Return of the MAC

s--k

s--k

Goodbye to Romance College Football
Wednesday November 4th is going to be the best Wednesday ever! Every MAC team is in action!!!

Let's get ready for some MACtion!!! Hopefully @Marsski will be able to drop some knowledge too.

I'll update over the next couple days.

Akron
- 0 spring practices.
- same OC and DC
- Opt-outs / transfers gone - WR Jonah Morris (#3 receiver 2018, RS last year Indiana transfer), RB Hayes-Patrick, DE Dylan Meeks (Sr, 12 starts last year).
- OL no longer on roster, listed as projected starters in Phil Steele's book RG Hunter Corne, LG Austin Sample
- HC Tom Arth "our Center Bryce Peterson is surrounded by true freshman and redshirt freshman" Akron may be starting 4 rFr or tFr on the OL
- QB Kato Nelson is Akron's 5th all-time leading passer. His play is kind of boom or bust. Message board rumor is that he may not be game 1 starter Nelson had throwing shoulder surgery in August. He's been throwing in practice the "hope" and "anticipation" is that he will be ready for game 1.
- Akron did not release a depth chart

Ball State
- 0 spring practices. 3 days of practice in August before suspension
- went "live" early in fall camp with tackling to the ground (I assume most do, but I read for sure they did)
- despite never having a winning season in Muncie, HC Mike Neu was extended in June, best year 5-7 last year
- New OC with promotion of Kevin Wilson (5th year on staff) - Neu has called plays before I don't know who will or does now
- New DC with promotion of Tyler Stockton (co-DC in '19)
- new impact grad transfers expected to be former Sacred Heart AA DE Chris Agyemang and Rice LB Anthony Ekpe (honorable mention CUSA '18) and JUCO NT Joshua Tarango

Bowling Green
- 3 spring practices.
- QB will be Matt McDonald who won the job last year but was ruled ineligible in August. Loeffler said after spring ball was canceled "the one thing that was clear, we have a QB".
- same OC and DC
- somehow BG beat Toledo last year as a 27pt dog, otherwise they were historically record-breaking bad. They should score more points on O this year, but the D is going to remain pretty bad.
- see post #20 for some more

Buffalo
- 9 spring practices. 0 August practices
- HC Lance Leipold was extended with 3 straight winning/nonlosing seasons (first B2B 7+ winning years since 1958/59)
- same OC and DC
- two starting QBs return
- two 1000y RBs return / every receiver and TE return
- replacing 3 OL, including 2 All-MAC
- lose two key DL (Onwuka and Mack), but return two All-MAC DL (Riggins and Koonce)
- return 2 of 3 starting LBs and add in reserves UCLA grad transfer Thompson) and FCS AA LB (Woetzel) and Ivy League #1 tackler (Pyne)
- 6 of 8 2-deep DB spots upperclassman

Central Michigan
- 9-10 spring practices
- same OC and DC
- starting QB will be Daniel Richardson rFr. David Moore is still suspended per NCAA, he was expected to be the starter if cleared. Look for Sam Houston St transfer QB Ty Brock to play a role (mobile). Had hoped to sign TT trans Jet Duffy, but he was denied admission.
- starting CB Darius Bracy moved to RB. Only had one scholarship RB with experience. Bracy played option QB in HS. His movement speaks to McElwain's comfort at DB with McNary (transferred last year), Edwards (Florida transfer RS last year) and Bowens (Iowa State transfer) being the top candidates at CB and NB.

Eastern Michigan
- 2-3 spring practices
- lost OC, no official OC listed, HC Creighton will call plays for the first time in his 7 years at EM (he did so in prior jobs)
- new QB will be Preston Hutchinson who got 1 start in last year vs WM and was named MAC POW for his efforts. Glass was up and down and would go through cold streaks.
- see post #12 for some more

Kent State
- 5 spring practices
- same OC and DC
- see post #13 for some more

Miami, Oh
- I think 2 spring practices
-same OC and DC
- Miami did have NFL prospects C Godlevske, LT Doyle and CB Rugamba opt out in September, but they all opted back in!
- QB Gabbert was MAC Frosh of Year. Two OL started 14 games combined as true frosh last year (Feth and Shaffer)

