Bull Run - 2014 NCAA Football Buffalo Bulls vs Central MichiganWhere Buffalo Fans Hang Outhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48083/bullrun-fave.png2014-10-26T11:51:51-04:00http://www.ubbullrun.com/rss/stream/67673822014-10-26T11:51:51-04:002014-10-26T11:51:51-04:00The Buffalo Bulls Will Keep Trying
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<p>Finding a happy place and more importantly, an identity is not easy</p> <p>There is no shame in the Bulls losing 20-14 before 18,052 at UB Stadium yesterday. And, this is not a bash-the-Bulls column either. Let's face it, the last two weeks have been very tough on the University at Buffalo athletic community. The bye week certainly helped interim coach Alex Wood get a handle on things, but playing a game was the best tonic for the players, the coaches, the athletic director and the fans who are ardent supporters of the Buffalo football---and athletics---programs.</p>
<p>The next five years will be crucial to the Buffalo football program and that is not an earth shattering opinion. The athletic director is Danny White and like or hate, he has to bring in somebody who can elevate the program. Nobody knows that more than Danny White. And, truth-to-told, Buffalo may never be more than a middling Division 1-A program. I hope all that support Buffalo athletics and follow Bull Run know this. Some programs are poised for success, while others will never get there. There are countless examples of this in the 129 Division 1-A programs and for that matter, the 133 1-AA programs.</p>
<p>Take Temple. The Owls have been a Division I program for a long time and for most of that time, they've been bad. They never win, they never go to a big bowl game and they never draw many fans to the stadiums that they play in. They're an afterthought in Philadelphia, in fact, most consider 1-AA Villanova the better program and Ivy League Penn has won league titles nine times in retiring coach's Al Bagnoli's 23 year tenure more noteworthy, too. The Owls went from independent, to being in the Big East, to getting kicked out of the Big East, to the MAC, to being brought back to the Big East. Now, they toil in the two year old American Athletic Conference a league that nobody really knows how good it is. Expect Temple to stay stuck in the mud.</p>
<p>Take Boise State. The Broncos were a top 1-AA program and decided to see what they could do at the 1-A level. They've done well. Their win against Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl---an Oklahoma team that featured Adrian Peterson---is an all-timer, and they followed that up by beating Texas Christian in the Fiesta Bowl a few years later. They will play anybody and they are at the point where the Power 5 schools really don't want to play them. They lost two successful coaches in Dan Hawkins and Chris Peterson, yet they're 6-2 in 2014 and starting to figure things out again.</p>
<p>Take Appalachian State: In 2007, they shocked the football world by beating Michigan at the Big House as a then 1-AA football power. That was during their run of three year straight Division1-AA titles (2005-2007). I remember distinctly listening to ESPN Radio that night. The conversation was an easy one. The topic: does this win at Michigan make anybody at ASU think of moving to the 1-A level? I'm not sure who from ASU was being interviewed that night, but he said, "no," He cited the money it would cost with regards to upgrades, finding a conference and the fact that Boone, NC was in the middle of nowhere and a tough place to get to. Well, it's 2014 and the Mountaineers are indeed a 1-A program playing in the Sun Belt Conference. It's way too early to tell, but ASU is 2-5 with one of those win against 1-AA Campbell, a Pioneer League member that doesn't give out athletic scholarships.</p>
<p>Take Georgia Southern. Like Appy State, the Eagles were a 1-AA power with six titles. They too, decided to join the Sun Belt Conference and right now, they seem to be a program on the move. They dominated North Carolina State in their opener but lost 24-23; they hung tough with Georgia Tech, a team that is 6-2 and lost 42-38. They play in the hotbed that is the southeast, a place where people are moving to, a place that is dripping with high school talent. When the SEC and all the major conferences expand to 16 teams, I can see Georgia Southern getting into the SEC. When you stop laughing realize that not all teams are going to be top notch. Every conference needs a Kansas, a Duke (not so much anymore, but for years), a Northwestern and a Vanderbilt. Those schools benefit from losing because of the aura that the conference brings. Yesterday, Georgia Southern throttled Georgia State at the Georgia Dome. Over 10,000 fans made the trip from Statesboro to Atlanta, turning a road game into a home one. Don't think the SEC wasn't monitoring the action.</p>
