ON CAMPUS IN OHIO: WEEK 4
By Bucklion
Week 3 Synopsis: The Buckeyes looked flat for stretches of the game Saturday, but got a solid win. Toledo looks like they have established themselves as the clear #2 in Ohio so far, as Miami struggled with Kent State, Ohio got blown out at Virginia Tech (hard to hold that against them though), Cincinnati predictably struggled with I-AA Western Carolina. Akron did sneak in a good win over underachieving Middle Tennessee State. This week, conference play kicks in full speed ahead, and so the local squads will look to get off to a good start and keep improving on the weaknesses the OOC schedule exposed.
Week 4 State Rankings:
1 (-) Ohio State (2-1): Conference play begins with a stiff test against Iowa…payback time?
2 (-) Toledo (3-0, 1-0): A blowout of Temple is impressive, but only to an extent. Toldeo is off this week as the prepare for Fresno State.
3 (-) Bowling Green (1-1, 1-0): No D allowed on the blue carpet…how many will the Falcons and Boise State hang on the board?
4 (+2) Akron (1-1): Good bounce-back win last week…conference play opens with MAC heavyweight Northern Illinois.
5 (+2) Cincinnati (2-1): Struggled with Western Carolina…off this week as they prepare for their grudge match against the RedHawks.
6 (+2) Miami (1-2, 1-1): Successful in their must-win against Kent. They are off this week to prepare for Cincinnati.
7 (-3) Ohio (1-2): Blown out by Virginia Tech…not unexpected. Important contest this week against Kent State.
8 (-3) Kent State (1-2, 0-1): Tough loss to Miami last week…another in-state match-up with Ohio this week.
Head-To-Head Matchups: Week 4
(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: 13-4 SU, 6-9 VL
Wednesday
Bowling Green (1-1, 1-0) at Boise State (0-2)
Line: Boise State -8 ½
Upset Alert: 9
Synopsis: Neither of these teams has a defense that can stop anyone this side of a high school team. Bowling Green gave up 31 to Ball State, whereas Boise State got blown out by Georgia and edged by giving up 30 by Oregon State, who just got trounced by Louisville. Look for whoever has the ball last to win. Boise is very tough to beat on the blue carpet, but they don’t have a defense enough to win by the spread. Bowling Green is not intimidated by playing on the road, but the defense hasn’t shown up yet at all.
Prediction: Boise State 45, Bowling Green 42
Saturday
Iowa (2-1) at Ohio State (2-1)
Line: Ohio State -6 ½
Upset Alert: 6
Synopsis: Big Ten play begins with a classic battle in the trenches between the Hawkeyes and the Buckeyes. Ohio State is looking for payback after last season, while Iowa is looking to get off to a good conference start after their disappointing loss to rival Iowa State. Look for the Buckeyes to carry their home field advantage to victory in a hard-nosed, physical contest. Tate will be the key to the game, whether he’s running around or getting knocked around.
Prediction: Ohio State 27, Iowa 17
Kent State (1-2, 0-1) at Ohio (1-2)
Line: Ohio -3
Upset Alert: 5
Synopsis: This game is between lower echelon teams in the MAC, with both desperately needing a win in this conference clash. Both defenses have been pretty good, but both offenses have struggled. Look for this game to be close, and since Ohio found a way to beat Pittsburgh in a close, defensive contest, they get the edge here.
Prediction: Ohio 27, Kent State 17
Northern Illinois (1-2) at Akron (1-1)
Line: Northern Illinois -6 ½
Upset Alert: 7
Synopsis: Two decent teams here, with Northern having taken Northwestern to the brink and Akron beating Middle Tennessee State. The Huskies have been good for a few years now, and Akron is coming off of one of their better seasons in recent memory as well. Northern Illinois is a very good road team, but this trip to the Rubber Bowl will be their undoing. Akron is poised for a big win, and they are anxious to prove that last season wasn’t a fluke. Look for Akron in an upset.
