For the 16th straight year…here we go.


Akron 33 – Howard 16
The Bison went 6-6 last season and lost at EMU 34-24; Akron has a team that may make a big leap in the standings this fall.

NIU 44 – Presbyterian 6
The Blue Hose struggled to go 3-8 last season and will be seriously over-matched in this contest.

Central 23 – UT Chattanooga 21
The Mocs open the season #14 in FCS (I-AA) coming off an 8-4 season; look for this game to be very close. Of note UT-C has not played a MAC team since beating BG in 1976 & 77.

BGSU 37 – WKU 24
In “the battle of Bowling Green’s” look for the defending MAC champs to get off to a quick start and pick up a good non-conference win for the league.

Purdue 30 – Western 21
This is a game the Broncos should win and likely would have under former coach Bill Cubit. Does anyone really know what “row the boat” means? It certainly hasn’t translated well in Kalamazoo.

Ball State 35 – Colgate 16
It may be a transition year for this Cardinal program but they should have little trouble with the Red Raiders who were 4-8 last year.

Marshall 52 – Miami 17
Was it really that long ago when Leftwich vs. Roethlisberger was must-see TV? For Miami fans it certainly was…who knows what to expect from the RedHawks and their new coaching staff after the recent mess in Oxford.

Boston College 34 – UMass 14
A nice home MAC game for the league but the Minutemen are in no position to win a game like this right now.

Buffalo 43 – Duquesne 10
Why was this game scheduled against a FCS (I-AA) non-scholarship team? The Dukes lost to Youngstown State last year 59-17 and will play NAIA Alderson-Broaddus on October 25 for crying out loud.

Ohio 28 – Kent State 23
By far the most difficult game to predict after the sudden and sad passing of KSU’s Jason Bitsko…clearly no clue what to expect from the Golden Flashes in this 1st game.

Eastern 24 – Morgan St 17
A must win for the new coaching staff and it seems like no win is ever easy in Ypsilanti.

Toledo 27 – New Hampshire 25
NHU is one of the top FCS (I-AA) teams in the nation and much better than more than ½ of the teams in the MAC this fall; this will not be an easy game and I look for a late Rocket FG to win it.

Good stuff Nick.

I predicted CMU by 14. Unlike last season's nail-biter against UNH, we won't be coming off a damaging (lost starting QB &TB ) blowout in Ann Arbor, and we are a veteran team for the first time in what seems like forever. Definitely respect Chattanooga though.

Good call on UT / New Hampshire. Don't sleep on them! Took everything we had to come back from 13 down at halftime. Turns out UNH was probably our second-best win last season.

Can't really argue with any of your picks/scores. Toledo game might not be so close though. New Hampshire is a very good FCS program for sure, but Toledo will have what's likely the best O-line and D-line in the MAC this year. I foresee the Rockets dominating UNH in the trenches.

(08-26-2014 10:07 PM)Nick in Cleveland Wrote:  Does anyone really know what “row the boat” means? It certainly hasn’t translated well in Kalamazoo.

I don't think it translates well anywhere...lol!

(08-26-2014 11:25 PM)ColinApocalypse Wrote:  Can't really argue with any of your picks/scores. Toledo game might not be so close though. New Hampshire is a very good FCS program for sure, but Toledo will have what's likely the best O-line and D-line in the MAC this year. I foresee the Rockets dominating UNH in the trenches.

Last season an inexperienced freshman QB led Rocket squad beat a very good Eastern Washington by a couple of TDs. I think this Toledo team is better.

(08-26-2014 11:25 PM)ColinApocalypse Wrote:  Can't really argue with any of your picks/scores. Toledo game might not be so close though. New Hampshire is a very good FCS program for sure, but Toledo will have what's likely the best O-line and D-line in the MAC this year. I foresee the Rockets dominating UNH in the trenches.

I remember they played a few years ago and New Hampshire fans were talking big and brash after beating BSU the year before. I think it was like 27-0 before New Hampshire knew what hit 'em.

Yeah...unless Ely totally craps the bed, the Rockets will roll in this one.

I'm more surprised at your thought that WMU would normally beat Purdue.

"I'm more surprised at your thought that WMU would normally beat Purdue"

Cubit's recent non-conference wins and close calls:

2012
Beat UConn 30-24, lost at Minnesota 28-23

2011
Beat UConn 38-31, lost at Illinois 23-20 and lost to Purdue in Detroit 37-32

2009
Beat Illinois 23-17

========================

Those were good or at least average Big Ten & Big East teams...this year's Purdue team is a national bottom-feeder and a good MAC team should be able to win that game...heck there are some I-AA teams that would beat Purdue this fall.

(08-27-2014 06:37 AM)Frozenbaugh Wrote:  

(08-26-2014 11:25 PM)ColinApocalypse Wrote:  Can't really argue with any of your picks/scores. Toledo game might not be so close though. New Hampshire is a very good FCS program for sure, but Toledo will have what's likely the best O-line and D-line in the MAC this year. I foresee the Rockets dominating UNH in the trenches.

I remember they played a few years ago and New Hampshire fans were talking big and brash after beating BSU the year before. I think it was like 27-0 before New Hampshire knew what hit 'em.

I remember that too, "the CAA is as good as the MAC" etc. Then Toledo stomped them. Hopefully they do that again. May not be a blowout but they should win by a couple scores at least.

(08-27-2014 12:19 PM)Nick in Cleveland Wrote:  "I'm more surprised at your thought that WMU would normally beat Purdue"

Cubit's recent non-conference wins and close calls:

2012
Beat UConn 30-24, lost at Minnesota 28-23

2011
Beat UConn 38-31, lost at Illinois 23-20 and lost to Purdue in Detroit 37-32

2009
Beat Illinois 23-17

========================

Those were good or at least average Big Ten & Big East teams...this year's Purdue team is a national bottom-feeder and a good MAC team should be able to win that game...heck there are some I-AA teams that would beat Purdue this fall.

