Mid-American Gambler: Great Teams Cover
Which makes EMU, CMU, BG, Akron, Kent State, and Buffalo great
How’d We Do? (correct picks in bold)
Eastern Michigan (+13.5), Ohio (-12), Miami (-14), Ball State (+7), NIU (-24.5), Western Michigan (-7)
Yeah. Things didn’t go well this week. We got an NIU-Kent State blowout that was rainy and boring and the Huskies didn’t even cover. We got a WMU-Buffalo 7 OT game that, again, the favorites didn’t cover. Miami and Ohio both lost straight up as double-digit favorites at home causing me to wonder why I even write this stupid thing anymore.
But this is just a minor setback, of course. Whenever a week turns sour, it just means you’re due. And even if that’s totally false (it is), this column can still be of use to you: just pick against me.
Current Record: 24–1–27
Week Six Games & Picks (All Times Eastern)
Eastern Michigan vs Army (-6)
Saturday, October 14th @ 12:00 p.m.
Blaik Field at Michie Stadium, West Point, NY
The Eagles have a stout defense that can cause trouble for pretty much any team in the country, complimented by an offense that is kind of just there. It’s why they play in so many low scoring, sloppy games and why they are 4–1 against the spread. Will they beat Army? Who even knows at this point, but the safe bet is to trust EMU to keep it close, and that’s exactly what I’ll do.
Eastern Michigan +6
Ohio (-9.5) vs Bowling Green
Saturday, October 14th @ 3:30 p.m.
Doyt Perry Stadium, Bowling Green, OH
Ohio lost at home to Central Michigan last week, which is not great for a resume. They had a late first half touchdown wiped due to a questionable penalty, which they followed up with a blocked field goal that CMU returned for a touchdown. Without that swing, the Bobcats probably came away winners, and I think they’ll get back on track against a Bowling Green team that is still Actually Bad until further notice.
Ohio -9.5
Northern Illinois (-4.5) vs Buffalo
Saturday, October 14th @ 3:30 p.m.
UB Stadium, Buffalo, NY
The one time I decide to pick NIU they completely let me down. If you’re going to blow out Kent State, then really get the job done. It’s Kent State, you won’t hurt their feelings. The Huskies play Buffalo this week, who are coming off a grueling seven overtime loss to Western Michigan, and while I’m currently solidly on the Buffalo Bandwagon, I think this line is a bit small for an NIU team that should have beaten San Diego State just two weeks ago.
Northern Illinois -4.5
Toledo (-7.5) vs Central Michigan
Saturday, October 14th @ 3:30 p.m.
Kelly-Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, MI
Congrats on the big win over Ohio, Central. Problem is, you tend to do this every year as of late, beating a team you really have no business beating. It’s pretty much your thing, and no matter how many times you fail the “eye test,” you somehow find a way to 6–6 or better. I’ve got to say, it’s one of the weirdest developments in college football. Toledo will be without Cody Thompson for the rest of the season, which is an advantage for the Chippewas, but the Rockets still have quite a bit of firepower.
Toledo -7.5
Miami (-9.5) vs Kent State
Saturday, October 14th @ 3:30 p.m.
Dix Stadium, Kent, OH
Miami is approaching Actually Bad territory pretty quickly. If they can’t best Kent State by double digits then they are firmly planted in that territory. They’ll be taking a shot at the Flashes without Gus Ragland this weekend as Billy Bahl takes over for the injured starter, and if last season is any indicator, the RedHawks aren’t very good without him. The RedHawks are 1–5 against the spread, so the Flashes seem like an okay play this week.
Kent State -9.5
Akron vs Western Michigan (-14.5)
Saturday, October 14th @ 3:30 p.m.
Waldo Stadium, Kalamazoo, MI
After getting blown out by Iowa State, Akron has played better and better each week. They nearly clipped Troy, who went into Baton Rouge the next week and beat LSU. They topped Bowling Green, which Miami showed us isn’t a given, and then they demolished Ball State — something I thought they couldn’t do, despite the Cardinals’ injuries. The Zips seem to be better defending the run this year, and they’ll have to be at their very best to stop WMU, who can appear at times unstoppable on the ground when it counts. The Broncos are 3–0 at home and appear to play a lot better at Waldo Stadium. I think Tim Lester’s squad gets it done on Homecoming ahead of a big tilt with EMU next week.
Western Michigan -14.5
