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BroncoBlitz picks the MAC: Week Three

SU = Straight up
ATS = Against the spread
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David James: 19-4 SU, 10-13 ATS
D.J. Duckett: 21-2 SU, 12-10-1 ATS
Brian Persky: 19-4 SU, 13-10 ATS
D.J. has picked up a two game edge in straight-up picking, although Brian continues to lead against the spread by a razor-thin half-game margin. It was a rough week for David, who missed three games straight-up and went just 4-6 ATS this week.
Akron at Michigan (-37), Saturday noon
David: It's hard to see the Zips doing much against Michigan, who has looked like one of the most impressive teams in a questionable Big Ten. Michigan by 40
DJ: I don't seeing this game being at all close. Expect U of M to empty its bench in the 2nd half. Michigan by 42
Brian: I think I speak for most people when I say this should be another laugher in Ann Arbor. Michigan by 38
Bowling Green at Indiana (-2.5), Saturday noon
David: Indiana is coming off a tough loss to Navy, while BGSU is getting a bit of early hype as a BCS-busting possibility. Indiana will be focused, but I think the Falcons are plain better. BGSU by 4
DJ: BGSU has really impressed me in this short season. They seem to be a frontrunner in the MAC and I see them having a real shot at taking down Indiana this week. The Hoosiers will have trouble moving the football against the Falcons defense. BGSU by 7
Brian: Hands down, one of the most intriguing games of the week for me. The question for me is whether or not BGSU has the offense to be able to keep up with Indiana. I think they do, barely. BGSU by 3
Eastern Michigan at Rutgers (-28), Saturday 1:00pm
David: EMU hasn't shown me anything yet to think that they'll compete against BCS teams. Rutgers by 30
DJ: I don't see Ron English taking his Eagles on the road and getting a BCS victory. Rutgers by 35
Brian: Rutgers hasn't looked particular strong early on, but I can't see the Eagles keeping up. This offense is much better than what EMU faced last week in Nittany Lion country. Rutgers by 31
Stony Brook at Buffalo (-13), Saturday 3:30pm
David: FCS teams have shown that they deserve respect, and Stony Brook isn't bad. I just think a capable Buffalo team comes out angry after laying an egg at Baylor. Buffalo by 24
DJ: Buffalo did not show well last week and I see them being hungry for a win at home. This week, Stony Brook just happens to be the victim. Buffalo by 14
Brian: Buffalo finally returns home after two very tough road games. This should be just what the doctor ordered. Buffalo by 17
Ball State (-3) at North Texas, Saturday 4:00pm
David: I'm very interested in this game after UNT gave Ohio a game in Athens before falling 27-21. The Cardinals travel to Denton and it'll tell us some things about BSU's ability to contend in the MAC. Personally, I like the Cards' chances quite a bit more than Ohio's. Ball State by 10
DJ: North Texas has looked decent so far this year and I think Ball State will be in for a fight. Ultimately I think the Cardinals pull off what will be a good road victory. Ball State by 7
Brian: I'm having an extremely hard time with this pick because both offenses are strong. I think Keith Wenning and Derek Thompson both go off, but I give the slight edge to the Mean Green at home against a porous Cardinal defense. North Texas by 7
Northern Illinois (-28.5) at Idaho, Saturday 5:00pm
David: This might seem like a large spread on the road, but Idaho is very bad. Still, it's a long trip and the home opener for the Vandals. NIU wins easily, but not by four TDs. NIU by 23
DJ: With a bye week just before this match-up, I don't see injuries being an issue. That being said, as long as Jordan Lynch is on the field, NIU will roll. NIU by 30
Brian: I don't see any chance of a let-down here with a bye week to prepare. NIU should come away from Moscow victorious. That being said, this is a big spread for a road game out west regardless of the opponent. NIU by 21
Kent St. at LSU (-36.5), Saturday 7:00pm
David: When I saw this one on the schedule I was at least interested to see what Dri Archer could do against an SEC defense, although it was a clear loss for KSU. With Archer banged up and his status uncertain, a lot of the intrigue is gone. LSU by 40
DJ: This is a mismatch no matter how you look at it. The Golden Flashes will have a tough time down in Death Valley. LSU by 38
Brian: Intriguing only due to the fact that the Tigers have some distractions they'll be having to deal with this weekend. Still, I don't see that being much of a factor. I think the Golden Flashes cover if Dri Archer plays. LSU by 30
Eastern Washington at Toledo (-6.5), Saturday 7:00pm
David: What a brutal non-conference slate for UT. Eastern Washington is flying high after upsetting Oregon State last week. At least we know Toledo won't look past the Eagles. Toledo by 7
DJ: Eastern Washington is coming off of a big win last week knocking off BCS opponent Oregon State. I think they run into a well prepared Toledo squad and cannot repeat last week's success. Toledo by 14
Brian: It's awfully tempting to go with the red hot Eagles, but I'd be surprised to see them pull off another D-1 upset in the Glass Bowl. I think Toledo is hungry for their first win and doesn't sleep on EWU. Toledo by 10
UMass at Kansas St. (-39), Saturday 7:00pm
David Where can UMass be mentally right now? After putting up just 14 points on Maine, it's hard to see them doing much the rest of the way. KSU by 42
DJ: Pull out your pillows and blankets folks… This one will be a snore fest by halftime. KSU by 44
Brian: UMass is reeling, and Kansas St. was already awakened by North Dakota St. two weeks ago. Bill Snyder has the troops prepared for a blowo… tune-up game. Kansas St. by 42
Marshall (-8) at Ohio, Saturday 8:00pm
David I have yet to be impressed by the Bobcats. Marshall seems to be rolling right now and probably continues in Athens this weekend. Marshall by 14
DJ: Not going to lie, I was pretty high on Ohio coming into the season and since then they have nothing but disappoint. I do not see Tyler Tettleton being able to do enough to get the win here. I'll take the Thundering Herd and the points. Marshall by 10
Brian: Even though Ohio will be hungry to get revenge from last year's close loss, I'm still not sold on the Bobcats quite yet. And what can I say, I have a mancrush on Rakeem Cato. It's very close, but the Thundering Herd are the better team. Marshall by 7
Central Michigan at UNLV (-7.5), Saturday 10:00pm
David CMU is reeling with injuries. UNLV is very weak. Where to go with this one? I'll take the Rebs at home, barely. UNLV by 3
DJ: This is not a game I will be personally waiting up to watch. CMU has been bit by the injury bug and I don't see them righting the ship with this one. UNLV by 6
Brian: Cooper Rush's performance against New Hampshire suddenly made this game interesting. But as I said with the NIU game, any road game out west is always challenging regardless of the opponent. Still, I like CMU against a terrible UNLV defense. CMU by 7
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