Nick's 2005 MAC Football Picks - Week #3 Picks

The Mid-American Conference: "The Cradle of Coaches"

SATURDAY - September 17

Eastern Michigan (1-1, 0-0 MAC) @ #14 Michigan (1-1, 0-0 Big Ten) - 12 pm

Television: ESPNU (Wayne Larrivee, play-by-play; Randy Wright, commentary; Quint Kesenich, sideline reporter). Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 110.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. - Michigan Stadium (107,501/Field Turf)

Series: UM leads 6-0 ... the most recent meeting was a 59-20 Wolverine triumph in 1998 ... all six meetings have been played in Ann Arbor.

Coaches: EMU-Jeff Genyk (5-8, 2nd season); UM-Lloyd Carr (96-30, 11th season).

Game Notes:

Last week in its 31-10 win over Louisiana-Lafayette, EMU held an opponent to 10 points for the first time since 1998.
Michigan, playing its third consecutive home game, is coming off a 17-10 loss to Notre Dame.
After allowing a MAC worse 41.6 points per game last year, the Eagle defense has given up just 19.0 ppg through the first two games of 2005.
Matt Bohnet has not thrown an interception (69 attempts) this year.

Comment:

Not a good week to play Michigan after the tough loss to Notre Dame. The battle of “Washtenaw County” won’t last long, but EMU has enough talent not to be totally embarrassed.

Nick’s Pick:
Michigan 45 - EMU 13

Line:
Michigan by 30

Toledo (2-0, 0-0 MAC) @ Temple (0-2, Independent) - 1 pm

Television: CN8/Comcast Local (Brian Webber, play-by-play; Bill Osborne, commentary; and Gregg Murphy sideline reporter).

Site: Philadelphia, Pa. - Lincoln Financial Field (68,532/Natural Grass) Series: Toledo leads 5-2 ... the Rockets have won the last three, including last year's contest 45-17.

Coaches: UT-Tom Amstutz (38-15, 5th year); Temple-Bobby Wallace (19-62, eighth season at TU; 101-98-1, 18th season overall).

Game Notes :

This will be the first of three consecutive games for the Owls against a MAC opponent (WMU and BG will follow).
It also marks the Owls home opener and TU is 3-5 in home openers under Bobby Wallace.
Toledo QB Bruce Gradkowski (7,228) needs 39 passing yards to become the school's all-time leader (Gene Swick, 7,266, 1972-75).

Comment:

Temple’s 2005 football team is pathetic at best. If Toledo’s offense gets rolling early, this could be another major blow out for the Owls. Temple needs to create many turnovers to have any shot.

Nick’s Pick:
Toledo 59 - Temple 21

Line:
Toledo by 30

Ball State (0-2, 0-0 MAC) @ Auburn (1-1, 1-0 SEC) - 1:30 pm

Site: Auburn, Ala. - Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451/Natural Grass)

Series: Auburn leads 1-0 ... the Tigers won 30-0 in 2001 in the only meeting.

Coaches: BSU-Brady Hoke (6-19, third season); UA-Tommy Tubberville (52-25, 7th season at UA; 77-45, 12th season overall).

Game Notes :

This is the third of five consecutive home games to open the season for Auburn.
Last week both teams opened their respective conference schedule - Ball State losing 40-31 at Bowling Green and Auburn a 28-0 victor over Mississippi State.
Cardinals QB Joey Lynch is third in the MAC in passing efficiency (30-43, 321 yards, 4 TDs, 2 int., 153.9 rating).

Comment:

Ball State cannot continue to play schedules like this. After a good showing against Bowling Green, the trip to Auburn could get real ugly. If the offense continues to play well, there is a shot at respectability in the final score.

Nick’s Pick:
Auburn 44 – Ball State 14

Line:
Auburn by 38

Related VanDelaySports.com Links:

The Mid-American Conference: "The Cradle of Coaches"

Ohio (1-1, 0-0 MAC) @ #4 Virginia Tech (2-0, 2-0 ACC) - 3:30 pm

Television: ESPNU (Dave Armstrong, play-by-play; Mike Tomczak, commentary); XM Satellite Radio, Channel 191.

Site: Blacksburg, Va. - Lane Stadium (66,233/Natural Grass)

Series: VT leads 2-0 ... the Hokies won in 1971 (37-29) and 1972 (53-21).

Coaches: OU-Frank Solich (1-1, first year at OU; 59-20, 8th season overall); VT-Frank Beamer-137-77-2, 19th year at VT; 179-100-4, 25th season overall).