Northern Illinois
- 2-3 spring practices
- same OC and DC
- returning QB
- NIU has suffered several unexpected defections after last year some earlier in the year and some later in the year. Transfers are: starting C CJ Perez, staring DE Lorbeck, starting DT Heflin, starting DB Jalen McKie, starting DB Devin Haney, starting TE Brinkman, opt-out RB Jordan Nettles #2 rusher, reserve S Tyrik Henderson. Fans have tried to explain some of those away, but have so many contributors and upperclassman leaving the program entering year 2 it leaves the team in a bind.
- 3 true freshman listed at starting S (Lafayette/Brown and Hansen). JUCO S Appolon is not on the depth chart and rumored to be LB now. CB isn't quite as thin/young as S, but one of the CB positions lists a Soph Gandy (no prior game action) and tFr back up McGee. In total there are 5 players with zero game experience in the 8-man 2 deep CB/S group!
- Two true freshman starting at DE Oppong and Thomas
- Fans concerned about WR Love, DE Mattox, LB Labus and CB Aitken not being on this week's depth chart
- RB Ducker was injured in practice

Ohio
- 2 spring practices
-same OC and DC
- QB has UNLV transfer Armoni Rodgers (18 starts when healthy) and Rourke 2.0 (Nathan's brother)
- 3 very good RBs (Allison, Tuggle and Ross) / top 7 receivers back
- lose 3 All-MAC OL (potential depth issues)
- A LOT of experience on D / K and P (Aussie) are frosh


Toledo
-3 spring practices
- new OCs, a promoted Co-OC and a new outside hire Co-OC. Candle is a former OC under Campbell and calls plays
- new DC (Dlll power Mount Union HC - Campbell/Candle are all Mount guys) with former Co-DCs still on staff.
- QB has not been named....Carter Bradley (2 starts, both losses, came in for injured Peters at Buff, loss, just a 1-2 TD-INT ratio), Eli Peters (2-1 as starter, knocked out of other start which Toledo lost at Buff. Started 6 in 2018 4-2 record). Fans want rFr Dequan Finn.
- All-MAC C Harris missed 2019, his return is big for the OL which was bad last year in his absence. Tackles remain questionable.
- RBs are strength of O by far, WRs and TEs feel down from typical Toledo standards (which is evident in the ST return game as well)
- The D has an enormous amount of improving to do. UK and ND transfers Butler and Jones are cleared but not listed atop the depth chart yet. Secondary should be a strength although it hasn't shown to be yet.

Western Michigan
- 8 spring practices
- same OC and DC
- noteworthy of how physical they have practiced with tackling after talking to other coaches who had started earlier in the year with Lester asking them what they'd do different (see post #16)
- new QB Kaleb Eleby saw some action in 5 games, 4 starts in 2018 (63% completions 1100 yards), redshirt last year
- #1 D'Wayne Eskridge is back after being lost to injury very early 2019. Was a 3yr WR with 19 starts before moving to DB last year. He's back at WR this year. Sounds like WM fans really like their receivers.
- must replace MAC POY RB Bellamy. Sean Taylor should be the guy, Mich St transfer La'Darius Jefferson was applying for immediate eligibility (as of earlier October he was not, and is not on the depth chart). Nevada transfer Jaxson Kincaide is here (900 career yards, 38 catches).
- OL must replace two starters. At C they move over Sr NT Wesley French who began his career at WM as an OL, played OL in 2017 before playing DL in 2018-19.


More later.

Somebody post the lines, I haven't seen any yet.
 
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Circa openers:

Ball St
Miami, Oh –4.5, 54.5

E Mich
Kent St –5.5, 66.5

W Mich –17, 56.5
Akron

Bowling Green
Toledo –18, 60.5

Buffalo –9, 48.5
Northern ILL

Ohio
C Mich –1.5, 60.5
 
phil steele has some intriguing news on toledo. Mount union head coach leaves mount union to become toledo dc. Thoughts ? If they get a D toledo will be a much different team. Also got alabama Dline coach.

it looks like the former dc brian george is working at enterprise rent a car according to his twitter. not a lie. Could be an upgrade here.
 
EL CAPO said:
phil steele has some intriguing news on toledo. Mount union head coach leaves mount union to become toledo dc. Thoughts ? If they get a D toledo will be a much different team. Also got alabama Dline coach.

it looks like the former dc brian george is working at enterprise rent a car according to his twitter. not a lie. Could be an upgrade here.
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Toledo's official website does a decent job on some brief articles, they have some up on LBs, D in general and secondary if you want to look a little further. Toledo Blade is all subscriber only now so I lost that source for info.

Football - Story Archives - University of Toledo Athletics

The official Football news stories archives for the University of Toledo Rockets
utrockets.com utrockets.com

There's always tons of info in the media guides and game notes if you want to dig that deep:

 
Was a little surprised to see the EMich - Kent total the highest of the bunch. Seeing 62.5 at the moment with Kent a 6.5 pt fav.

This game last year Kent (+4) was 5-6 and need a win at the Factory for bowl eligibility. EM led by 10 at HT, but Kent ret the 2nd H opening KO and won 34-26. There was nearly 1000 yards of O in the game.

