MAC NOTES
After this week, just four non-conference games remain as the full MAC schedule kicks in. Next week's slate of games includes a Thursday night contest ( Akron at Kent State ) and a Friday night game on ESPN2 ( Bowling Green at Northern Illinois ).
Marshall's Jonathan Goddard, who returned a fumble for a touchdown last year in a win over the No. 6 Kansas State, returned a fumble for a touchdown Saturday at No. 9 Ohio State .
Akron 's Charlie Frye boosted his career passing yards to 9,048 to become the seventh player in MAC history to reach 9,000 or more yards. Frye had 399 passing yards Saturday versus Middle Tennessee State .
Miami 's Ryne Robinson is 92 yards away from the MAC career record for punt return yards. Robinson has 909 yards, the record is 1,001.
Northern Illinois quarterback Josh Haldiu will be re-evaluated Thursday by team physicians. Haldi has missed all but three snaps vs. Maryland this season due to a minor right foot stress fracture. He could return for the Sept. 24 nationally televised (ESPN2) MAC opener vs. Bowling Green .
Buffalo had a record crowd of 29,013 for Saturday's game with Syracuse .
UCF's 32,224 audience for its game with West Virginia was the 10th largest home crowd in MAC history.
MAC teams are 0-10 versus ranked teams and have games with two ranked opponents this week - Akron at No. 12/No. 16 Virginia Marshall at No. 3/No. 3 Georgia .
The quarterback position continues to be a toss-up at Buffalo , although this week it's because both players didn't do very well. P.J. Piskorik did complete 9 of his 14 attempts, but for only 80 yards. And Randall Secky was only 7-of-18 on the day for 42 yards with two interceptions. Jim Hofher has a big decision to make heading into the next game.
UCF Coach George O'Leary announced that Larry Peoples, expected to be the starting left tackle, has been suspended for the rest of the season. Peoples was put on indefinite suspension before fall camp started for an undisclosed violation of team rules.
BGSU WR Jimmy Carson, a redshirt freshman from Florida, was thrown off the team following his fourth encounter with police in the past three months. After a couple of traffic incidents, Carson was stopped for driving with fictitious plates, then stopped a second time on the same charge a few days later. He threatened to shoot the female officer, and that likely ended his career at Bowling Green , where he was listed as a backup on the depth chart. Eastern Michigan is grooming two young receivers to help its passing attack. Sophomore Eric Deslauriers and junior A.J. Bennett, who combined for just 19 catches in their careers before this year, have teamed to catch 16 passes in the first two games.
NIU’s Sam Hurd and Shatone Powers may have cost themselves some playing time past their one-game suspensions for the SIU contest. Marcus Perez, a true freshman, made an impact starting in place of the duo.
Western Michigan was beaten badly on the field and in the training room after playing Virginia Tech. Starting quarterback Blayne Baggett left in the first quarter with a rib injury and didn't return. TB Trovon Riley also left in the first quarter after being knocked woozy, but he returned in the third period. Defensive tackle Andy Endermann left the game with a dislocated elbow.
THIS WEEK'S GAMES - Saturday, Sept. 18
Northern Illinois (1-1, 0-0 MAC) at Iowa State (1-1, 0-0 Big 12) - 11:30
Site: Ames , Iowa - Jack Trice Stadium (45,814/natural grass)
Series: tied 1-1 ... NIU won last year in DeKalb 24-16.
Coaches: NIU-Joe Novak (39-53, ninth season; Dan McCarney (39-68, 10th season).
Highlights:
The Huskies are going into the game with seasoned QB Josh Haldi (stress fracture in right foot) listed as doubtful. Haldi has played one series (9/4 at Maryland ) this year.
Phil Horvath has played in Haldi's place and ranks seventh in the MAC in passing efficiency at 109.4 (30-of-58, 51.7 percent, 367 yards, 2 TDs, 2 int.).
A.J. Harris, who backed up Michael Turner at TB last year, ranks second in the MAC with 233 rushing yards in two games.
ISU dropped a 17-10 contest to Iowa last week while NIU edged I-AA No. 1 ranked Southern Illinois 23-22.
