MAC Recap: Nick’s Picks
November 23rd, 2008 by Nick Gerogosian
NIU at Kent State
Actual Score: NIU 42 – Kent State 14
Nick’s Pick: NIU 21 – Kent State 18
Pre Game Comment: Something has to give tonight as Kent State is one of the best rushing teams in the MAC versus a NIU defense that is one of the best against the run. The Huskies are still playing for a possible bowl bid and need this game more than the Golden Flashes. While KSU does have a team more talented than their record indicates, they have been a hard luck team for two-straight seasons losing several nail-biters. This could be another potential Kent State win that gets away.
Post Game Comment: NIU scored 21-points in the 3rd quarter to break open a close game. Kent State continue their fumble issues losing three of four. NIU had nearly a 10-minute advantage in time of possession in a snowy mid-weeknight game in cold and blustery NE Ohio.
Ball State at Central Michigan
Actual Score: Ball State 31 – Central Michigan 24
Nick’s Pick: Ball State 28 – Central Michigan 24
Pre Game Comment: The two best teams in the MAC collide in what should be an epic and historic game. Ball State is a path that may lead them to a BCS bowl while Central Michigan is closing in on their third straight MAC title, something that hasn’t been done since Marshall pulled the trigger in the late 1990s. Both teams have prolific quarterbacks and offenses but don’t be surprised if the defenses step up and play big. Ball State is looking to make amends after getting blown out at home last season against the ‘Chips. Picking against Central at home is a dangerous one.
Post Game Comment: This game certainly lived up to the hype in another very cold and blustery mid-Michigan night. CMU had more total offense (466-407) but Ball State made the plays at the critical times. CMU’s Dan LeFevour threw for 345 yards and rushed for 75 more while Ball State’s MiQuale Lewis was a workhorse rushing for a career high 177 yards.
Buffalo at BGSU
Actual Score: Buffalo 40- BGSU 34 (2 OTs)
Nick’s Pick: Buffalo 31 – BGSU 20
Pre Game Comment: The Bulls are on a collision course for their first bowl game in their program’s history. The Falcons have not played well at home but did put up a good defensive performance against Ohio last week. UB’s rushing game will prove to be too much for BG.
Post Game Comment: BGSU blew another 4th quarter lead but this time the Falcons were ahead by 20-points with about 11-minutes remaining before a monumental collapse. UB scored 20-unsawserd points in the 4th quarter and then won in double-OT to clinch their first ever MACC game and bowl bid. Congrats to the Bulls, not long ago dubbed ‘the worst team in college football.’ Not any more under Coach Turner Gill.
Miami at Toledo
Actual Score: Toledo 42 – Miami 14
Nick’s Pick: Toledo 23 – Miami 21
Pre Game Comment: Shockingly both teams, each with excellent football histories and MAC championship trophies on the mantel, limp into this contest at 2-8. Toledo’s defense and special teams have been awful this season while Miami has struggled to score points. Toledo’s Tom Amstutz has just two games left at Toledo before his resignation takes affect while Miami’s Shane Montgomery may be shown the door too at seasons end.
Post Game Comment: Toledo’s Morgan Williams rushed for a school-record 330-yards and the Rocket had six rushing TDs in a romp over a very under-performing Miami squad.
EMU at Temple
Actual Score: Temple 55 – EMU 52
Nick’s Pick: Temple 23 – EMU 10
Pre Game Comment: Temple has a real shot at a 5-7 season, something to celebrate along Broad Street as Al Golden’s building project continues to slowly progress forward. EMU has been a hard luck team most of the season and doesn’t have the offense to match Temple’s skilled defense.
Post Game Comment: One a surprisingly high scoring affair, Temple passed for 370 yards while EMU passed for 484 in a 55-52 thriller. Together the teams combined for 989-yards of total offense.
Akron at Ohio
Actual Score: Ohio 49 – Akron 42
Nick’s Pick: Akron 33 – Ohio 24
Pre Game Comment: This game will come down to “want-to.” Akron will “want-to” win this game more since they still have an outside shot at a MAC bowl game while Ohio is barely staying afloat. The Zips may surprise all preseason publications and finish with a winning season.
Post Game Comment: Akron outplayed the Bobcats but OU scored TDs on a punt return and a kickoff return to win in Athens. Despite this high scoring affair, Akron had only 374-yards of total offense while Ohio mustered up just 313.
Nick’s Picks went 5-1 this week (83%) and is now 74-23 year-to-date (76%)
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