(08-30-2017 09:17 AM)Nick in Cleveland Wrote:  I don't know that I'll have the time to do these weekly like I've done in the past but here is a quick view of week #1 as I see it.

Hope everyone on this board is doing well and most certainly thoughts and prayers to everyone on Texas & other parts of the southeast who are in need during these awful storms.

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Thursday, August 31
Minnesota 37 - Buffalo 13
New coach, new attitude, and oh by the way, the "row the boat" guy fell into taking over a 9-4 team. UB just can't seem to get that program going under the current leadership, which is surprising. Gophers win relatively easy.

Toledo 55 - Elon 10
Hard to pick this game as Elon has never played a I-A team before and suffered through a 2-9 season last year. A lot of UT guys will be playing in this game which should be over by the 2nd quarter.

Central Michigan 28 - Rhode Island 13
I don't know much of RI but I do know Central is pretty good but does not have that killer offense like they've had at times over the past decade. CMU will win by at least two TDs

Friday, September 1
Eastern Michigan 33 - Charlotte 21
I am "giddy" about EMU this year, love the coach and their QB. Hoping they can keep it going for another winning season in Ypsi and I believe they will be off to a good start on Friday night.

Boston College 27 - Northern Illinois 16
I expect a very close and hard fought game until the end before BC pulls away late. Hope I'm wrong.

Saturday, September 2
Illinois 34 - Ball State 30
Another game that I hope I'm wrong about as IU is a mess. If BSU can play any sort of defense they can win this game. Expect a very entertaining and close game.

Michigan State 38 - Bowling Green 14
MSU is physically far superior to BG and over the four quarters of this game will just plain wear them down. BG is a difficult non-conference schedule.

Penn State 37 - Akron 13
I'm not sold on PSU being a #6 team in the country but I also don't believe the Zips can hang with them much after halftime. Like the MSU/BG game above, PSU will beat up Akron as the game goes on and pull away.

Clemson 58 - Kent State 10
Why is this game being played?

USC 48 - Western Michigan 17
Would love to have seen last year's WMU team play USC...not a fun game to begin your coaching career if you are Western. They can physically match USC but cannot contain all of their skilled weapons.

Miami 31 - Marshall 27
Maybe the best game of the MAC schedule this first week...I like Miami to begin their Eastern Conference title run against an old-MAC rival.

Ohio 44 - Hampton 16
OU is far too talented to keep this close.

CMU is switching to a spread offense with a new OC and new starting QB(s), so it's tough to say. However, the Rams gave up 36.4ppg last season, so I think 28 might be on the low side for us.