Comment: ISU lost a difficult game to their arch-rival, Iowa last week while NIU toughened it out against intra-state rival Southern Illinois . NIU won a close game last year in DeKalb 24-16 and I expect a similar game and the same result this year.
Nick’s Pick: NIU 20 – Iowa St 16 <upset special>
Line: Iowa St by 2.5
UCF (0-2, 0-0 MAC) at Penn State (1-1, 0-0 Big Ten) - 12:10 (ET)
Site: University Park , Pa. - Beaver Stadium (107,282/grass)
Series: PSU leads 1-0 ... the Nittany Lions won in 2002, 27-24, in what was the Golden Knights first ever game as a member of the MAC.
Coaches: UCF-George O'Leary (0-2 first season at UCF; 52-35, ninth season overall); Joe Paterno (340-110-3, 39th season).
Highlights:
This will be UCF's first non-ranked foe after opening with losses to Wisconsin and West Virginia .
PSU beat MAC member Akron 48-10 to open the season and then lost at Boston College 21-7 last week.
Alex Haynes' 137 rushing yards vs. WVU boosted his career total to 2,695, second most in UCF history and 436 shy of the record.
QB Brandon Sumner (9-of-21, 86 yards, 1 TD, 0 int.) made his first career start last week.
Comment: UCF just doesn’t have the players right to compete with the schedule they have been playing. The biggest problem is the offense and while they nearly beating PSU two years ago in Happy Valley, this year’s squad doesn’t have Doug Gabriel and Ryan Schneider.
Nick’s Pick: Penn State 34 – UCF 14
Line: Penn St by 21.5
Ball State (0-2, 0-0 MAC) at Missouri (1-1, 0-0 Big 12) - 1:00
Site: Columbia , Mo. - Memorial Stadium (63,349/artificial surface)
Series: Missouri leads 2-0 ... the Tigers won the most recent meeting 35-7 last year.
Coaches: BSU-Brady Hoke (4-10, second season); UM-Gary Pinkel (18-20, fourth season at UM; 91-57-3, 14th season overall).
Highlights:
This will be the third BCS league foe the Cardinals will face after dropping games to Boston College and Purdue.
The Tigers were surprised last week by Troy , 24-14, after going into the game ranked #17 nationally.
Dante Ridgeway has 145 career receptions and needs just one catch to tie the school record.
BSU's first touchdown of 2004 came at Purdue when Joey Lynch tossed a 21-yard scoring strike to Bryan Williamson.
Comment: After jumping out to a quick 14-0 lead at Troy last week, the Tigers fell apart and probably cannot wait to hit someone else at home. Ball State is playing their final non-conference game from a murderous OOC slate. This is not the week to be playing Missouri in Columbia .
Nick’s Pick: Missouri 45 – Ball State 13
Line: Missouri by 25
SE Missouri St. (0-2, 0-0 Ohio Valley ) at Central Michigan (0-2, 0-0 MAC) - 1:00
Site: Mount Pleasant , Mich. - Kelly/Shorts Stadium (30,199/artificial turf)
Series: first meeting
Coaches: SEMO-Tim Billings (20-28, fifth season); CMU-Brian Kelly (0-2 first season at CMU; 118-37-2, 14th season overall).
Highlights:
The Chippewa’s play their first home game after losses at Big Ten opponents Indiana and Michigan State .
SEMO lost at Bowling Green last week 49-10.
Jerry Seymour tops the MAC rushing charts with his 137.5 rushing yards per game average and is second with a 5.9 yards per carry average.
CMU leads the MAC in rushing at 175 ypg and is also averaging 184 passing ypg.
Comment: CMU played well at Michigan State last week, but if this is the same Spartan team that lost at Rutgers, who then lost to I-AA New Hampshire . CMU can run the ball well and should be able to handle the Indians but not to the ease of BG last week.
Nick’s Pick: Central Michigan 31 – SE Missouri St 17
Line: NL
Western Michigan (1-1, 0-0 MAC) at Illinois (1-1, 0-0 Big Ten) - 1:00)
Site: Champaign , Ill. - Memorial Stadium (70,900)
Series: UI leads 1-0 ... the lone meeting was in 1947, a 60-14 Fighting Illini victory.
