Nick’s Picks hopes to build off of the momentum of going 11-0 last week into this week’s matches. Overall NP’s are 37-10 year-to-date and while there are a few intriguing non-conference games involving MAC schools against non-ranked G-5 schools, sadly I do not see any quality non-conference win this weekend.

V-Tech 36 – Western Michigan 17
The Broncos average more than 40-points per game right now but that has been against less than stellar competition to date. The Hokies have lost two straight after beating Ohio State and view this a “feel-good” game to right their path back into a national ranking later this year. Look for VT to win by a comfortable margin.

Pitt 37 – Akron 13
The Panthers average over 300-yards per game on the ground and will run the ball all day knowing that the Zips offense has struggled this season. After losing to Iowa last week look for Pitt to grind it out, nothing fancy, and just physically beat on the Zips.

Ohio 28 – Eastern Illinois 20
This is not the same EIU team that beat San Diego State last year while Ohio has been less than stellar offensively this year averaging just 17-points per game through their first four games.

BGSU 44 – UMass 31
This game could be even higher scoring as the Falcons do have a potent offense while their defense has been atrocious thus far. UMass is battle-tested after playing against the MAC’s toughest non-conference schedule.

Virginia 35 - Kent State 9
The Cavs are much improved this year and not at all like the team that Ball State thumped a year ago. KSU is offensively challenged right now averaging a paltry 9-points per game.

Buffalo 24 – Miami 20
Far and away the most uncertain pick of the week is this game as Buffalo has shown so little this year while Miami has shown a pulse even though their losing streak continues. I fall back to their home loss to Eastern Kentucky and give the nod to the Bulls.

Toledo 47 - Central Michigan 28
Expect a high scoring affair at the Glass Bowl and a very entertaining game. At this point in time Toledo seems to be only threat to unseating NIU in the west…but that threat is quite small.

(09-24-2014 02:56 PM)Nick in Cleveland Wrote:  V-Tech 36 – Western Michigan 17

Nicely done. Missed it by just 1 point.

Akron 21 Pitt 10. Who in the world saw that coming? Awesome game by the Zips!

Quote:Akron 21 Pitt 10. Who in the world saw that coming? Awesome game by the Zips!

I thought it was a lock to beat the spread (20 pts?!), as Pitt has a history to losing to MAC teams and they weren't that impressive on offense despite having a good RB. And Akron, aside from the Marshall game, seemed to have a decent D -- but letting PSU roll in the 4th, and getting creamated by Marshall at home -- yeah, I wouldn't have guessed an actual Win.

GOOD FOR THE MAC:
#1: Akron beating Pitt. Akron controlled the game, and Convincingly won @Pitt.

#2: Ohio State Stomping Cinci: This eliminates Cinci from the Access Bowl hunt, for all practical purposes. Makes AAC look more mid-major.

#3: Missouri beating S. Carolina: ECU's "forgivable loss" looks not-so-forgivable to be elite. Missouri lost to Indiana. Indiana lost to BGSU and has shown so far they're just another Indy.

#4: WMU playing competitive vs VaTech: The 1-11 MAC team would obviously rise to at least near where they tend to be. But ECU's "signature win" against VaTech doesn't look so spicy. VaTech did not look like a power team in that game. Sure, great D -- but Michigan has a good D too -- how are they?

Nick’s Picks went 6-1 this weekend raising my record to 43-11 year to date. The game I missed I was Akron’s impressive win at Pitt and anytime a MAC team gets a win over a G-5 school I have no issues with missing those games. Aside from that, most of my scores were very close to the actual outcome.

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

Nick’s Pick: V-Tech 36 – Western Michigan 17
Actual Score: V-Tech 35 – Western Michigan 17

Nick’s Pick: Pitt 37 – Akron 13
Actual Score: Akron 21 – Pitt 10


Nick’s Pick: Ohio 28 – Eastern Illinois 20
Actual Score: Ohio 34 – Eastern Illinois 19


Nick’s Pick: BGSU 44 – UMass 31
Actual Score: BGSU 47 – UMass 42


Nick’s Pick: Virginia 35 - Kent State 9
Actual Score: Virginia 45 - Kent State 13


Nick’s Pick: Buffalo 24 – Miami 20
Actual Score: Buffalo 35 – Miami 27


Nick’s Pick: Toledo 47 - Central Michigan 28
Actual Score: Toledo 42 - Central Michigan 28


Nick’s MAC Power Poll – Week 5
1. NIU
2. Toledo
3. BG
4. Akron
5. Central
6. Ohio
7. Ball State
8. Buffalo
9. Western
10. UMass
11. Miami
12. Kent St
13. Eastern

I think CMU and Akron are better than BG. If you can score a little you can score a lot on Bg.

(09-28-2014 01:43 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:Akron 21 Pitt 10. Who in the world saw that coming? Awesome game by the Zips!

