2010 MAC Fearless Predictions - Sept. 4

Fearless Predictions for every MAC game, September 4

2010 MAC Fearless Predictions

Week 1 ... Sept. 4 Games

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GAME OF THE WEEK

Northern Illinois (0-0) at Iowa State (0-0) Sept. 2, 8:00, CSN

Here’s The Deal … These two played a wild two-game series with NIU pulling off a 24-16 home shocker in 2003 and Iowa State winning a thrilling 48-41 shootout in 2004. This year’s matchup is even more important for the two programs with Iowa State needing every non-conference win possible to get in the hunt for a bowl game, while NIU has to come up with the victory over a mediocre Big 12 team to give the MAC a little bit of respect. The Huskies should battle Temple for the honor of being the league’s best team, and if they get blown away, it’ll be tough for anyone to pay much attention to anything else the MAC does. This is the start of a rough stretch of four road games in five weeks to open the season for NIU, while ISU has to deal with the always-tough rivalry date with Iowa next week.
Why Northern Illinois Might Win: The Huskie offensive line could dominate the ISU defensive front. The Cyclone coaching staff is fantastic and there’s hope for production to come in a high-energy, want-to sort of way, but the talent is lacking. There isn’t a sure-thing pass rusher to count on and the size isn’t there to hold up is NIU starts blasting away. The Huskies have loaded up on the offensive front after a bit of a disappointing season, and now the ground game could be dominant at times.
Why Iowa State Might Win: Can NIU handle the Iowa State ground game? Overall, the numbers were great for the Huskie defense last year, but Dan LeFevour and the CMU offense rolled up 257 yards and two scores on the ground. The Cyclone backfield can get in a groove with QB Austen Arnaud and RB Alexander Robinson likely to combine for about 150 yards even though the NIU linebackers might be among the best in the MAC. The defensive line has potential, but it’ll have to hold up against the zone-blocking scheme the ISU line runs extremely well.
What To Watch Out For: And the starting NIU quarterback will be … ? Chandler Harnish is the veteran who’ll end up playing a big role in some way, shape or form, but injuries have been a problem and it’ll be hard for the team to count on him for a full season. DeMarcus Grady was a great recruit and is more of a rushing option with a live arm. A veteran, he’ll see time this year no matter who the starter is, and then there’s Jordan Lynch, the high-riser of the group this offseason getting his live arm into the race. Iowa State has to prepare for the possibility of all three.
What Will Happen: This should go down to the wire with both running games gouging the opposing run defense. The Cyclones have a better quarterback situation with Arnaud likely to be the difference maker, and even though RB Chad Spann should be able to crank out over 100 yards, the NIU offense won’t be consistent enough to pull out the big road win.
CFN Prediction: Iowa State 20 … Northern Illinois 13 … Line: Iowa State -3.5
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SE Missouri State (0-0) at Ball State (0-0) Sept. 2, 7:00

Here’s The Deal … Ball State had a disastrous 2009 going 2-10 and not showing much of anything on offense. 2010 should get off to a far better start with a great preseason tune-up against a SE Missouri State team that was miserable last year, gong 2-9, and needs a few things to go the right way to avoid the Ohio Valley cellar. With Liberty coming up next week, BSU gets a chance to come up with a base of wins before facing Purdue, and for a young (but experienced) team, every game like this is a godsend.
Why SE Missouri State Might Win: The Redhawks run the quirky Tony Samuel offense that finished 16th in the FCS in rushing averaging 184 yards per game. Ball State has a good enough linebacking corps to sniff out plays and keep the big runs to a minimum, but the defensive front isn’t anything special and isn’t likely to do much to get into the backfield.
Why Ball State Might Win: The Cardinal ground game should be able to go ballistic on a veteran Redhawk run defense that has experience, but doesn’t have a ton of talent. Eight starters are back, but the D got gouged for 205 yards per game and should have problems against a BSU backfield with as much rushing talent as anyone in the MAC led by …
What To Watch Out For: MiQuale Lewis has been around Muncie for seemingly forever, and he’s going to play an even bigger role in the attack. A key part of the fun in 2008, he struggled to find room last year other than in a few big games against Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green. Now the diminutive veteran will run a bit out of the Wildcat formation along with being the workhorse for the attack, and he should start out the year with a big 100-yard outing.
What Will Happen: SE Missouri State lost to Cincinnati 70-3 last season. This won’t be quite as ugly, but Ball State will get a chance to put a big number up on the board to kick off the year.
CFN Prediction: Ball State 44 … SE Missouri State 20 … Line: No Line
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Rhode Island (0-0) at Buffalo (0-0) Sept. 2, 7:00