<p>Take Villanova. When the old Big East conference was on life support, overtures were made to the Cats to see if they might be interested in moving to 1-A and being a member of the Big East Conference. The Cats were already a basketball member and their 1985 title in an epic Final Four helped cement the Big East as a basketball force to be reckoned with. The school gave it some thought but ultimately and wisely decided to stay in the CAA and 1-AA for football.</p>
<p>Take North Dakota State. They've won three 1-AA titles in a row and I'm sure the Mountain West would love to have them, but for now, the Bison are staying put in 1-AA. To be fair, North Dakota would be a tough place to mine for 1-A talent but the state's economy is taking off due to the oil and fracking boom with some school districts seeing a growth of 300 students per year. Stay tuned please.</p>
<p>Take Charlotte. They started a program just a few years ago and after two years in 1-AA, they are headed to 1-A and Conference USA next year. They will play their home games in the Carolina Panthers stadium and they are banking on getting off to a good start and tapping in to the football frenzy that is prevalent on Tobacco Road and the southeast. But, how good can they be? How long will it take? Will the fans accept Conference USA football to go along with NFL football and how patient will they be?</p>
<p>We could go on and on. For every Boise State, there is a Connecticut and Massachusetts. Former 1-AA members who decided to elevate and go for it. No school shows you the importance of football more than Connecticut. They are a basketball power with four national titles since 1999. On that fact alone, they should be in a Power 5 conference. But, the football Huskies, despite a BCS Fiesta Bowl appearance have been struggling and because football drives the bus, the Huskies play in the AAC instead of the ACC or the Big 12. West Virginia has never been great in basketball but because they've had success on the gridiron, they sit in the Big 12 and Connecticut does not.</p>
<p>Massachusetts is full of 1-AA talent and the Minutemen won a 1-AA title and had many successful years. They moved to 1-A and the MAC, have no home stadium and are just starting to become competitive this season. Unfortunately, for them, they need to find a new conference as they are getting booted from the MAC after the 2015 campaign. The likely landing spot is the American Athletic Conference for all sports but they play basketball in the Atlantic 10, a very good, multiple bid league. But, as we know, football drives that bus and the Minutemen may have to think football first at the expense of the better basketball league.</p>
<p>Buffalo seems to be stuck in football purgatory. They are at the 1-A level, but they play in perhaps the 10th (out of 10) rated conference in the county and they don't dominate in it. They need to find a new coach, a great coach who can make Buffalo a MAC powerhouse. And, that doesn't guarantee anything either. They could dominate the MAC and in ten years, still be in the MAC. They could flounder in the MAC like Rutgers floundered in the Big East and wind up in the Big Ten. The bottom line is uncertainty.</p>
<p>The MAC is the only league where you can't find games on any network on a Saturday. Yesterday, I watched games from the Sun Belt, Conference USA, American, even the CAA yet couldn't find any MAC games. The American Sports Network, which is carried on Albany's CW network had a CAA game, a Sun Belt and then a Conference USA game. I know that the MAC has a Tuesday-Wednesday package with ESPN which trumps the Sun Belt deal with American Sports Network, but come on, Saturday is college football day. Being on ESPN 3 isn't enough; make a Saturday deal with somebody.</p>
<p>Most of us believe that Buffalo has ambitions. We're not sure exactly how big they are, but at 3-4 they dismissed their head football coach. They will never get an Urban Meyer or a Lane Kiffin to coach at Buffalo. Kiffin makes three or four times the money as a defensive coordinator at Alabama then he would as head coach of a MAC school. At Buffalo, you're looking for a diamond in the rough who you hope turns into the next Chris Peterson, a brand builder who makes the brand so big that it can sustain itself when the diamond leaves for another school.</p>