Eastern Mich set some program records on O last year and this year still has nice potential. I don't expect losing their QB will hurt as Hutchinson has looked good in his limited spots (great in 1 start vs WM). Glass had consistency issues. The top 2 RBs are a true and redshirt frosh. They do lose 2 of top 3 receivers, but the group they have will be good and look for a big year out of TE Thomas O. Fans were concerned that x-factor receiver Jarius Grissom (former QB) was not listed on this week's depth chart. OL Michigan State transfer Dimitri Douglas is not eligible yet. The starting 5 OL should be fine.

D is a concern for EMich, they've been getting a little worse the last couple years and there isn't reason to expect improvement. They lacked pass rush and will need to uncover somebody to get some better pressure. 3 of the top 4 tacklers are gone and the LB unit takes some hits. The secondary is very inexperienced, there are just 17 returning starts among the 5 DBs (Dog, CBs and Ss) and 11 of those starts are from one player.
 
Kent State returns one of the better QBs in the MAC, Dustin Crum. Crum is a sneaky good awkward kinda runner, led the team with 707 (4.2) and 6 TDs.

In 2018, Lewis' first year, Kent went with Auburn transfer QB Woody Barrett who proved to be wildly inconsistent and unreliable. Barrett is still on the team, but he is a special package guy and not the #2 QB any more. In 2018 Kent averaged just 21 ppg vs FBS. In 2019 they hit 29.2 and it got has high as 39 ppg in their final 4 games of the year!

One problem is that Kent St had 4 receivers catch over 10 passes last year and 3 of the 4 are gone. They do return Isiah McKoy, a fantastic deep threat, otherwise the position has uncertainty. There is some decent midlevel MAC talent at RB and the OL is good enough. A P5 transfer from Kansas St will be at RT this year and their LT started 4 down the stretch as a true frosh last year. Their #1 C Sams is out game 1 so Clement will play there.

Kent doesn't win with the D and it is hard to see that changing this year. While Kent's O scored 39 ppg in their final 4 (including bowl), they allowed 33 ppg in those including 500+ yards in 3 of those 4!

Some of Kent's defensive struggles will be compounded in game 1 as #2 tackler LB Phillips and #3 tackler S Sherald are out this week. They do have atleast one impact player on DL (West) and LB (Lawrence-Burke) and potentially in the secondary with the well traveled transfer CJ Holmes (ND and Penn State).

Kent does have the MAC's best kicker in Matthew Trickett.

Flashed played in EIGHT one score games last season.

HC Sean Lewis is one of those infectious personalities. I put him up there with some of the better coaches in the league. Winning at Kent State is not easy or frequent. 4 winning seasons since 1978.
 
EL CAPO said:
phil steele has some intriguing news on toledo. Mount union head coach leaves mount union to become toledo dc. Thoughts ? If they get a D toledo will be a much different team. Also got alabama Dline coach.

it looks like the former dc brian george is working at enterprise rent a car according to his twitter. not a lie. Could be an upgrade here.
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One of our jokes about MD is that Locksley could end up working at Eastern Motors. You know your job is your credit ;)

 

WMU football coming off most physical camp of Tim Lester era as it preps for Akron​

Updated Oct 29, 2020; Posted Oct 29, 2020



By Patrick Nothaft | pnothaft@mlive.com
KALAMAZOO, MI - Between the abbreviated schedules and unexpected cancellations, the 2020 college football season has been unlike any other in the sport’s history.
Those changes have forced Western Michigan to adjust its fall camp routine, as the Broncos prepare for a six-game conference-only season beginning Wednesday at Akron.
From an Xs and Os perspective, one of the biggest differences has been the physicality throughout the month-long camp.

“We have had a more physical camp than we’ve ever had; we’ve tackled a lot more,” head coach Tim Lester said during Thursday’s videoconference with media. "I always tell my circa-1995 (story from) when I was here, the play ended when someone’s butt hit the ground every single day in practice, and that’s the way it used to be, and we need to have those days.

“So, we’ve done a great job tackling. We’ve gone with a shells (helmets and shoulder pads only) day, and then a full (pads) day, and we’ve worn full pads more than we ever have.”

The change wasn’t something Lester and his staff were planning to implement before the coronavirus pandemic ground the sports world to a halt back in March, but after watching teams light up the scoreboard in the early-season college football season, there was some concern in the Broncos' coaching offices that defenses weren’t as prepared to tackle and get off blocks as much as previous years.

"I think a lot of teams just haven’t tackled as much because they want to get everybody to Game 1, and we haven’t taken that approach.