Here’s The Deal … The Jeff Quinn era should get off to a flying start in Amherst against a Rhode Island team that’s about as cupcakey as it gets for a program at Buffalo’s level. The Rams went 1-10 last year and will struggle to avoid the Colonial basement, while UB will try to tune up before diving into an interesting trip to Baylor next week. The Bulls have several key young players who need time, and they’ll get it.
Why Rhode Island Might Win: The passing game should be just good enough to get by. Buffalo has a good secondary and won’t give up a ton of big plays this week, but the Rams have enough pop with some good passing pieces to crank out at least 200 yards. URI is stingy at giving up the ball and won’t make a ton of mistakes; UB won’t get many freebies.
Why Buffalo Might Win: The Rhode Island defense was awful last year and won’t be anything to get excited about this year. The D allowed 37 points per game and got ripped up by anyone and everyone last season giving up 30 points or more eight times. Buffalo’s passing game should be able to do whatever it wants to against a secondary that’ll struggle all season long.
What To Watch Out For: How will the Central Michigan-style spread attack work in Buffalo? Quinn wants to speed things up and get everyone moving at a quicker tempo, and this is the type of game to find a rhythm. If everything clicks right away, there could be a flurry of points and yards to put the game away early on, and if nothing else, the strong backfield should be able to run without a problem if nothing is working quite right.
What Will Happen: Buffalo will have a breeze. Rhode Island will throw well at times, but it won’t do enough to overcome a big early deficit as the Bulls come up with a double-digit blowout.
CFN Prediction: Buffalo 45 … Rhode Island 17 … Line: No Line
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Hampton (0-0) at Central Michigan (0-0) Sept. 2, 7:00

Here’s The Deal … Hampton has a nice team that has the potential to battle for the MEAC title, but it’s going to take something special to get by a Central Michigan team undergoing a major transition. The defending MAC champions not only have to overcome the loss of head coach Butch Jones to Cincinnati, but losing an all-timer of a quarterback like Dan LeFevour is also big. The Chippewas will try to usher in the first game of the Dan Enos era with a big win before diving into MAC play against Temple next week, but this might be a bit of a fight rather than a true tune-up.
Why Hampton Might Win: The Pirates have just enough decent players to be competitive. The addition of former Syracuse prospects in QB David Legree and WR Isiah Thomas should help a passing game struggled a bit last year, but was tremendous at running the ball. The ultra-aggressive defense finished fifth in the FCS in tackles for loss, and it should provide plenty of problems for a revamped CMU backfield that needs time to operate. The Hampton linebacking corps is the real deal.
Why Central Michigan Might Win: The Hampton offense was a bit hit-or-miss last year, and it should be again without a lot of consistency to rely on. CMU might be undergoing a major transition, but the offensive line should be among the best in the MAC and it should negate the talent on the Pirate defensive front by pounding away and forcing the running game to work. The Chippewas aren’t going to do anything fancy in the opener, but they will be effective at controlling the clock and the game.
What To Watch Out For: It was assumed that Ryan Radcliff would get the starting quarterback job for CMU, but he wasn’t officially announced as the main man until late this summer. Now all he has to do is replace a legend in LeFevour, but he has the talent to carve out his own niche. He wasn’t accurate when he got his chances in mop up duty, but he won’t have as much responsibility on his shoulders in what should be a more balanced attack. While he doesn’t have LeFevour’s running skills, he has a next-level arm.
What Will Happen: Hampton will have its moments and CMU isn’t always going to be razor-sharp, but Enos doesn’t want to come up with anything less than something special to start the season. The pressure is on to be dominant right away, and while that might not happen, it’ll be an easy win on the scoreboard.
CFN Prediction: Central Michigan 31 … Hampton 10 … Line: No Line
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Murray State (0-0) at Kent State (0-0) Sept. 2, 7:00