<p>Buffalo should look to Utah as its blueprint. The Utes played in the WAC and the Mountain West. They hired Urban Meyer away from Bowling Green. He led them to an undefeated season and Fiesta Bowl win with Alex Smith as his quarterback and then left for Florida and the SEC. The brand was built. Kyle Whittingham stepped in and beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and eventually Utah was accepted into Pac 12.</p>
<p>The Bulls are doing okay. They're 3-5 and aside from Baylor, they've been competitive in every game they've played. They're not a patsy, yet they're not at the class of the MAC either. They have four games left and they could very well win all four to finish 7-5. They could lose all four, too or be somewhere in between.</p>
<p>Not every school is going to be successful in college football despite what the athletic directors, administrators, boosters and fans think. There will always be Temples and Tulanes in college football, in fact, there are more of them than there are Alabamas and Ohio States.</p>
<p>Buffalo is one of many programs trying to find themselves. They're no different than most people. For some, it's very easy to find oneself, for others very hard.</p>
<p>Good luck Buffalo!</p>
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2014/10/26/7072645/the-buffalo-bulls-will-keep-tryingJohn Furgele2014-10-26T01:42:28-04:002014-10-26T01:42:28-04:00Mid American Conference Power Rankings
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<figcaption>Michael Shroyer</figcaption>
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<th>Rank</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>PR</th>
<th>Δ</th>
<th>Comment</th>
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<td>1</td>
<td>Toledo</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>Before anyone starts talking about how the MAC West is leaps and bounds ahead of the east keep in mind that Toledo just barely survived UMass</td>
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<td>2</td>
<td>WMU</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>The most convincing MAC West win this week goes to WMU who spayed the bobcats. PJ Fleck is a clown but he looks to be a successful bozo.</td>
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<td>3</td>
<td>NIU</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>Speaking of just barely surviving look at NIU. The Huskies were down three on EMU early in the 4th Quarter.</td>
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<td>4</td>
<td>BGSU</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>The idle falcons were this weeks big winners. BG sat back while the MAC East imploded. Akron, UMass, Ohio, and Buffalo all lost.</td>
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<td>5</td>
<td>Ball State</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>Ball State has won two in a row, one of those over a decent Akron team. With Parity in the West they might still be in the hunt.</td>
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<td>6</td>
<td>CMU</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>CMU won the battle but lost Rawls for the season. This is going to change how teams prepare for the chips.</td>
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<td>7</td>
<td>Akron</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>The Zips had Ball state dead to rights but let the Cards knock Akron out fo first place in the MAC East.</td>
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<td>8</td>
<td>Ohio</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>Ohio gave up 530 yards of offense to the WMU rowing team, they as only managed 2.4 yards per carry.</td>
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<td>9</td>
<td>UMass</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>It was a game where the defenses did not show up and UMass happened to give Toledo the ball late in the 4th.</td>
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<td>10</td>
<td>EMU</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>The factory shut down one quarter early against NIU. Down four with plenty of time the Eagles went on 4th and that was the difference.</td>
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<td>11</td>
<td>Buffalo</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>Not a great start for Coach Wood and the Buffalo Bulls. UB's defense showed up but their running game was non existent.</td>
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<td>12</td>
<td>Miami</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>Miami was the only MAC East team to win today, moving them from nearly last to third in the east.</td>
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<td>13</td>
