ON CAMPUS IN OHIO: WEEK 5
By Bucklion
Week 4 Synopsis: The Buckeyes dominated the Hawkeyes, rendering a serious dose of payback for last season’s result. Additionally, Akron got a big, big win over visiting Northern Illinois (as predicted here), and Ohio edged Kent in a critical conference matchup. This week, the Buckeyes are off, but the rest of the state takes center stage with some important conference games and in-state clashes.
Week 5 State Rankings:
1 (-) Ohio State (3-1, 1-0): Buckeyes open with a hammer job on Hawkeyes. No one wants to play them now…Penn State has to, but not until next week.
2 (-) Toledo (3-0, 1-0): Fresno State awaits in a monster matchup between mid-majors.
3 (+1) Akron (2-1, 1-0): Outstanding win over Northern Illinois…Zips poised for big things if they can keep it going against Central Michigan this week.
4 (+1) Cincinnati (2-1): Here come the RedHawks after a bye week.
5 (+1) Miami (1-2, 1-1): And the RedHawks get Cincinnati in a critical game for the psyche of both teams.
6 (+1) Ohio (2-2, 1-0): Good, solid win over Kent…The Bobcats get a deserved week off.
7 (-4) Bowling Green (1-2, 1-0): Blown out on the Blue Carpet was not what the Flacons had in mind…can they bounce back and save their season? Temple is just what the doctor ordered.
8 (-) Kent State (1-3, 0-2): Things look grim in Northeast Ohio….Kent travels to pesky Eastern Michigan this week.
Head-To-Head Matchups: Week 5
(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: 17-4 SU, 9-10 VL
Tuesday
Toledo (3-0, 1-0) at Fresno State (1-1)
Line: Fresno State -11 ½
Upset Alert: 10
Synopsis: Hard to know what to expect with Fresno, who has beaten Weber State and been edged by Oregon. Toledo comes in on a roll, and will not be intimidated by playing on the road. This should be a shootout, and one of the best games of the week to watch. Look for the Rockets to fly out of California with a victory.
Prediction: Toledo 35, Fresno State 31
Wednesday
Cincinnati (2-1) at Miami (1-2, 1-1)
Line: Miami -11
Upset Alert: 8
Synopsis: This has become quite an intriguing grudge match in recent seasons. Both teams come in with this game being essential to build momentum for the rest of the 2005 campaign…neither can afford to lose it. The RedHawks have looked terrible this year, but now that conference play has started, they have rebounded somewhat. Cincinnati will be a challenge, but the RedHawks should have too much offensive talent for the Bearcats to contain. This one should be a close Miami win.
Prediction: Miami 34, Cincinnati 31
Saturday
Kent State (1-3, 0-2) at Eastern Michigan (2-2, 1-0)
Line: EMU -3
Upset Alert: 2
Synopsis: Things aren’t looking good at Kent. The offense is bad, and the defense is decent, but not good enough to win games by themselves. It looks like the Flashes will struggle to win a game against a I-A opponent. Eastern had a near miss against Cincinnati, and a win over Central Michigan. This game could be ugly, but even if it isn’t, it’s hard to see Kent winning it.
Prediction: Eastern Michigan 31, Kent 20
Temple (0-4) at Bowling Green (1-2, 1-0)
Line: Bowling Green -28 ½
Upset Alert: 0
Synopsis: Bowling Green has been terribly disappointing so far, but Temple doesn’t belong in D-1A. They just lost what is probably their only chance at a victory when they were unable to beat Western Michigan last week. The Falcons are angry, bitter, and have one of the nation’s most potent offenses….ouch.
Prediction: Bowling Green 56, Temple 7
Central Michigan (1-3, 1-1) at Akron (2-1, 1-0)
Line: Akron -11
Upset Alert: 4
Synopsis: Akron is in great shape, 1-0 in conference play and coming off of a huge victory. Hard-luck Central has had near misses with Indiana and Eastern Michigan last week. They did upset Miami in week 2. In this game, Akron should win the battle if they can keep the score moderate (Central’s one win was 38-37) and play ball-control offense. Look for the Zips to keep the momentum going.