Here’s The Deal … It should be an interesting contrast in styles as Kent State tries to get its running game back on track after struggling last year, and Murray State looking to bomb away. New MSU head coach Chris Hatcher likes to put the ball up, and he has had great success at the lower levels before getting a shot to show what he can do in the Ohio Valley Conference. However, the Racers should struggle to finish out of the bottom three in a rebuilding year coming off a 3-8 campaign, while Kent State is looking to get off to a hot start before going to Boston College and Penn State. The Golden Flashes don’t come back home for a game until October 9th.
Why Murray State Might Win: Can the KSU secondary handle throw after throw after throw? The MSU air attack might not be consistent to start, but it’ll keep coming as Hatcher will keep testing the Golden Flash defensive backs all game long. KSU has a nice secondary, but it needs the pass rush to be strong to help the cause. However …
Why Kent State Might Win: KSU finished second in the MAC in pass defense and should be good again if the corners can shine right away. MSU doesn’t have the defensive front to handle the Kent State running game if it gets into a lather early on, but the offense isn’t just going to be about the ground game as head coach Doug Martin tries to mix things up a bit. This is a game to get everything working, and the offense will try out everything it needs to with some rough battles ahead.
What To Watch Out For: KSU RB Eugene Jarvis is back for his sixth year, and he’s looking to close out with a bang. He was primed and ready for a big 2009 before suffering a lacerated kidney, but now the speedster should be a lock for 1,000-yard season if he can stay healthy.
What Will Happen: MSU will throw for 300 yards, KSU will run for 250 … and throw for 200. The Golden Flash defensive front will keep the Racers to under 75 net yards rushing.
CFN Prediction: Kent State 35 … Murray State 13 … Line: No Line
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Villanova (0-0) at Temple (0-0) Sept. 3, 5:00 ET, ESPN3.com

Here’s The Deal … Even in a decidedly pro sports town, like Philadelphia, this is the kind of underrated match up that’s sure to generate some local interest. Villanova and Temple are both coming off exceptional seasons and are looking to maintain the raised bar this fall. The Wildcats won the inaugural Mayor’s Cup, 27-24, last September, the first of 14 victories that culminated in an FCS championship. They’re poised for another deep run in the playoffs as the favorite of the Colonial Athletic Association. As successful as Villanova was in 2009, Temple wasn’t far behind. After dropping the first two games, the Owls won a remarkable nine in-a-row, qualifying for a bowl game for the first time since 1979. Al Golden continues to defy the odds with the former Big East outcast, putting it in a position to win a MAC title in 2010.
Why Villanova Might Win: The Wildcats can run the ball and are stingy on defense, a time-tested recipe for success under long-time coach Andy Talley. Last year’s top five rushers are back, headed by athletic QB Chris Whitney and All-American WR Matt Szczur. Szczur is one of the best all-around athletes who most of the country has never seen play. Not only did he rush for 10 scores, catch 51 passes, and rank among the nation’s best kick returners, but he also spent the summer playing in the Chicago Cubs farm system. The sturdy Villanova front seven is going to present a problem for a one-dimensional Temple offense that leans so heavily on the running game.
Why Temple Might Win: Yeah, the Owls are a run-first team, but the back shouldering the load is no ordinary player. Bernard Pierce is looking to build on a sensational debut, which included 1,361 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns, despite not playing a full season. He’s a special player, running behind a veteran line that’s going to have multiple players on the All-MAC team. On defense, Temple is once again going to be loaded, especially on the first line of defense. The inside-outside combination of Muhammad Wilkerson and Adrian Robinson is going to spend a lot of time in opposing backfields this fall.
What To Watch Out For: It’s going to be strength vs. strength when Villanova lines up and tries to run the ball against that salty Temple defensive line. One of the sneaky good games-within-the-game of the entire opening weekend will take place when Robinson is lined up in front of Villanova T Ben Ijalana, arguably the top NFL prospect among FCS players. Neither player generated a ton of interest coming out of high school, but both have made a ton of headlines since landing in Philadelphia.
What Will Happen: Friday’s game at Lincoln Financial Field won’t have any bearing on a national championship or even a league title. That won’t detract from an atmosphere that’s going to be electric. Traditional powers in basketball, Temple and Villanova are carving out an interesting rivalry in football as well. The game’s stars, Szczur and Pierce, are going to shine, but it’s the Owl defense that’ll be the difference, stifling the Wildcats in the fourth quarter to gain redemption for last year’s defeat.
CFN Prediction: Temple 28 … Villanova 24 … Line: X
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Arizona (0-0) at Toledo (0-0) Sept. 3, 8:00 ET, ESPN