Coaches: WMU-Gary Darnell (46-37, eighth season at WMU, 52-59, 12th season overall); UI-Ron Turner (33-50, eighth season at UI; 40-54, ninth season overall).
Highlights:
WMU's 63-0 loss at Virginia Tech was the Broncos first shutout since a 30-0 loss, also to the Hokies, in the fourth game of the 2000 season.
Since 1997, all three shutouts suffered by WMU have been at the hands of VT (2001, 2002, 2004).
The Illini lost a 35-17 contest to UCLA last week.
The Broncos have a seven game road losing streak vs. non-conference opponents, last winning at Iowa in 2000, 27-21.
Ryan Cubit, a transfer from Rutgers , saw his first action at QB and completed 19-of-30 attempts for 113 yards at Virginia Tech.
Comment: Prior to this season starting, I thought this game would be a MAC win over the Big Ten. Illinois is a better team than I expected and WMU is still licking their wounds from the pounding they took at V-Tech last week. Illinois should roll.
Nick’s Pick: Illinois 33 – Western Michigan 21
Line: Illinois by 9
Marshall (0-2, 0-0 MAC) at #3 Georgia (2-0, 1-0 SEC) - 1:00
Site: Athens , Ga. - Sanford Stadium (92,746/grass)
Series: first meeting.
Coaches: Marshall-Bob Pruett (88-19, ninth season); Georgia-Mark Richt (20-6, fourth season).
Highlights:
Marshall lost a 24-21 contest at No. 9 Ohio State last week on a field goal as time expired.
The Bulldogs came from behind for a 20-16 win over South Carolina .
The Bulldogs will be without leading rusher Danny Ware, who suffered a bruised lung vs. South Carolina .
Marshall held the Buckeyes to just 79 rushing yards on 26 attempts last week.
Freshman Emanuel Spann stepped up and caught seven passes for 39 yards at OSU and returned two punts for 48 yards.
Marshall head coach Bob Pruett has never lost three games in a row and has 73 career wins, tied for fourth most in MAC history with Gary Pinkel (Toledo 1999-01) and four wins behind Doyt Perry (Bowling Green 1955-64).
Comment: Marshall lost a heartbreaker last week in Columbus , a game they should have won while Georgia won a SEC rivalry game over South Carolina . Georgia ’s offense is potent while Ohio State ’s offense was impotent. After two gut-wrenching defeats, Marshall will lose by a much larger margin this week.
Nick’s Pick: Georgia 35 – Marshall 14
Line: Georgia by 18
Ohio (1-1, 0-0 MAC) at Miami (1-2, 0-0 MAC) - 2:00
Site: Oxford , Ohio - Yager Stadium (27,000/Field Turf)
Series: Miami leads 49-29-2 ... the RedHawks have won the last four in the series ... the Bobcats last won in Oxford in 1993, 22-20.
Coaches: Ohio-Brian Knorr (8-29, fourth season); Miami-Terry Hoeppner (41-22, sixth season).
Highlights:
The RedHawks begin defense of their league crown against rival Ohio in the 81st meeting in the series that began in 1908.
The Bobcats will be led by former Miami QB Ryan Hawk.
Ohio leads the MAC in scoring defense, allowing just 19.0 ppg, and total defense, allowing just 253.0 ypg.
Miami has been outscored 88-36 in its last two games and gave up 40 points in back-to-back games for the first time since 1988.
RedHawk safety Matt Pusateri has four interceptions in the last five games.
Comment: Ohio outplayed Pitt last week and their new offense has been taking shape nicely. Miami ’s defense was pushed off of the field last week at Cincy but playing at home should get RedHawks back in the winning side of the ledger. This will be a very competitive game.
Nick’s Pick: Miami 35 – Ohio 30
Line: Miami by 20
Toledo (0-2, 0-0 MAC) at Eastern Michigan (1-1, 1-0 MAC) - 6:00
Site: Ypsilanti , Mich. - Rynearson Stadium (30,200/Astroturf)
Series: Toledo leads 21-10 ... the Rockets have won the last four in a row.
