2010 MAC Fearless Predictions
Week 2 ... Sept. 11 Games
MAC
East |
Akron |
Bowling
Green
|
Buffalo
|
Kent State
|
Miami Univ.
|
Ohio
|
Temple
West
Ball State |
Central
Mich
|
Eastern
Mich
|
Northern
Illinois |
Toledo
|
West
Michigan
-
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Fearless Predictions
- Sept. 11 (CMU vs.
Temple)
|
Sept.
11, Part 2
GAME OF THE WEEK
Central Michigan (1-0) at Temple (1-0) Sept. 9, 7:00, ESPNU
Here’s The Deal … If Temple didn’t lose a late battle with Ohio, this would’ve been the 2009 MAC Championship game, and it would’ve been a battle. This could be a preview of things to come as each team is good enough to win its respective division, but the two teams are in very different places. Under new head coach Dan Enos, Central Michigan is starting over as it tries to move on from the best era in the program’s history. A 33-0 pasting of Hampton last week made it seem like business as usual, but with three straight road games, and four in the next five weeks including a date at Virginia Tech, the schedule toughens up in a hurry. Unlike the Chippewas, Temple is full of veterans who have been pushing towards this point for years. Head man Al Golden has built the program up from the dismal place it was at not all that long ago into a power, but it didn’t seem like it last week in a thrilling 31-24 win over Villanova. While that might not seem like an impressive victory, Villanova could be the best FCS team in America and it was a great start for an Owl team that needs this win with Connecticut and Penn State up next.
Why Central Michigan Might Win: Temple has a solid defense and a terrific secondary, but it had a hard time keeping the Villanova passing game in check. While there weren’t many deep throws allowed, Wildcat QB Chris Whitney was able to dink and dunk his way down the field, and CMU should be able to do the same with a crisp short to medium range passing game. Ryan Radcliff might not be Dan LeFevour, but he was magnificent in his opening game as the main man throwing for 242 yards and a touchdown, and he should have similar success this week as long as he gets time to work.
Why Temple Might Win: The Owl offensive line should control the battle. It’s a stretch to call the Central Michigan defensive line a weakness, especially with a player like Sean Murnane manning the front, but Temple should be able to do a little shoving around. The key to the game will be pounding away with the running game and controlling the battle upfront, and while time of possession is usually overrated, it’ll matter here. Temple has to keep the CMU offense off the field, and that will come from long drives using the line to dictate the action.
What To Watch Out For: The one missing link for Temple over the last few years has been a decent quarterback, so the spotlight will be on Chester Stewart all year long. He had an awful year as a passer completing 40% of his throw, but he has the 6-3, 214-pound size and he’s a dangerous runner. So far, so good this year completing 16-of-27 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown, but he took too many hits behind the line. He doesn’t have to bomb away, but if he can at least be efficient, all of a sudden there won’t be any weaknesses in the attack.
What Will Happen: Northern Illinois might have something to say about it, but this should be part one with part two having much higher stakes in Detroit. The torch will be past from CMU, the star of the league over the last few years, to Temple, who doesn’t appear to be going away any time soon. There’s a lot of work to be done, but the Owls will make a statement with a balanced attack and an impressive defensive effort.
CFN Prediction: Temple 27 … Central Michigan 17 … Line: Temple -7.5
Must See Rating: Boardwalk Empire – 5 … Going the Distance - 1 … 4
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Bowling Green (0-1) at Tulsa (0-1) Sept. 11, 7:00 ET
Here’s The Deal … Tulsa has endured some tough losses during the Todd Graham era. It’d be hard, however, to imagine one more painful than Sunday’s heartbreaker at East Carolina. One play from the fast start it desperately sought, the Hurricane yielded a game-winning 33-yard touchdown pass with no time left on the clock. The key for Graham will be to make sure that the Pirate miracle doesn’t cost his team more than one game this month. Ironically, Bowling Green knows what Tulsa is feeling. Sort of. The Falcons, too, lost the opener in the waning moments, falling at Troy, 30-27, on a field goal with four seconds remaining. While Dave Clawson has a long to-do list in his second season with the program, he had to be encouraged by his team’s competitiveness so early in the year.
Why Bowling Green Might Win: Despite all of the work in the offseason, the Tulsa defense is suffering from the same problems that plagued it last season. Essentially, the Hurricane can’t stop the pass or generate much of a rush. Despite breaking in a young quarterback, redshirt freshman Matt Schilz, the Falcons showed some pop on offense, moving the ball successfully on the road. RB Willie Geter brings big-play ability to the ground game, and WR Kamar Jordan looks capable of picking up some of the slack left by Freddie Barnes, catching nine passes for 111 yards.
Why Tulsa Might Win: The defense is the problem in Tulsa, not the offense. The Hurricane was in midseason form last week, cranking out 579 yards and 27 first downs. G.J. Kinne looked comfortable in the system and had time for a change, accounting for 437 of those yards and five touchdown passes. He’s flanked by a plethora of playmakers at receiver, a big concern for a Bowling Green defense that’s under construction. With Charles Clay, Damaris Johnson, and Jameel Owens at his disposal, the Falcons will spend most of the confused and chasing after the man with the ball.
What To Watch Out For: Can the Tulsa offensive line continue to protect Kinne? Besides the play of the defense, that’s the key question facing the Hurricane this fall. A year older, the veteran unit performed well in Greenville, but resting on its laurels is not an option. Against a struggling front, like Bowling Green’s, this group has to take control in order for the skill guys to maximize all of their potential.