<td>Kent</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>Kent had their chance to tie the game, driving late deep into Miami territory. Failing to convert on 3rd and1 and on 4th and 1 sums up their season.</td>
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https://www.ubbullrun.com/2014/10/26/7072045/mid-american-conference-power-rankingsTim Riordan2014-10-25T18:41:16-04:002014-10-25T18:41:16-04:00Buffalo Bulls vs. CMU Chips Second Half Wrap Up
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<figcaption>John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Bulls lose three MAC games in a row and cannot get a victory for Coach Woods</p> <p>The second half begins and the Bulls get the ball first with the wind. Campbell with a great kick off return . Finally the Bulls special teams help as Campbell takes the kick at the 14 and jets 69 yards to set up a first down deep in CMU territory. Licata has all-day in the pocket and finds Malcolm Robinson and after a good extra point ties the game. The pass was behind Robinson but makes a great catch. Three plays 23 yards in one minute and six seconds. It is easy to not question half time adjustments with a great return like that.</p>
<p>The defense steps up and forces a third and ten but Ross with his second holding penalty of the game keeps the drive alive. The Bulls pick up Ross and stop CMU the next three plays. CMU with a great kick and the Bulls have the ball with the wind starting at their own 21.</p>
<p>Bulls try a flea flicker to start and broken up as Licata throws into double coverage deep and next two plays UB fails to move the ball. Wind not affecting the punts or throws like I would have thought. Defensive battle as UB stops CMU on 3 and 1 and force a punt. UB's next three plays were some of the worst play calling and execution and UB is forced to punt.</p>
<p>CMU starts with seven minutes to go in half with good field position. But this is a new defense that is blitzing and sacked the QB three times already. Great pressure again forces a lofted pass and Whitney Sherry with the interception.</p>
<p>As the game progress the early games show the MAC East losing every game so far. The Buffalo Bulls win this game and in tied for second place. Thank goodness for MAC East football.</p>
<p>The Bulls have the ball and Willoughby is the WR of the week and has a great spin move and gets great yards after a catch with 24 total.</p>
<p>Just like that Greer for CMU intercepts on their own 2. UB WR had a step but again Joe throws the high rainbow and under throws the receiver. That is a punch in the gut. This has been a slow moving quarter besides the Bulls opening return and drive. CMU is struggling to move the ball as well as we start the fourth quarter but is grinding the clock and inching down the field. Maybe the play of the game will be a fourth and three and a wide open receiver Butler bails out Rush who was seconds away from being sacked. The drive is extended deep in UB territory.</p>
<p>Lester is struggling again and CMU converts. After the Licata interception go 16 plays and is the longest drive of the season for the Chips at 9:29 spanning 98 yards. The extra point is shanked left and bounces of the left upright. That was a methodical drive and UB gets to the ball back 8:08 to play down 6.</p>
<p>UB's first two plays are terrible but then Joe moves around in pocket and finds McGill who powers after the catch into CMU territory to the 36. But the Bulls fail to make any forward progress and up is a 4th and 13. The pass is for Hughes but no chance.</p>
<p>CMU plans to grind out the next 5:53 for a road victory but UB holds. With a third and 9 UB need a stop and Lester was beat again but the ball was out front but the CMU receiver almost made an amazing catch.</p>
<p>What more can you ask for. With 2:53 left the Bulls have the ball, yet against the wind, down 6 and with a big drive can win one for Woods. Buffalo starts this drive dinking and dunking down the field. Buffalo needs to start taking shots down field and the clock starts to play a factor. UB does absolutely nothing with the ball as the offensive line cannot keep up with the rush. UB turns the ball over on downs and CMU 20 - 14. Vegas knew what they were talking about today. The Bulls are 3 - 5 and this game all but puts a dagger in any MAC East run. This is a game that UB could have absolutely won. Third MAC lose in a row.</p>
<p>Sorry Woods, could not get you a win and may not get a win all season. Taylor struggles as well and CMU bottled UB running attack.</p>
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2014/10/25/7070959/buffalo-bulls-vs-cmu-chips-second-half-highlightsJ. David Brand2014-10-25T14:37:38-04:002014-10-25T14:37:38-04:00Is Buffalo Bottom 10?
