RE: Week 1 Pick'em
Underline = Beating the Spread; Bold = Winner
Western Illinois -31 vs Ball State
*Western Illinois royally sucked last year, winning only 1 game, to Youngstown St who also only won one game. Ball State should be somewhat close to great this year, but I can only see WIU being a bit better, and Ball State putting on the breaks with subs while WIU gets a few last easy points as even last year they didn't lack too much in scoring, thus beating the spread. WIU 17, BSU 44
Wagner -43.5 vs Buffalo
*Wagner only had 2 games last year, barely scoring, and that was in the Spring "regular" season. They sucked. Buffalo has a new coach, getting things together. Blowout. But Buffalo knowing this will be a blowout, doesn't Quite make the spread. Wagnasty 10, Buffalo 52.
Bowling Green -37 vs Tennessee
*Tennessee was no 'champ' by any stretch last year, only winning 3 games, but that's still 3 games in the SEC and they put up fights otherwise. In Tennessee, and BGSU won no games last year. Blowout city. BGSU 7, Tenn 48.
St Francis -32.5 vs EMU
*St Francis didn't play last year which hurts them, and were 6-6 in a decent D1AA conference. EMU's coach is still there and he's no slouch. Expect EMU to dominate the game. St Francis 10, The Emoos 44
Miami -22.5 vs Cincinnati
*Miami only played 3 games last year, and only won 1. But that was against BSU, tho. And they have a good coach. I would not be shocked at all if Miami beats the spread, as this is Miami of Ohio we're talking about, not even leaving the dirty state of OH. So I wouldn't bet on this game. However, Cinci was Undefeated until their big bowl game loss. Miami 14, Cinci 38
Central Mich -14 vs Missouri
*Missouri was .500 last year, as was the Dirty Chips of CMU. Missouri's a tougher team, but sometimes CMU knows how to spoil a party by taking a dump in the punch bowl at the end (ask OK-State). My guess is that CMU could make a decent game out of it due to their coach, but with COVID and everything -- ehhh. I'd bet on this game for MissourAHH. CMU 20, Missouri 38
Akron -37 vs Auburn
*Akron won just 1 game last year in the MAC toilet-bowl battle for the worst. And won, of course! They beat BGSU. Auburn was 6-4 regular season but lost to Northwestern in the bowl. They're still getting their game screwed on straight, but Akron's just itching to get screwed by bending over and taking a hike. Akron 6, Auburn 48.
Syracuse vs Ohio -1
*This one's predicted to be a barn-burner! Syracuse is basically a "good MAC team" by default year-to-year, in the ACC. Syracuse won just 1 game last year to GA-Tech, but lost the rest. Granted, they DID put up fights against many they lost to -- but still. Oh-Hi-Oooh only played 3 games -- won 2, but only against Akron & BGSU who are the worst in the MAC, and lost a barn-burner to @CMU. Do not be shocked if Ohio wins. But since it's away, and ya don't know how COVID affects everyone off-season and all and having to go on the road -- I have to (wince) bet on Syracuse to win it, even though they are on the road (just realized that). But I wouldn't want to bet on it at all! Ohio 24, Syracuse 27
Norfolk State vs Toledo
*Norfolk didn't play last year, but in '19 went 5-7, with one win against a D2 team. The Toledo Mudhens were pretty good last year, barely losing to BSU (champs) and WMU (wanna-be-champs) by a hair. No spread on the game. Nor should there be. Toledo gets a warm-up and wins. Norfolk Fake 10, Mudhens 55
Northern Illinois -18 vs Georgia Tech
*NIU didn't win a game last year. Georgia Tech beat Florida State, easily beat Louisville, and CRUSHED Duke. But they got whipped by Syracuse? And UCF by 28, and lost to everyone else, many times by a lot. Maybe that's why it's only an 18 point spread. GA-Tech runs an odd offense. If one's prepared they can handle them well, if they're even just an OK Mid-Major -- a win is very possible. NIU has a seemingly poor HC. This is his chance. Can the spirit of Diesel the dog spring NIU into action? I'd bet no. NIU 21, GA-Tech 42
Kent State -29 vs Texas Tech
*Texas Tech only lost 1 game last year, and although a whipping, it was to Alabama. Everyone else, they won. Even their bowl. Kent State? 3 wins out of 4! Oh wait, though. BGSU & Akron are 2, then a barn-burner win at home against the Emoos of EMU. Lost to Buffalo 70-41. Ouch. But it looks like Kent State can put some points on the board, though! So Tex-Tech won't shut them out at all. But will have enough to beat the spread, but wouldn't be shocked at all if this is a non-blowout! Kent State 24, Texas Tech 52
Western Michigan -17 vs Michigan
*Oh boy, the MAC game of the week! Well, to me anyway. This game COULD be an upset -- but about the same chances as the Chips beating Missouri. Michigan went under .500 last year, but beat @Rutgers in 3OT, and beat the Honorable PJ Fleck's team very handily. However, Penn State took them to the showers to end the season, while Wisconsin destroyed them, a now-better Indiana solidly beat them, and a non-impressive MSU team beat them in Ann Arbor in a relatively close one. So how can WMU match up? Well, I can only guess after last year, that UM will be better this year. But that's not saying a ton. If we had Our Father PJ as our HC though, I think we would be in much better position to pull off the upset. Unfortunately, with Lester, we'll have our moments, but they won't be upsets -- just close games. If I had to bet, I'd bet that UM ends up beating the spread. Could be a blowout by UM, could be just a solid win by UM. The other 50% chance is that it's a game we're not done away with but never really had much of a chance, a close game, with 10% of that WMU winning. My guess? WMU isn't clicking well and they're off-key in the beginning with our star WR gone + 2 others to the NFL, but thankfully UM isn't so suave themselves, which avoids a blowout in the end. WMU 17, UM 37
(This post was last modified: 09-03-2021 01:28 PM by toddjnsn.)
|
