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Nick's Picks 2005 - Week #1 Picks
Use these "quick links" to jump to the date of the game you want or scroll down the page for your favorite MAC matchups!
Thursday Games: WIU @ Toledo - EMU @ UC - TU @ ASU - Buffalo @ UCONN
Friday Games: Indiana @ Central Michigan
Saturday Games: Ohio @ NU - BSU @ Iowa - BGSU @ Wisconsin - Kent @ MSU -
Miami @ OSU - NIU @ Michigan - WMU @ Virginia
MAC QUICK NOTES
NEW LOOK:
The MAC will have a shift in its makeup of divisions as Bowling Green returns to the East after three years in the West (2002-04). The move was made necessary with the departure of Marshall and UCF to C-USA.
INSTANT REPLAY:
The MAC will implement a one year experimental instant replay process for all league games for 2005. The IR system may also be used for selected non-conference games with other leagues that also implement IR. Every IA conference except the WAC and Sun Belt will use IR in 2005. For MAC games, only the Technical Advisor can review a play and only from video that comes directly from the television network broadcasting the game. Non televised conference games will have video for replay purposes as arranged by the MAC Office.
MAC VS RANKED TEAMS:
Five MAC teams, as well as Temple University (MAC member effective 2007) will face a ranked team opening weekend. Northern Illinois tangles with No. 4 (A.P.)/No. 4 (ESPN/USA TODAY Coaches Poll) Michigan in a showdown with the highest ranked opponent this weekend. Miami is at No. 6/No. 9 Ohio State, Ball State is at No. 11/No. 10 Iowa, Western Michigan is at No. 25/No. 23 Virginia, and Temple is at No. 20/No. 18 Arizona State.
MAC VS. BIG TEN:
Seven MAC teams open up this weekend with a Big Ten opponent and an eighth, Akron (at Purdue) opens its season next week. Central Michigan hosts its first ever Big Ten foe at Kelly/Shorts Stadium when Indiana University faces the Chippewas Friday night. Saturday contests are Ball State at Iowa, Bowling Green at Wisconsin, Ohio at Northwestern, Miami at Ohio State, Kent State at Michigan State and Northern Illinois at Michigan. With 10 games scheduled against Big Ten opponents, this marks the fifth consecutive season there have been at least 10 regular season matchups between the two leagues.
HOGEBOOM STARS AGAIN:
Former Central Michigan quarterback Gary Hogeboom is one of 16 participants in the CBS’s Survivor: Guatemala. The show is scheduled to premier Sept. 15. Hogeboom was the MAC’s 1979 offensive player of the year before playing in the NFL for 10 seasons.
ON THE SIDELINE:
Three MAC head coaches will debut with their new team Saturday. Former Nebraska (1998-2003) head coach Frank Solich takes his Ohio Bobcats into Northwestern, Miami’s Shane Montgomery will coach his first-ever game as a head coach vs. Ohio State, and Bill Cubit, with five years as head coach at Widener (1992-96) begins his tenure as head coach with Western Michigan when the Broncos play at Virginia. Last year’s MAC crop of first-year head coaches included the league’s Coach of the Year in Akron’s J.D. Brookhart; Doug Martin of Kent State, who guided the Golden Flashes to a season-ending four wins in a row, the longest winning streak at the school since 1976; and Brian Kelly of Central Michigan and Jeff Genyk at Eastern Michigan, both of whom directed their respective squad to two more league wins than the previous season.
POST SEASON:
The ninth annual MAC Championship game will take place Thursday, Dec. 1 at Ford Field in Detroit. The MAC has tie-ins to two bowl games - the GMAC Bowl Dec. 21 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. and the Motor City Bowl Dec. 26 at Ford Field.
THURSDAY - September 1
Western Illinois (0-0, 0-0 Gateway) at Toledo (0-0, 0-0 MAC) - 7:00
2004 Records: WIU (4-7, 2-5 Gateway); UT-(9-4, 7-1 MAC)
Television: BCSN Tape delay at 11 p.m. Thursday.
Site: Toledo, Ohio - Glass Bowl (26,248/NeXturf)
Series: First meeting
Game Notes:
This will be the first game in history at a MAC home stadium where instant replay will be used.
The Rockets have won their last five home openers, including 13 straight at home and 30 of their last 31 home games
UT QB Bruce Gradkowski has back-to-back seasons of 70 percent plus in pass completions.
UT’s ground game produced 26 TDs last year and was the lone MAC offense to reach 25 scores in both passing (28) and via the ground.
