2006 Mid-American Conference Football Picks

November 17 - Friday
*Eastern Michigan at Kent State, 6:00
*Central Michigan at Northern Illinois, 7:00 (CT) - ESPNU

November 18 – Saturday
Buffalo at No. 12/No. 10 Wisconsin, 11 a.m. (CT) - ESPNU
Western Michigan at Florida State, 2:00 - ESPN360

West Division:
Central Michigan will represent the West Division in the 2006 Marathon MAC Football Championship game Nov. 30 at Ford Field in Detroit. The Chippewas earned their first-ever trip to the league’s championship game via its 31-7 win over Western Michigan on Saturday. The Chippewas are 6-0 in conference play and hold a two-game lead and the tiebreaker over Western Michigan (4-2) with two league games remaining. All other MAC West teams have at least three losses.

East Division:
Ohio (5-1) has a chance to secure the East Division spot in the Marathon MAC Championship game slated for Nov. 30, should the Bobcats beat Akron on Thursday (Nov. 16). The Bobcats hold a one-game lead, and also the tiebreaker, versus second place Kent State (4-2). Kent State, Akron and Bowling Green all will remain alive in the race should Ohio lose to Akron on Thursday.

Five Straight:
MAC football games will be featured on five consecutive days this week. MAC television partner ESPN2 and ESPNU will air a MAC game every day this week starting on Tuesday (see schedule below).

Looking Ahead:
Next week will be the final regular season with all 12 MAC teams in conference play. Tuesday, November 21, will feature Bowling Green and Toledo at The Glass Bowl. Saturday, November 24, has Northern Illinois at Eastern Michigan, Ohio at Miami, Kent State at Ball State, Central Michigan at Buffalo and Western Michigan at Akron.

Cats on the Run:
One more win this season would give Ohio 8 wins in a season for the first time since 1997 (8-3). Ohio’s Kalvin McRae has five consecutive games with 100-plus rushing yards. McRae’s 6 games with 100-plus rushing yards this season ties Northern Illinois Garrett Wolfe for the most in the MAC.

Closing In On A Record:
Western Michigan’s Ameer Ismail is one sack shy of tying the MAC record held by Dan Bazuin (Central Michigan, 2005) and Jonathan Goddard (Marshall, 2004).

Record Chasers:
Eastern Michigan PK Andrew Wellock has 67 career field goals, just seven shy of the MAC all-time mark of 73 held by Northern Illinois’ Steve Azar (2000-03). Miami WR Ryne Robinson is 80 receiving yards shy of reaching 3,600 for his career, which would put him into third place all-time behind Marshall’s Darius Watts (4,031 yards, 2000-03) and Josh Davis (3,889 yards, 2001-04). Eastern Michigan WR Eric Deslauriers has 235 career receptions, tied for sixth all-time in MAC history. Northern Illinois’ head coach Joe Novak has 58 wins overall as a MAC head coach, tying him with Bill Doolittle (WMU, 1964-74) for 12th place all-time and a win away from tying Randy Walker (Miami, 1990-98). Central Michigan Dan Bazuin recorded two sacks in Saturday’s 31-7 win over Western Michigan to boost his career total to 33, the third highest in MAC history. The record is 38 held by Western Michigan’s Jason Babin (2000-03). Bazuin also has two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Eagles Honored:
Two Eastern Michigan players have made the semifinal lists for post-season awards. Senior place-kicker Andrew Wellock is one of the 20 finalists for the Lou Groza Award while redshirt freshman punter Zach Johnson is one of the 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter.

Jackson Makes The List:
Ball State PK Brian Jackson is one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award.

Tuesday, November 14

Ball State 3-7 (3-3) @ Toledo (4-6, 2-4) - 7 pm

Series: Toledo leads 16-14-1 ... the Rockets have won the last two games and three of the last four ... UT has also won the last five games played at the Glass Bowl.

Coaches: BSU-Brady Hoke (13-31, fourth season); UT-Tom Amstutz (49-24, sixth season).