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<figcaption>Joel Auerbach</figcaption>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16.516515731811523px; line-height: 1.6em;">UB's College Football Playoff Magic Number:</b></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">117 (-12)</h3>
<p>Based on my unscientific poll of UB's public perception, UB would need to leapfrog 117 teams to earn their way into the College Football Playoff.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16.516515731811523px; line-height: 1.6em;">UB's Group of 5 Magic Number:</b></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">46 (-7)</h3>
<p>Based on my unscientific poll of UB's public perception, UB is 47th of 60 teams in the group of 5. In the College Football Playoff, the highest ranked team in the group of 5 gets an auto-bid to a top 6 bowl game.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><br></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Alec Trevelyan's Group of 5 B1G 10</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>#1: </span><span>Marshall - Conference USA - #19</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>#2: </span><span>East Carolina - American Athletic - #31.6</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>#3: </span><span>Colorado State - Mountain West - #31.8</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>#4: </span><span>Boise State - Mountain West - #39</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>#5: </span><span>Central Florida - American Athletic - #45</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>#6: </span><span>Utah State - Mountain West - #53</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>#7: </span><span>Nevada - Mountain West - #54</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>#8: </span><span>Memphis - American Athletic - #59.6</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#9: Arkansas State - Sun Belt - #60</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#10: Air Force - Mountain West - #64</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>#11: </span><span>Houston - American Athletic - #67</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#12: Middle Tennessee - Conference USA - #69</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#13: Louisiana Tech - Conference USA - #71</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#14: Georgia Southern - Sun Belt - #72</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: 12px;">New to the Poll: Arkansas State, Air Force, MTSU, La Tech, Georgia Southern</i></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Dropped Out: Cincinnati, Northern Illinois, Toledo, Western Kentucky, Temple</i></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Alec Trevelyan's Group of 5 Bottom XII</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"></h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>#51: UConn - American Athletic - #129</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#52: <span>Appalachian State - Sun Belt - #130</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>#53: K</span><span>ent State - Mid American - #132</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>#54: Miami - Mid American - #133</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#55: <span>Eastern Michigan - Mid American - #137</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#56: <span>Idaho - Sun Belt - #141</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#57: Southern Methodist - American Athletic - #138.7</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>#58: </span><span>Georgia State - Sun Belt - #139.2</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#59: New Mexico State - Sun Belt - #142</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>#60: </span><span>Troy - Sun Belt - #145</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Dropped Into the Bottom: UConn, SMU</i></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Started from the bottom now they out: New Mexico, UMass</i></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><br></h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">UB's Rank</b></p>
<p> </p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"></h3>
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<tbody>
<tr>
<td>CBS Sports</td>
<td>105</td>
<td></td>
<td>USA Today</td>
<td>114</td>
<td></td>
<td>Billingsley + MOV</td>
<td>120</td>
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<tr>
<td>Football Outsiders F/+</td>
<td>116</td>
<td></td>
<td>Massey (FBS+FCS)</td>
<td>146</td>
<td></td>
<td>Sagarin (FBS+FCS)</td>
<td>142</td>
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<td>Colley</td>
<td>111</td>
<td></td>
<td>Anderson & Hester</td>
<td>114</td>
<td></td>
<td>Wolfe (FBS + FCS)</td>
<td>122</td>
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</tbody>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;"><br></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Average UB Rank: 121 (-12)</b></b></div>
</h3>
<p style="font-size: 12.222222328186px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16px; text-align: start;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></b></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><br></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">UB's Schedule:</b></h3>
<p><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"> </b></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Average MAC Rank: 105 (-1)</b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></b></b><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Average Opponent Rank: 119 (+1)<br></b></b></b></b><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Average Opponent Faced: 128 (+5)</b></b>
