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Nick's 2005 MAC Football Picks - Week #4 Picks
published 09.19.2005, updated 09.20.05
Use these "quick links" to jump to the date of the game you want or scroll down the page for your favorite MAC matchups!
Wednesday Game: Bowling Green @ Boise State
Saturday Games: Eastern Michigan @ Central Michigan, Western Michigan @ Temple, Kent @ Ohio, Northern Illinois @ Akron
MAC QUICK NOTES
MAC WEST DIVISION:
Central Michigan has a chance to take the top spot in the league standings this week as the Chippewas put their 1-0 conference record on the line at home against rival Eastern Michigan. For EMU and fellow division member Northern Illinois (at Akron), it is the conference opener for 2005.
MAC EAST DIVISION:
A key division encounter pits Kent State at Ohio in the MAC debut of Bobcat mentor Frank Solich. The Golden Flashes dropped their conference opener last week to Miami. Akron hosts West Division power Northern Illinois in the Zips' league opener.
MIDWEEK IN THE MAC:
Two preseason league favorites will meet Wednesday night on ESPN2 when Bowling Green plays at WAC member Boise State. The MAC has two additional key non-conference matchups on ESPN2 this month - Toledo at Fresno State on Sept. 27 (Tuesday) and Miami hosting Cincinnati on Sept. 28 (Wednesday). A conference matchup will be featured Oct. 5 (Wednesday) with Miami at Northern Illinois on ESPN2.
MAC Player Notes and Quick Facts:
- CMU DE Dan Bazuin has five QB sacks and forced three fumbles in three games this season.
- Miami’s Martin Nance has three 100-yard games since returning from last year’s season ending injury.
- Miami’s Brandon Murphy rushed for 172 yards on 31 attempts last week at Kent State, marking the RedHawks best rushing performance since 2001. Murphy had seven carries of 10-yards or more in that contest.
- CMU can start 2-0 in MAC play for the first time since 1998 if they beat EMU this week.
- True freshman walk-on Dustin Duclo (WMU) had two INTs in just his third collegiate game on Saturday vs. SIU.
- Toledo’s Keon Jackson returned his 4rth career INT for a TD against Temple, tying a conference career record with BG’s Melvin Marshall (1982-1985) & Miami’s Dustin Cohen (1996-1999).
- Toledo’s Bruce Gradkowski became the schools all time leading passer this past weekend at Temple. He now ranks #11 in total passing yards in the MAC, and should surpass BG’s Josh Harris and EMU’s Charlie Batch in his next game.
- After Ohio’s 16-10 OT thriller over Pitt, the MAC now stands 8-3 overall in over-time games against non-conference opponents.
WEDNESDAY - September 21
Bowling Green (1-1, 1-0 MAC) @ Boise State (0-2, 0-0 WAC) - 6 pm MT
Television: ESPN2 (Dave Barnett, play-by-play; Craig James, commentary; Anne Marie Anderson, sideline reporter).
Site: Boise, Idaho - Bronco Stadium (30,000/Blue Astro Turf)
Series: First meeting.
Coaches: BGSU-Gregg Brandon (21-7, 3rd season); BSU-Dan Hawkins (44-9, 5th season at BSU; 84-20-1, 10th season overall).
Game Notes:
- Both teams came into the season with high expectations and lost early - BG at Wisconsin and Boise State at Georgia.
- This is Boise State's home opener as the Broncos have also played at Oregon State.
- This matchup features two top QBs in BG's Omar Jacobs and BSU's Jared Zabransky - Jacobs has thrown for 51 TDs with 6 picks the last 14 games as a starter while Zabransky rushed for 13 TDs and passed for 16 last year during an 11-1 season.
Nick’s Pick: Boise State 56 – BGSU 49
Line: Boise State by 9
Comment: From an entertainment standpoint, this game should be a real thriller for anyone who likes offense. In fact, the last team with the ball just may win the game. Two teams with lofty preseason expectations hope to use this game as the spring board to get back into the national spotlight. Give the nod to the home team "blue-turf" Broncos.
SATURDAY - September 24
Eastern Michigan (1-2, 0-0 MAC) @ Central Michigan (1-2, 1-0 Big Ten) - 1 pm
Television: Comcast Local (Ben Holden, play-by-play; Rob Otto, commentary).
Site: Mount Pleasant, Mich. - Kelly/Shorts Stadium (30,199/Field Turf)
Series: CMU leads 52-24-6 ... the Eagles won last year in a 61-58 four-overtime contest at Ford Field ... CMU had won the three meetings prior to 2004.
Coaches: EMU-Jeff Genyk (5-9, 2nd season); CMU-Brian Kelly (5-9, 2nd season at CMU; 123-44-2, 15th season overall).
Game Notes:
- A key West Division game as the Chippewas can go to 2-0 in MAC play with a win.
- EMU was 4-4 in league play last year and defeated CMU 61-58 in 4 OTs last year.