I’ve called a lot of coaches once were turned back on and asked them what they did and what they would have done differently, and we were kind of fortunate to be the last ones to come back, because we were able to make a lot of phone calls and hopefully learn from others mistakes. That’s something that we need to focus on and we have focused on, and the proof will be next Wednesday when we get out there and have to tackle (Akron quarterback) Kato (Nelson), and he’s a hard guy to tackle, so we’re going to have to get as many people to the ball as possible, and we got to run, run to the ball, and that will be one of the main things that helps in tackling is when we have three or four people there. It’s a lot easier to tackle than one-on-one in space."

The Mid-American Conference was the first Football Bowl Subdivision league to cancel the fall gridiron season in early August, and the last to bring it back in late September, giving the conference and its member teams a chance to learn from their counterparts in the Big Ten, SEC and Pac-12, among others.

Prior to the start of WMU’s 2020 fall camp in early October, the NCAA cleared college football teams to start in-person weightlifting, conditioning and film study for eight hours each week in July, then permitted up to 20 hours per week of team activities in late July and early August.

But even before then, the coaching staff was keeping the players engaged remotely through videoconferencing, and that allowed Lester to spend fewer hours teaching schemes and more time on being mentally ready to return from the extended layoff.

“We’ve been doing football since May, really April,” he said "We’ve been having football meetings, we’ve been talking about our scheme and defense so the part of them knowing what to do is not all that complicated; they know what to do, they know the calls.

"It’s really about how much can we practice and get into a rhythm as an offense and as a defense, getting out there and doing it.

"Talking it and doing it are two totally different things, so it’s been fun at camp. We have done a lot more team (drills) than we’ve ever done. Where we’re just in the process of calling plays and changing plays at the line and following the play clock and the cadence and lining up correctly and getting people on and off the field, because that’s the layout part. The sideline is semi-chaotic during a game, and I’m still nervous about that.

“You get people on the same sideline and we’re changing from punt team to defense to offense, punt return, offense is on, there’s a fumble, it’s a change -- those are things that are hard to replicate, so we’ve done more game-situational stuff this year because we haven’t had to spend a lot of time teaching offense and defense.”

“Obviously, it’s a huge layoff for everybody, and our vets, obviously, get accustomed to getting back into the groove faster than our freshmen, so the freshmen are a little bit behind the eight ball,” Lester added. "They didn’t get to be here in the summer really much at all, so they’re still a little bit behind because they’re still learning what we’re doing, but the vets have really settled in, and I feel like our practices have been successful.

"We have a week left; we’ve already gone through Akron one time with a game plan and everything, and we have two more practices to do it again and kind of go through them a second time.

“We changed the way we practice completely from the past until now because of this layoff, and our guys have really responded.”

Another of WMU’s significant fall camp changes has been the importance of getting back-up players plenty of reps, because having a starter miss a game due to COVID-19 is a realistic concern, especially after the upcoming game between Nebraska and Wisconsin was canceled because of multiple positive tests in the Badgers program.

“With depth and with COVID, you’re trying to get everyone reps and make sure you’re as deep as humanly possible,” Lester said. “Everyone used to say (a player is) one play away from playing; now you’re one play or one test away from playing. You have to be ready to play so we’ve rotate rotated. We’ve let our 2s have more reps and our freshmen have had more reps than ever before.”

In terms of off-the-field changes to fall camp, none are bigger than each player being required to take four COVID-19 tests per week, and after a series of positive tests within WMU’s athletic department halted all sports in early September, Lester said it’s good to know the players and coaches out on the practice field every day don’t have to worry about whether they might be spreading the virus.

“It is an unbelievable program; the logistics of it are amazing,” he said of the COVID-19 tests, which are run through WMU’s Sindecuse Health Center. “We drive through there 7 a.m., we’re done testing normally by 7:30 a.m., and normally by 8:30-8:45 a.m., I have all the results before we take the field, and it’s a great feeling when you’re out on the football field knowing every single person that’s standing out there with you that’s competing with you, that’s making you better have all been tested within two hours ago, and they were all negative,” Lester said. "Not a lot of places have that, I can tell you that.

"I’ve talked to other coaches, I’ve heard the horror stories of what some of the places are dealing with, and because of Sindecuse and all the work that their team has done with our medical department and the athletic department, we are very fortunate.

“I make sure to tell our players that all the time, ‘You guys need to realize how lucky you are to have this type of operation, to have your back, to make sure that we can not only get to this season, but make it through a season is special,’ and it’s been it’s been great.”