The Leathernecks went 4-7 with a 56-17 loss at Nebraska as their lone IA contest but are 4-0 against the MAC since 1999
Comment: Western Illinois has had tremendous success against the MAC since 1999 going 4-0. This is certainly their most difficult task to date as the Rockets are one of the league’s premier teams and have the talent to crack the national top-25 this season. UT should roll in this game by WIU does have some solid players, especially their RB.
Nick’s Pick: Toledo 41 – WIU 17
Line: NL
Eastern Michigan (0-0, 0-0 MAC) at Cincinnati (0-0, 0-0 Big East) - 7:00
2004 Records: EMU (4-7, 4-4 MAC); UC (7-5, 5-3 C-USA)
Site: Cincinnati, Ohio - Nippert Stadium (35,000/Field Turf)
Series: First meeting
Game Notes:
This contest marks UC’s debut in the Big East.
EMU last won its season road opener in 1998 at Ball State.
EMU senior center Mike Romeli enters 2005 with 26 consecutive starts.
This is EMU’s 30th season as a member of the MAC.
Eagles QB Matt Bohnet could hook up with his brother, TE Ken Bohnet, who was switched from his previous QB position.
UC was 2-0 vs. MAC teams last year (Miami, Marshall).
Comment: This is a game Eastern Michigan can win as Cincy replaces several starters from last year’s squad. Given that EMU had been dreadful on defense for quite some time, it’s difficult to pick a mild upset here. EMU can outscore this team if their offense gets going early, but look for Cincy for win a close contest.
Nick’s Pick: Cincy 31 – EMU 24
Line: Cincy by 10
Temple (0-0, Independent) at No. 20/18 Arizona State (0-0, 0-0 PAC 10) - 7:00
2004 Records: TU (2-9, 1-5 Big East); ASU (9-3, 5-3 PAC 10)
Television: FSN Arizona (Trey Bender play-by-play, Danny White commentary)
Site: Tempe, Az. - Sun Devil Stadium (71,706/Natural Grass)
Series: First meeting
Game Notes:
TheOwls return just eight starters but have 31 seniors listed on the depth chart.
Temple QB Mike McGann ranks third all-time at the school in career passing yards (4,498).
The Owls are looking to snap a 21-game losing streak against nationally-ranked opponents - Temple’s last victory over a ranked club was a 28-24 upset of No. 10/14 Virginia Tech in 1998.
The Owls are also looking to snap an eight road game losing streak.
Comment: This is the first time I have picked Temple as a conference member, or affiliate. Temple has some talent but they are in way over their head playing a very talented Arizona State team. ASU should be able to crush the Owls.
Nick’s Pick: ASU 45 – Temple 20
Line: ASU by 27
Buffalo (0-0, 0-0 MAC) at Connecticut (0-0, 0-0 Big East) - 7:30
2004 Records: UB (2-9, 2-6 MAC); UConn (3-3 Big East)
Site: Storrs, Conn. - Rentschler Field (40,000/Natural Grass)
Series: UConn leads 11-4 and has won the last three meetings.
Game Notes:
UB ended the 2004 season with a 29-0 loss to the Huskies at Rentschler Field - the two teams have met continuously since 1999 with the Huskies holding a 5-1 advantage during that time.
Junior Stewart Sampsel takes over at QB for the Bulls but did not take a snap in a game last year and played in one game in 2003 vs. Toledo.
UB’s top four RBs return - led by Steven King and Chris McDuffie.
UConn will also start a new QB for the first time in four years.
Comment: Buffalo finally has some solid upperclassmen in their two-deep line up but they are facing a Huskie team that has recruited very well over the past two or three years. UB’s defense and running game should make it interesting but UConn will win in a low scoring contest.
Nick’s Pick: UConn 20 – Buffalo 10
Line: UConn by 18
FRIDAY - September 2
Indiana (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten) at Central Michigan (0-0, 0-0 MAC) - 7:30
2004 Records: IU (3-8, 1-7 Big Ten); CMU (4-7, 3-5 MAC)
Television: ESPNU (Craig Coshun, play-by-play; Stephen Bardo, commentary).
Site: Mount Pleasant, Mich. - Kelly/Shorts Stadium (30,199/Field Turf)
Series: IU leads 2-0.
Game Notes:
Former Miami University head coach Terry Hoeppner makes his debut with the Hoosiers.
This marks the first time ever for a Big Ten opponent at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
CMU has veteran leadership at QB in Kent Smith (2,284 yards, 16 TDs in 2005) but will be without suspended RB Jerry Seymour (1,284 yards, 5 TDs).
CMU has won eight straight home openers.