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<b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></b></b><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Average Opponent Yet to be Played: 107 (+3)</b></b>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;"><br></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 16.516515731811523px; line-height: 1.6em;">The Road to a Bowl: 3 more wins is eligible, 4 more wins for safety</b></div>
<p><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"> </b></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Winnable games (teams ranked below or within 20 of UB): </b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">8 (<strike>Duquesne</strike>, <strike>Army</strike>, <strike>Norfolk</strike>, <strike>Miami</strike>, <strike>EMU</strike>, Ohio, Kent, UMass)</b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Winnable games record: 3-2 (.600)</b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Winnable games remaining: 3<br><br></b></b></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.3em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; width: 787.062072753906px; overflow-x: auto; max-width: 100%; font-size: 16.5165157318115px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, Georgia, serif;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">MAC Standings:</b></h3>
<table border="2" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; ">MAC Rank</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">Division Rank</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">Team</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">National Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#1</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">West #1</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">N. Illinois</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#74</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#2</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">West #2</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">Toledo</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#75</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#3</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">East #1</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">Akron</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#81</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#4</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">East #2</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">Bowling Green</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#85</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#5</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">West #3</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">Western Mich</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#89</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#6</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">West #4</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">Central Mich</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#95</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#7</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">East #3</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">Ohio</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#104</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#8</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">West #5</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">Ball State</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#113</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>#9</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>East #4</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>Buffalo</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>#121</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#10</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">East #5</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">UMass</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#124</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#11</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">East #6</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">Kent</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#132</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#12</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">East #7</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">Miami</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#133</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#13</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">West #6</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">Eastern Mich.</td>
<td style="text-align: center; ">#137</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">UB's path to Detroit:</h4>
<p style="text-align: center;">Western Michigan over Ohio</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Toledo over Umass</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Ball State over Akron</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Buffalo over CMU</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This would put UB and Akron a game back of Bowling Green.</p>
<h4 style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.3em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; width: 787.062072753906px; overflow-x: auto; max-width: 100%; font-size: 16.5165157318115px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, Georgia, serif;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">UB's NEW YORK Rank: #2</b></h4>
<table style="text-align: center;" width="207" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<colgroup> <col span="2" width="65"> <col width="77"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="15">
<td width="65" height="15">NY Rank</td>
<td width="65">Team</td>
<td width="77">National Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15">
