ON CAMPUS IN OHIO: WEEK 10
By Bucklion
Week 9 Synopsis: Wow…what a wild week for Ohio football. The Buckeyes were clicking on all offensive cylinders as they blew up on Minnesota in the second half. Cincinnati evened their conference and overall records by upsetting Syracuse at the Dome (as was predicted here last week). As for the MAC, all one can say is “What a wild ride!”. This could shape up to be the craziest conference finish in history, as there is currently a 4-way tie in the East after Akron’s signature win over Bowling Green this week that puts them in the driver’s seat for the East in terms of schedule remaining, in one of the most improbable runs in recent memory. No less improbable is that after 5 MAC games, Frank Solich has the Ohio Bobcats tied for first, thanks to a win at Buffalo, and Miami, with the most veteran players and fresh off a win over Temple, could be the team to beat in terms of talent. Bowling Green is still tied, but reeling from 2 straight home losses, and has the toughest stretch left of all the MAC teams in contention in the East. But the madness doesn’t stop there: Toledo’s loss at Central Michigan and Northern Illinois’ inexplicable loss at home to Ball State throws the West into a similar frenzy. In all, there are 12 teams in the MAC…8 of them are within a game of first, with 4 in each division who could win the trip to the championship game. Throw in the fact that Ohio State is still tied for first in the Big Ten and that Cincinnati is poised for a possible upper division finish in the Big East, and things couldn’t mean more as 7/8 of the teams in Ohio take the field this week, including two big in-state matchups. Alas, one team has fallen way off the pace, and Kent State looks to be headed to a possible 0-10 against D-IA teams in 2005.
Week 10 State Rankings:
1 (-) Ohio State (6-2, 4-1): Buckeyes are on a roll, and Illinois should offer little resistance.
2 (-) Toledo (6-2, 4-1): Loss at Central really hurts, as they were in the driver’s seat in the West…now Central is firmly in the lead. This week’s trip to Ohio is a monster game for both teams.
3 (-) Miami (5-3, 3-2): Eased past Temple, then found themselves tied for first in the East. This week the RedHawks get another winless team (Buffalo).
4 (+3) Akron (4-4, 3-2): The Zips find themselves square in the front row of the East, and it’s theirs to lose now. This week, it’s a trip to Ball State, followed by very winnable games against Ohio and Kent State.
5 (+1) Cincinnati (4-4, 2-2): Great road win at Syracuse puts them in 4th. They have a long week as they prepare for first-place West Virginia next Weds.
6 (-1) Ohio (4-4, 3-2): The Bobcats are tied for first…are you kidding me? What a run, no matter how it turns out. This week, they entertain Toledo in a pivotal game.
7 (-3) Bowling Green (4-4, 3-2): The meltdown is almost complete. A brief respite this week against Kent is followed by Miami and Toledo to close.
8 (-) Kent State (1-7, 0-5): Looks like their only chance at another win is the second to last game, against Buffalo. This week, an angry Bowling Green comes calling.
Head-To-Head Matchups: Week 10
(NOTE: Upset alert is from 0-10, with 10 being "Red Alert…better concentrate on these guys" and 0 being "Here’s your 400 thousand for an ass-whuppin’….thanks for coming")
Prediction record: 41-13 SU, 25-27 VL
Friday
Toledo (6-2, 4-1) at Ohio (4-4, 3-2)
Line: Toledo -12½
Upset Alert: 5
Synopsis: So of course everyone saw this game on the schedule and knew that this would be a battle of first place teams, right? OK, so maybe I’m making too big a deal out of Ohio being tied for first, given the back-loading of their schedule. Still, one can’t say enough about the job coach Solich has done, and the Bobcats are one of the nicer, if unreported, stories of college football this year, especially in Ohio, where fan interest is as high as it has been in quite a while. Toledo, on the other hand, was the class of the MAC, cruising right along, and bang! They walked into Mount Pleasant and lost a pivotal game to Central Michigan, who is now tied for first. The good news for the Rockets is that neither they nor Central have played Northern Illinois yet, so it will all get worked out in the end…but they must rebound and win this game. Ohio has a tough road left, but a win here could give them the confidence boost to make a miracle run to a division share. Look for Toledo’s offense to be key, because if they get it going, Ohio can’t keep up, but if the Bobcat defense can hold their own…anything is possible. This game looks like it will be worth watching, but in the end, Toledo should prevail.
Prediction: Toledo 31, Ohio 24
Saturday
Bowling Green (4-4, 3-2) at Kent State (1-7, 0-5)
Line: Bowling Green -11½
Upset Alert: 1
Synopsis: What a freefall the Falcons have plummeted down. Seemingly in a can’t-lose situation in the East when they were undefeated at 3-0, now all of a sudden the Falcons have dropped 2 in a row at home to seemingly lesser competition, and face two of the toughest conference games remaining, at Miami and home to Toledo. Before those, however, they get a chance to beat up on a Kent team that has been completely unable to compete at a D-IA level. Another blow-out to Western Michigan last week leaves Kent with one realistic chance to win another game…and it isn’t this one. Look for Bowling Green to keep their hopes alive with a big win.
