Central Michigan +20.5
Looking for the Chippewas, 3-4 (0-2 MAC), to bounce back this week after getting dominated last week against Northern Illinois. Central Michigan was held to 170 total yards and only 6 first downs and committed four turnovers. They were only 1-18 on third and fourth downs combined. Marshall, 5-1 (3-0 MAC) defeated Troy St. last week 24-7. They held the Trojans to 164 yards total offense and only 63 yards rushing on 47 carries (1.3 ypc). Central Michigan is certainly glad to be back home after being outscored 92-0 in their last two games on the road. Sandwiched in between those two games was a home loss to Bowling Green 45-35, arguably the best team in the MAC. Central Michigan out gained the Falcons 441-404 but Bowling Green was able to score on a blocked punt to take their first lead and not give it back. Central Michigan ranks 44th in the nation in total offense, averaging 392 ypg. Their strength is their rushing offense, that?s ranks 31st, averaging 188 ypg and 4.1 ypc. Robbie Mixon is their leading running back who is averaging 113 ypg even with a 31-yard performance last week. They will face a Marshall defense that is ranked 29th in the nation, allowing 331 ypg. However, they only rank 96th in rushing defense, giving up 196 ypg and 4.6 ypc. The Thundering Herd are 4th in passing offense, only allowing 135 ypg but this is due to their poor run defense. Teams are running on Marshall 63% of the time (the national average is 56%), so this will keep the passing yardage against down. It will also skew the rushing yards against, but Marshall gives up 4.6 ypc, one of the worst in the country so there is a reason they are run on so often. Marshall did a good job last week shutting down the run so look for QB Derrick Vickers make some things happen himself. He has thrown for 1,379 yards with eight touchdowns and has completed 58% of his passes. Not electrifying numbers but good enough to keep the defense on their toes. Everyone knows about the Marshall passing attack, so the Chips will need to slow it down. Running the ball on offense helps. Their defense getting pressure on Leftwich also helps. They are allowing 252 ypg and must keep Marshall around this number as the Herd are averaging over 400 ypg through the air. The offense will be without one of their weapons as their second leading receiver Curtis Jones was hurt last week and is out for the season. The Chips were embarrassed last weekend and coach Mike DeBord was equally embarrassed. To get that behind them, DeBord challenged his players with the full pad-constant hitting practice on Sunday ? something never done after a Saturday game unless it?s a short week. "It's all about attitude. We had a good, tough attitude early in the season and we just did not show that at Northern Illinois. Both teams figured it was going to be a hard-fought, physical game. But, just one team showed up. I guarantee that we'll show up to play on Saturday." Getting 20 points at home helps.
Indiana +9
The Hoosiers, 3-4 (1-2 Big Ten), travel to Illinois in hopes of evening out their record and move closer to bowl contention. Last week, Indiana lost to Iowa 24-8 but the Hoosiers had seven more first downs and 124 more total yards. Indiana had six drives of 50 yards or more but managed just two field goals. They were stopped in the red zone five times, with three turnovers and two losses on downs. They defeated Wisconsin the week before and seem to be playing better after a slow start. Illinois, 2-5 (1-2 Big Ten), defeated Purdue in overtime 38-31 two weeks ago to get their second win. Purdue out yarded Illinois 566-417, had 15 more first downs and held the ball over 15 minutes longer. Illinois ran the opening kickoff back, paving the way for a 24-0 lead. Purdue then ran off the next 31 points before the Illini tied the game with 3 seconds remaining and won in overtime. So the Illini could easily be 1-6 at this point. Indiana will try to focus on the Illini offense that is ranked 7th in the nation, averaging 465 ypg but they are only 44th in points scored with 30 per game. The problem has been inconsistent play at QB, mostly due to the merry-go-round on the starter between Dustin Ward and Jon Beutjer. Both have played well at times and both have been awful at times. Ward was granted the start this week due to the comeback against Purdue even though Beutjer has the overall better numbers. Indiana has done a good job against the pass this year, ranked 21st and allowing 182 ypg and 6.3 ypa. Their rushing defense is not as solid, allowing 199 ypg and 4.7 ypc. Illinois averages 171 ypg and 4.7 ypc, so Illinois might try to take advantage of that with TB Antoineo Harris, who ran for 195 yards against Purdue but one of the runs was for 82 yards. Indiana should have no problem getting through the Illinois defense that is ranked 101st overall, allowing 438 ypg and 5.4 ypp. The passing defense has only three interceptions this season, third lowest in the country. The interception has been the one problem for the Indiana passing game, as they have been picked off 12 times this year, but it shouldn?t be a concern this week. They are ranked 22nd in passing offense, averaging 274 ypg and 7.5 ypa. Their running game could get a boost this week from RB Brian Lewis has rushed for at least 90 yards in three of his last four games. The Illini rush defense is allowing 205 ypg, good for 103rd in the nation. Coach Gerry DiNardo, who has never been a fan favorite or a favorite here neither, seems to be getting this team going in the right direction at the right time. With games at Northwestern and at home against Michigan St. up next, a win here could find the Hoosiers right where they want to be ? looking into the bowl picture for the first time since 1993.