Here’s The Deal … It’s been a decade since the EZ Pass lane to Pasadena has been this uncongested. Arizona is one of a gaggle of programs hoping to take advantage this fall. It took a few years of building under Mike Stoops, but the Wildcats have achieved momentum, posting back-to-back eight-win seasons. The goal entering 2010 is to avoid becoming content with December bowl games and inch closer to the school’s first-ever trip to the Rose Bowl. It’s Year 2 for Toledo head coach Tim Beckman, whose goal of immediately transforming the Rockets into MAC contenders fell a few games short in 2009. There are issues on both sides of the ball, but also a golden opportunity to host—and shock—a Pac-10 opponent in front of a primetime national audience. This is the kind of game that can turbo charge Beckman’s vision for the future.
Why Arizona Might Win: As Toledo continues its massive rebuilding project on defense, this is not the opponent it wants to see on the opening weekend. The Wildcats have a diverse attack, a returning quarterback, and enough size and speed to run circles around the Rockets. Nick Foles is back for his second year behind center, and a healthy Nic Grigsby will provide the yards on the ground. Toledo’s bread-and-butter passing game might sputter, with unproven Austin Dantin set to take over at quarterback. He’ll have the dual-concern of trying to avoid all-star CB Trevin Wade and hard-charging ends Ricky Elmore and Brooks Reed when he drops back to pass.
Why Toledo Might Win: For better or worse, the Rockets will lean heavily on the offense throughout the year. If Dantin can somehow pick up where Aaron Opelt left off in 2009, he’ll have a nice supporting cast to help him through the rough patches. WR Eric Page is an emerging MAC star after just one season and there’s good depth in the backfield. C Kevin Kowalski and the interior of the offensive line should be able to get a push on an Arizona defense that’s going to be noticeably green at tackle and at linebacker.
What To Watch Out For: While Toledo has a veteran offensive line, it’ll have its hands full on Friday night. In Ricky Elmore and Brooks Reed, Arizona boasts one of the Pac-10’s most relentless tandems at defensive end. Elmore was third in the Pac-10 in sacks, and Reed is healthy again after being saddled with injuries throughout the year. As often as the Rockets will throw it, the seniors will get lots of chances to turn pressures into forced throws and turnovers.
What Will Happen: You always have to be extra careful when your first game is in a different time zone at an opponent with something to prove. Toledo and the Glass Bowl will be fired up, but can it last beyond the first quarter? Arizona possesses too much offensive firepower and muscle for a Rocket defense that doesn’t have enough stoppers after LB Archie Donald.
CFN Prediction: Arizona 38 … Toledo 20 … Line: Arizona -15.5
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Miami University (0-0) at Florida (0-0) Sept. 4, 12 pm ET, ESPN & ESPN3.com

