Around this time last year (actually, 359 days ago to be exact) was when I actually started posting frequently on this blog. Now after almost a year of speculating on different stories, analyzing teams and games, and writing for a loyal following of four, we are back to the time of year that I enjoy most. Bowl season really is one of my favorite times of year (other than the first weekend of March Madness). Many of you may not be interested in the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl the day after Christmas, but I am. Maybe it's because I am a true fan of the game; honestly though, I think it may be a combination of that and the fact that it gives me a valid reason to stay home and not shower or change my clothes from the day before.
You may be thinking "why do you honestly care about a game that is sponsored by the San Diego County Credit Union?" If you are honestly asking this question, please close your browser and never come back to this site.
Now, for those of you that play ESPN's College Bowl Mania, and thus understand the importance of the three bowl games being played tomorrow, here are my picks for those games. Seriously though; if you are one of those people who think the question I posed in the last paragraph is actually legitimate, you don't have any business being here. At least, you don't until around January 1st.
New Mexico Bowl
BYU vs. UTEP
Since this is the first game of the bowl season, I don't have much but the stats to go off of when analyzing this one. UTEP stumbled in the second half of the season, primarily because quarterback Trevor Vittatoe was injured. Granted, four of their five losses during that half of the season came on the road. However, BYU's story is almost the exact opposite; they have won four of their last five, and only lost by a point to Utah in their season finale. Since Vittatoe still isn't one-hundred percent, I have to go with the Cougars in this one. I have BYU for 15 points in College Bowl Mania game.
Final Score: 30-24 BYU
uDrove Humanitarian Bowl
Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State
Like many games early on in the bowl season, this matchup is pretty much a toss-up. I would have liked Northern Illinois in this game. That was before they lost to the "other" Miami in the MAC Championship game, and then learned that their head coach, Jerry Kill, would not be coaching them in their bowl game after accepting the position of Minnesota's head coach. All this, combined with the fact that Fresno State has to have a little bit of an advantage on that crazy blue turf in Boise (they play there every other year in the regular season), makes me slightly more confident in the Bulldogs in this one. I have Fresno State here, but only for 8 points.
Final Score: 48-45 Fresno State
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Ohio vs. Troy
At least thus far, I'm not being very kind to the MAC. While Ohio is probably superior to Troy in every way but their nickname, going to New Orleans is a treat for the Bobcats. For the men of Troy, who have previously been to this bowl in 2006 and 2008, it is more of a business trip. In the early bowl matchups, it seems that a good offense will trump a good defense (which totally goes against my usual saying, but whatever). So the question will be, do you like Troy's offense (best in the Sun Belt), or Ohio's defense (total yards per game given up is fourth best in the MAC)? I know that the MAC is known for their stellar defensive performances week in and week out, but I'm going to have to go with the offense here. I have Troy for 5 points.
Final Score: 38-34 Troy
In the spirit of early season bowl matchups that would mean nothing without the College Bowl Mania game, I will leave you with this video. Doesn't it sound a lot like Frankie from those old Budweiser commercials? Ah...classic.
- K. Becks
Showing posts with label ohio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ohio. Show all posts
Friday, December 17, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
NCAAF: MAC Preview
After what I would consider a far too long absence, I'm back with the college football previews. Just to keep you all updated, after the college football preview has concluded, I will go straight to my NFL picks, and I should finish that just in time to start covering the important rounds of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, as well as the final stretch of baseball's regular season.
Overview
The Mid-American Conference may not always have the most talented group of teams in the nation, but it is a great conference to watch if you want to become aware of some of the best up-and-coming coaches in the game. Names like Brian Kelly, Turner Gill, and Butch Jones (all of whom now coach at major college programs) have previously coached in the MAC, and their success in the conference was probably a major contributor to them being offered jobs at their current schools. That, as well as the fact that the MAC can be very unpredictable from year to year, is one good reason why paying attention to this conference isn't a waste of time.
Team(s) With the Best Shot at a National Championship Bid
None
The MAC has yet to send a team to a BCS bowl. With that being said, there are no MAC teams that have a truly realistic shot at playing for the national title. It's not all bad though, right? Some of the places that MAC teams could be playing at during bowl season include Detroit and Washington D.C. (outdoors). Nice, huh?
Watch Out! (Team That Could Surprise)
Toledo
They have an absolutely brutal early season schedule. Actually, they have an absolutely brutal first half of the season. They get to play four teams in the first six weeks (Arizona, Ohio, Wyoming, and Boise State) that participated in a bowl game last season. What's worse is that four of their first seven games are on the road. If they can somehow pull off a victory against one or two of these teams, you may see the Rockets on the bowl schedule at the end of the season.
Out-Of-Conference Game To Watch
Ohio vs. Marshall (September 25th)
This game is a rematch of last year's Little Caesers Pizza Bowl (Marshall won 21-17), and it's also a matchup that used to be a MAC conference game. With this being said, Ohio will be looking for revenge, and may have the upper hand this time around. Although this game isn't going to be on national television, try to watch it online, or if you live in the Midwest, see if there is a regional or radio broadcast of the game. This is a classic MAC vs. C-USA showdown that always seem to generate excitement.