Iowa St. +12.5
It looks as though the linesmakers have written off the Cyclones after they were crushed last week against Oklahoma. Looking at the past lines, Oklahoma was favored by 8 over Iowa St. and now Texas is favored by 13? Oklahoma dominated Texas by nearly doubling their first downs and total yardage but Texas is favored by more against the Cyclones? Apparently, people must feel that this team is done. Not taking anything away from Oklahoma because they truly dominated, Iowa St. struggled in the wet weather and the Seneca Wallace fiasco was surely an aberration. Wallace is still a Heisman candidate and the Cyclones will bounce back. Iowa St., 6-2 (3-1 Big 12), is only one half game back of Colorado for first place in the North division. By winning the North, they almost assure themselves a rematch with the Sooners in the Big 12 title game, barring an Oklahoma implosion. They will most likely need to win out the remaining games on the schedule, which include three road tests at Texas this week, then at Kansas St. and at Colorado. So this game is roadblock number one. The Cyclones are ranked 52nd in total offense, averaging 386 ypg but are 19th in scoring offense with 35 ppg. Texas brings in a solid defense, ranked 3rd in the country, allowing 355 ypg and 13.7 ppg. It?s safe to say that Wallace will play better than last week, but he won?t need to have a career game to get it done. A lot of it falls on the Iowa St. defense. The Cyclones are ranked 26th in total defense, allowing 327 ypg and 4.6 ypp and are 34th in scoring defense, giving up 21.3 ppg. The passing defense is the strength of the unit, ranked 20th and allowing 181 ypg. They will be facing a very average Texas offense that has underachieved all year long. The Longhorns are ranked 84th in total offense, gaining 354 ypg and 5.1 ypp. Neither rushing (71st) nor passing (59th) has lit things up this year. While the Cyclones defense may have looked bad last week giving up 49 points, they only gave up 3.9 ypp and 367 total yards, just 40 yards above their average. As long as the Cyclones can continue their good play defensively, Wallace will be able to make enough happen for Iowa St. to keep this game close enough to give them a shot at the outright victory.
Looking for the Chippewas, 3-4 (0-2 MAC), to bounce back this week after getting dominated last week against Northern Illinois. Central Michigan was held to 170 total yards and only 6 first downs and committed four turnovers. They were only 1-18 on third and fourth downs combined. Marshall, 5-1 (3-0 MAC) defeated Troy St. last week 24-7. They held the Trojans to 164 yards total offense and only 63 yards rushing on 47 carries (1.3 ypc). Central Michigan is certainly glad to be back home after being outscored 92-0 in their last two games on the road. Sandwiched in between those two games was a home loss to Bowling Green 45-35, arguably the best team in the MAC. Central Michigan out gained the Falcons 441-404 but Bowling Green was able to score on a blocked punt to take their first lead and not give it back. Central Michigan ranks 44th in the nation in total offense, averaging 392 ypg. Their strength is their rushing offense, that?s ranks 31st, averaging 188 ypg and 4.1 ypc. Robbie Mixon is their leading running back who is averaging 113 ypg even with a 31-yard performance last week. They will face a Marshall defense that is ranked 29th in the nation, allowing 331 ypg. However, they only rank 96th in rushing defense, giving up 196 ypg and 4.6 ypc. The Thundering Herd are 4th in passing offense, only allowing 135 ypg but this is due to their poor run defense. Teams are running on Marshall 63% of the time (the national average is 56%), so this will keep the passing yardage against down. It will also skew the rushing yards against, but Marshall gives up 4.6 ypc, one of the worst in the country so there is a reason they are run on so often. Marshall did a good job last week shutting down the run so look for QB Derrick Vickers make some things happen himself. He has thrown for 1,379 yards with eight touchdowns and has completed 58% of his passes. Not electrifying numbers but good enough to keep the defense on their toes. Everyone knows about the Marshall passing attack, so the Chips will need to slow it down. Running the ball on offense helps. Their defense getting pressure on Leftwich also helps. They are allowing 252 ypg and must keep Marshall around this number as the Herd are averaging over 400 ypg through the air. The offense will be without one of their weapons as their second leading receiver Curtis Jones was hurt last week and is out for the season. The Chips were embarrassed last weekend and coach Mike DeBord was equally embarrassed. To get that behind them, DeBord challenged his players with the full pad-constant hitting practice on Sunday ? something never done after a Saturday game unless it?s a short week. "It's all about attitude. We had a good, tough attitude early in the season and we just did not show that at Northern Illinois. Both teams figured it was going to be a hard-fought, physical game. But, just one team showed up. I guarantee that we'll show up to play on Saturday." Getting 20 points at home helps.