WMU’s 2020 football season opener kicks off 6 p.m. Wednesday at Akron, and it will be aired on ESPN3.
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www.mlive.com/broncos/2020/10/wmu-football-coming-off-most-physical-camp-of-tim-lester-era-as-it-preps-for-akron.html
 
Votes among 24 media members who cover the league; 2020 MAC football preseason media poll:

West Division

1. Central Michigan (10 first-place votes), 119 points
2. Toledo (7), 118
3. Ball State (4), 93
4. Western Michigan (3), 89
5. Eastern Michigan, 46
6. Northern Illinois, 39

East Division

1. Buffalo (19 first-place votes), 135
2. Miami (3), 107
3. Ohio (1), 101
4. Kent State (1), 85
5. Bowling Green, 50
6. Akron, 26
 
I updated the first post with some Akron and Western Michigan news.
 
Bowling Green should get better QB play this year. Nobody has seen Matt McDonald play really, other than a dozen attempts a couple years ago in relief at BC vs the likes of Sacred Heart. He got injured in HS and never played much at BC. He was recruited by Loeffler while at BC and won the job here last year then was ruled ineligible in August before the season started throwing the offense into a bit of chaos. He's been in the system for 4 years now. The coaches seem happy with him, so we'll have to see.

RB Andrew Clair is back and without exaggeration he is the best player on the team and one of the better play makers in the MAC. He was injured and redshirted last year. In his absence Bryson Denley did his best, being just one of four players in the country to rush and receive for 250+ yards. Back to Clair, his sister died of covid in September, just something to think about. He took a week off of fall camp before returning to the team.

The WRs aren't anything special. TE Morris is an All-MAC performer. They like their TEs.

OL looks worrisome, they are a multi-TE team anyway, but with this OL they will need multi-TE just to block adequately. The projected starting LT is 5th-year Sr Joe Ware who enters 2020 with zero career starts. That tells you something. RSophs O'Brien and Sage will also be making their first career starts.

Assuming they get better QB play, that will go a long way to help the O with some versatile RBs, good TE unit and maybe something out of the receivers, but that OL, I don't know.

The D it's hard to see where or why they will improve with the biggest areas of concern being DL and DB. DL has 27 starts returning, 20 of which are owned by DE Brooks. In the secondary CB Biggers is solid, the other CB is penciled to be JUCO Burns, who I read only had 14 tackles his last year of JC...soo not sure about his experience level. They were hoping to have S McBride back after injury knocked him out last year, but he is not ready to return yet. They had two unexpected DBs transfer out this offseason as well (Hudson started 10 last year and also reserve Wilson departed). Then the graduated two starting Safties. It looks rough back there.

Special teams K is ok, lacks range and the P is pretty good. I doubt they have Clair returning kicks and punts due to his value, but Denley has scoring potential in the return game.

BG has consistently given up 38-40 ppg on D the last 4 years. Maybe not playing any P5 opponents will help that number, but be sure the good MAC Os will still burn them (Kent and Ohio topped 60 on them last year). But the O should be better. They were held to 10 or fewer points in 6 of their 11 games vs FBS last year.
 
EL CAPO said:
phil steele has some intriguing news on toledo. Mount union head coach leaves mount union to become toledo dc. Thoughts ? If they get a D toledo will be a much different team. Also got alabama Dline coach.

it looks like the former dc brian george is working at enterprise rent a car according to his twitter. not a lie. Could be an upgrade here.
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lmfao. That hilarious
 
Hammock either really likes his NIU freshman, or the cupboard is bare. 2 true fresh starting at DE and a total of 5 first year players (1 Soph and 4 true frosh) with 0 game experience in the 2-deep at secondary, 3 starting. So many transfers off that team.
 
OK, I think I've done the best I can to run down some important MAC info in the first post and some other things throughout - enjoy the MACtion tonight! Starts at 6 eastern. I will be with some family, but bet your life we'll be MACing!

I think I like EM. Like points in that game, but the total is high, doubt I take it. If it goes any higher I might even fade it. The Ball State / Miami O number is strange, heading towards Ball St road favorite? I lean Miami, not sure why the line movement towards Ball St. Ball St has nice O players, but Miami is better team. Ball State beat them last year (red bird trophy). I might like UB-NIU Over. Probably like Ohio and BG/Over.
 
s--k said:
OK, I think I've done the best I can to run down some important MAC info in the first post and some other things throughout - enjoy the MACtion tonight! Starts at 6 eastern. I will be with some family, but bet your life we'll be MACing!

I think I like EM. Like points in that game, but the total is high, doubt I take it. If it goes any higher I might even fade it. The Ball State / Miami O number is strange, heading towards Ball St road favorite? I lean Miami, not sure why the line movement towards Ball St. Ball St has nice O players, but Miami is better team. Ball State beat them last year (red bird trophy). I might like UB-NIU Over. Probably like Ohio and BG/Over.
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We appreciate all the info and time you put into this. Thank you!
 