CMU DE Dan Bazuin blocked a conference-best four kicks in 2004.
Comment:
All summer long this forum felt that CMU would pull a mild upset here. Upon further review, this Indiana team is a little deeper that the ‘Chips and will likely pull off a rare road win for this program. This is a game Central Michigan can win though.
Nick’s Pick: Indiana 31 – CMU 27
Line: Indiana by 9
SATURDAY - September 3
Ball State (0-0, 0-0 MAC) at No. 11/10 Iowa (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten) - 11 a.m. (CT)
2004 Records: BSU (2-9, 2-6 MAC); Iowa (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten)
Television: ESPN Plus (Larry Morgan, play-by-play; Marv Cook, commentary).
Site: Iowa City, Iowa - Kinnick Stadium (70,397/Natural Grass)
Series: First Meeting
Game Notes:
This marks the first of three non-conference games for the Cardinals of which the opponent was in a bowl last year (Boston College and Auburn).
BSU last won a non-conference road game in 2002 at Connecticut.
Cardinals QB Joey Lynch finished strong last year with 63-of-96 (65.5 percent) of his pass attempts for 747 yards, eight touchdowns and just one interception in the last three games.
BSU plays four of its first five games on the road.
Comment:
This is the beginning of a murderous schedule for the Ball State Cardinals. Sadly, they are facing one of the best teams in the nation and Iowa should be able to name the score.
Nick’s Pick: Iowa 52 – Ball State 7
Line: Iowa by 39
Bowling Green (0-0, 0-0 MAC) at Wisconsin (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten) - 11 a.m. (CT)
2004 Records: BGSU (9-3, 6-2 MAC); UW (9-3, 6-2, Big Ten)
Television: ESPN (Mark Jones, play-by-play; Chris Spielman, commentary; Rob Stone, sideline).
Site: Madison, Wisc. - Camp Randall Stadium (80,360/Field Turf)
Series: UW leads 1-0 ... the Badgers won 39-18 on Sept. 19, 1992.
Game Notes:
BGSU is 3-1 vs. the Big Ten since 2001.
UW’s Barry Alvarez is 11-0 all-time against MAC opponents.
BGSU returns a 4,000 yard passer - Omar Jacobs (4,002 and 41 TDs) and a 1,000 yard rusher (P.J. Pope, 1,098, 15 TDs).
The Badgers dropped their last three games of 2004 by a combined 103-42 margin.
This is the Badgers first game since Alvarez announced his retirement from coaching following this season.
Comment: It is very rare that a MAC team has a chance to really beat up a Big Ten team, especially on the road, but this is one of those rare cases. BGSU is loaded on offense and Wisconsin does not have the horses to keep up with the Falcons. Bowling Green may even have a bigger margin of victory than predicted below.
Nick’s Pick: BGSU 35 – Wisconsin 21
Line: Wisconsin by 4
Ohio (0-0, 0-0 MAC) at Northwestern (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten) - 11 a.m. (CT)
2004 Records: OU (4-7, 2-6 MAC); NU (6-6, 5-3 Big Ten)
Television: ESPNU (Mike Adamle, play-by-play; Randy Wright, commentary)
Site: Evanston, Ill. - Ryan Field (47,130/Natural Grass)
Series: tied 1-1.
Game Notes:
Frank Solich makes his debut as the Bobcats head coach.
This marks the 1,000th game in Ohio history.
Junior quarterback Austen Everson will get the starting nod in the opener - Saturday will be Everson’s fifth career start, but the first time he will start the opener.
In his first career start in 2003, Everson was named MAC Player of the Week for his 130 yards and three touchdowns rushing and 118 passing yards and a TD vs. UCF.
Junior CB T.J. Wright has 26 passes defended the last two years, the most in the league during that time.
NU mentor Randy Walker formerly coached in the MAC as Miami’s head coach (1990-98).
All three of OU’s non-conference opponents are from BCS leagues (also Pittsburgh, Big East, and Virginia Tech, ACC) for the first time ever.
Comment:This is a very intriguing game. Frank Solich’s return to coaching and Northwestern fighting to get bowl eligible this season. Expect a very physical contest where the Wildcats pull away in the 4th quarter.
Nick’s Pick: Northwestern 27 – Ohio 14
Line: Northwestern by 15
Miami (0-0, 0-0 MAC) at No. 6/9 Ohio State (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten) - Noon
2004 Records: MIA (8-5, 7-1 MAC); OSU (8-4, 4-4 Big Ten)
Television: ABC (Mike Tirico, play-by-play; Tim Brant, commentary; Sam Ryan, sideline)
Site: Columbus, Ohio - Ohio Stadium (101,568/Grass)
Series: OSU leads 3-0 ... the most recent meeting was in 2000, a 27-16 Buckeyes win.