Indiana +9
The Hoosiers, 3-4 (1-2 Big Ten), travel to Illinois in hopes of evening out their record and move closer to bowl contention. Last week, Indiana lost to Iowa 24-8 but the Hoosiers had seven more first downs and 124 more total yards. Indiana had six drives of 50 yards or more but managed just two field goals. They were stopped in the red zone five times, with three turnovers and two losses on downs. They defeated Wisconsin the week before and seem to be playing better after a slow start. Illinois, 2-5 (1-2 Big Ten), defeated Purdue in overtime 38-31 two weeks ago to get their second win. Purdue out yarded Illinois 566-417, had 15 more first downs and held the ball over 15 minutes longer. Illinois ran the opening kickoff back, paving the way for a 24-0 lead. Purdue then ran off the next 31 points before the Illini tied the game with 3 seconds remaining and won in overtime. So the Illini could easily be 1-6 at this point. Indiana will try to focus on the Illini offense that is ranked 7th in the nation, averaging 465 ypg but they are only 44th in points scored with 30 per game. The problem has been inconsistent play at QB, mostly due to the merry-go-round on the starter between Dustin Ward and Jon Beutjer. Both have played well at times and both have been awful at times. Ward was granted the start this week due to the comeback against Purdue even though Beutjer has the overall better numbers. Indiana has done a good job against the pass this year, ranked 21st and allowing 182 ypg and 6.3 ypa. Their rushing defense is not as solid, allowing 199 ypg and 4.7 ypc. Illinois averages 171 ypg and 4.7 ypc, so Illinois might try to take advantage of that with TB Antoineo Harris, who ran for 195 yards against Purdue but one of the runs was for 82 yards. Indiana should have no problem getting through the Illinois defense that is ranked 101st overall, allowing 438 ypg and 5.4 ypp. The passing defense has only three interceptions this season, third lowest in the country. The interception has been the one problem for the Indiana passing game, as they have been picked off 12 times this year, but it shouldn?t be a concern this week. They are ranked 22nd in passing offense, averaging 274 ypg and 7.5 ypa. Their running game could get a boost this week from RB Brian Lewis has rushed for at least 90 yards in three of his last four games. The Illini rush defense is allowing 205 ypg, good for 103rd in the nation. Coach Gerry DiNardo, who has never been a fan favorite or a favorite here neither, seems to be getting this team going in the right direction at the right time. With games at Northwestern and at home against Michigan St. up next, a win here could find the Hoosiers right where they want to be ? looking into the bowl picture for the first time since 1993.
Iowa St. +12.5
It looks as though the linesmakers have written off the Cyclones after they were crushed last week against Oklahoma. Looking at the past lines, Oklahoma was favored by 8 over Iowa St. and now Texas is favored by 13? Oklahoma dominated Texas by nearly doubling their first downs and total yardage but Texas is favored by more against the Cyclones? Apparently, people must feel that this team is done. Not taking anything away from Oklahoma because they truly dominated, Iowa St. struggled in the wet weather and the Seneca Wallace fiasco was surely an aberration. Wallace is still a Heisman candidate and the Cyclones will bounce back. Iowa St., 6-2 (3-1 Big 12), is only one half game back of Colorado for first place in the North division. By winning the North, they almost assure themselves a rematch with the Sooners in the Big 12 title game, barring an Oklahoma implosion. They will most likely need to win out the remaining games on the schedule, which include three road tests at Texas this week, then at Kansas St. and at Colorado. So this game is roadblock number one. The Cyclones are ranked 52nd in total offense, averaging 386 ypg but are 19th in scoring offense with 35 ppg. Texas brings in a solid defense, ranked 3rd in the country, allowing 355 ypg and 13.7 ppg. It?s safe to say that Wallace will play better than last week, but he won?t need to have a career game to get it done. A lot of it falls on the Iowa St. defense. The Cyclones are ranked 26th in total defense, allowing 327 ypg and 4.6 ypp and are 34th in scoring defense, giving up 21.3 ppg. The passing defense is the strength of the unit, ranked 20th and allowing 181 ypg. They will be facing a very average Texas offense that has underachieved all year long. The Longhorns are ranked 84th in total offense, gaining 354 ypg and 5.1 ypp. Neither rushing (71st) nor passing (59th) has lit things up this year. While the Cyclones defense may have looked bad last week giving up 49 points, they only gave up 3.9 ypp and 367 total yards, just 40 yards above their average. As long as the Cyclones can continue their good play defensively, Wallace will be able to make enough happen for Iowa St. to keep this game close enough to give them a shot at the outright victory.