Prediction: Bowling Green 38, Kent State 21
Buffalo (0-8, 0-5) at Miami (5-3, 3-2)
Line: Miami -27
Upset Alert: 0
Synopsis: The schedule makers must have a sense of humor, as the RedHawks get a chance to face their second winless team in a row. Buffalo is horrible in every sense, though the defense has fought valiantly at times this year. Miami, coming off their win over Temple, is the only team in the East with a winning record. Given the veteran presence on this team, the RedHawks will have absolutely no trouble with the Bulls. The more interesting games lie ahead, as they close with Bowling Green and at resurgent Ohio. Miami will win this in a rout.
Prediction: Miami 51, Buffalo 7
Akron (4-4, 3-2) at Ball State (2-6, 2-3)
Line: Akron -3
Upset Alert: 8
Synopsis: Akron got the big win at Bowling Green to come all the way back to a tie for first in the East. They also have by far the easiest remaining schedule, as their opponents have a combined record of 7-17. Hard to believe that a trip to Ball State could be their toughest remaining game, but this one has all the looks of an upset in the making if the Zips aren’t careful. The Cardinals had a shocking win at Northern Illinois last week, and it is unclear if this is a fluke, or more like a springboard, as the win for Western Michigan at Bowling Green was. More than anything, this conference seems to run on confidence this season, and both teams have plenty of it coming off of last week. Akron has a legitimate chance of winning the division outright, but one more loss and they are probably plain out. Look for the Zips to keep the run going, though this game will be closer than it should probably be. Containing the Cardinal offense will be the key.
Prediction: Akron 31, Ball State 27
Illinois (2-6, 0-5) at Ohio State (6-2, 4-1)
Line: Ohio State -34½
Upset Alert: 0
Synopsis: The Buckeyes come off a big day in Minneapolis and are primed to make a big run at a share of the conference crown. Standing in the way (but barely) this week is Illinois, who is winless in the Big Ten, and has not really been competitive in any conference game. Last week’s loss to Wisconsin by 17 was probably their best showing, and they gave up 41 points in that one, and have given up over 60 2 times in conference play. Make no mistake, there is no way that Illinois has any chance of winning this game. But, based on moderate improvements, the team looks like they might close in a more competitive fashion, even if it doesn’t show up in the win column. Ohio State’s first team will probably dominate this game, but as it gets into the second half and more kids get a chance to play, the Illini could put some points on the board. The Buckeyes need a good showing to build some momentum for a challenging stretch run against Northwestern and Michigan. They cannot afford to look flat on Saturday, and there is no reason to believe that they will.
Prediction: Ohio State 41, Illinois 18
By Bucklion
Week 9 Synopsis: Wow…what a wild week for Ohio football. The Buckeyes were clicking on all offensive cylinders as they blew up on Minnesota in the second half. Cincinnati evened their conference and overall records by upsetting Syracuse at the Dome (as was predicted here last week). As for the MAC, all one can say is “What a wild ride!”. This could shape up to be the craziest conference finish in history, as there is currently a 4-way tie in the East after Akron’s signature win over Bowling Green this week that puts them in the driver’s seat for the East in terms of schedule remaining, in one of the most improbable runs in recent memory. No less improbable is that after 5 MAC games, Frank Solich has the Ohio Bobcats tied for first, thanks to a win at Buffalo, and Miami, with the most veteran players and fresh off a win over Temple, could be the team to beat in terms of talent. Bowling Green is still tied, but reeling from 2 straight home losses, and has the toughest stretch left of all the MAC teams in contention in the East. But the madness doesn’t stop there: Toledo’s loss at Central Michigan and Northern Illinois’ inexplicable loss at home to Ball State throws the West into a similar frenzy. In all, there are 12 teams in the MAC…8 of them are within a game of first, with 4 in each division who could win the trip to the championship game. Throw in the fact that Ohio State is still tied for first in the Big Ten and that Cincinnati is poised for a possible upper division finish in the Big East, and things couldn’t mean more as 7/8 of the teams in Ohio take the field this week, including two big in-state matchups. Alas, one team has fallen way off the pace, and Kent State looks to be headed to a possible 0-10 against D-IA teams in 2005.
Week 10 State Rankings:
1 (-) Ohio State (6-2, 4-1): Buckeyes are on a roll, and Illinois should offer little resistance.
2 (-) Toledo (6-2, 4-1): Loss at Central really hurts, as they were in the driver’s seat in the West…now Central is firmly in the lead. This week’s trip to Ohio is a monster game for both teams.
3 (-) Miami (5-3, 3-2): Eased past Temple, then found themselves tied for first in the East. This week the RedHawks get another winless team (Buffalo).
4 (+3) Akron (4-4, 3-2): The Zips find themselves square in the front row of the East, and it’s theirs to lose now. This week, it’s a trip to Ball State, followed by very winnable games against Ohio and Kent State.
5 (+1) Cincinnati (4-4, 2-2): Great road win at Syracuse puts them in 4th. They have a long week as they prepare for first-place West Virginia next Weds.
6 (-1) Ohio (4-4, 3-2): The Bobcats are tied for first…are you kidding me? What a run, no matter how it turns out. This week, they entertain Toledo in a pivotal game.