Notes:
The Rockets have won their last two games and if they can close out the season with two wins (host Bowling Green next week) they will avoid their first losing season since a 4-7 season in 1993 ... Ball State’s most recent outing was a Nov. 4 loss at No. 2 Michigan 34-26 ... the Cardinals’ 27.6 ppg is the second best in the MAC and is fueled by freshman quarterback Nate Davis, who leads the league in passing efficiency at 150.6 (119-of-186, 64.0 pct., 1,495 yards, 15 TDs, 7 int.) ... BSU’s rushing game, however, ranks last in the MAC at 82.2 ypg ... Toledo’s ground game received 131 yards from Jalen Parmele in the 17-13 win at Northern Illinois on Nov. 7 ... for Parmele it was his third game with 100-plus yards this season ... Rocket WR Steve Odom has a reception in 47 consecutive games which is the second longest streak in MAC history behind the league record of 51 held by Miami’s Michael Larkin (2001-04).

Comment: Toledo is on a late season roll and has a real shot at a .500 record. Ball State nearly pulled off the stunner of stunners at Michigan on November 4th. Both teams feature two very talented true freshmen leading their teams and UT has only lost three home games in the past seven seasons. Give the nod to Toledo at home.

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Miami (1-9, 1-5 MAC) at Bowling Green (4-6, 3-3 MAC) - 7:30 pm

Series: Miami leads 38-19-5 ... Bowling Green’s 42-14 win last year snapped the RedHawks’ six-game winning streak in the series.

Coaches: MIA-Shane Montgomery (8-13, second season); BG-Gregg Brandon (30-17, fourth season).

Notes:
Miami is coming off a 27-24 loss at Western Michigan, its second consecutive three-point defeat ... the RedHawks have lost their five MAC games by a combined 20 points ... WR Ryne Robinson had 10 receptions for 180 yards and now ranks fourth all-time in MAC history in receptions with 241 and fifth in receiving yards with 3,520 ... in addition, Robinson needs 85 yards in punt return yards to become the NCAA all-time leader in that category (has 1,677, the record is 1,761 by Wes Welker of Texas Tech from 2000-03) ... QB Mike Kokal leads the MAC in passing yards per game at 234.3 ... BG tops the MAC rushing charts with 191.5 ypg with Chris Bullock’s 80.9 ypg leading the team and has averaged 100.7 ypg in the last seven games ...the balanced BG rushing game also features Freddie Barnes (40.5 ypg), Anthony Turner (46.2 ypg) and Dan Macon (38.7 ypg) ... this will be just the fourth game for BG on its home field as the team has played seven road games and an eighth at a neutral site (vs. Wisconsin at Brown Stadium in Cleveland) ... BG can finish at .500 with a win vs. Miami and next week vs. Toledo ... the Falcons have produced five consecutive winning campaigns since going 2-9 in 2000 ... BG is third in the MAC with 23 sacks while Miami has allowed a league-high 43 sacks.

Comment: This is a difficult game to pick since Miami has had a tremendous amount of injuries this season and currently has less than 70 scholarship players dressing. Bowling Green has been a very up and down team this year and has their fare share of youth. All in all – this game is a true pick ‘em. With so many close defeats this season you have to thing that the RedHawks are more than due to win a close game.

Akron 5-5 (3-3) at Ohio 7-3 (5-1) - 7:30 pm

Series: Akron leads 11-10-1 ... the Zips have won the last three meetings and six of the last seven ... since Akron joined the MAC in 1992 the Zips have an 8-6 advantage.

Coaches: UA-J.D. Brookhart (18-15, third season); OU-Frank Solich (69-29, eighth season overall; 11-10, second season at school).

Notes:
A win by Ohio will propel the Bobcats into the Marathon MAC Championship game Nov. 30 vs. West Division champion Central Michigan ... Akron has won its last two games and three of its last four to remain in the running for an East Division title should the Zips beat Ohio ... the Bobcats have won five consecutive games, their longest winning streak since a six-game winning streak in 1997 when they were coached by current Wake Forest mentor Jim Grobe ... Akron QB Luke Getsy is coming off a four-touchdown performance in the Zips 31-16 win over Buffalo, boosting his season total to 17 TD passes, second most in the MAC ... Ohio leads the MAC in scoring defense, allowing just 16.3 ppg, the lowest total by a MAC team since Toledo gave up just 11.4 ppg in 2000 ... this game offers two of the top rushers in the MAC ... Akron’s Dennis Kennedy is averaging 95.3 ypg and has scored 9 TDs while Ohio’s Kalvin McRae is averaging 82.3 ypg with 11 TDs to his credit ... in Ohio’s five-game winning streak McRae has rushed for 581 yards (116 ypg) and scored 8 TDs ... in Akron’s last four games Kennedy has gained 529 yards (132 ypg) and scored 5 TDs ... Akron freshman David Harvey is second in the MAC in all-purpose yards (130.6 ypg) and is receiving yards per game (87.4).

