Nick’s Picks tries to pick up some pieces after two straight weeks of poor performances…and raising my 59-21 year to date record. Below are weeks 10 & 11 picks which will carry through into next week. Review & comment.

Saturday, November 1 2014

Central 23 – Eastern 13
I expect this game to be very close and go down to the wire…at the end of the day though, Central’s offense is better and has more weapons.

Western 31 – Miami 23
Two of the most improved team in the MAC as each continues to get better each week…Western has found a way to win close games while Miami is still learning so give the nod to Broncos


Tuesday, November 4 2014

BGSU 31 – Akron 27
Two weeks ago I would have picked the Zips hands down but after two straight lack luster performances against Ohio & Ball State, I like the Falcons coming off of a bye to out-score Akron.

Toledo 37 – Kent State 26
Even though KSU has one of the MAC’s worst offenses Toledo’s defense has made every QB they play look like an All-American so look for the Golden Flashes to score more points in this game than they have in any other…Toledo has far too many weapons on offense to lose.


Wednesday, November 5 2014

Ohio 24 – Buffalo 17
The Bobcats are 3-1 at home and Buffalo has done nothing this year to think they will win since their last victory came on Sept 27; the Bulls are 0-3 on the road this year.

NIU 35 – Ball State 30
This has to be a scary game for the Huskies who still control their destiny to make a return trip to the MACC; the Cardinals are well coached, have won two straight and still have a chance to become bowl eligible this season after losing five straight games from Sept 6 through Oct 11.

Quote:Western 31 – Miami 23
Two of the most improved team in the MAC as each continues to get better each week…Western has found a way to win close games while Miami is still learning so give the nod to Broncos

I would say UMass is the most improved team in the East. I'd put Miami at #3 most improved (and only of 3 improved in conference).

1. WMU
2. UMass (Much better than their record indicates)
3. Miami-OH (will play most of the time better than record indicates)
4. CMU (slight improvement - when Rawls & Davis are both on-par)

5. Toledo - Not improved, not worse; just riding off all other teams taking a dip or more

(10-30-2014 11:54 AM)Nick in Cleveland Wrote:  Tuesday, November 4 2014

Toledo 37 – Kent State 26
Even though KSU has one of the MAC’s worst offenses Toledo’s defense has made every QB they play look like an All-American so look for the Golden Flashes to score more points in this game than they have in any other…

Hope so. KSU 39 Army 17. Winner!

(10-30-2014 12:59 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:Western 31 – Miami 23
Two of the most improved team in the MAC as each continues to get better each week…Western has found a way to win close games while Miami is still learning so give the nod to Broncos

I would say UMass is the most improved team in the East. I'd put Miami at #3 most improved (and only of 3 improved in conference).

1. WMU
2. UMass (Much better than their record indicates)
3. Miami-OH (will play most of the time better than record indicates)
4. CMU (slight improvement - when Rawls & Davis are both on-par)

5. Toledo - Not improved, not worse; just riding off all other teams taking a dip or more

Anytime Kareem Hunt gets back in the Rocket line-up, UT is an improved team. Also the pass defense is improving with U Mass having the 2nd lowest passing efficiency of any Rocket opponent this season. The run defense numbers are also better. Rest of the MAC look out for Soph TE Michael Roberts.

Good catch Axeme, ya got me.

Ok, second most points scored

Saw recent article mention Lembo and the La-Lafayette coach as the better coaches in the non P5. The article was based on opinions from NFL scouts. Lembo has to be killing himself in that he has not beaten my Huskies and whats worse is he let them escape with a couple of wins they should not have. Its a tough game for Huskies in Muncie, not confident we can escape with win.

(10-31-2014 11:05 AM)NIU05 Wrote:  Saw recent article mention Lembo and the La-Lafayette coach as the better coaches in the non P5. The article was based on opinions from NFL scouts. Lembo has to be killing himself in that he has not beaten my Huskies and whats worse is he let them escape with a couple of wins they should not have. Its a tough game for Huskies in Muncie, not confident we can escape with win.

Since BSU hasn't beaten NIU in a hundred years, I'm not confident your team won't escape without a win.

It seems like that long anyway.

(10-31-2014 12:43 PM)Frozenbaugh Wrote:  

(10-31-2014 11:05 AM)NIU05 Wrote:  Saw recent article mention Lembo and the La-Lafayette coach as the better coaches in the non P5. The article was based on opinions from NFL scouts. Lembo has to be killing himself in that he has not beaten my Huskies and whats worse is he let them escape with a couple of wins they should not have. Its a tough game for Huskies in Muncie, not confident we can escape with win.

Since BSU hasn't beaten NIU in a hundred years, I'm not confident your team won't escape without a win.

It seems like that long anyway.

The Joey Lynch game in DeKalb still sticks in my craw. Probably the worst NIU loss I've ever witnessed.

(10-31-2014 12:43 PM)Frozenbaugh Wrote:  

(10-31-2014 11:05 AM)NIU05 Wrote:  Saw recent article mention Lembo and the La-Lafayette coach as the better coaches in the non P5. The article was based on opinions from NFL scouts. Lembo has to be killing himself in that he has not beaten my Huskies and whats worse is he let them escape with a couple of wins they should not have. Its a tough game for Huskies in Muncie, not confident we can escape with win.

Since BSU hasn't beaten NIU in a hundred years, I'm not confident your team won't escape without a win.

It seems like that long anyway.

Do not be so down on yourself. Your new QB is good and I think that this will be your year to knock off NIU.

I'm cool. I just think our coaching staff gets a little tight on the play calling in big games sometimes. They definitely did that last year against the Huskies late in the game.

Quote:Do not be so down on yourself. Your new QB is good and I think that this will be your year to knock off NIU.

EXACTLY. I remember being so confident about the BSU game -- but when everyone enlightened me about their new QB playing I was pissed. Remember the Minnesota game a few years ago? We were beating them but their new QB comes in and lights us up to keep a lead, etc.

So first half against BSU -- OMG, the end is near -- all over. But our 2nd half -- WOW. Our D stepped Up.

Then BSU beating @CMU, and marching -- it makes one realize that Lembo made adjustments and did win 10 games last year.

If NIU beats them -- which I hope (I'm rooting for a 3-way tie for our benefit) -- that will make things grand.

Wouldn't it be cool if we played Illinois (Cubit vs Fleck) -- and NC State also worked up to bowl-birth and played NIU? I would LOVE to see former-coach-new-coach games.

Blowout city today...

It took us ten weeks until we played a game where we were thoroughly dominated from start to finish. While I wish we kept it close against WMU, the bottom line is that they're a very solid team with strengths that align with our weaknesses, and I'm not too upset that we were killed by them. Props to Fleck for rowing the boat.

Miami will be back. When or how soon is the Q.

(10-30-2014 06:55 PM)Nick in Cleveland Wrote:  Good catch Axeme, ya got me.

Ok, second most points scored

... "oops, should have said, 'in conference play'"

Yeah, I don't think we have the chops to eat the whole Toledo Rockets team on Tuesday, but our offense might be able to eat a Toledo DB or two.