7 (-3) Bowling Green (4-4, 3-2): The meltdown is almost complete. A brief respite this week against Kent is followed by Miami and Toledo to close.
8 (-) Kent State (1-7, 0-5): Looks like their only chance at another win is the second to last game, against Buffalo. This week, an angry Bowling Green comes calling.
Head-To-Head Matchups: Week 10
(NOTE: Upset alert is from 0-10, with 10 being "Red Alert…better concentrate on these guys" and 0 being "Here’s your 400 thousand for an ass-whuppin’….thanks for coming")
Prediction record: 41-13 SU, 25-27 VL
Friday
Toledo (6-2, 4-1) at Ohio (4-4, 3-2)
Line: Toledo -12½
Upset Alert: 5
Synopsis: So of course everyone saw this game on the schedule and knew that this would be a battle of first place teams, right? OK, so maybe I’m making too big a deal out of Ohio being tied for first, given the back-loading of their schedule. Still, one can’t say enough about the job coach Solich has done, and the Bobcats are one of the nicer, if unreported, stories of college football this year, especially in Ohio, where fan interest is as high as it has been in quite a while. Toledo, on the other hand, was the class of the MAC, cruising right along, and bang! They walked into Mount Pleasant and lost a pivotal game to Central Michigan, who is now tied for first. The good news for the Rockets is that neither they nor Central have played Northern Illinois yet, so it will all get worked out in the end…but they must rebound and win this game. Ohio has a tough road left, but a win here could give them the confidence boost to make a miracle run to a division share. Look for Toledo’s offense to be key, because if they get it going, Ohio can’t keep up, but if the Bobcat defense can hold their own…anything is possible. This game looks like it will be worth watching, but in the end, Toledo should prevail.
Prediction: Toledo 31, Ohio 24
Saturday
Bowling Green (4-4, 3-2) at Kent State (1-7, 0-5)
Line: Bowling Green -11½
Upset Alert: 1
Synopsis: What a freefall the Falcons have plummeted down. Seemingly in a can’t-lose situation in the East when they were undefeated at 3-0, now all of a sudden the Falcons have dropped 2 in a row at home to seemingly lesser competition, and face two of the toughest conference games remaining, at Miami and home to Toledo. Before those, however, they get a chance to beat up on a Kent team that has been completely unable to compete at a D-IA level. Another blow-out to Western Michigan last week leaves Kent with one realistic chance to win another game…and it isn’t this one. Look for Bowling Green to keep their hopes alive with a big win.
Prediction: Bowling Green 38, Kent State 21
Buffalo (0-8, 0-5) at Miami (5-3, 3-2)
Line: Miami -27
Upset Alert: 0
Synopsis: The schedule makers must have a sense of humor, as the RedHawks get a chance to face their second winless team in a row. Buffalo is horrible in every sense, though the defense has fought valiantly at times this year. Miami, coming off their win over Temple, is the only team in the East with a winning record. Given the veteran presence on this team, the RedHawks will have absolutely no trouble with the Bulls. The more interesting games lie ahead, as they close with Bowling Green and at resurgent Ohio. Miami will win this in a rout.
Prediction: Miami 51, Buffalo 7
Akron (4-4, 3-2) at Ball State (2-6, 2-3)
Line: Akron -3
Upset Alert: 8
Synopsis: Akron got the big win at Bowling Green to come all the way back to a tie for first in the East. They also have by far the easiest remaining schedule, as their opponents have a combined record of 7-17. Hard to believe that a trip to Ball State could be their toughest remaining game, but this one has all the looks of an upset in the making if the Zips aren’t careful. The Cardinals had a shocking win at Northern Illinois last week, and it is unclear if this is a fluke, or more like a springboard, as the win for Western Michigan at Bowling Green was. More than anything, this conference seems to run on confidence this season, and both teams have plenty of it coming off of last week. Akron has a legitimate chance of winning the division outright, but one more loss and they are probably plain out. Look for the Zips to keep the run going, though this game will be closer than it should probably be. Containing the Cardinal offense will be the key.
Prediction: Akron 31, Ball State 27
Illinois (2-6, 0-5) at Ohio State (6-2, 4-1)
Line: Ohio State -34½
Upset Alert: 0
Synopsis: The Buckeyes come off a big day in Minneapolis and are primed to make a big run at a share of the conference crown. Standing in the way (but barely) this week is Illinois, who is winless in the Big Ten, and has not really been competitive in any conference game. Last week’s loss to Wisconsin by 17 was probably their best showing, and they gave up 41 points in that one, and have given up over 60 2 times in conference play. Make no mistake, there is no way that Illinois has any chance of winning this game. But, based on moderate improvements, the team looks like they might close in a more competitive fashion, even if it doesn’t show up in the win column. Ohio State’s first team will probably dominate this game, but as it gets into the second half and more kids get a chance to play, the Illini could put some points on the board. The Buckeyes need a good showing to build some momentum for a challenging stretch run against Northwestern and Michigan. They cannot afford to look flat on Saturday, and there is no reason to believe that they will.
Prediction: Ohio State 41, Illinois 18