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Nick's 2006 MAC Football Picks - Week #13 Recap

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Bowling Green @ Toledo

Nick’s Pick: Toledo 27 – Bowling Green 20

Actual Score: Toledo 31 – Bowling Green 21

Line: Toledo by 6

Pre Game Comment: Both teams enter this intense rivalry game trying to salvage something positive from an otherwise disappointing season. The Falcons can run the ball very well while Toledo is more susceptible to the pass. The Rockets have yet to get any sort of rhythm offensively this year. Expect a close game and give the nod to the home team, especially since Gregg Brandon doesn’t seem to understand this rivalry quite as well as Tom Amstutz.

Post Game Comment: "Toledo Tom" just understands this rivalry more than Gregg Brandon – period. In a final game for seniors and a season that each team would like to forget, Tom Amstutz was able to raise his record to 3-1 against Gregg Brandon. UT jumped out to a 21-0 lead and coasted for the win. Jalen Parmele had 125-yards rushing while BG’s Corey Partridge had a career game with 14 receptions for 161 yards.

Northern Illinois @ Eastern Michigan

Nick’s Pick: NIU 28 – Eastern Michigan 16

Actual Score: NIU 27 – Eastern Michigan 0

Line: NIU by 7

Pre Game Comment: NIU has slim hopes for a possible post season bowl bid and senior tailback Garrett Wolfe would love to go out in style this weekend at Eastern. The Eagles continue to lose close games and even though the program is much better under this coaching staff, wins have been few and far between. The Huskies will win by a comfortable margin.

Post Game Comment: It remains to be seen if NIU will get a bowl bid but at least Garrett Wolfe had another big day to end his college career rushing for 164 yards. EMU managed just seven first downs and 112 yards of total offense while NIU held the ball for over 37 minutes.

Ohio @ Miami

Nick’s Pick: Ohio 24 – Miami 17

Actual Score: Ohio 34 – Miami 24

Line: Ohio by 3

Pre Game Comment: Miami dodged a bullet and actually won a close contest last week at BG. Ohio has already earned the right to play in the MAC Championship Game and have a chance to have the league’s best overall record. They will be receiving their first bowl bid since 1968 very soon and the Bobcats have the confidence and talent to get a rare win in Oxford – but the game will be close.

Post Game Comment: As predicted, the Bobcats got a rare win in Oxford and won their ninth game of the year, the most since 1968. Kalvin McRae rushed for 180 yards as Ohio rushed for 304 yards as a team. Miami’s Ryne Robinson ended a splendid college career with eight receptions for 91 yards and one TD. He is a talented and class act that will be missed by this league.

Kent State @ Ball State

Nick’s Pick: Ball State 28 – Kent State 14

Actual Score: Ball State 30 – Kent State 6

Line: Ball State by 3.5

Pre Game Comment: Just like last season, Ball State is peaking late in the year. QB Nate Davis is been terrific and the Cardinals have a lot of perimeter speed. Kent State seems content on not having a losing season and there is little to no interest in the Golden Flashes for any sort of postseason play. Ball State will have two quality MAC wins to end the season.

Post Game Comment: Kent State seemed content just to have a non-losing season and it showed as Ball State dominated the Golden Flashes. This is the second straight year that the Cardinals finished a season strong. Nate Davis threw for 268 yards while Darius Hill had five receptions for 116 yards. The Cardinals also had big outings from Larry Bostic and Donte Love.

Central Michigan @ Buffalo

Nick’s Pick: Central Michigan 35 – Buffalo 13

Actual Score: Central Michigan 55 – Buffalo 28

Line: Central Michigan by 17

Pre Game Comment: Central learned the hard way last week in DeKalb to bring your “A” game every week in MAC play or else. They end the season in Buffalo against an improved UB squad – but the ‘Chips have much more firepower. Expect a close game for three quarters before Coach Kelly fires up the troops and a fine 8-4 season.

Post Game Comment: The ‘Chips led 55-14 in the third period and coasted to an easy victory in Buffalo. Dan LeFevour was 14-16 for 294 yards and Brian Brunner was 1-2 for 50 yards as Central rolled with 346-yards passing. Chad Upshaw had another nice game for the Bulls.

Western Michigan @ Akron

Nick’s Pick: Western Michigan 23 – Akron 13

Actual Score: Western Michigan 17 – Akron 0

Line: Akron by 2

Pre Game Comment: During the final week of the season if often comes down to “want to” – and the Broncos will have more “want to” since a likely bowl birth could be on the line. A victory by Western gives them an 8-4 record and with their win over ACC Virginia, WMU would be a difficult candidate to pass up by the new International Bowl. Akron has a solid team but never got on track this season after winning the MAC title last year. Western’s pass defense will cause Luke Getsy all sorts of problems and the Broncos will then be heading to the International Bowl.

Post Game Comment: The reigning MAC champ went out like a lamb being shut out at home to a very solid Western Michigan team. The Broncos held the ball for over 35-minutes and held Akron to -13 yards rushing and just 119 yards of total offense.