Heavy favorites steaming. Ball St now road fav? EM line got hit.
 
s--k said:
Heavy favorites steaming. Ball St now road fav? EM line got hit.
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im usually not a line movement reader guy but gotta wonder if some wise ppl know more about few these teams? Or is it just bunch of rando degens simply hitting the favs? lol.

I thought VC made a decent case for niu and that was at +10.5, now it what 14?
 
Of course I liked Ohio all week and now it’s -3. I’m sure I’ll still play some ML
 
CM was the favorite. I think 1.5. That may be due to bettors realizing CM's #1 option at QB this year hasn't been cleared to play. I think a suspension. Leaving a rFr QB to start. CM did really well with Dormandy last year so thus is a huge downgrade and unknown. Maybe the new kid is good? Hard to say.

Marsski really knows OU. I believe I read both Rodgers and Rourke are going to play. If you remember Rodgers at UNLV he is huge and could easily top 100y rushing in any given game. I don't think Rourke has ever played? Brother was fantastic.

OU seems to struggle vs West teams. I am hesitant they are fav now. And it gone through zero 4.5 pt move...for what?

I would guess the big favs are moving on assumption those opponents are bad. That and there is positive stories to be found supporting all the big favs.

I think NIU will score, but I think Buffalo might have better chance of covering that Number than NIU. Unless those coaches are really doing work, outside of a strong LB unit and one quality DT, that D appears very weak.

Akron has just been hot garbage. I wouldn't put it past WM to underwhelm, it's happened before, just that Zips have a lot of ground to make up and look to start 4 Frosh at OL tonight. Plus QB might be 100% or maybe not play. Movement there could be on his speculation or news (?)

Toledo just seems easy to pound. Traditional heavy weight with record of blowin teams out. Throw in rivalry revenge game and it's like hammer the chalk right? I feel like this Toledo program has just fallen off a cliff compared to their normal selves. QB is very ordinary. Receivers not difference makers and D that all of a sudden got awful. Their RBs and run game in general is outstanding and BG D always a sieve. That's an easy pick for anyone, I even liked Toledo off the bat too before liking the pts more as it's climbed. BG should move it and score assuming they account for their porous OL. Getting stops will be a challenge but if last year is any indication UT sometimes stops themselves. They need a different QB and new receivers. Not sure we see that tonight.

Ball St - Miami and EM - Kentshoukd both be really competitive and hopefully fun games. I understand line drop in EM-Kent just that line was off (EM-4 at home last year now 6 pt dog?) Not sure still why all the Ball St love.
 
I'm sorry guys, I hoped to have some write-ups and good league-wide info for you but this election had me burning the midnight oil elsewhere with election-related work.

Ohio is playing both Qbs tonight, the younger brother of last year's Qb Rourke will start (per Frank) but the UNLV transfer Armani Rodgers will also play. Little Rourke i s similar dual threat but with a little more accurate arm (I think) than his brother and Rodgers is more dynamic but probably doesn't know the system as well.
Frank has been praising the linebackers and I think the Dbs should be OK. Question mark is the usually stout D Line.

OU didn't have much spring practice (I think maybe 2 sessions) and has had a few tackling scrimmages but should be unprepared for CMU's offense. The Chips top Qb Moore never was reinstated to my knowledge and I think that's why we see the line movement toward OU 4 points...

I don't know what to expect honestly, but I think the Over is probably worth a stab and I'm probably going to play the Bobcats TT as well.

Sorry, I don't have more for you but got behind the 8ball with work.

I'll probably lay the 14 with Buffalo as well...

My plays: Over 54.5 OU/CMU, OU TT over 28.5 each for 1 unit

Buffalo -14 small
 
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Thanks again. I played UB and Western based on your info. So far so good. Hope I don’t gooch everyone.
 
So I’ve only watched this 4th quarter but seems pretty obvious the younger Rourke doesn’t have the running ability of his brother, even tho I didn’t see him complete many those passes he did he does seem to throw a pretty nice ball, namely the one I thought his wr could have caught if he wasn’t more worried bout trying to draw a pi call. Ball was perfectly placed a good 30 yards downfield.

The little I’ve just saw of Rodgers he just made a terrible decision on the zone read by handing it off when he had a lane and his back did not.

I don’t like the 2 qb thing at all. You put the kid with wheels in for 2 plays then send Rourke back out there on 3rd and long? That a lot to ask, seems to me they be much better served letting Rourke start that drive.
 
2daBank said:
So I’ve only watched this 4th quarter but seems pretty obvious the younger Rourke doesn’t have the running ability of his brother, even tho I didn’t see him complete many those passes he did he does seem to throw a pretty nice ball, namely the one I thought his wr could have caught if he wasn’t more worried bout trying to draw a pi call. Ball was perfectly placed a good 30 yards downfield.