Comment: With a Bobcat win Ohio will play Central Michigan in the MAC Championship Game and likely receive a GMAC Bowl bid. A loss would put a huge wrench into the east division standings and give the Zips a chance to repeat. Akron’s biggest problem has been penalties – look for one or two inopportune flags to really kill Akron at the wrong time. Don’t look know but the "Marching 110" will be going to Mobile.

Eastern Michigan 1-9, (1-5) at Kent State 5-5 (4-2) - 6:00

Series: Tied 13-13 ... the teams have split the last four meetings ... the teams met every year from 1973-98 and then not again until 2004 ... EMU won last year in Ypsilanti 27-20 ... KSU last won in 2004, 69-17 at Dix Stadium.

Coaches: EMU-Jeff Genyk (9-23, third season); KSU-Doug Martin (11-21, third season).

Notes:
Kent State has dropped its last three games after a solid 5-2 start ... the Golden Flashes have been outscored 81-21 during that time ... regular QB Julian Edelman missed last week’s 23-0 loss to Virginia Tech but is scheduled to return vs. EMU ... the Eagles dropped a 49-21 decision to Navy last week in a game played at Ford Field ... in MAC games the Eagles have played it close as their last five MAC games have been decided by 7 (in overtime), 3, 4, 3 and 6 points ... redshirt freshman Andy Schmitt was returned to starter at QB last week and responded with 220 passing yards, completing 24-of-37 attempts and also rushing for 89 yards ... Eric Deslauriers needs five receptions to move into the MAC’s all-time top five ... true freshman Andre Hatchett made his second career start at LB and responded with 15 tackles vs. the Midshipmen ...KSU DB Jack Williams has a league-leading five forced fumbles and the Golden Flashes 22 gained turnovers (11 fumble recoveries, 11 interceptions) is second in the MAC.

Comment: Kent State looked to have their first bowl opportunity since 1972 locked up three weeks ago but with three straight losses that has now become a long shot. Eastern continues to battle most MAC teams well but usually falls short of victory. Kent really needs to win their final two games for any hope of a bowl birth in either the Poinsettia Bowl or Birmingham Bowl – both of which may be reaches.

Central Michigan (7-3, 6-0) at Northern Illinois (5-5, 3-3) - 7 pm CT

Series: CMU leads 21-19-1 ... the Huskies have won the last eight meetings ... CMU’s last win was in 1997, 44-10 ... the Chippewas last win in DeKalb came in 1977, 25-21.

Coaches: CMU- CMU-Brian Kelly (17-15, third season at school; 135-50-2, 16th season overall); NIU-Joe Novak (59-65, 11th season).

Notes:
The Chippewas have secured a spot in the league’s championship game and will now look to enhance their record with a perfect 8-0 MAC season ... since divisional play began in 1997, 8-0 slates have been compiled by Marshall (1999 and 2001) and Miami (2003) ... the Chippewas’ five-game winning streak is the school’s longest since a six-game victory run in 1994 ... the Huskies have dropped two in a row and three of their last four as they try and reach bowl eligible status ... Garrett Wolfe leads the MAC in rushing with 153.3 ypg but has been held to less then 50 ypg in the last four games ... in NIU’s most recent games, a 17-13 loss to Toledo on Nov. 7, Britt Davis grabbed a career-high 9 passes for 163 yards with five of those receptions and 113 yards coming in the fourth quarter ... NIU is also looking to extend its consecutive seasons with a winning record to seven ... CMU has clinched back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1990-91 ... Chippewa freshman QB Dan LeFevour has a MAC best 18 TDs and completing 62.0 percent (170-of-274) of his attempts for 2,044 yards ... NIU’s Phil Horvath has completed 58.1 percent (151-of-260) of his attempts for 1,863 yards and 11 TDs.