<td height="15">#1</td>
<td>Syracuse 3-4</td>
<td style="text-align: center; " align="right">71</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15">
<td height="15">#2</td>
<td>NY Bulls <br>3-4</td>
<td style="text-align: center; " align="right">121</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15">
<td height="15">#3</td>
<td>Fordham<br>6-1</td>
<td style="text-align: center; " align="right">123</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15">
<td height="15">#4</td>
<td>Army <br>2-5</td>
<td style="text-align: center; " align="right">128</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15">
<td height="15">#5</td>
<td>Albany<br>5-2</td>
<td style="text-align: center; " align="right">166</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15">
<td height="15">#6</td>
<td>Stony Brook<br>4-4</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" align="right">167</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15">
<td height="15">#7</td>
<td>Colgate<br>4-3</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" align="right">194</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15">
<td height="15">#8</td>
<td>Wagner<br>3-3</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" align="right">201</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15">
<td height="15">#9</td>
<td>Cornell<br>0-5</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" align="right">233</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15">
<td height="15">#10</td>
<td>Marist<br>1-6</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" align="right">242</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15">
<td height="15">#11</td>
<td>Columbia<br>0-5</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" align="right">246</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2014/10/25/7069797/road-to-the-college-football-playoff-week-9Conrad Mostiller2014-10-25T10:15:45-04:002014-10-25T10:15:45-04:00GameThread for CMU Chippewas at UB Bulls
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WqZu_xzHMsoZwxKFFjunJYxVXNg=/0x24:600x424/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42669026/42ssmy1cs3wrf9u5.0.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p></p>
<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><table class="sbn-data-table" style="background-image: ; width: 100%;" border="0"> <tbody> <tr class="ui-state-even"> <td><center> <a href="http://www.ubbullrun.com/"><img src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/314/large_ubbullrun.com.full.8726.png" height="75"></a> vs <a href="http://eagletotem.net/blog/"><img src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2390308/CmuRound.0.png" height="75"></a> </center></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-odd"> <td style="text-align: center;"> <br><span><strong><span><span><span class="sbn-auto-link">Buffalo Bulls</span> (3-4, 1-2 MAC) at Central Michigan Chippewas<span class="sbn-auto-link"></span> (4-4, 2-2 MAC) </span><span></span><br><span>Oct. 25, 2014 | 3:30 p.m. ET</span></span></strong></span><span><strong><span><span><span class="_Xbe">Amherst, New York</span>| UB Stadium (30,000)</span></span></strong></span><span><strong><span><span><br>TV: <a href="http://ubbulls.com/ESPN3/index">ESPN3</a></span></span></strong></span><br> </td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-even"> <td style="vertical-align: middle; text-align: center;" height="15"> <br><strong> <canvas style="float: none; display: inline;" height="15" width="15"></canvas> </strong><strong><a href="http://saleminteractivemedia.com/ListenLive/Player/WMCAAM">Liste</a><a href="http://saleminteractivemedia.com/ListenLive/Player/WMCAAM">n</a> | <a href="http://ubbulls.com/sports/wvball/2014-15/boxscores/20141025_kai9.xml">Gametracker</a> | <a href="http://ubbulls.com/sports/fball/2014-15/files/gamenotes_cmu_2014.pdf">Notes</a></strong><br> </td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-odd"> <td><center><img src="http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/bay/graphics/line-break-635x8.jpg" height="8" width="400"></center></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2014/10/25/7068551/gamethread-for-central-michigan-chippewas-at-buffalo-bullsTim Riordan2014-10-25T02:02:39-04:002014-10-25T02:02:39-04:00Interim Head Coach Wood Leads UB Into Matchup Vs. Central Michigan<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.wgr550.com/Interim-head-coach-Wood-leads-UB-into-matchup-vs-C/20181104">Interim Head Coach Wood Leads UB Into Matchup Vs. Central&nbsp;Michigan</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>One benefit of the UB-WGR partnership is the work of Sloane Martin for the station's UB coverage. In her the station has a dedicated UB voice, instead of a handful of folks for whom the Bulls are one of a number of secondary options. Her pregame pieces are worth your time.</p></p></div>
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2014/10/25/7069133/interim-head-coach-wood-leads-ub-into-matchup-vs-central-michiganMatt Gritzmacher2014-10-24T11:01:42-04:002014-10-24T11:01:42-04:00Buffalo Bulls Record Watch
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Nc661T8mVWjrwQ0rUc7hQdWD16o=/0x0:1200x800/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42615036/skinner-20140912fb-1408.0.0.jpg" />
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<p>
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<table class="tableizer-table">
<tbody>
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<th>Buffalo Bulls Record Chasers</th>
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<tr>
<td><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JPlLGDwegR2IeUjllK0MAmPH3wXl1SFYTBa79RJdSaw/pubhtml?gid=356194493&single=true&widget=true&headers=false" height="850" width="315"></iframe></td>