Game Notes:
RedHawk head coach Shane Montgomery makes his head coaching debut.
The Miami program is 2-6 vs. Big Ten opponents since 1999.
The RedHawks return 18 starters, including QB Josh Betts (23 TDs, 3,495 yards) and 2004 MAC Special Teams Player of the Year Ryne Robinson (14.0 ypr and 5 TDs on punts; team-leading 64 rec., 932 yards, 4 TDs).
The Buckeyes won five of their final six games in 2004.
Comment: Miami just may pull off the upset of the Buckeyes here as they field one of the league’s best teams and Ohio State historically plays close contests with their MAC foes. Ohio State always finds a way to make a play or two to pull away late and I expect that to happen again. If Miami does win, don’t be too surprised. This is a very talented team and the Buckeyes maybe looking to the Texas game next week.
Nick’s Pick: OSU 27 – Miami 17
Line: Ohio State by 16
Kent State (0-0, 0-0 MAC) at Michigan State (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten) - Noon
2004 Records: KSU (5-6, 4-4 MAC); MSU (5-7, 4-4 Big Ten)
Television: ESPN Plus (Mark Neely, play-by-play, Chris Martin, analyst)
Broadband: ESPN360
Site: Lansing, Mich. - Spartan Stadium (75,005/Natural Grass)
Series: First Meeting
Game Notes:
The Golden Flashes begin the season with the league’s longest current winning streak with four straight.
Michael Machen makes his start at QB for KSU - Machen is a former minor league pitcher (2 years with the Braves, 1 year with the Orioles) and is a transfer from the University of Alabama
LB Justin Parrish, who had 14 sacks last year, returns on defense.
KSU had the MAC’s No. 1 overall defense last year.
MSU dropped four of its last five games in 2004.
KSU is 0-6 all-time vs. Big Ten opponents.
Comment: This is by far the most difficult game to predict since MSU is such a ‘Jeckle & Hyde’ type of team. You just never know what you will get from these guys. KSU has the defense to hold them in check but so little is known of Michael Machen, who takes over at QB for all-everything Josh Cribbs. Expect an ugly game.
Nick’s Pick: Michigan State 23 – Kent State 12
Line: MSU by 18
Northern Illinois (0-0, 0-0 MAC) at No. 4/4 Michigan (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten) - 3:30
2004 Records: NIU (9-3, 7-1 MAC); UM (9-3, 7-1 Big Ten)
Television: ABC (Terry Gannon, play-by-play; Jamal Anderson, commentary; Scott Walker, sideline)
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. - Michigan Stadium (107,501)
Series: First Meeting
Game Notes:
Both teams return 15 starters from last year and each squad went 9-3 in 2004.
Phil Horvath takes over as the fulltime starter for the Huskies after three starts among his seven appearances last year (72-of-123, 954 yards, 6 TDs, 7 int.).
MAC rushing leader Garrett Wolfe (1,656 yards, 18 TDs) is back to both anchor and balance the NIU offense.
UM looks to snap a two-game losing streak.
A Huskie win would give the MAC a win over its highest ranked opponent ever.
Comment: NIU is a very good team that usually plays BCS teams tough. Michigan always has their way with MAC teams and should have little trouble against a very good NIU team.
Nick’s Pick: Michigan 35 – NIU 14
Line: Michigan by 19
Western Michigan (0-0, 0-0 MAC) at No. 23/25 Virginia (0-0, 0-0 ACC) - 6:00
2004 Records: WMU (1-10, 0-8 MAC); UVa (8-4, 5-3 ACC)
Broadband: ESPN360
Site: Charlottesville, Va. - Scott Stadium (61,500)
Series: UVa leads 1-0 ... UVa won 59-16 in 2003.
Game Notes:
Bill Cubit makes his debut as the Broncos head coach.
WMU dropped its last 10 games of 2004.
Three of those losses were by four points or less, including one at Illinois.
Ryan Cubit, the son of the head coach, begins his second season as the starting QB for WMU.
Broncos WR/PR Greg Jennings has 3,550 career all-purpose yards with longs of 94 yards (rec.), 93 yards (pr) and 76 yards (kor).
Comment: I expect WMU to be a much better this season but they are facing a top-15 team in Virginia. The Cavs are much better at almost every position and should be able to win this game by a large margin in Bill Cubit’s debut.
Nick’s Pick: Virginia 48 – WMU 17
Line: Virginia by 33