Game Notes :

The Bobcats are coming off a 16-10 overtime win at home over Big East foe Pittsburgh.
The Hokies are undefeated after two conference road games to open the season - 20-16 at N.C. State and 45-0 at Duke.
Ohio CB Dion Byrum returned two interceptions for a touchdown last week, including an 85 yard dash to end the game, and was honored as Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week.
After three turnovers in the season opener at Northwestern, the Bobcats had no miscues against the Panthers.

Comment:

Ohio got the Hokie’s attention with their home win over Pitt. Unlike Pitt, V-Tech not only has talent but they have a coach who knows what he is doing. Ohio’s offense has done little thus far and their defense cannot continue to be on the field so long against a team like VT and expect good results.

Nick’s Pick:
Va. Tech 35 - Ohio 7

Line:
Virginia Tech by 34

Central Michigan (1-1, 1-0 MAC) at Penn State (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) - 3:30 pm

Television: ESPN Plus/ESPN 360 (Doug Graber, commentary; play-by-play to be announced).

Site: University Park, Pa. - Beaver Stadium (107,282/Natural Grass)

Series: First Meeting.

Coaches: CMU-Brian Kelly (5-8, 2nd season at CMU; 123-43-2, 15th season overall); PSU-Joe Paterno (345-116-3, 40th season).

Game Notes :

Nittany Lion mentor Joe Paterno will be coaching his 465th game as head coach.
Penn State will be playing its third consecutive home game after wins over BIG EAST members South Florida (23-13) and Cincinnati (42-24).
The Chippewas topped two-time defending MAC East champion Miami 38-37 last week.
CMU ranks third in the MAC in total offense (476.0 ypg) after averaging 395.5 ypg last year.
Defensively, CMU is allowing a MAC best 25.0 percent (8 of 32) on third down conversions.

Comment:

Central Michigan’s confidence is sky-high after a rare road win at Miami (O). In fact, CMU should be 2-0 as they did outplay Indiana in week #1 but failed in the “red zone” several times in the first half. The ‘Chips are the best OOC team PSU faces this season and CMU may put a real scare into the Happy Valley faithful.

Nick’s Pick:
Penn State 35 – Central Michigan 27

Line:
Penn State by 23

Tenn. Tech (1-1, 0-0 OVC) at Northern Illinois (0-2, 0-0 MAC) - 3:05 pm (CST)

Television: Comcast SportsNet Chicago (Dave Kaplan, play-by-play; Tom Waddle, commentary; Brad Hoey, sideline reporter).

Site: DeKalb, Ill. - Huskie Stadium (28,000/Field Turf)

Series: NIU leads 1-0 ... the Huskies won 42-17 in 2003 in DeKalb.

Coaches: TT-Mike Hennigan (49-51, 10th season); NIU-Joe Novak (47-57, 10th season).

Game Notes :

The Huskies play their 2005 home opener and have won five consecutive home openers.
TB Garrett Wolfe leads the nation in rushing at 196.5 ypg and produced his fifth career 200-yard game Saturday at Northwestern with 245 yards.
Quince Holman has three blocked kicks this year, one at Northwestern (FG) and two at Michigan (PAT, FG).
Tennessee Tech beat Lambuth last week 52-10.
NIU has suffered seven turnovers (5 fumbles, 2 int.) in two games this season after 12 total turnovers in 12 games last year (11 int., 1 fumble).

Comment:

After facing two strong Big Ten teams, NIU returns home for a breather against a I-AA team that isn’t very good. The Huskies should be able to name the score here if they stay focused.

Nick’s Pick:
Northern Illinois 49– Tenn. Tech 17

Line:
NL

Related VanDelaySports.com Links:

The Mid-American Conference: "The Cradle of Coaches"

Miami (0-2, 0-1 MAC) @ Kent State (1-1, 0-0 MAC) - 4 p.m.

Site: Kent, Ohio - Dix Stadium (29,287/ Field Turf)

Series: Miami leads 42-10 ... the RedHawks have won the last three and 15 of the last 16 meetings ... the series has been continuous since 1955.

Coaches: KSU-Doug Martin (6-7, 2nd season); MU-Shane Montgomery (0-2, 1st season).

Game Notes :

The RedHawks were surprised last week by Central Michigan, 38-37, but won last year's East Division title after a 1-1 league start.
Kent State has lost four of its last five conference openers.
The game will feature one of the league's top pass rushers - KSU DL Justin Parrish (16 sacks in last 13 games) - vs. one of the top passing QBs for Miami - Josh Betts (395 yards and 3 TDs last week).
KSU led the league in defense last year (310.9 ypg) but ranks 10th after two weeks into 2005 (490.0 ypg).
Miami has lost four games in a row dating back to last year.
RedHawks WRs Ryne Robinson (124.0 ypg) and Martin Nance (105.0 ypg) are averaging 8.0 receptions per game each.