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<p>The presumably brief Alex Wood Era kicks off tomorrow but UB football is all about the players. Looking at the ever growing "Bull Run Stat Book"* There are several players who can achieve milestones this week should UB come out and play well on both sided of the Ball.</p>
<p><b>Joe Licata</b></p>
<p>I would be very surprised if Joe Licata came out and threw three touchdowns but if the Junior manages that feat he will tie Drew Willy for the all time UB touchdown passing record.</p>
<p>A three touchdown game might also mean Licata passed Joe Freedy to take the #4 spot in passing yards.</p>
<p><b>Anthone Taylor</b></p>
<p>If UB does their damage on the ground look for Taylor to make a big move.</p>
<p>UB's running back only needs 58 yards to break into the schools top ten list, should he put up a 100 yard game he will Pass Aaron Leeper for #9 all time.</p>
<p><b>Devin Campbell</b></p>
<p>Will hopefully not be getting too much work returning kicks, but that's up to the UB defense. He is averaging about 23 yards per return so six more returns will gt him passed Naaman Roosevelt in both Returns and Yards.</p>
<p><b>Hughes and Willoughby</b></p>
<p>UB's two leading receivers keep climbing but it's unlikely anything they do this week will bring them into the top 10 category.</p>
<p><b>Lee Skinner</b></p>
<p>Skinner passed Cosmo Nestola for #8 all times in total tackles. The next guy on Skinner's list is Khalil Mack. At his current pace Lee should catch Mack in a few weeks.</p>
<p>This week however he should blow by Stan Wojceichowski in assisted tackled.</p>
<p><b>Cortney Lester</b></p>
<p>EMU bet UB with a Mobile quarterback to Lester did not register a pass defended. He still sits two back of Domonic Cook</p>
<p><b>Adam Redden</b></p>
<p>Redden is a fumble recovery away from the top 10.</p>
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2014/10/24/7058231/buffalo-bulls-record-watch-central-michiganTim Riordan2014-10-24T08:15:02-04:002014-10-24T08:15:02-04:00CMU Media on Tomorrow's Game
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hHOV3Bxx20pAHajz60-PIujKdng=/530x120:3170x1880/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42599746/20141011_rnb_ad4_030.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>UB is coming off a busy bye week, and it feels like forever since we last looked to an opposing team's media to see what they're saying about tomorrow's game. This week we turn to Mount Pleasant and the Central Michigan Chippewas. </p> <p>I really, sincerely, feel that when I did these posts last year I consistently found more, even one or two more, articles per week than I have been now. I suppose I would have that many if the CMU student newspaper had posted anything since Sunday.</p>
<p>Anyway, here's a look at what those on the CMU side of the ball are saying about tomorrow's game. I've your usual Athletic Department-provided materials, a few from MLive, which has an annoying monopoly in that state, and two from a very poor writer in a Mount Pleasant newspaper:</p>
<p><b style="font-size: 12px;"><a style="font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.cmuchippewas.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102114aac.html">CMUCHIPPEWAS.COM GAME PREVIEW: CMU Football at Buffalo - Official Athletic Site Official Athletic Site - Football</a><br></b><span>The Central Michigan football team enters the final third of its season in need of a bounceback win against Buffalo on Saturday, Oct. 25.</span></p>
<p><b style="font-size: 12px;"><a style="font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.mlive.com/chippewas/index.ssf/2014/10/buffalo_by_the_numbers_central.html">Buffalo by the numbers: Central Michigan looks to rebound on the road | MLive.com</a><br></b><span>The Chippewas play at Buffalo at 3:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3.</span></p>
<p><b><a style="font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.themorningsun.com/sports/20141019/nate-schneider-central-michigan-back-to-being-a-middle-of-the-pack-mac-team-after-gift-wrapping-ball-state-a-win?source=topstoriesrot">Nate Schneider: Central Michigan back to being a middle-of-the-pack MAC team after gift-wrapping Ball State a win</a><br></b><span>Hold up on expediting those passports.</span></p>
<p><a style="font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.themorningsun.com/sports/20141023/central-michigan-quarterback-cooper-rush-having-a-breakthrough-sophomore-season-despite-little-fanfare-surrounding-him"><b>Central Michigan quarterback Cooper Rush having a breakthrough sophomore season despite little fanfare surrounding him</b></a><br><span>The life of a quarterback is similar to that of a head coach.</span></p>
<p><a style="font-size: 11.8181819915771px; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.mlive.com/chippewas/index.ssf/2014/10/central_michigan_running_back.html#incart_river"><b>Central Michigan running back Thomas Rawls sentenced to probation and community service | MLive.com</b></a><br style="font-size: 11.8181819915771px;"><span>Rawls has rushed for 731 yards and seven touchdowns in four games since being reinstated after pleading guilty to a high-court misdemeanor charge of attempted larceny from a building.</span></p>
<p><b style="font-size: 12px;"><a style="font-size: 12px;" href="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/cmu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2014-15/release/release_20141021aaa.pdf">Central Michigan Game Notes</a></b></p>
<p>Go Bulls!</p>
<p><a href="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/cmu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2014-15/release/release_20141021aaa.pdf"></a></p>
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2014/10/24/7056355/ub-bulls-football-central-michigan-media-on-tomorrows-gameMatt Gritzmacher