RE: Week 12 Pick’Em
Bold = Winner; Underline = Beating the Spread
Toledo -10 @ BGSU
*Oh, this is a rivalry game. BGSU has their ducks in a row, but so may Toledo. But it's at BGSU, and we know Toledo is far from invulnerable. I'm tempted to pick Toledo on the spread for this one, especially since they got bent over and railed by both Ohio & Miami earlier this year -- but this game will be close. And I have to go with Toledo, despite Toledo being "due" for a loss. Toledo 31, BGSU 24
WMU @ NIU -5
*A lot of people are picking WMU. I predicted NIU would have the spread, despite that going against what many people feel. WMU is on a "roll" to many, winning their last 2, out of their last 5. Albeit the previous 3 were Ohio, Miami, and Miss-St. Their D didn't step up or anything since earlier in the year, but it's been their O making the difference to being better. So they're a dangerous team. This game could go either way, but I have to say NIU should have an advantage. Rocky isn't as good as he could be this year, but he's a good leader. They lost to BSU in a low scoring game, but BSU's D has stepped up. They scored plenty against @CMU, but CMU has their number -- so giving up a good amt to them to lose the game shouldn't be the measuring stick. Their D can step up pretty well -- definitely better than WMU's. And NIU did beat @Boston College, almost took out @Toledo, and walloped @Akron scoring 55, which doesn't sound impressive at first glance but Akron will keep medicore teams from scoring a lot, despite their O faltering and keeping your O on the field. And, they beat Ohio. But sure, their win at home vs EMU wasn't impressive (although EMU has a decent D), and they did choke against Tulsa at home where Tulsa isn't all that great this year as a G5. And yes, they lost to a (good but not star-level) D1AA team from their home state while also getting whipped by @Nebraska worse than imagined after beating @BC. All that said though -- what it shows is that it's unpredictable. NIU's fighting for a bowl tho -- and it's at home. Rocky will set the tone with his team well, which he does, and this is the time for it. But this could go either way -- as turnovers and mistakes can definitely determine the winner. NIU has a pretty good D, while WMU has too many holes in their own, but do have a better O. D trumps O, and it's at NIU... while WMU's been happy over the rivalry win at home, and NIU is angry. WMU 24, NIU 34
Arkon @ EMU -4
*Akron. They can play close games, but lose them all. Well, all except the close one against a D1AA team + Kent St for the bottom-MAC bowl. It's at EMU, and the prison field will take Akron out. EMU smells blood as they're not out of the bowl chances yet. And EMU's D isn't easy, so Akron doesn't have an advantage on them there, given that EMU's O is also their own weakness. A low scoring game, but EMU pulls it out. Akron 13, EMU 21
CMU @ Ohio -10
*CMU's fighting for a bowl, but this one's at Ohio, which is tough to win at. Ohio still has to get their ducks in a row. Great D, and poor O that was supposed to be decent this year given their supposedly good QB who isn't as good as expected. I mean, it wasn't so impressive to beat @Buffalo by 10 after losing to Miami at home by 14. Man, this is a tough one. I have to say it's going to be close, but I have to take the safe route and say Ohio. But in a close one as I can't assume CMU's head is down with bowl hopes in front of them just needing one win. CMU 17, Ohio 20
Buffalo @ Miami -9
*Miami's looking good on paper, but their QB's out. And their replacement QB played really bad against Akron. Miami has a great D, and it's at home which they're very tough at. So they'll win, and Buffalo ain't got a bowl to fight for. But it wouldn't be a big shocker to see Buffalo make an upset, given Miami got less than 250 yds against Akron, throwing for 50 yards at less than 50% with this new QB. But their D will hold off Buffalo -- and Buffalo's O has gone down a lot later in the year. Buffalo 10, Miami 20
Kent St @ Ball St -12.5
*Ball State's on a roll -- compared to their first 6 games. Mainly due to D appearing. The most they gave up in their last 4 games was 24 pts, and held Toledo to 13 when losing by just a TD. All last 4 games were close, and included wins against CMU and @NIU, and almost taking out @BGSU. They're going in the right direction and although KSU's offense seems a bit better than earlier in the season -- they lost their motive, after losing the only MAC game they had a chance to win (@Akron), while getting blown out against BGSU at home in their last game. Look for BSU to win and not get threatened. Kent St 10, BSU 27
(This post was last modified: 11-14-2023 09:11 AM by toddjnsn.)
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RE: Week 12 Pick’Em 
