MAC Fearless Predictions, Sept. 1

Previews and Predictions for the Week 1 MAC 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

MAC Week One Fearless Predictions, Part 2

MAC Fearless Predictions Sept. 8 | Sept. 15 | Sept. 22 | Sept. 29 
Oct. 6 | Oct. 13 | Oct. 20 | Oct. 27 | Nov. 3 | Nov. 10 | Nov. 17 | Nov. 24 | Dec. 1

MAC Game of the Week

Miami University at Ball State 7:00 PM Thursday, August 30
Why to Watch: With a little bit of luck, and the right breaks, this could be a preview of the MAC title game. Ball State is a rising player in the conference thanks to QB Nate Davis and a high-octane passing game, while Miami, coming off an abysmal 2-10 season should be able to quickly rebound with a strong team all across the board. Ball State won last year's matchup 20-13 in Oxford to kick off a run of three wins in four games to close out the year. With three straight road trips to follow, the Cardinals need this game. Miami has a nasty five-game stretch to follow and might have to pull off the opening day road win to avoid a possibly horrific start.
Why Miami University Might Win: The Ball State defense is experienced, but it likely won't be special against the run and isn't going to generate much in the way of pressure right off the bat. With a veteran offensive backfield, and an improved offensive line, the RedHawks should be able to move the ball however it wants to. The Cardinal defensive front should be shoved around a little bit. On the other side, Miami's defensive strength is in the secondary. Ball State's strength is in the passing game. However ...
Why Ball State Might Win: ... BSU's strength is a big, big strength. Davis might be the MAC player of the year when all is said and done, and he could become the type of player who can carry the team through games like this by himself. Defensively, while Ball State might not be a rock over the first half of the season against the run, the MU offensive line still has to prove it can play. Awful last year, mostly due to injuries, the RedHawk front five could use a warm-up game or three that it won't get.
Who to watch: Charlie Norden, Dave DiFranco, Steve Meister, Matt McKeown, Steve Sutter, and the rest of the Miami offensive line. QB Mike Kokal, RB Brandon Murphy, and the defense are all good enough to win a title with, but none of it will matter if the front five doesn't produce. It couldn't stop anyone's pass rush last year and did nothing to open up running lanes. Now healthy, and experienced, this group could make or break the MAC season.
What Will Happen: This will be the first statement Miami makes that it's back to being a MAC power. The Cardinals have the makeup, and even the momentum from last year, to come up with a win that could kick off one of the program's best seasons in years, but MU will play sharper, tougher, and with a greater sense of urgency.
CFN Prediction: Miami 27 ... Ball State 24 ... Line: Ball State -6
Must See Rating: (5 Hef wants you to take his place on The Girls Next Door, but you can’t because you have to watch this game - 1 Cavemen) ... 2.5
Final Score:   
 