Coaches: Toledo -Tom Amstutz (27-13, fourth season); EMU-Jeff Genyk (1-1, first year).
Highlights:
UT has allowed 126 points in its first two games after giving up 127 total points in its first six games in 2003.
EMU has not won its first two MAC contests of the year since 1995.
These two teams rank 13th (EMU 41.5) and 14th (UT 63.0) in the MAC in points per game allowed.
In the 49-10 loss at Florida last week, EMU and the Gators had to sit during a 64 minute delay while waiting out a lightning storm in the area.
UT's Steve Odom is averaging a MAC best 24.0 yards per catch while the Rockets are minus 2.0 per game in turnover margin.
Comment: Toledo has been smacked around for two weeks now against good competition but as EMU displayed against Florida prior to the weather delay, they are an improved team. You have to think EMU’s offensive players are licking their chops facing the nation’s worst defense.
Nick’s Pick: EMU 42 – Toledo 30 <upset special>
Line: Toledo by 10
Buffalo (0-2, 0-1 MAC) at Nevada (1-1, 0-0 WAC) - 6:05 (PT)
Site: Reno , Nev. - Mackay Stadium (31,900/Field Turf)
Series: first meeting
Coaches: UB-Jim Hofher (5-32, fourth season at UB; 49-68, 12th season overall); Nevada-Chris Ault (164-64-1, 20th season).
Highlights:
This is the furthest west Buffalo has traveled for a football game.
The Wolf Pack is coming off a 59-7 win over Sacramento State .
UB dropped a 37-17 contest to Syracuse due two punts being blocked that led to touchdowns and an interception returned for a score while the UB defense returned a fumble and interception for a touchdown.
Dave Dawson is averaging a MAC best 6.9 ypc with 132 yards on 19 attempts.
The Bulls play three of their first four games on the road.
Comment: Buffalo is an improved team and actually played well against Syracuse with the Orange having only 34 more yards in total offense. Nevada can score points in bunches. Look for UB to play well again and fall away in the 4th period.
Nick’s Pick: Nevada 38 – Buffalo 27
Line: Nevada by 14
Akron (0-2, 0-0 MAC) at #12 Virginia (2-0, 1-0 ACC) - 3:00
Site: Charlottesville , Va. - Scott Stadium (61,500/Prescription Athletic Turf)
Series: UVa leads 1-0 ... the Cavaliers won in 2002, 48-29.
Coaches: UA-J.D. Brookhart (0-2, first season); Al Groh (24-17, fourth season at UVa; 50-57, 10th season overall).
Highlights:
The Cavaliers are the only ranked opponent on the Zips schedule this year.
Zips QB Charlie Frye tops the MAC in passing efficiency at 141.1 (60-of-80, 622 yards, 2 TDs, 3 int.) and features the top two receivers in the MAC in Domenik Hixon (15 rec., 175 yards) and Jason Montgomery (14, 153).
UVa jumped four sports in this week's coach’s poll after its 56-24 win over North Carolina .
Comment: New coach, same results. Akron played very poor defense against Penn State two weeks ago and had three costly turnovers in their home loss to Middle Tennessee State last weekend. Virginia has far too much talent for this game to be close.
Nick’s Pick: Virginia 48 – Akron 14
Line: Virginia by 31
Kent State (1-1, 0-0 MAC) at Rutgers (1-1, 0-0 Big East) - 7:00
Site: New Brunswick , N.J. - Rutgers Stadium (41,500/natural grass)
Series: RU leads 1-0 ... the Scarlet Knights won in 1994, 28-6.
Coaches: KSU-Doug Martin (1-1, first season); RU-Greg Schiano (9-28, fourth season.
Highlights:
Doug Martin won his first game as a head coach in last week's 38-10 triumph over Liberty and the contest also marked the return of QB Joshua Cribbs, who missed the opener at Iowa .
Cribbs dazzled with 144 passing yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-29 attempts and added 105 rushing yards and a touchdown on 13 attempts.
Rutgers opened the season with a 19-14 victory over Michigan State before losing to I-AA New Hampshire 35-24.
KSU leads the MAC in sacks with seven after getting just 14 sacks all of last year.
