Nicks Picks brings a 37-12 record into week #5 and take note, there are a lot of could-go-either-way kinds of conference games. Therefore, I’ve added “confidence %” meter to those games as there really are a lot of flip-the-coin contests this weekend.


MAC Notes:
• The MAC is coming off another competitive weekend with a 3-10 record in 13 non-conference games. MAC had wins over Big Ten (Purdue) and Sun Belt opponents (Arkansas State and Louisiana). Five of the losses were by a combined 21 points in one score games against Big Ten (Minnesota, Northwestern) ACC (Boston College), Mountain West (Nevada) and Conference USA (Marshall) opponents
• Bowling Green’s 35-28 win at Purdue marked only the third time in MAC history for a MAC program to earn two wins against Big Ten opponents in the same season (Maryland, Purdue). In 2003, Bowling Green had two wins against Big Ten opponents (at Purdue, and vs. Northwestern in the Motor City Bowl), while NIU defeated both Iowa and Purdue on the road during the 2013 season
• Akron’s 35-14 road win at Louisiana marked the program’s 500th victory in school history
• MAC West dominance…
o After 18 crossover games in the 2014 season, the MAC West had a 15-3 advantage over the MAC East Division, which marks the best crossover record in the last seven years.
o Over the previous seven years (2008-2014), the MAC West has had the upper hand in crossover regular season games against the MAC East, winning the head-to-head regular season series in six of the last seven years
o Over the last seven seasons (2008-14), the West holds a 90-36 (.714%) regular season record in crossover games over the East


Nick’s Pick: Ohio 21 – Akron 20
Comment: The Zips have not beaten OU since 2007 and while Akron seems to have found a QB, Solich always seems to have the upper hand in this series…so until otherwise changed, look for a close game and another Bobcat win
Confidence Meter: 75%

Nick’s Pick: UMass 33 – FIU 28
Comment: Call this a gut feeling but after getting hammered by Notre Dame last week I cannot see Coach Mark Whipple letting this team fall to 0-4. I know very little about FIU other than they did upset UCF this year and played Indiana respectfully…which means absolutely nothing
Confidence Meter: 40%

Nick’s Pick: NIU 28 – Central Michigan 21
Comment: One of many huge games to begin conference play as Central looks much stronger than their record indicates and NIU’s offense has been a real mystery; granted that they’ve played two really good defenses in Ohio State & Boston College. After last year’s home loss something tells me that NIU really wants this game as badly as they want to beat Toledo every year. Central is looking at this game to spring their season forward…I predict an instant MAC classic!
Confidence Meter: 45%

Nick’s Pick: Toledo 24 – Ball State 20
Comment: Muncie, IN has been a house of horrors for the Rocket program through the years as twice they came in nationally ranked only to lose to the Cardinals. The Rockets have won just three times in the past 15 seasons at Ball State and this year will be a struggle if they do win again.
Confidence Meter: 30%

Nick’s Pick: BGSU 41 – Buffalo 31
Comment: Get used to it Falcon fans, every win you have this year will be entertaining…look for this game to have as much as 1,000 yards of offense before it ends
Confidence Meter: 80%

Nick’s Pick: Kent State 17 – Miami 13
Comment: Both programs are a mess right now but to Kent State’s credit after their week #1 debacle at Illinois, the Golden Flashes defense has played very well and Miami does not have much of an offense to shut down…given the fact that nothing comes easy for KSU football, this game will be close
Confidence Meter: 60%

Nick’s Pick: LSU 63 – Eastern Michigan 7
Comment: Let’s face it, the final score will be whatever LSU wants it to be…
Confidence Meter: 100%