In-Conference Game To Watch
Ohio vs. Temple (November 16th)
There is a good chance that this game will determine who wins the MAC East Division and gets a chance to play in the MAC Championship game. Both Temple and Ohio have strong defenses, so this game probably won't be an offensive shootout that is characteristic of a MAC game. Another reason this will probably be a defensive struggle is that both teams come into the season with uncertainties at the quarterback position. Whichever team is more stable behind center near the end of the season will likely have the upper hand in this battle.
Conference Predictions
East Division
1. Temple (9-3, [7-1])
2. Ohio (9-3, [6-2])
3. Kent State (7-5, [5-3])
4. Akron (5-7, [3-5])
5. Bowling Green (3-9, [2-6])
6. Buffalo (3-9, [2-6])
7. Miami (1-11, [1-7])
West Division
1. Northern Illinois (9-3, [7-1])
2. Toledo (5-7, [5-3])
3. Central Michigan (6-6, [5-3])
4. Western Michigan (5-7, [4-4])
5. Ball State (3-9, [1-7])
6. Eastern Michigan (0-12, [0-8])
Championship Game (Northern Illinois vs. Temple)
Winner: Temple
If you have a Facebook and have not yet joined the "Around The Corn Sports Blog" fan page, please do so. If you have already joined, then invite all your friends who have probably never heard of the blog to join as well. By becoming a fan, not only will you be alerted when I post a new entry, but you'll be able to hear about special things, such as the shirts that I plan to make, more quickly. Thanks again everyone, and I really appreciate all of you that take the time to read my work.
- K. Becks
Overview
The Mid-American Conference may not always have the most talented group of teams in the nation, but it is a great conference to watch if you want to become aware of some of the best up-and-coming coaches in the game. Names like Brian Kelly, Turner Gill, and Butch Jones (all of whom now coach at major college programs) have previously coached in the MAC, and their success in the conference was probably a major contributor to them being offered jobs at their current schools. That, as well as the fact that the MAC can be very unpredictable from year to year, is one good reason why paying attention to this conference isn't a waste of time.
Team(s) With the Best Shot at a National Championship Bid
None
The MAC has yet to send a team to a BCS bowl. With that being said, there are no MAC teams that have a truly realistic shot at playing for the national title. It's not all bad though, right? Some of the places that MAC teams could be playing at during bowl season include Detroit and Washington D.C. (outdoors). Nice, huh?
Watch Out! (Team That Could Surprise)
Toledo
They have an absolutely brutal early season schedule. Actually, they have an absolutely brutal first half of the season. They get to play four teams in the first six weeks (Arizona, Ohio, Wyoming, and Boise State) that participated in a bowl game last season. What's worse is that four of their first seven games are on the road. If they can somehow pull off a victory against one or two of these teams, you may see the Rockets on the bowl schedule at the end of the season.
Out-Of-Conference Game To Watch
Ohio vs. Marshall (September 25th)
This game is a rematch of last year's Little Caesers Pizza Bowl (Marshall won 21-17), and it's also a matchup that used to be a MAC conference game. With this being said, Ohio will be looking for revenge, and may have the upper hand this time around. Although this game isn't going to be on national television, try to watch it online, or if you live in the Midwest, see if there is a regional or radio broadcast of the game. This is a classic MAC vs. C-USA showdown that always seem to generate excitement.
In-Conference Game To Watch
Ohio vs. Temple (November 16th)
There is a good chance that this game will determine who wins the MAC East Division and gets a chance to play in the MAC Championship game. Both Temple and Ohio have strong defenses, so this game probably won't be an offensive shootout that is characteristic of a MAC game. Another reason this will probably be a defensive struggle is that both teams come into the season with uncertainties at the quarterback position. Whichever team is more stable behind center near the end of the season will likely have the upper hand in this battle.
Conference Predictions
East Division
1. Temple (9-3, [7-1])
2. Ohio (9-3, [6-2])
3. Kent State (7-5, [5-3])
4. Akron (5-7, [3-5])
5. Bowling Green (3-9, [2-6])
6. Buffalo (3-9, [2-6])
7. Miami (1-11, [1-7])
West Division
1. Northern Illinois (9-3, [7-1])
2. Toledo (5-7, [5-3])
3. Central Michigan (6-6, [5-3])
4. Western Michigan (5-7, [4-4])
5. Ball State (3-9, [1-7])
6. Eastern Michigan (0-12, [0-8])
Championship Game (Northern Illinois vs. Temple)
Winner: Temple
If you have a Facebook and have not yet joined the "Around The Corn Sports Blog" fan page, please do so. If you have already joined, then invite all your friends who have probably never heard of the blog to join as well. By becoming a fan, not only will you be alerted when I post a new entry, but you'll be able to hear about special things, such as the shirts that I plan to make, more quickly. Thanks again everyone, and I really appreciate all of you that take the time to read my work.
- K. Becks
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