Here’s The Deal … Miami vs. Florida might sound fun and interesting, but the RedHawks aren’t exactly the Hurricanes. In Year Two under head coach Mike Haywood, MU is trying to find something positive to build on after a rough 1-11 2009, but in this game, just being able to hang around for a little while will be enough. There’s a ten-mile wide gap in talent, but the RedHawks have just enough firepower to put a few points on the board. The main focus, though, will be to see how sharp Florida will be after a rough and occasionally weird last 12 months. From the loss of Tim Tebow, along with a slew of other All-America talent, to issues with Urban Meyer’s health and his bunker, combative mentality, everyone around Gainesville needs a nice, easy blowout win. Anything less than a light scrimmage will sound off panic alarms with South Florida and Tennessee to follow, but it’ll take something special for RedHawks to pose much of a challenge. MU has some decent offensive talent and one of the MAC’s most promising secondaries, but it’ll take several Florida screw-ups to keep this interesting. The last Gator season-opener that was closer than 20 points was a 21-6 win over Southern Miss in 1997, and the last time Florida lost the first game of the year was in 1989 in a 24-19 gaffe to Ole Miss.
Why Miami Might Win: It’s not like Miami can’t move the ball. Armed with the MAC’s best returning quarterback, Zac Dysert, and a potent receiving corps that should help MU average around 300 passing yards per game, the potential is there to connect on just enough big plays against a retooled Florida defense to make the Gator coaches angry. New MU offensive coordinator Morris Watts will forget about a ground game that’ll be lucky to get 50 net yards, and it’ll be bombs away from the start. While Dysert might put up decent yards …
Why Florida Might Win: … he could get killed behind a porous offensive line. The RedHawks gave up a nation-worst 58 sacks last year, and while the focus this offseason was on keeping the quarterback upright, it’s not like there will be a night-and-day difference against a Florida defensive front looking to make a statement right away. The Gator offensive line won’t have to worry about much of a pass rush, and this isn’t going to be the type of ball-hawking MU defense that could force a slew of big turnovers to provide any sort of an upset bid.
What To Watch Out For: Call it the G.O.A.T. (Game One After Tim). No one’s expecting Florida starting QB John Brantley to be the legend that Tebow was, but there are many interested scouts and fans interested in seeing if the hype and potential can all come together right away to form a whale of an NFL prospect. Brantley has a next-level arm and passing skills that Tebow could only dream of owning, but the production has to come. He won’t be under any pressure and should have ten days to throw, so it should be target practice for the junior star-in-waiting. Meanwhile, a few NFL types will be closely watching to see how Dysert handles himself. The 6-4, 207-pound sophomore has pro tools and good rushing ability. While he’ll struggle at times, he needs to be fantastic to keep the game from getting out of hand early.
What Will Happen: Under Meyer, Florida has won its last five home openers by a combined score of 233 to 37, or an average of 46.6 to 7.4. Look for the Gators to flex some muscle, even though there will be a few rough patches along the way.
CFN Prediction: Florida 55 … Miami University 10 … Line: Florida -35
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Syracuse (0-0) at Akron (0-0) Sept. 4, 6:00, ESPN3.com

Here’s The Deal … His first season now behind him, Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone is hoping to take the program another step in the right direction this fall. He basically cleaned house last year, shifting around personnel and tinkering with the staff. Change was the norm. Entering 2010, the Orange is counting on more stability and an extra win or two to get it out of the Big East cellar and into contention for a .500 season. Rookie Akron head coach Rob Ianello inherits a team that’s had four straight losing seasons, but also welcomes back 17 starters. Both sides of the ball are undergoing changes in alignment and philosophy, which could take a chunk of the year for the Zips to fully digest and integrate.
Why Syracuse Might Win: The tenor of the entire season changed for the Orange when RB Delone Carter was reinstated to the program. A 1,000-yard rusher, who burned the Zips for 170 yards and three scores on the ground last October, he’s the kind of back who’s capable of completely taking a game over. The Syracuse defense figures to be ahead of an Akron offense that has uncertainty at quarterback and averaged only 19 points a game a year ago. The combination of Chandler Jones at end and blitzing linebackers Derrell Smith and Doug Hogue will keep newly named starter Patrick Nicely on the move all night.
Why Akron Might Win: At least in the early stages of the season, Akron will be fueled by a defense that brings back eight starters and potential all-stars in DT Almondo Sewell and LB Brian Wagner. Syracuse is saddled with youth and inexperience at the tackles, lending hope that the Zips can ignite a pass rush that was completely non-existent in 2009. If the new defensive sets can find a way to rattle unproven Ryan Nassib, he’s liable to make the kinds of costly mistakes inherent to young quarterbacks making their first road start.
What To Watch Out For: Smith and Hogue play with a level of intensity and athleticism that’s a rare treat from defensive players. At their core, the two senior are exceptional athletes, who make plays from sideline-to-sideline and will be turned loose liberally by the Orange staff. Akron simply doesn’t have the athletes up front to keep Nicely from being harassed throughout the night.
What Will Happen: Syracuse outmuscled Akron in last fall’s two-touchdown victory. It’ll do so again in the opener. The combination of Carter and Antwon Bailey running behind C Ryan Bartholomew will be too much for a Zip defense that becomes ordinary after the first few top producers. The Orange will manage the clock and play keep-away once it builds a double-digit lead after halftime.
CFN Prediction: Syracuse 28 … Akron 17 … Line: Syracuse -8
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Western Michigan (0-0) at Michigan State (0-0) Sept. 4, 12:00, ESPN2, ESPN3.com

