2018 MAC Pick’em — Week 4
After an exciting Week 3, it’s time to put a majority of the non-conference schedule to bed as we move closer to the end of the first month
The non-conference slate has not been kind to the MAC. Outside of a couple upsets (hello, Eastern and Akron), the MAC has looked ugly in loss after loss, and it’s probably a good thing we’re about done with these extra games. Still, we have one more mass week of MAC Lite, so finish strong?
In the meantime, Week 3 brought a bunch of fun in the college football world. CMU-NIU was especially erotic, with a train wreck of a first half that you just could not look away from. Akron beating Northwestern came out of left field, and Buffalo looks otherworldly, at least in the MAC. In the Pick’em, someone used magic powers and got all of the games right. Congrats to Huron Boy and his big 13 points (Commissioner’s Note: The Game of the Week came down to a tie, which was awarded to Toledo-Miami (FL) as a result of a full-house game).
Full breakdown here. Cumulative figures after Week 3 here. Additionally, here is a visualization showing everyone who has put up points in the Pick’em thus far.
On to Week 4. Only one MAC game this week, and it isn’t all that enticing. Let’s get to pickin’!
Kent State @ Ole Miss — Kent State kinda fell back to Earth after a blow-out loss to Penn State, but let’s not forget they tried an onside kick. This team is ballsy as hell and Woody Barrett is going to be a problem come October and November.
Buffalo @ Rutgers — Did you see/hear about Rutgers getting drilled by Kansas? Give me the Bulls and Tyree Jackson throwing darts off his back leg for a half.
Akron @ Iowa State — This was tough, because the Zips did just pull off a solid upset. That said, Iowa State hung with a very good Oklahoma team while Northwestern looks…not great (along with most of the rest of the Big Ten West). Give me Matt Campbell and Team Khakis
Nevada @ Toledo — Toledo rebounds at home in a game where the opponent is playing at 9 am local time. The Rockets are quietly biding their time until MAC play starts at this point.
Ohio @ Cincinnati — I really don’t like where Ohio is headed right now. 1–1, but awful showings against Howard and Virginia. Rourke looked better on Saturday, but that was a low bar to clear if we’re being honest.
Western Michigan @ Georgia State — The Broncos are back! I hope. Either way, the Panthers are not a good team, and WMU should easily get back to .500 before entering MAC play. A loss, and all hell breaks loose in Kalamazoo.
Miami @ Bowling Green — Yeah the Falcons won on Saturday, but they were gashed on the ground. I think Miami finally finds its offense against one of the worst defenses in the MAC.
Western Kentucky @ Ball State — Another tough one, but I’m going with the Cardinals. They came back to reality with a thumping at the hands of Indiana, but there’s no reason to think this team can’t make noise in the MAC this year. Unless that defense is back to what we thought it would be.
Maine @ Central Michigan — LAZZARO TIME! Really, he could be the difference between a CMU win and a Maine win in this one. Tony Poljan cannot move the ball for the Chippewas, and a QB change could be the difference between another 6–6 season or a double-digit loss one.
Northern Illinois @ Florida State — Yeah, I know the Noles are bad this year, but I’m not sold on NIU’s offense either. I’m gonna put some blind trust into this pick, and pray that Willie Taggart doesn’t screw this up.
Eastern Michigan @ San Diego State — 10:30 pm start time against a team that is one of the better ones in the Mountain West? Give me the “not MAC team” here.
Game of the Week — Eastern Michigan @ San Diego State — This really could be good, if the EMU Dual QB situation plays out well and the Eagles can run the ball marginally like they did against Buffalo. A good G5 vs G5 game should ensue, if only for the first half until it’s bedtime for the Eagles.