Check your facts and scores dude.

WMU lost to Indiana (4-8) in 2009 by a score of 23-19. They did not play Illinois.

They beat Illinois (5-7) in 2008. But they also beat everyone in the MAC that year except a really really good Ball State team and a decent CMU team.

And the UConn squad was 5-7 in BOTH 2011 and 2012. They aren't a Big Ten team!

I rest my case.

But cubit teams kept in real with P5 teams. He would have done the same vs. this rebuilding Purdue team as well. But so may Fleck if he is doing what WMU is paying him to.

(08-27-2014 02:44 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(08-27-2014 12:19 PM)Nick in Cleveland Wrote:  "I'm more surprised at your thought that WMU would normally beat Purdue"

Cubit's recent non-conference wins and close calls:

2012
Beat UConn 30-24, lost at Minnesota 28-23

2011
Beat UConn 38-31, lost at Illinois 23-20 and lost to Purdue in Detroit 37-32

2009
Beat Illinois 23-17

========================

Those were good or at least average Big Ten & Big East teams...this year's Purdue team is a national bottom-feeder and a good MAC team should be able to win that game...heck there are some I-AA teams that would beat Purdue this fall.

Check your facts and scores dude.

WMU lost to Indiana (4-8) in 2009 by a score of 23-19. They did not play Illinois.

They beat Illinois (5-7) in 2008. But they also beat everyone in the MAC that year except a really really good Ball State team and a decent CMU team.

And the UConn squad was 5-7 in BOTH 2011 and 2012. They aren't a Big Ten team!

I rest my case.

What exactly are you arguing?

Also don't forget WMU beat Iowa in 2007, and UVA in 2006 and was a BS called back touchdown away from being tied late in the 4th quarter with FLorida state in 06 as well.

(08-27-2014 02:44 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(08-27-2014 12:19 PM)Nick in Cleveland Wrote:  "I'm more surprised at your thought that WMU would normally beat Purdue"

Cubit's recent non-conference wins and close calls:

2012
Beat UConn 30-24, lost at Minnesota 28-23

2011
Beat UConn 38-31, lost at Illinois 23-20 and lost to Purdue in Detroit 37-32

2009
Beat Illinois 23-17

========================

Those were good or at least average Big Ten & Big East teams...this year's Purdue team is a national bottom-feeder and a good MAC team should be able to win that game...heck there are some I-AA teams that would beat Purdue this fall.

Check your facts and scores dude.

WMU lost to Indiana (4-8) in 2009 by a score of 23-19. They did not play Illinois.

They beat Illinois (5-7) in 2008. But they also beat everyone in the MAC that year except a really really good Ball State team and a decent CMU team.

And the UConn squad was 5-7 in BOTH 2011 and 2012. They aren't a Big Ten team!

I rest my case.

I think you missed the part where he said Big Ten & Big East teams

Thanks Nick - Love your posts.Glad you will be posting games again this year.

Buffalo? what is up with Duquense? a non scholly program? Thats bad scheduling.

Yawn, last time we played New Hampshire everyone said they would beat us.

Thanks Nick. Boy, I really hope Toledo has a better showing than that in their opener. I'll be there routing the Rockets to a blow out win (just so that afterwards, I will be able appreciate our chances when Pinkel returns to the Glass Bowl and when we head to Cincy the following weeks). This year feels different to me. After the recruiting we have had the past few years, If we can't beat down this team at home with our superior line play and stable of backs (like Towson did to them last year), I am going to be seriously concerned about where this program is at. Run for the lead and then allow Ely to tune up as necessary. Seems simple right? LOL

And man, that would really sting to lose to a non-scholly program...I see as much motivation for Buffalo as I do for the non-schollies!

Nick has always had a good read on MAC predictions. Of course, as Rocketdamus, I already know this all ends but you wouldn't want me to take all the fun out of it.

(08-27-2014 07:11 PM)Ubish Wrote:  

(08-27-2014 02:44 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(08-27-2014 12:19 PM)Nick in Cleveland Wrote:  "I'm more surprised at your thought that WMU would normally beat Purdue"

Cubit's recent non-conference wins and close calls:

2012
Beat UConn 30-24, lost at Minnesota 28-23

2011
Beat UConn 38-31, lost at Illinois 23-20 and lost to Purdue in Detroit 37-32

2009
Beat Illinois 23-17

========================

Those were good or at least average Big Ten & Big East teams...this year's Purdue team is a national bottom-feeder and a good MAC team should be able to win that game...heck there are some I-AA teams that would beat Purdue this fall.

Check your facts and scores dude.

WMU lost to Indiana (4-8) in 2009 by a score of 23-19. They did not play Illinois.

They beat Illinois (5-7) in 2008. But they also beat everyone in the MAC that year except a really really good Ball State team and a decent CMU team.

And the UConn squad was 5-7 in BOTH 2011 and 2012. They aren't a Big Ten team!

I rest my case.

What exactly are you arguing?

Also don't forget WMU beat Iowa in 2007, and UVA in 2006 and was a BS called back touchdown away from being tied late in the 4th quarter with FLorida state in 06 as well.

His original quote:

Quote:This is a game the Broncos should win and likely would have under former coach Bill Cubit.

WMU hasn't beaten a Big Ten team in years (2008). Cubit was 2-11 against Big Ten teams, losing his last 9 contests. He won at Iowa in 2007 and defeated Illinois in 2008 at a somewhat neutral site, Ford Field.

This is in no way a game against Purdue, that Cubit would 'likely' win.

Also, he wasn't originally talking about any Big East teams.