The little I’ve just saw of Rodgers he just made a terrible decision on the zone read by handing it off when he had a lane and his back did not.

I don’t like the 2 qb thing at all. You put the kid with wheels in for 2 plays then send Rourke back out there on 3rd and long? That a lot to ask, seems to me they be much better served letting Rourke start that drive.
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Yes, I didn't agree with Frank's handling of the situation. They don't have any confidence in Rogers passing obviously. I've seen the younger Rourke look better with his legs in mop-up duty before but agree with your assessment from last night. Obviously, the freshman kicker is not ready for primetime and that probably cost us the game. I think the Bobcats are a contender but need to figure out QB. RB Tuggle continued to impress last night, he was the guy last year that I kept saying why isn't he starting? Probably some betting value on the Cats going forward.
 
Marsski said:
Yes, I didn't agree with Frank's handling of the situation. They don't have any confidence in Rogers passing obviously. I've seen the younger Rourke look better with his legs in mop-up duty before but agree with your assessment from last night. Obviously, the freshman kicker is not ready for primetime and that probably cost us the game. I think the Bobcats are a contender but need to figure out QB. RB Tuggle continued to impress last night, he was the guy last year that I kept saying why isn't he starting? Probably some betting value on the Cats going forward.
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after I posted that Rourke did show me a little more wiggle with his running than I previously saw. It probably the instincts as when to take off and his vision that need to improve more so than not having the athletic ability to do so, I think that prob more fair and should come with playing time. After all I only watched one freaking qrtr! Lol.
 
Marsski said:
Buffalo rolls 49-30 over NIU in game 1...probably the MAC East favorite at least in my mind...
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good call. What the heck happened to niu after halftime? I watched lot the 1st half and they hung in pretty tough then I turned away and next thing I know Buffalo went 21-0 in 3rd qrtr!! Halftime adjustments or simply a case of the superior team taking some time to show it? I did catch the very end where niu did their damndest to try and back door the folks who got in late laying the -14, thought for sure we were in for some maction craziness there! Had to freak ppl out, lol.
 
Kent outgained EM 431-302. Kent looked like the superior team in the first half and EM's D didn't exactly look ready for live fire. The teams traded INTs in the 2nd Q. After Kent picked off EM, they drove it down to the E04 looking to build on their 20-9 lead, but Kent threw an INT. Surprisingly EM's D improved quite a bit in the 3rd Q, field position helped as two of Kent's 3rd Q drives started inside their own 5. A stretch between the 3rd Q and early 4th Q EM was able to take a 23-20 lead. Key play of the game as Kent was struggling to sustain drives, again backed up in their own territory threw a bomb that was incomplete on 3rd-and-15, but EM was called for unsportsmanlike conduct as a coach was too far out on the sideline and blocked the path of a running side judge. That handed Kent a 1st down instead of punting and Kent continued on for TD and 27-23 lead. EM threw an INT and Kent was able to kill the final 5 minutes ending the game taking knees from the EM10. Crum 21-29-219-2-1, 35y net rushing. Kent D got 4 sacks.
 
As speculated, QB Kato Nelson DNP as Zips went with rFr Zach Gibson. Akron was aggressive early. They opened the game with an onside kick which they recovered but were ruled offsides (looked close). WM drove down for FG. Then on Akron's first possesion they went for a 4th-and-1 at their own 36. Akron would go on for their first opening drive TD since September of last year. That was all the celebrating the Zips would do as WM scored 55 of the next 61 points including a pick-six. WM RB LaDarius Jefferson made is debut (Mich St trans). He was part of a 3-headed WM rushing attack rushing for 180 yards. WM outgained them 484-256 (8.3-4.0).
 
Buffalo turned a competitive game into a blowout with 3 defensive TDs. In the 1st half UB would get up by 2 scores, but NIU kept cutting into the lead. UB led 14-3, 14-10, 21-10 and 21-16 at HT. Thanks to two 40+ defensive scores in the 3rd Q the game was 35-16. RB Patterson broke the school record for career TDs at 35. It would be 49-16 after a 65y pick-six. NIU outgained them 397-357 (5.0-7.0) although 122 of NIU's yards came on their two final garbage drive TDs to make the final 49-30.
 