MAC Thursday, August 30

Buffalo at Rutgers  7:00 PM
Why to watch: Playing the role of Cinderella, Rutgers was one of the stories of college football in 2006.  Playing with a target on its chest, however, is virgin territory for a program that starts a season ranked for the first time in school history.  The Knights’ journey toward a third straight bowl game begins with a visit from Buffalo, the likely MAC doormat and a school that hasn’t won more than two games in a season since 2001.  Rutgers returns many of the key elements of last year’s 11-win team, including Heisman candidate Ray Rice and All-America DE Eric Foster.  If, however, the Knights are going to contend with West Virginia and Louisville for a Big East crown, they’ll need more from erratic quarterback Mike Teel.  Second-year coach Turner Gill has the Bulls headed in the right direction, but the road to respectability is long and unpaved.  While returning eight starters to each side of the ball helps, it won’t be nearly enough to catch Rutgers napping by landing a signature upset over a far superior opponent.
Why Buffalo might win: Not since last September have the Scarlet Knights played an opponent this weak, so they could be susceptible to looking uninspired and ahead to next week’s visit from Navy.  The defense will be breaking in five new starters, which will allow versatile Buffalo RB James Starks to make things happen on the ground and as a low-risk option for QB Drew Willy.  The sophomore led the Bulls in rushing last year and caught 34 passes.
Why Rutgers might win: Buffalo simply doesn’t have the big bodies on either side of the ball to compete with the Scarlet Knights or hold up at the point of attack.  Behind the outstanding tackle tandem of Pedro Sosa and Jeremy Zuttah, Rutgers will pile up yards on the ground, and give Teel all day to locate his receivers and build his confidence.  On defense, Foster and the speedy ends, Jamaal Westerman and George Johnson, will endure little resistance from a Bull front that’s allowed 85 sacks over the last two seasons.  The mismatches in the trenches will resonate throughout all facets of the game Thursday night.
Who to watch: If Teel’s going to make strides in 2007, he’ll need help from a young set of receivers that flashed a ton of potential last fall.  The go-to guy all year figures to be 6-4, 205-pound sophomore Kenny Britt, who hopes to continue the momentum he built with a breakout second-half last season.                    
What will happen: This is the type of game that the old Rutgers might fumble, but not anymore.  This is a completely different program.  The Knights will gobble up more than 500 balanced yards, get a feel-good game from Teel, and get good looks at the new starters at key positions on both offense and defense. 
CFN Prediction: Rutgers 45... Buffalo 7... Line: Rutgers -32.5
Must See Rating: (5 Hef wants you to take his place on The Girls Next Door, but you can’t because you have to watch this game - 1 Cavemen) ... 1.5
Final Score: 

Kent State at Iowa State 8:00 PM
Why to watch: Iowa State played Toledo in last year’s apparently no-big-deal opener, and it turned out to be one of the most exciting games of the first half of the year. This might not be a triple-overtime thriller, but it will be a great duel between Iowa State’s Bret Meyer and Kent State’s Julian Edelman, a pair of underrated playmakers who might just be the best quarterbacks in their respective conferences.  Despite limited support, Meyer begins the year as the Cyclones’ all-time leading passer, while Edelman was a sparkplug in his first year out of the College of San Mateo (Calif.), throwing for 1,859 yards and ten touchdowns, and rushing 658 yards and seven scores.  The game also marks the debut of Iowa State head coach Gene Chizik, who had a wildly successful career as a defensive coordinator and brings some much-needed energy to Ames.  Don’t, however, expect miracles right away, or at least until the coach can upgrade the level of talent, especially along the lines.  Kent will be seeking stability this fall after being maddeningly schizophrenic a year ago.  Edelman is the clear-cut catalyst for the Flashes, but needs more help if the program is going to pick off a major conference opponent for the first time since 1987.
Why Kent State might win: Iowa State has a very beatable defense that just might be the Big 12’s worst heading into the season.  Besides tackling machine Alvin Bowen, this is a painfully pedestrian crew that’ll labor to contain Edelman and mighty-mite RB Eugene Jarvis.  Defensively, the Flashes are just feisty enough with DE Kevin Hogan and DT Colin Ferrell to frustrate a patchwork Cyclone offensive line.
Why Iowa State might win: Although Kent State’s defense may hold up against MAC opponents, it lacks the speed, size and depth to shut down Iowa State’s playmakers, namely Meyer and his favorite target, Todd Blythe.  Kent CB Jack Williams is a good one with blazing speed, but at just over 5-8, will be giving away almost nine inches and a lot of upper body strength to the 6-5 Blythe.  Against an undersized Kent front, the Cyclones will also establish a ground presence with…
Who to watch: J.J. Bass, one of the highest rated JUCO backs in the nation last year and a big coup for Iowa State.  He’ll share carries with Jason Scales, but Bass has the 4.4 speed in a 215-pound frame that’ll make it impossible to keep him off the field as the season develops.
What will happen: Expect a pre-season feel, as both schools search for consistency and starters in key areas.  Much like last season, poor play on special teams will cost Kent State a game that’s it’s capable of pulling out. 
CFN Prediction: Iowa State 27 … Kent State 20 ... Line: Iowa State -3.5
Must See Rating: (5 Hef wants you to take his place on The Girls Next Door, but you can’t because you have to watch this game - 1 Cavemen) ... 2