Comment:

Miami faces a must win this week for any chance to repeat as the divisional champion. Kent State has not looked very good this year yet and facing a hungry RedHawk team is not good for the Flashes. Look for Miami to win in a relatively close contest.

Nick’s Pick:
Miami 35 – Kent State 26

Line:
Miami by 6

Related VanDelaySports.com Links:

The Mid-American Conference: "The Cradle of Coaches"

Akron (0-1, 0-0 MAC) @ Middle Tenn. St. (0-2, 0-1 Sun Belt) - 4 pm

Site: Murfreesboro, Tenn. - Floyd Stadium (30,788/Artificial Turf)

Series: MTSU leads 7-1 ... the Blue Raiders have won the last five, including last year's game 31-24 in Akron.

Coaches: UA-J.D. Brookhart (6-6, 2nd season); MTSU-Andy McCollum (30-40, 7th season).

Game Notes :

The Zips opened the 2005 campaign last week at No. 15 Purdue with a 49-24 loss.
Luke Getsy debuted at QB for Akron with 25 completions in 44 attempts for 283 yards, 2 TDs and no interceptions.
Jason Montgomery grabbed three touchdown passes (5 rec., 154 yards) and Domenik Hixon added 221 all-purpose yards (79 rec., 154 kickoff returns).
MTSU has dropped games to North Texas (14-7) and Alabama (26-7).

Comment:

MTSU outplayed North Texas last week but lost on a 99-yard INT for a TD. The Blue Raiders are a good team and the Sun Belt Conference has had success against the MAC over the past two years. Last season Akron lost at home to MTSU 31-24 even though the Zips had Charlie Frye.

Nick’s Pick:
MTSU 28 - Akron 20

Line:
MTSU by 7

S. Illinois (2-0, 0-0 Gateway) at Western Michigan (0-2, 0-1 MAC) - 7 pm

Site: Kalamazoo, Mich. - Waldo Stadium (30,200/NeXturf)

Series: First Meeting.

Coaches: SIU-Jerry Kill (27-22, 5th season; 76-47, 13th season overall); WMU-Bill Cubit (0-2, 1st season at WMU; 34-20-1, 6th season overall).

Game Notes:

This game marks the Broncos home opener for 2005 after losses at Virginia and Toledo.
WR Greg Jennings leads the nation with 24 receptions.
QB Ryan Cubit started vs. Toledo after missing the season opener due to injury and completed 20 of 33 pass attempts for 215 yards.
WMU hasn't lost a home opener since 1996.
SIU has outscored its two opponents (SEMO and Union) 140-10.

Comment:

Southern Illinois is one of the best I-AA teams in the land so this game is certainly no pushover for the Broncos. After getting lit up for 56 points at Toledo last week, look for the Bronco “D” to rebound. SIU beat SEMS 58-23 where as Kent State beat SEMS 33-12 last week for an indicator. Look for Western to win a hard fought thriller against a good football team on any level. This should be the most entertaining MAC contest of the weekend.

Nick’s Pick:
Western Michigan 31 - SIU 28

Line:
NL

Rutgers (1-1, 0-0 Big East) at Buffalo (0-2, 0-0 MAC) - 8 pm

Television: YES Network (Dave Weekley, play-by-play; Bob Pruett, commentary)

Site: Buffalo, N.Y. - UB Stadium (29,013/Sport Exe)

Series: RU leads 3-1 ... the Scarlet Knights won the most recent meeting, that in 2003, 24-10 ... UB's triumph came in 2002, 34-11, in New Brunswick, N.J.

Coaches: RU-Greg Schinao (13-35, 5th season); UB-Jim Hofher (51-77, 13th season overall; 7-41, 5th season at UB).

Game Notes:

UB is at home after road losses at Connecticut and Syracuse.
The Bulls have yet to score a point this season, but rank sixth defensively in the MAC in scoring defense (34.5 ppg allowed) and fifth in total defense (454.5 ypg allowed).
DE Aaron Sanders is tied for first in the MAC with three sacks and leads in tackles for a loss with 6.5.

Comment:

Is this the week that UB scores some points? After two straight shut outs vs. middle of the road Big East teams, UB returns home where they hope the offense can get going after two putrid performances. Buffalo is not quite as talented as Rutgers but thus far have played extremely poorly even by UB standards. If the Bulls bring their “A” game, they could pull off a minor upset.

Nick’s Pick:
Rutgers 31 – Buffalo 7

Line:
Rutgers by 21

Related VanDelaySports.com Links:

The Mid-American Conference: "The Cradle of Coaches"