Here’s The Deal … For those of you fired up for the rematch of last year’s 49-14 Michigan State thumping of the Broncos, you have your wish. MSU collapsed to Central Michigan in Game Two of last year, 29-27, so it’s not like the MAC can’t play in East Lansing, but it would be a total disaster for the Big Ten if this isn’t a blowout. Western Michigan is always decent, but this should be a bit of a rebuilding year with no major strengths and without QB Tim Hiller to lead the way. On the flip side, this is the season MSU has to make a big leap forward and rise up from the controversy and suspensions that gutted the team last year. On the outside of the preseason picks to finish in the top three in the Big Ten, the talent level is there to be a contender all season long, and the offense should be among the league’s most explosive. If nothing else, there should be plenty of fireworks, this should be a nice test for the mediocre MSU secondary, and this should be a good indication of things to come for both sides. If the Spartans win in a walk, they should be dialed in for the first part of the season, but if they struggle in any way, next week’s game against Florida Atlantic will be more than just a tune up for Notre Dame. If WMU can pull off the upset, it’s time to get excited with Nicholls State coming up next before the MAC opener against Toledo.
Why Western Michigan Might Win: Bombs away. The MSU pass defense finished 112th in the nation and last in the Big Ten allowing 268 yards per outing even though the pass rush was consistently fantastic. The Broncos didn’t exactly take advantage in last year’s game with Hiller completing 15-of-37 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown, but in the opener with everyone trying to get their bearings, the chances will be there for new starter, Alex Carder, to open it up a bit and push the ball down the field. This will be a shootout, and WMU is more than equipped to keep up the pace with a receiving corps good enough to put up big numbers and create several big plays.
Why Michigan State Might Win: The MSU secondary might be an issue, but the Broncos have bigger problems. The WMU secondary has been a puzzling disaster over the last few years. There’s a ton of talent, athletes to burn, and plenty of options … and no production. Last year, the pass defense gave up 383 yards and three touchdowns while also tearing it up on the ground with 219 yards and four scores. The Spartan passing game should be the star of the Big Ten season, and with five of the top six receivers returning, it should be fun ‘n’ gun time with at least 300 yards of passing offense. Considering WMU’s defensive front doesn’t have a great pass rush to rely on, the Spartans should get a huge day from …
What To Watch Out For: QB Kirk Cousins, who has the job all to himself. With Keith Nichol moving from quarterback to receiver in a full-time role, it’s up to Cousins to blossom into the leader and the star of the attack, and it starts here. Last year, he was having a decent season and then blew up against the Broncos completing 22-of-25 passes for 353 yards and two touchdowns. WMU knows this and will go all out to generate a little bit of pressure on the junior, but it shouldn’t matter. If Cousins can do what he did last year, or come close, the spotlight will be on as one of the potential breakout stars of the first half of the season.
What Will Happen: It’s not going to be the disaster that last year’s blowout was, but it should still be a show for the Michigan State offense. WMU isn’t going to be a pushover and it’ll play hard for the first 20 minutes or so, but the balance of the Spartan attack will take over and there will be at least two big home runs hit to put the battle out of reach. However, the storyline after the game might be how the MSU defense allowed 350 yards and struggled a bit too much to get off the field.
CFN Prediction: Michigan State 37 … Western Michigan 16 … Line: Michigan State -20.5
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Wofford (0-0) at Ohio (0-0) Sept. 4, 7:00 ET, ESPN