- Both teams are on the plus side of the turnover margin (EMU +3, CMU +2).
- CMU freshman Ontario Sneed is third in the MAC in rushing (88.3 ypg).
- Eagles QB Matt Bohnet has thrown just one interception in 94 pass attempts.
Nick’s Pick: Central 38 – Eastern 34 (1 OT)
Line: Central by 3
Comment: Last year’s contest was an offensive orgy and this year’s game will likely be more of the same. In a rivalry game with two teams doing a good job of rebuilding, you’ve got to give the nod to the home team. Central looks to have a slightly better defense than EMU, which could be the difference. Certainly should be a fun game to attend.
Western Michigan (1-2, 0-1 MAC) @ Temple (0-3, Independent) - 1 pm
Television: CN8/Comcast Local (Brian Webber, play-by-play; Bill Osborne, commentary; Gregg Murphy sideline reporter).
Site: Philadelphia, Pa. - Lincoln Financial Field (68,532/Natural Grass)
Series: WMU leads 2-1 ... the last meeting was a 34-14 Bronco win in 1997 ... Temple won 49-17 in 1986 but later forfeited the game due to use of an ineligible player.
Coaches: WMU-Bill Cubit (1-2, 1st season at WMU; 35-20-1, 6th season overall); Temple-Bobby Wallace (19-63, eighth season at TU; 101-99-1, 18th season overall).
Game Notes:
- Western Michigan snapped a 12-game losing streak last week, beating Southern Illinois 34-28.
- Temple dropped a 42-17 decision to Toledo in the first of four games vs. MAC opponents this season.
- WMU's Greg Jennings had two TD receptions to tie the school's all-time record of 27 he shares with Steve Neal (1997-00).
- Jennings leads the MAC with 33 receptions for 337 yards.
- Temple had several first-year players perform well in the loss to Toledo - WR Bruce Gordon (8 rec., 103 yards), QB Colin Clancy (6-9, 85 yards, 1 TD) and FS Garrett Schultz (11 tackles).
Nick’s Pick: Line: Comment: This is the only game that Temple has any shot to win so expect them to play hard from the get-go. Western has too much offensive fire power with Jennings & Company to be slowed down. Getting a much needed win over SIU is just what the Broncos needed to build their confidence and get a road win over the Owls. |
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Kent State (1-2, 0-1 MAC) @ Ohio (1-2, 0-0 MAC) - 2 pm
Site: Athens, Ohio - Peden Stadium (24,000 Field Turf)
Series: Ohio leads 35-20-2 ... KSU has won the last two meetings and three of the last four ... the series has been continuous since 1949 ... KSU has won the last two meetings in Athens.
Coaches: KSU-Doug Martin (6-8, 2nd season); OU-Frank Solich (1-2, first year at OU; 59-21, 8th season overall).
Game Notes:
- Kent State is averaging just 23.0 yards per game rushing while the Bobcats have allowed 186.7 ypg rushing against a schedule of Northwestern, Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech ... Ohio ranks fourth in the MAC in total defense (431.0 ypg allowed) and is second in sacks (8).
- Kent State QB Michael Machen is fourth in the league in passing yards per game at 255.7.
- The Golden Flashes have won their last two MAC road games dating back to last year.
Nick’s Pick: Ohio 28 – Kent State 21
Line: Ohio by 4
Comment: Ohio returns home to face Kent State, a team that has beaten the Bobcats three of the last four years. Of course, Brian Knorr was the coach then and now Ohio has a real leader in Frank Solich. Kent State has a pathetic running game right now and will rely too heavily on the pass and Ohio has some very good DBs. Look for the Bobcats to win and hold off a late rally by the Golden Flashes.
Northern Illinois (1-2, 0-0 MAC) @ Akron (1-1, 0-0 MAC) - 6 pm
Site: Akron, Ohio - Rubber Bowl (31,000/Astro Play)
Series: NIU leads 5-3 ... the Huskies have won the last two meetings, including a 49-19 triumph last season.
Coaches: NIU-Joe Novak (48-57, 10th season); UA-J.D. Brookhart (7-6, 2nd season).
Game Notes:
- The game should be a contrast as it features the league's top rusher -- Garret Wolfe of NIU (151.3 ypg) -- and leader in all-purpose yards -- Domenik Hixon of UA (214.5 ypg), while at the same time offering the MAC's No. 2 and No. 3 squads in total defense, respectively, Akron (344.5 ypg) and NIU (384.7 ypg).
- Whom ever can hang onto the ball may win as Akron is -3 and NIU -5 in the turnover department, the two worse ratings in the MAC.
Nick’s Pick: Line: Comment: Akron had a nice and rare road win at MTSU last week while the Huskies should certainly be 2-1 at this point in time. NIU has a more veteran team and more talent and should be able to get a road win at the Rubber Bowl. A better indicator for this young Zip team how close do they play a MAC heavy-weight at home. |
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