I thought it was a lock to beat the spread (20 pts?!), as Pitt has a history to losing to MAC teams and they weren't that impressive on offense despite having a good RB. And Akron, aside from the Marshall game, seemed to have a decent D -- but letting PSU roll in the 4th, and getting creamated by Marshall at home -- yeah, I wouldn't have guessed an actual Win.

GOOD FOR THE MAC:
#1: Akron beating Pitt. Akron controlled the game, and Convincingly won @Pitt.

#2: Ohio State Stomping Cinci: This eliminates Cinci from the Access Bowl hunt, for all practical purposes. Makes AAC look more mid-major.

#3: Missouri beating S. Carolina: ECU's "forgivable loss" looks not-so-forgivable to be elite. Missouri lost to Indiana. Indiana lost to BGSU and has shown so far they're just another Indy.

#4: WMU playing competitive vs VaTech: The 1-11 MAC team would obviously rise to at least near where they tend to be. But ECU's "signature win" against VaTech doesn't look so spicy. VaTech did not look like a power team in that game. Sure, great D -- but Michigan has a good D too -- how are they?

I think 3 is somewhat of a reach and 4 is a huge reach.

ECU is good and nothing that happened this week will diminish their perception. It would take UNC, South Carolina and VA Tech all to finish around 5-7 or 6-6 to make people look back and somewhat discredit ECU. Even so, if ECU runs the table it's a moot point.

(09-28-2014 01:43 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:Akron 21 Pitt 10. Who in the world saw that coming? Awesome game by the Zips!

I thought it was a lock to beat the spread (20 pts?!), as Pitt has a history to losing to MAC teams and they weren't that impressive on offense despite having a good RB. And Akron, aside from the Marshall game, seemed to have a decent D -- but letting PSU roll in the 4th, and getting creamated by Marshall at home -- yeah, I wouldn't have guessed an actual Win.

GOOD FOR THE MAC:
#1: Akron beating Pitt. Akron controlled the game, and Convincingly won @Pitt.

#2: Ohio State Stomping Cinci: This eliminates Cinci from the Access Bowl hunt, for all practical purposes. Makes AAC look more mid-major.

#3: Missouri beating S. Carolina: ECU's "forgivable loss" looks not-so-forgivable to be elite. Missouri lost to Indiana. Indiana lost to BGSU and has shown so far they're just another Indy.

#4: WMU playing competitive vs VaTech: The 1-11 MAC team would obviously rise to at least near where they tend to be. But ECU's "signature win" against VaTech doesn't look so spicy. VaTech did not look like a power team in that game. Sure, great D -- but Michigan has a good D too -- how are they?

#1 no brainer.

Toledo and Miami lost to UC so #2 didn't do anything but keep the Suckeye fans on their high horses and make Toledo's loss worse. I guess Kent lost to OSU but that game is irrelevant this season.

#3 I'm happy Mizzou won...don't care about ECU right now at all. I'm happy because it showed that SEC DEFENSE is pretty good and shows our run game is for real.

#4 certainly didn't hurt the MAC... More of explaining fact that VT got up for Slowhio State more than ECU or WMU. Western has young tallent...we all knew that.

(09-28-2014 06:44 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  I think CMU and Akron are better than BG. If you can score a little you can score a lot on Bg.

Yeah..and you guys are the 1985 Bears. You're giving up less than one yard per play less than we are. It's like 6.2ish to 7.1ish... No one in the MAC plays defense that well...we're integrating a **** ton of new talent due to graduation and injuries, so we have somehting of an excuse...I guess...

(09-29-2014 12:56 PM)El Grande Flippero Wrote:  

(09-28-2014 06:44 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  I think CMU and Akron are better than BG. If you can score a little you can score a lot on Bg.

Yeah..and you guys are the 1985 Bears. You're giving up less than one yard per play less than we are. It's like 6.2ish to 7.1ish... No one in the MAC plays defense that well...we're integrating a **** ton of new talent due to graduation and injuries, so we have somehting of an excuse...I guess...

And we have no corners from the beginning of august and a DE out for the year. Yards arent points dude.

Don't worry about all that, Flipper. I personally love your team for you guys. In fact, if I were to pick out a team of players on my own to give you, it would be them.

Were you drunk, high or in jail on the days they covered "sentence structure" in English class?

(09-29-2014 08:58 PM)El Grande Flippero Wrote:  Were you drunk, high or in jail on the days they covered "sentence structure" in English class?

Everything's in terms of Falcon FB.

The same question applies to you...can anyone from TU form a coherent sentence?

Since I understand your sentence and you are from UT the answer would be "Yes".

Just looking forward to 5 in a row and the rockets cracking 70 on you, Flip!

Posted from my mobile device using the CSNbbs App