Here’s The Deal … The last time Ohio won the MAC East in 2006, it followed it up with a disappointing 6-6 season. This time around, the Bobcats are vowing to deliver a better encore. One of the league’s pleasant surprises of 2009, it went 9-5, yet finished with back-to-back losses in Detroit, falling to Central Michigan in the league title game and Marshall in the Little Caesars Bowl. With a decent corps of returners on both sides of the ball, Frank Solich is aiming to stay one step ahead of surging Temple in the division. Typically solid Wofford is coming off an unusually poor year, going 3-8 for its worst campaign in more than two decades. If the Terriers are going to bounce back, they’ll have to do so with a starting point somewhere in the middle of the Southern Conference.
Why Wofford Might Win: If there’s one thing you can count on in Spartanburg, it’s that the Terriers are going to run the ball with dogged determination. One of the last remaining programs that still runs the option, Wofford returns its top three rushers from a team that was No. 2 nationally on the ground in 2009. Mitch Allen is back at quarterback, where he’ll be joined by Mike Rucker and Michael Scott. The ball-control offense of the Terriers is another hurdle for an Ohio offense that lacked big plays and was generally feeble a year ago.
Why Ohio Might Win: While Wofford will grind it out between the tackles, the Bobcats believe they have the necessary answers on defense. One of the tighter units in the MAC, they’re particularly strong in the front seven with DT Ernie Hodge and DE Dak Notestine up front and LB Noah Keller sniffing out plays before they can develop. Ohio has had the entire month of August to prepare for the Terriers, which don’t offer much diversity or balance in the way of a passing attack. Solich can throw all of his resources at the running game without paying the price through the air.
What To Watch Out For: Yes, the Ohio offense has issues, but that could change if Boo Jackson can help ignite the passing game. He won’t have a problem locating capable receivers. In LaVon Brazill and Terrence McCrae, the Bobcats have a pair of big-play pass-catchers who have to be incorporated into the attack. If they can help stretch the Wofford defense, kickstarting an impotent running game because
What Will Happen: Ohio better be careful, needing to play mistake-free and with discipline against methodical Wofford. After a slow start, it’ll break through with much-needed help from the passing game, using the athleticism and size of Brazill and McCrae, respectively to put points on the board. The Bobcat D will bend but not break versus the Terriers, getting double-digit tackles out of Keller.
CFN Prediction: Ohio 33 … Wofford 24 … Line: No Line
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Army (0-0) at Eastern Michigan (0-0) Sept. 4, 7:00 ET