Comment: NIU’s home loss last week all but assures the Huskies that they will not receive a bowl bid this year – a huge disappointment to this resurging program under Joe Novak. Central has already won the West division and will represent the MAC in the Motor City Bowl this January. The ‘Chips continue to role and will win a close contest.

Buffalo 2-8 (1-6 MAC) at #10 Wisconsin 10-1 (7-1 Big Ten) - 11 a.m. (CT)

Coaches: UB-Turner Gill (2-8, first season); UW-Bret Bielema (10-1, first season).

Notes:
The Badgers’ have won seven in a row and their only loss is to the current No. 2 ranked team Michigan, 27-13 on Sept. 23 ... UW beat Bowling Green 35-14 in the season opener at Browns Stadium in Cleveland ... the Bulls last played on Nov. 9, a Thursday, in a 31-16 loss at Akron ... the Badgers are the third ranked team that the Bulls will play this year (Auburn, Boston College) ... Buffalo TE Chad Upshaw has a streak of 20 consecutive games with a reception ... in the Akron loss, RB Steven King rushed for two touchdowns ... James Stark ranks eighth in the MAC with his 65.7 ypg average ... freshman FL Naaman Roosevelt had a career high seven receptions for 53 yards ... Wisconsin is second in the Big Ten in scoring offense (29.8 ppg) and in total defense (251.2 ypg allowed) ... the Badgers feature the nation’s fifth leading rusher in P.J. Hill (131.6 ypg) ... QB John Stocco has 15 TD passes and just four interceptions.

Comment: Wisconsin can win 11 games for the first time ever and that is basically their only motivation with rare non-conference game to end their regular season. The Badgers will be getting a major bowl bid and basically will go through the motions and save their best players for this contest. UB has a chance for a respectable outing if they can play error-free football.

Western Michigan 7-3 (5-2 MAC) @ Florida St. 5-5 (3-5 ACC) - 2 pm

Coaches: WMU-Bill Cubit (14-7, second season at school; 48-20-1, eighth season overall); FSU-Bobby Bowden (364-112-4, 41st season overall; 291-80-4, 31st season at school)

Notes:
The Broncos had their four-game winning streak snapped it last week’s 31-7 loss at Central Michigan ...the Seminoles are coming off a 30-0 loss to Wake Forest ... FSU’s first four losses were by 7, 4, 5 and 3 points ... the Seminoles have lost thee of their last four games ... Bronco freshman RB Brandon West had a career-high 117 rushing yards on a career-best 22 carries last week ... West has rushed for 283 yards in the last three games for an average of 94.3 ypg ... Ameer Ismail is one sack away from tying the MAC single-season record of 16 ... Ryan Cubit leads the MAC in pass completion pct. at 64.3 percent (157-of-244) ... Mark Bonds is second in rushing yards per game with 96.6 ... Florida State is -8 in turnovers this season while WMU is at +10 ... the Seminoles’ 234 passing yards per game is second in the ACC ... last week FSU suffered its first home shutout in Bobby Bowden’s 31 years as a head coach with the Seminoles.

Nick's 2006 MAC Football Picks - Week #12 Picks

Tuesday, November 14

Ball State 3-7 (3-3) @ Toledo (4-6, 2-4) - 7 pm

Miami (1-9, 1-5 MAC) at Bowling Green (4-6, 3-3 MAC) - 7:30 pm

Akron 5-5 (3-3) at Ohio 7-3 (5-1) - 7:30 pm

Eastern Michigan 1-9, (1-5) at Kent State 5-5 (4-2) - 6:00

Central Michigan (7-3, 6-0) at Northern Illinois (5-5, 3-3) - 7 pm CT

Buffalo 2-8 (1-6 MAC) at #10 Wisconsin 10-1 (7-1 Big Ten) - 11 a.m. (CT)

Western Michigan 7-3 (5-2 MAC) @ Florida St. 5-5 (3-5 ACC) - 2 pm