Comment: Through just two weeks of MAC play, Kent State has every quietly played some good football. KSU’s defense is very much improved and with the return of Cribb’s for his senior year, this team is very hungry to have a big season. As high as Rutgers was ten days ago with their victory over Michigan State , they are very low now with the home loss to New Hampshire . Kent State will get their non-conference win over a IA opponent since beating Kansas in 1987.
Nick’s Pick: Kent State 27 – Rutgers 23 <upset special>
Line: Rutgers by 12
Credit: www.RocketReport.com . . .
Vandelay Pick's, Upsets(EMU & NIU), MAC News and BG boot
I'll temper some of my glee at UT getting pistol whipped and flogged the last few weeks.....OK, maybe not. However this game is going to speak directly to the character-if any-that the rockettes may have.
If they get behind, or come out playing badly, how willing are they to think they are going to lose. How quickly are they going to fold and sulk on the sidelines. Having lived through it at BGSU I know it happens. Every team will talk-the-talk in the papers and on TV the week before. How much of it really shows up?
UT has had some good times under Stutz the Hutt, but so did BGSU under Blackney. It took years before the weakness and seriousness of the problems made themselves clear. The same paradox is developing there, as it did here.
Either they have just enough talent to win with, and not enough coaching skill to win with it. Or they don't have enough talent to overcome the lack of coaching skill. It is certainly one or the other. Either way, they are reaping the results of the staff they have.
Speaking outside of pure stats, UT's pass defense has always been wide open against a team able to pass well and often. UT's offense had major issues getting up to speed last year, which speaks to a decline in talent over many years taking effect. UT's defense is now going through the same problem. UT fans will talk of "reloading." So will I. In this case they are slipping 9 mm rounds into a .45. You can fake it for a few years, but at some point your opponents and fans expect a lot from you, and you can't deliver.
Finally, I invoke The Second Rule of the University of Toledo. "UT fans never understand how good or bad it is. By the time they do, it is not anymore, and they can not understand why."
If they get behind, or come out playing badly, how willing are they to think they are going to lose. How quickly are they going to fold and sulk on the sidelines. Having lived through it at BGSU I know it happens. Every team will talk-the-talk in the papers and on TV the week before. How much of it really shows up?
UT has had some good times under Stutz the Hutt, but so did BGSU under Blackney. It took years before the weakness and seriousness of the problems made themselves clear. The same paradox is developing there, as it did here.
Either they have just enough talent to win with, and not enough coaching skill to win with it. Or they don't have enough talent to overcome the lack of coaching skill. It is certainly one or the other. Either way, they are reaping the results of the staff they have.
Speaking outside of pure stats, UT's pass defense has always been wide open against a team able to pass well and often. UT's offense had major issues getting up to speed last year, which speaks to a decline in talent over many years taking effect. UT's defense is now going through the same problem. UT fans will talk of "reloading." So will I. In this case they are slipping 9 mm rounds into a .45. You can fake it for a few years, but at some point your opponents and fans expect a lot from you, and you can't deliver.
Finally, I invoke The Second Rule of the University of Toledo. "UT fans never understand how good or bad it is. By the time they do, it is not anymore, and they can not understand why."
NWLB
*********************************
http://www.CruiseAficionados.com - A Community for Cruise Fans. (Try the mobile app "Cruise Aficionados)
*********************************
http://www.CruiseAficionados.com - A Community for Cruise Fans. (Try the mobile app "Cruise Aficionados)
I tell my 9.5 month old that very same thing, every night before she goes to bed.
You have to teach them while they are young.
I learned two more of my extended family from here in BG are starting at BGSU next year. I'm waiting to see if they become teachers like almost everybody in that wing of the family!
You have to teach them while they are young.
I learned two more of my extended family from here in BG are starting at BGSU next year. I'm waiting to see if they become teachers like almost everybody in that wing of the family!
NWLB
*********************************
http://www.CruiseAficionados.com - A Community for Cruise Fans. (Try the mobile app "Cruise Aficionados)
*********************************
http://www.CruiseAficionados.com - A Community for Cruise Fans. (Try the mobile app "Cruise Aficionados)