Here’s The Deal … Air Force has been to three consecutive bowl games. Navy hasn’t missed the postseason since 2002. Army is pining to join them. The Black Knights have been down for a long time, something second-year head coach Rich Ellerson is determined to change. The Cadets haven’t bowled since 1996 or beaten the Midshipmen since 2001, testament to their recent struggles. Under Ellerson, however, they won five games for the first time since that 1996 team went 10-2, and have some momentum entering 2010. Just one additional victory means a bowl game, so trips like this one Ypsilanti are more critical than they might appear. After reaching bedrock by going winless last season, Eastern Michigan will be searching for positive signs in Ron English’s second year. Faced with one of the toughest jobs among FBS programs, he’s hoping the use of so many young players will start paying dividends in the fall.
Why Army Might Win: The Black Knights’ desire to establish the run won’t go unfulfilled on this night. They’re ready to rock on the ground, bolstered by the returns of four senior linemen, QB Trent Steelman, and shifty backs Patrick Mealy and Jameson Carter. The key, though, could be FB Jared Hassin, an Air Force transfer who has impressed the staff since arriving in West Point. Army will be able to bully an Eastern Michigan front wall that was last nationally versus the run in 2009, and still lacks the bodies to withstand at the point of attack.
Why Eastern Michigan Might Win: If the Eagles are going to deliver the upset and snap a 12-game losing streak, it’ll be done on the backs of the backfield. QB Alex Gillett and RB Dwayne Priest gained a lot of experience, while pacing the offense on the ground. Although Gillett still needs to progress as a passer, he’s dangerous when he tucks and runs. Priest has 1,000-yard potential if he can get proper support from his blockers. The Army defense tends to have its biggest problems when teams run right at it.
What To Watch Out For: Tucked away in the mediocrity of Army football is a pair of defenders capable of shedding some national anonymity this season. While neither DE Josh McNary nor LB Stephen Anderson look like the prototype, that won’t stop them from wreaking havoc in the Eastern Michigan backfield. McNary set a single-season school record for sacks last season, and never quits on a play.
What Will Happen: This is a pivotal game for Army, which wants to reach a point where it can dispose of the inferior opponents on the schedule, especially on the road. The Black Knights will bludgeon the Eagles on the ground, controlling the tempo of the game and getting multiple players in the mix. With a heavy dose of Hassin, they’ll wear down their hosts, which won’t have the pop on offense to mount a comeback.
CFN Prediction: Army 30 … Eastern Michigan 17 … Line: Army -9
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Bowling Green (0-0) at Troy (0-0) Sept. 4, 7:00

Here’s The Deal … This matchup appeared to be one of the best under-the-radar battles of the 2009 season, but Bowling Green’s passing game came out roaring on the way to a 31-14 win. Both teams are rebuilding and each has some major question marks going into the season, but this should still be a nice GMAC Bowl-like game that goes a long way toward providing conference bragging rights. Considering the Trojans lost to Central Michigan in a classic GMAC Bowl in January, the Sun Belt could use a big non-conference win to make any sort of a claim that it’s better than the MAC, while Bowling Green is simply looking to get a win with a sneaky-nasty schedule coming up.
Why Bowling Green Might Win: The Troy pass defense was a shocking disaster last year finishing 118th in the nation allowing 287 yards per game, and now there’s more work to be done. There’s talent there, but it’s a very young group that’s still going to take its lumps before it figures out what it’s doing. Bowling Green might have lost some major parts of the passing puzzle, but head coach Dave Clawson is still going to want to push the ball down the field with the top-shelf passing game. Is Troy equipped to be better right away? The GMAC Bowl isn’t all that long ago.
Why Troy Might Win: Bowling Green needs a ton of help on the defensive front that did next to nothing against the run last year. Troy’s offensive line might not be the best in the Sun Belt, but it’s not far off and it should be able to pound away with the ground game as long as it wants to. Troy’s passing game will take little while to jell, and it won’t achieve the level it hit last year (finishing fourth in the nation), but it should still be effective. Basically, Troy’s defense should be better than Bowling Green’s.
What To Watch Out For: The Troy quarterback situation is a potential problem. A year after Levi Brown went ballistic and turned into one of the Sun Belt’s top offensive weapons, the Trojans are still trying to decide between Jamie Hampton and Corey Robinson for the gig with the two likely to rotate. Hampton is a good thrower, but he has to keep the interceptions to a minimum, while Robinson is a gunner who set the national high school record with 5,872 passing yards and 91 scores. Bowling Green has to replace longtime veteran Tyler Sheehan, and it’ll be up to 6-2, 184-pound redshirt freshman Matt Schilz to shine right away with several options behind him.
What Will Happen: Troy has issues, but Bowling Green has bigger problems needing to show it can stop someone with the defensive front seven. The offenses won’t be as explosive as last year’s versions, but they’ll still be fun and this should be an entertaining game, even if it’s not played at a high level.
CFN Prediction: Troy 27 … Bowling Green 21 … Line: Troy -13.5
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