Time for my first annual game by game predictions:
Week 1: UTEP, Win
I was much more comfortable with this game before Starks went down. Basically I think the 3-3-5 would have been owned with a half back that is as good out of the backfield as starks. Without him its going to be a much bigger challenge but I still think UB comes out on top
Week 1: UTEP, Win
I was much more comfortable with this game before Starks went down. Basically I think the 3-3-5 would have been owned with a half back that is as good out of the backfield as starks. Without him its going to be a much bigger challenge but I still think UB comes out on top
Week 2: Pitt, Loss
I don't think even if we had starks this is a win, Pitt is just too deep a team. The Bulls do have an outside shot here but they would have to play a flawless game to beat the Panthers and I don't see that happening two games into a new QB, System, and Halfback.
Week 3: UCF, Win
The UCF offense will not have an answer for our defensive backs as UB will win a close defensive game, Maynard grows up a lot this week.
Week 4: Temple, Win
Maybe its the homer in me but I think this game is just as winnable as last years or the year before. Temple's d-line in going to be really green (to match our green OL). A win here, in our first conference game, does a lot towards setting the MAC East pace.
Week 5: CMU, Loss
Last year UB caught the Chips napping, I don't expect that to happen again this year. CMU probably the best offense in the conference and a defense experienced enough to hold us in check.
Week 6: Gardner-Webb, Win
Despite the fact ESPN listed this as an upset possibility at 2-2 UB is going to come in hungry for this game. GW is a mid level FCS team and the UB program has moved beyond that level of play.
Week 7: Akron, Win
We wont need four overtimes this year, by this point in the season the offense will be clicking, and the DL will be spending a lot of time in the backfield. The Akron defense wont have an answer for Roosevelt.
Week 8: WMU, Loss
Hiller and the Broncos are going to be too much for UB, especially on the road. I'd love to say we can upset them but WMU in addition to being talented plays a very consistent game.
Week 9: Bowling Green, Win
Maybe another homer pick, on the road we don't win this game but at home I think we best the Falcons. The improved UB defense is not something they are expecting. For the second year in a row the team that walks away from this game with a win will have the division squarely in their sights.
Week 10: Ohio, Win
Final home game of the year and one which will go along way towards winning the East. The Ohio Offense will be stuffed by our D and Brandon Thermilus will control the pace of the game.
Week 11: Miami, Win
In another year or two Miami is going to be a MAC world beater again, but this is not their year. UB should cruise on this one.
Week 12: Kent, Loss
I think UB gets side swiped by Kent, again. By this point they may have the division locked down and the bowl talk will become a major distraction. If things are locked up look for the Bulls to sport a very vanilla offense and defense trying mainly not to get hurt.
So I have them at (8-4, 5-3) If they lose my homer picks (6-6, 3-5). If the Bulls are done with the injury bug this year they can easily take the east but there are only so many more losses they can absorb.