Central Mich and Ohio scored on the first 3 possessions of the game and an offensive 1st H produced a 20-20 HT score (2 missed xpts). Ohio took their only lead of the game running back the 2nd H KO. 27-20. CM punted but OU fumbled at their own 22 leading to a short field TD for the Chips to tie...27-27. After a series of punts, CM was SOD at the O34. OU drove down the field but missed a 45y FG. CM then drove for a tie-breaking 22y FG...30-27. With 2min left Ohio was able to use their timeouts forcing CM to punt the ball back. Ohio got as far as the CM26, but were called for holding and later a false start forcing them into a 4th-and-15 from the CM40 which was incomplete with :28 left. CM D got 5 sacks. Ohio got zero sacks despite CM attempting 41 passes, but were credited witih 3 QBH. Both QBs were making their first starts. CM Richardson 23-41-243-1-0, Rourke 12-19-231-2-0 (1y net rushing due to sacks).
 
Miami Oh QB Brett Gabbert was KO'd in the 2nd Q pushing into action Soph backup AJ Mayer who's only prior action had been victory formation, never attempting a pass. Ball State led 14-10 HT and extended to 21-10 3rd Q. Then Miami scored 3 straight TDs to take a 31-21 lead early in the 4th. Miami used a key 4th-and-2 conversion on that first TD to get things going. After Ball St had gone back-to-back punts, Ball got back in the EZ to cut the score to 31-28 mid 4th Q. Miami was forced to punt and Ball St went 10p 56y for the tying 47y FG with 1min left. Miami was forced to punt the ball back :42 left, but on 1st and 10 from their own 27, Ball QB rolled out and threw a pass that was tipped by a waiting defender, he tipped it to himself and ran 18y down to the B06 with just :30 left in the game. Miami ran 3x and found the EZ for the 38-31 win! Ball ST did outgain them 478-422 (6.8-5.7). Ball was 9-of-15 3rd down, Miami just 5-of-12. Miami D got 6 sacks. Miami's leading receiver and 2018 All-MAC WR Jack Sorenson appeared to injury is leg/knee late in the game. Hopefully he won't miss extended time.
 
Bowling Green had a bad punt snap leading to a bad punt with Toledo starting at the BG21. It took Toledo 7 plays and a 4th down conversion to cover those 21 yards and get in the EZ. BG then threw an INT that was returned to the BG25. It took Toledo 6 plays and two 3rd down conversions to score again. BG hit a big pass, but the receiver fumbled at the T25 and Toledo would drive that 7p 65y converting a 3rd-and-9 along the way to make the game 21-0 less than 12 minutes into the game. BG continued to struggle the rest of the 1st H, but surprisingly so did Toledo. Rockets were SOD at the B29, but then only gained 1 FD on their next 4 possessions, going 3-and-out 3x to end the 1st H. Toledo fumbled at the B08 to open the 3rd. Later Toledo converted 3rd down 3x including a 3rd-and-10 and a 3rd-and-19 to go for a 28-0 lead. BG got a big play and found themselves at the T02 with a FD. 4 plays later they curiously kicked a 25y FG...28-3. Toledo added 10 late points. Toledo did finish with a 524-267 TY edge (6.2-4.3). BG was just 3-of-14 on 3rd down. BG QB Matt McDonald completed 8-30-128-0-2 in his debut. Toledo QB Peters returned to action going 20-32-214-4-0.
 
Tuesday 11/10 (Circa openers)

Akron
Ohio -22, 58.5

Kent State -18, 66
Bowling Green

Miami, Oh
Buffalo -12.5, 52.5

Wednesday 11/11

Central Michigan -4, 60.5
Northern Illinois

Eastern Michigan
Ball State -8, 58.5

Toledo
Western Michigan -2, 60.5


I like Western Michigan a lot.
 
@Marsski I didn't pay real close attention to OU-CM...what was your impression of CM and how do you think they'll do at NIU?
 
The only real impression I got from last week is that Kent State could've played a lot better. I gotta read more about these teams
 
s--k said:
@Marsski I didn't pay real close attention to OU-CM...what was your impression of CM and how do you think they'll do at NIU?
Click to expand...
I thought the Chips QB looked pretty good and they ran the ball well against the Bobcat D front 7. They were a little lucky to get 2 turnovers from the Cats, but holding OU to 4/11 on third down (and 0/1 4th down) meant they were getting off the field.

Buffalo had a bunch of defensive scores which can be misleading, but the little bit I watched last week I didn't think too much of NIU. These Huskies are some young pups (62 freshmen) and we're really hurt by the lack of practice this summer and fall. On defense, they have only 3 starters back (mostly at LB) and in the secondary went from experienced guys to one guy back, a S. Dakota State transfer, and two freshman at safety. They are gonna beat over the top a lot early I would think.
They had 5 turnovers and coughed the ball up 7x overall.
I like CMU coming off a big win and think they have the better QB and defense in this game. I'd lay the 7.5 or nothing.
 
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