks ago I would have predicted this game to be much closer but the Golden Flashes have been anything but ‘golden’ over the past two weeks. Turnovers and penalties have killed KSU against Ohio and Buffalo and now they are facing an extremely talented Hokie program. KSU has the talent to make this game but football is about momentum and confidence and right now Virginia Tech is light-years ahead of Kent State in those categories. V-Tech should romp.

Post Game Comment: Give Kent State credit for hanging with the 20th ranked Hokies in Blacksburg. The KSU defense only gave up 16 points while V-Tech scored one defensive touchdown. Even though the Golden Flashes failed to score, they did play a solid game against a very talented team in an extremely hostile environment.