Prediction: Akron 24, Northern Illinois 21
By Bucklion
Week 3 Synopsis: The Buckeyes looked flat for stretches of the game Saturday, but got a solid win. Toledo looks like they have established themselves as the clear #2 in Ohio so far, as Miami struggled with Kent State, Ohio got blown out at Virginia Tech (hard to hold that against them though), Cincinnati predictably struggled with I-AA Western Carolina. Akron did sneak in a good win over underachieving Middle Tennessee State. This week, conference play kicks in full speed ahead, and so the local squads will look to get off to a good start and keep improving on the weaknesses the OOC schedule exposed.
Week 4 State Rankings:
1 (-) Ohio State (2-1): Conference play begins with a stiff test against Iowa…payback time?
2 (-) Toledo (3-0, 1-0): A blowout of Temple is impressive, but only to an extent. Toldeo is off this week as the prepare for Fresno State.
3 (-) Bowling Green (1-1, 1-0): No D allowed on the blue carpet…how many will the Falcons and Boise State hang on the board?
4 (+2) Akron (1-1): Good bounce-back win last week…conference play opens with MAC heavyweight Northern Illinois.
5 (+2) Cincinnati (2-1): Struggled with Western Carolina…off this week as they prepare for their grudge match against the RedHawks.
6 (+2) Miami (1-2, 1-1): Successful in their must-win against Kent. They are off this week to prepare for Cincinnati.
7 (-3) Ohio (1-2): Blown out by Virginia Tech…not unexpected. Important contest this week against Kent State.
8 (-3) Kent State (1-2, 0-1): Tough loss to Miami last week…another in-state match-up with Ohio this week.
Head-To-Head Matchups: Week 4
(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: 13-4 SU, 6-9 VL
Wednesday
Bowling Green (1-1, 1-0) at Boise State (0-2)
Line: Boise State -8 ½
Upset Alert: 9
Synopsis: Neither of these teams has a defense that can stop anyone this side of a high school team. Bowling Green gave up 31 to Ball State, whereas Boise State got blown out by Georgia and edged by giving up 30 by Oregon State, who just got trounced by Louisville. Look for whoever has the ball last to win. Boise is very tough to beat on the blue carpet, but they don’t have a defense enough to win by the spread. Bowling Green is not intimidated by playing on the road, but the defense hasn’t shown up yet at all.
Prediction: Boise State 45, Bowling Green 42
Saturday
Iowa (2-1) at Ohio State (2-1)
Line: Ohio State -6 ½
Upset Alert: 6
Synopsis: Big Ten play begins with a classic battle in the trenches between the Hawkeyes and the Buckeyes. Ohio State is looking for payback after last season, while Iowa is looking to get off to a good conference start after their disappointing loss to rival Iowa State. Look for the Buckeyes to carry their home field advantage to victory in a hard-nosed, physical contest. Tate will be the key to the game, whether he’s running around or getting knocked around.
Prediction: Ohio State 27, Iowa 17
Kent State (1-2, 0-1) at Ohio (1-2)
Line: Ohio -3
Upset Alert: 5
Synopsis: This game is between lower echelon teams in the MAC, with both desperately needing a win in this conference clash. Both defenses have been pretty good, but both offenses have struggled. Look for this game to be close, and since Ohio found a way to beat Pittsburgh in a close, defensive contest, they get the edge here.
Prediction: Ohio 27, Kent State 17
Northern Illinois (1-2) at Akron (1-1)
Line: Northern Illinois -6 ½
Upset Alert: 7
Synopsis: Two decent teams here, with Northern having taken Northwestern to the brink and Akron beating Middle Tennessee State. The Huskies have been good for a few years now, and Akron is coming off of one of their better seasons in recent memory as well. Northern Illinois is a very good road team, but this trip to the Rubber Bowl will be their undoing. Akron is poised for a big win, and they are anxious to prove that last season wasn’t a fluke. Look for Akron in an upset.
Prediction: Akron 24, Northern Illinois 21