Prediction: Akron 35, Central Michigan 28
By Bucklion
Week 4 Synopsis: The Buckeyes dominated the Hawkeyes, rendering a serious dose of payback for last season’s result. Additionally, Akron got a big, big win over visiting Northern Illinois (as predicted here), and Ohio edged Kent in a critical conference matchup. This week, the Buckeyes are off, but the rest of the state takes center stage with some important conference games and in-state clashes.
Week 5 State Rankings:
1 (-) Ohio State (3-1, 1-0): Buckeyes open with a hammer job on Hawkeyes. No one wants to play them now…Penn State has to, but not until next week.
2 (-) Toledo (3-0, 1-0): Fresno State awaits in a monster matchup between mid-majors.
3 (+1) Akron (2-1, 1-0): Outstanding win over Northern Illinois…Zips poised for big things if they can keep it going against Central Michigan this week.
4 (+1) Cincinnati (2-1): Here come the RedHawks after a bye week.
5 (+1) Miami (1-2, 1-1): And the RedHawks get Cincinnati in a critical game for the psyche of both teams.
6 (+1) Ohio (2-2, 1-0): Good, solid win over Kent…The Bobcats get a deserved week off.
7 (-4) Bowling Green (1-2, 1-0): Blown out on the Blue Carpet was not what the Flacons had in mind…can they bounce back and save their season? Temple is just what the doctor ordered.
8 (-) Kent State (1-3, 0-2): Things look grim in Northeast Ohio….Kent travels to pesky Eastern Michigan this week.
Head-To-Head Matchups: Week 5
(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: 17-4 SU, 9-10 VL
Tuesday
Toledo (3-0, 1-0) at Fresno State (1-1)
Line: Fresno State -11 ½
Upset Alert: 10
Synopsis: Hard to know what to expect with Fresno, who has beaten Weber State and been edged by Oregon. Toledo comes in on a roll, and will not be intimidated by playing on the road. This should be a shootout, and one of the best games of the week to watch. Look for the Rockets to fly out of California with a victory.
Prediction: Toledo 35, Fresno State 31
Wednesday
Cincinnati (2-1) at Miami (1-2, 1-1)
Line: Miami -11
Upset Alert: 8
Synopsis: This has become quite an intriguing grudge match in recent seasons. Both teams come in with this game being essential to build momentum for the rest of the 2005 campaign…neither can afford to lose it. The RedHawks have looked terrible this year, but now that conference play has started, they have rebounded somewhat. Cincinnati will be a challenge, but the RedHawks should have too much offensive talent for the Bearcats to contain. This one should be a close Miami win.
Prediction: Miami 34, Cincinnati 31
Saturday
Kent State (1-3, 0-2) at Eastern Michigan (2-2, 1-0)
Line: EMU -3
Upset Alert: 2
Synopsis: Things aren’t looking good at Kent. The offense is bad, and the defense is decent, but not good enough to win games by themselves. It looks like the Flashes will struggle to win a game against a I-A opponent. Eastern had a near miss against Cincinnati, and a win over Central Michigan. This game could be ugly, but even if it isn’t, it’s hard to see Kent winning it.
Prediction: Eastern Michigan 31, Kent 20
Temple (0-4) at Bowling Green (1-2, 1-0)
Line: Bowling Green -28 ½
Upset Alert: 0
Synopsis: Bowling Green has been terribly disappointing so far, but Temple doesn’t belong in D-1A. They just lost what is probably their only chance at a victory when they were unable to beat Western Michigan last week. The Falcons are angry, bitter, and have one of the nation’s most potent offenses….ouch.
Prediction: Bowling Green 56, Temple 7
Central Michigan (1-3, 1-1) at Akron (2-1, 1-0)
Line: Akron -11
Upset Alert: 4
Synopsis: Akron is in great shape, 1-0 in conference play and coming off of a huge victory. Hard-luck Central has had near misses with Indiana and Eastern Michigan last week. They did upset Miami in week 2. In this game, Akron should win the battle if they can keep the score moderate (Central’s one win was 38-37) and play ball-control offense. Look for the Zips to keep the momentum going.
Prediction: Akron 35, Central Michigan 28