MAC Friday, August 31

Navy at Temple   7:30 PM
Why to Watch: A new era in Temple football kicks off with the program's most talented team in several years. Even the slightest bit of improvement on both sides of the ball would be meaningful considering how bad things have been, but this isn't a Navy team that'll make year two of the Al Golden era an easy one. The Midshipmen has to deal with some big turnover on the defensive side, but the offensive backfield is loaded. After this game, Temple faces seven straight teams that failed to go to a bowl last year, while Navy has to prepare for a trip to Rutgers.
Why Navy Might Win: Temple doesn't have the linebackers to deal with the Navy rushing attack. The line might be better, but the linebackers will be a work in progress with the best players just coming in this season. The Owls have good potential at linebacker, but to beat the Midshipmen, they need disciplined, quick veterans that aren't in place. Temple's offense still isn't good enough to keep up in any sort of a shootout.
Why Temple Might Win: Navy's defense will be mediocre at best early on. Only three starters and seven lettermen are back, and there's not much in the way of size or sure-thing skill among the new starters. Finding a pass rusher will be a problem, and the secondary will need several games before it knows what it's doing, so if Temple has any new bells and whistles ready to roll out, this would be the time.
Who to Watch: Vaughn Charlton has the potential to become Temple's best quarterback option, but Adam DiMichele will get the starting nod. DiMichele's neither big nor mobile, but he's experienced and appearing to be ready to limit his mistakes. However, he'll be looking over his shoulder all season long if he doesn't produce. Navy needs Clint Sovie and Irv Spencer to quickly become the leaders and stars of the defense. There's a woeful dearth of sure-thing playmakers, and if the linebackers aren't shining, Temple could pull off the upset.
What Will Happen: Take a wild guess what Navy will do? With a nice mix of inside and outside runs, the Midshipmen will hold on to the ball for close to 40 minutes and will never let Temple get any sort of rhythm. Temple won't be embarrassed and will show potential in the loss.
CFN Prediction: Navy 34 ... Temple 17... Line: Navy -21
Must See Rating: (5 Hef wants you to take his place on The Girls Next Door, but you can’t because you have to watch this game - 1 Cavemen) ... 1.5
Final Score:   

MAC Saturday, September 1

Western Michigan at West Virginia 3:30 PM
Why to watch: For the second straight year, expectations are soaring for No. 3 West Virginia, which begins 2007 with its highest pre-season ranking in school history.  Once again, the catalysts will be Heisman contenders Patrick White and Steve Slaton, the ‘eers dynamic offensive duo that no defense over the last two years has been able to stop.  Whether West Virginia can maintain its spot among the nation’s elite will depend on the play of a defense that got routinely shredded during the second half of 2006.  The unit gets an early test from a balanced Western Michigan offense that can get it done on the ground with RB Mark Bonds or through the air with Tim Hiller and a productive set of receivers.  The experienced Broncos are coming off their first bowl game in nearly two decades, a three-point loss to the Big East’s Cincinnati, and will again be in the thick of things in the tightly-packed MAC West.
Why Western Michigan might win: While the Mountaineers can score points in bunches, they can also allow them in a hurry as well, as evidenced late last year.  West Virginia lacks a consistent pass rush and is vulnerable through the air, a recipe for success for the Bronco passing game.  Before suffering a devastating knee injury that cost him all of last year, Hiller tore through the MAC for 20 touchdown passes and just three picks as a freshman.  In WR Jamarko Simmons, he also has a playmaker that can challenge the Mountaineers downfield.
Why West Virginia might win: White and Slaton.  Yeah, yeah, it’s way obvious, but while West Virginia won’t have much success through the air against a terrific Bronco secondary, it’ll be up to the two stars to be the difference-makers in a potential bear trap game.  The physical Mountaineer offensive line will control the line of scrimmage, giving the team’s two stars enough room to snap off a handful of back-breaking scampers down the field.
Who to watch: Although White and Slaton dominate the headlines and post-season honors, Western Michigan will pay dearly if it forgets about versatile Mountaineer FB Owen Schmitt.  An ideal change-of-pace at 6-3 and 260 pounds, he’s a devastating lead blocker, who moves with the quickness and agility of a tailback when the ball’s in his hands.  Think Mike Alstott from a decade ago.  
What will happen: Western Michigan is a veteran, battle-tested squad that won’t cower at the sight of the frenzied Morgantown crowd.  The Broncos will keep things interesting for the first half before the Mountaineers’ speed and depth help them pull away in the third quarter.
CFN Prediction: West Virginia 37 ... Western Michigan 17... Line: WVU -24
Must See Rating: (5 Hef wants you to take his place on The Girls Next Door, but you can’t because you have to watch this game - 1 Cavemen) ... 2.5
Final Score:    