What Will Happen: While the defensive problems at Tulsa persist, the offense will compensate with another 500-yard effort. Kinne looked like a different play in the opener, spreading the ball around and eliminating his mistakes. Bowling Green lacks the playmakers on defense needed to keep this one competitive in the second half.
CFN Prediction: Tulsa 44 … Bowling Green 26 … Line: Tulsa -16.5
Must See Rating: Boardwalk Empire – 5 … Going the Distance - 1 … 2
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Kent State (1-0) vs. Boston College (1-0) Sept. 11, 3:30 ET, ESPNU
Here’s The Deal … It sure wasn’t pretty, but it sure was memorable. Boston College kicked off Frank Spaziani’s second season with the program with a lackluster 38-20 win over Weber State of the FCS. The big news, through, was the successful return to action of LB Mark Herzlich, who was back on the field a little over a year after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. The Eagles have this week to work out the kinks before the schedule makes a U-turn with visits from Virginia Tech and Notre Dame. Kent State welcomed back a star of its own in Week 1, regaining the services of prolific RB Eugene Jarvis, who missed all of 2009 with an injury. He only carried the ball 11 times for 45 yards, but wasn’t needed to carry the load in a 41-10 Golden Flashes blowout of Murray State. This is a critical season for Doug Martin, whose 24-46 record over six years has him squarely on the hot seat.
Why Kent State Might Win: When Jarvis is on, he’s one of the most exciting and productive backs in the country. After dipping his foot into the 2010 season, he should be ready to make a splash if the Flashes don’t fall too far behind in the early going. The Kent State defense is one of the better-kept secrets of the MAC. With all-star candidates Monte’ Simmons at end, Cobrani Mixon at linebacker, and Brian Lainhart at safety, this unit is capable of giving problems to a Boston College offense that continues to be one-dimensional.
Why Boston College Might Win: That one dimension ought to be enough to carry the Eagles on Saturday afternoon. Montel Harris is one of the ACC’s top backs, benefitting from running behind Anthony Castonzo, Thomas Claiborne, and a behemoth BC line that’ll engulf the undersized Kent State front wall. On defense, Boston College always seems to do a solid job of stopping the run. Besides the presence of Herzlich, LB Luke Kuechly is a tackling machine, who’ll be searching for the diminutive Jarvis at all times. The best way to beat this unit is through the air, but Kent QB Spencer Keith won’t be the guy to get it done.
What To Watch Out For: Boston College QB Dave Shinksie was shaky in the opener, needing to turn things around. Despite facing an inferior opponent, he only managed to go 10-of-20 for 185 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. If he starts slowly again, don’t be shocked if he gets the hook in favor of young Mike Marscovetra. With what looms on the schedule, the Eagles have to get their backups reps now, especially if their roles are going to increase later in the month.
What Will Happen: The unheralded Kent State defense and running of Jarvis will keep this game surprisingly close for a while. It’ll be enough to make the home crowd uncomfortable until the Eagles finally wear down the Flashes with their edge in size, strength, and physicality. While long-gainers will come at a premium, Harris will lead the charge by grinding out 125 yards and a couple of scores on 30 carries.
CFN Prediction: Boston College 30 … Kent State 16 … Line: BC -17.5
Must See Rating: Boardwalk Empire – 5 … Going the Distance - 1 … 2
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Gardner-Webb (1-0) at Akron (0-1) Sept. 11, 12:00
Here’s The Deal … Akron didn’t exactly come up with a hot start under new head man Rob Ianello with a dud of a performance in a 29-3 loss to Syracuse. The Zips need this breather before going on the road to face Kentucky and Indiana, and they need to find something that works offensively. Gardner-Webb will provide a decent test with a good defense but little offense. The Runnin’ Bulldogs kicked their season off with a 28-14 win over Brevad (yeah, it’s a real school), but it shouldn’t be pretty in Big South play as they’ll struggle to finish in the top four. This is their only game against an FBS team this season.
Why Gardner-Webb Might Win: The linebacking corps is terrific. Jeffery Williams came up with 18 stops against Brevard, but the Bulldogs have several good options to slow down the mediocre Akron running game. The Zip offense didn’t work last week, and if the blitzing and the GW pass rush is as effective as it was last week, there will be big problems. Akron allowed three sacks last week, while GW came up with five sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
Why Akron Might Win: That was Brevard. The Gardner-Webb offense doesn’t have a strong veteran offense, and while it’ll be fine in Big South play, the Akron defensive front should be able to keep Juanne Blount and the ground game in check. The GW passing game is a major question mark, and Akron’s relatively weak secondary isn’t likely to be exploited.
What To Watch Out For: Patrick Nicely has to be better. The sophomore Akron quarterback is the franchise over the next few years and he has to do far more than complete 12-of-35 passes for 111 yards like he did against Syracuse. Mobile for his size, he’s dangerous enough to be used as a runner for 5-to-10 carries per game, but he’s at his best when he can get into a rhythm on short to midrange throws. Now he has to show why he earned the No. 1 spot, or there could be a change.
What Will Happen: Akron will look great as Nicely bounces back with a big performance, while the defense will stone the Runnin’ Bulldog passing game cold.
CFN Prediction: Akron 38 … Gardner-Webb 13 … Line: No Line
Must See Rating: Boardwalk Empire – 5 … Going the Distance - 1 … D
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