MAC Weekly Re-Cap
October 12th, 2009 by Nick Gerogosian
Eastern Michigan at Central Michigan
Nick’s Pick: Central 37 – Eastern 21
Actual Score: Central 56 – Eastern 8
Pre Game Comment: As good as Central has been and as bad as Eastern has been; the Eagles have won four of the past five including two-straight in this intra-state series. That will change Saturday as the ‘Chips have far too much firepower and will jump on EMU early in this contest.
Post Game Comment: As expected, Central crushed the Eagles behind Dan LeFevour’s 362-yards of total offense; he was directly involved in five touchdowns. Kito Poblah and Antonio Brown each had over 100-yards in receiving for CMU as the ‘Chips had 521-yards of total offense to just 255 for Eastern.
Miami at Northwestern
Nick’s Pick: Northwestern 28 – Miami 14
Actual Score: Northwestern 16 – Miami 6
Pre Game Comment: The RedHawks have found a keeper in QB Dysert and if they cut down on their mistakes, mainly turnovers, they could make this game interesting. The Wildcats struggled to beat Eastern Michigan last month.
Post Game Comment:As expected, Miami played the Wildcats tough in Evanston and had a chance to make the game really interesting if they had executed their two-point play in the game’s final minute and covered the onside kick. The RedHawk had four turnovers and nearly as much total offense as NU; 319-302.
Ball State at Temple
Nick’s Pick: Temple 24 – Ball State 21
Actual Score: Temple 24 – Ball State 19
Pre Game Comment: Ball State played well last week in their gut-wrenching loss to Toledo. The Cardinals are playing better football with such a young offensive line. Temple continues to build confidence with every win and this middle part of schedule is set up for several wins. Expect a close game.
Post Game Comment: As expected, this was a lower scoring game (by MAC standards) and Temple’s defense was the determining factor for another Owl victory. TU’s Bernard Pierce rushed for 125-yards but Temple could only muster up 292-yards of total offense. Ball State put up 290 but Temple held on to the ball for over thirty-seven minutes. Ball State committed five turnovers.
BGSU at Kent State
Nick’s Pick: BGSU 30 – Kent State 26
Actual Score: BGSU 36 – Kent State 35
Pre Game Comment: Few MAC series are as one-sided as this one. The Falcons have lost three seven-point contests they could have won while Kent State took advantage of Miami miscues to win at home last week. BG has more offensive weapons and that will be the difference in the game.
Post Game Comment: Yes, “BG has more offensive weapons” and as expected, the Falcons pulled out a road win to continue their annual dominance over the Golden Flashes. KSU led by twelve midway through the forth period before falling apart. BG’s Tyler Sheehan threw for 505 yards with Freddie Barnes catching 22 passes for 278 yards. The Falcons had the ball for nearly 38-minutes to just 22 for KSU as the BGSU had a huge advantage in total offense; 548 – 343.
Gardner Webb at Buffalo
Nick’s Pick: Buffalo 35 – GW 19
Actual Score: Buffalo 40 – GW 3
Pre Game Comment: Gardner Webb is a respectable program that will not be a push over for the Bulls. GW lost at NC State earlier in the year 45-14. Surprisingly since UB has become a IA member they have never beaten a team from the I-AA ranks.
Post Game Comment: As expected, this was a feel-good game for Buffalo and they took advantage of a lower tier team for much needed domination game. Ike Nduka rushed for 131 yards while Brandon Thermilus added 82. QB Zach Maynard (photo left, thanks Icon SMI) was 16 of 20 for 232-yards with Brett Hamlin catching six of those passes for 132-yards.
Western Michigan at Toledo
Nick’s Pick: Toledo 44 – Western 31
Actual Score: Western 58 – Toledo 26
Pre Game Comment: Football is a game about confidence and the past three years the Broncos have had the confidence factor on their side and beat the Rockets each time. This year the tide has turned, Toledo is riding high and Western is clearly the most disappointing team in the MAC this season. Toledo may just blow out WMU at home.
Post Game Comment: Whoo-nilly! This was not at all as expected. Consider Western just lost at NIU 38-3 but put up 58 on Toledo one week later; 41 of those points in the first quarter? No, we didn’t see that one coming at all. Kudos to the Broncos for going on the road and earning the demolition of the Rockets early and often. Tim Hiller threw for 270-yards, Brandon West rushed for 153 yards and Jordon White had 117-yards receiving. Toledo’s Aaron Opelt suffered an injury and currently his future playing status is unknown.
Ohio at Akron
Nick’s Pick: Ohio 27 – Akron 21
Actual Score: Ohio 19 – Akron 7
Pre Game Comment: This marks the very first on campus homecoming game for Akron since 1937. The Zips have had two weeks to prepare for this contest and to get their QB situation settled after the Chris Jacquemain issues. Ohio is on a path to win the MAC east and a road victory this week followed by two home games against Miami and Kent State will propel them into that position. One game at a time though; expect OU to win in a close contest.
Post Game Comment: Back to – as expected. As expected, Ohio turned in a quality defensive effort and beat a much maligned Akron team that very easily could have a new coaching staff in 2010. The Zips committed five turnovers but did put up more total offense; 346 – 292.
***Nick’s Picks went 6-1 last week and now stand at 42-18 year-to-date (70%)
Week #6 MAC Football Power Ranking:
1. Central Michigan
2. NIU
3. Ohio
4. Temple
5. BGSU
6. Buffalo
7. Western Michigan
8. Kent State
9. Toledo
10. Akron
11. Ball State
12. Miami
13. Eastern Michigan
Related posts:
- MAC Weekly Re-Cap (November 15, 2009)
- MAC Weekly Re-Cap (November 22, 2009)
- MAC Weekly Re-Cap
- MAC Weekly Re-Cap: Week #7
- MAC Weekly Re-Cap (September 20, 2009)
Tags: MAC