Iowa at Northern Illinois 3:30 PM
Why to Watch: It'll be an interesting atmosphere as the two teams battle it out in Chicago's Soldier Field in what might be the largest crowd to ever watch a Northern Illinois "home" game. After a disappointing season, Iowa needs to come out roaring after losing six of its final seven games, with the only win coming in a lifeless 24-14 win over the Huskies. Not much is expected out of Joe Novak's rebuilding NIU team, but if it's going to pull off an upset, week one is the time to do it. Iowa is breaking in several key new starters and should need a little while before it plays up to its capability.
Why Iowa Might Win: While Iowa is has to deal with some big personnel changes, Northern Illinois is undergoing a massive offensive facelift. Gone is Garrett Wolfe, and with him the type of devastating running game the Huskies employed for so many years. Now, under new offensive coordinator Roy Wittke, there will be more passing, more variety and more bells and whistles. Eventually, this will be a plus, but considering the NIU offensive line is one of the team's biggest concerns heading into the season, and Iowa's defensive line is one of the team's biggest strengths, there might not be time or room for the NIU skill players to operate.
Why Northern Illinois Might Win: Iowa appeared to have a huge advantage coming into this game in the passing game, with a rising receiving corps almost certain to have its way with the mediocre Huskie secondary, and then disaster struck as head coach Kirk Ferentz announced the indefinite suspensions of Dominique Douglas, who led the team with 49 catches for 654 yards and two touchdowns, and Anthony Bowman, who's one of the team's fastest players. The Hawkeyes still have weapons, but this is the last thing they needed when breaking in new starting QB Jake Christensen.
Who to Watch: Two of the nation's premier pass rushing ends will be on display as NIU's Larry English and Iowa's Ken Iwebema will have the NFL scouts watching. A shoulder injury kept the 267-pound Iwebema out for most of last year, but when healthy, he's one of the Big Ten's best all-around ends with good strength against the run and excellent pass rushing skills. The 6-3 , 255-pound English will be on the short list of MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors with a frightening blend of speed and moves to get into the backfield. He cranked out 12 sacks last year and will be the main focus of the Iowa pass blocking scheme.
What Will Happen: While the loss of the two receivers will hurt the development of the Iowa passing game, Albert Young and the Hawkeye ground attack should be able to pick up the slack. The Iowa defensive front seven should be able to keep the Huskies from doing too much on the ground, and the passing game won't be quite up-to-snuff yet.
CFN Prediction: Iowa 31 ... Northern Illinois 14 ... Line: Iowa -11.5
Must See Rating: (5 Hef wants you to take his place on The Girls Next Door, but you can’t because you have to watch this game - 1 Cavemen) ... 2.5
Final Score:   

MAC Week One Fearless Predictions, Part 2

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