The Bulls were considered an afterthought in the MAC race during the preseason, but now they are tied for first place with Western Michigan and Ohio at 2-0 in conference play. 

To demonstrate how crazy the early portion of the schedule has played out, Ohio was predicted to finish fifth in the MAC Coaches Preseason Poll while Western Michigan was seventh and Buffalo was 10th.

Now, it’s still very possible that defending MAC champion and preseason favorite Miami (Ohio) will be a major contender along with Toledo and Northern Illinois, which are all 1-1. Nobody should count out Bowling Green (1-1), which lost one-score games to Penn State and Texas A&M but is coming off a 17-7 home loss to Northern Illinois. 

Miami was the preseason pick, while Toledo was picked second and Northern Illinois was tied for third with Bowling Green. 

Yet Buffalo being listed among the contenders, even after two conference games, is one of the most improbable stories in college football.

Consider that the Bulls (4-2) have already exceeded their win total from last year when they went 3-9.

It was a daunting task facing first-year Buffalo head coach Pete Lembo, who was hired on Jan. 21. Lembo went 112-65 in his previous three head coaching stints at Lehigh, Elon, and Ball State, and now he has brought his winning ways to Buffalo. 

On paper, it doesn’t make sense to see Buffalo on top, especially since the Bulls have lost two games by a combined 82 points.

Sure, one was 38-0 against No. 19 Missouri, but on Sept. 28, the Bulls lost 47-3 at UConn. While UConn (4-2) is enjoying a strong year, the Huskies struggled mightily to defeat Temple 29-20 the week after beating Buffalo. Temple is just 1-5 this year. 

Buffalo had a week off after the UConn loss and then won this past weekend 30-15 at home against Toledo.

The Bulls’ other MAC win was 23-20 in overtime at Northern Illinois. That is the same Northern Illinois team that won at Notre Dame in its previous contest before meeting Buffalo. 

As for how impressive the Toledo win was, even after playing Buffalo, the Rockets are the MAC’s leading scoring team, averaging 32.3 points per game, so the Bulls held them to less than half their average. 

Northern Illinois leads the MAC in scoring defense (17.2 points per game). The only team other than Buffalo that has scored more points against NIU is NC State, which beat the Huskies 24-17.

Buffalo is ninth in the MAC in scoring (20 points per game) and is 11th in total offense, averaging just 270 yards per game. The saving grace has been the defense. The Bulls are fourth in the MAC in scoring defense (22.7 points per game), even though they are seventh in yards allowed (374.7 per game). 

The offense has surely had its moments, and last week against Toledo was arguably its best performance of the season, especially considering the opposition. It was the third time that Buffalo scored 30 or more points, but the other two occasions were against FCS Lafayette and a UMass team that is 1-6. 

Against Toledo, the Bulls rushed for a season-high 230 yards. Al-Jay Henderson, who entered the game with 135 yards rushing on 39 attempts, rushed for 142 yards on 18 carries. 

Quarterback CJ Ogbonna has done a good job running the offense and limiting mistakes. He has thrown five touchdown passes and just one interception and has gone four straight games without throwing a pick. He has also scored three touchdowns on the ground.

If the Bulls don’t make many mistakes, then their defense should usually keep them in games, especially with two tackling machines at linebacker, Shaun Dolac and Red Murdock, who had 15 and 11 tackles respectively against Toledo. Dolac leads the MAC in tackles per game (14.5) while Murdock is second (11).

Who would have thought that this week’s home game with Western Michigan would be a mid-season showdown between 2-0 MAC teams? Not all 2-0 records are alike. Western Michigan’s two MAC wins are over Ball State and Akron, which are a combined 1-5 in the MAC this season. 

That doesn’t mean that it will be easy this week for Buffalo. The last time the Bulls had a huge win (over NIU), they were trounced the next week by UConn. 

Still, the Bulls have put themselves in a good position entering the second half of the season. They have clearly been the surprise team in the MAC. How they handle this prosperity will determine whether they can contend for a conference title in what promises to be a wild race. 

The post Buffalo Bulls Among The Biggest Group of Five Football Surprises This Season appeared first on HERO Sports.

Moorhead had head coaching experience. He also had coached at Akron before as an offensive coordinator. He was a successful OC elsewhere as well, including at Oregon before taking over at Akron.

The Zips hoped they could be one of the better programs in the MAC. Instead, they’ve gone 2-10 each of the past two years. And there’s little sign of things turning around this season. Akron is 1-6 overall, with its only win being a 31-20 victory against FCS Colgate.

If the Zips decide to move on from Moorhead, either during this year or after the season is over, here are some names they could consider to hire as their next head coach.

FAU Offensive Coordinator Charlie Frye

Frye has a good resume and connections to Akron.

Frye was a successful quarterback at Akron, where he was a four-year starter and broke numerous records. He was picked in the third round of the NFL Draft in 2005 by the Cleveland Browns and spent half a decade in the league.

He began his coaching career at the high school level and eventually worked as a consultant/director of player development at Florida from 2015-17. He was an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the collegiate level for the first time at Central Michigan from 2019-20. He then coached quarterbacks with the Miami Dolphins in 2021 before being an offensive analyst and analytics coordinator at Penn State in 2022. He’s been at FAU, where he’s an OC and QBs coach, since 2023.

Frye could be motivated to make Akron a solid program.

Las Vegas Raiders Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy

Maybe getting Getsy to leave the NFL would be tough. But considering things aren’t going smoothly with the Raiders at the moment, maybe now is a good time for him to think about returning to his alma mater.

Getsy played at Akron when Moorhead was a coach there. Getsy also set some Zips program records and even led the MAC with 3,455 passing yards in 2005, a season in which he led Akron to a conference championship and its first bowl game appearance. He also was first in the MAC with 2,665 passing yards the following year.

Getsy was a graduate assistant at Akron from 2007-08 and at Pitt in 2010. He coached with the Green Bay Packers from 2014-17 before being an offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Mississippi State when Moorhead was the head coach there. He returned to the Packers for a few years, then was the offensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears from 2022-23 and is in his first season with the Raiders.

If Getsy ends up leaving Las Vegas and wants to coach at the collegiate level again, Akron would be a good fit.

Indiana Defensive Coordinator Bryant Haines

Haines followed Curt Cignetti from James Madison to Indiana, and he has been stellar as the Hoosiers’ DC thus far.

Going into Week 8, Indiana is in the top 15 in the FBS in terms of scoring defense (14.83 points allowed per game) and total defense (255.7 yards per game allowed).

Before his current job, he was instrumental in JMU’s transition to the Sun Belt. He was promoted to DC and linebackers coach after three years as a co-defensive coordinator there.

In just their first season as an FBS program, the Dukes allowed the eighth-fewest yards per game in the country with 290.2 while allowing just 20.9 points per game. They were also top 10 in rushing defense, tackles for loss per game, first downs allowed, sacks per game, third down defense, and fumble recoveries.

In 2023, JMU was in the top 20 in the FBS with 19.5 points per game allowed and the top 30 in the country with 333.8 yards per game allowed.

Before JMU, Haines worked with linebackers under Cignetti at Elon and was a linebackers coach at UC Davis before that in 2016.

Notre Dame Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock

Denbrock would make a ton of sense for Akron if he were interested.

Denbrock has coached in the area for years. He’s worked with offensive linemen, tight ends, and wide receivers over the years at Notre Dame, but he’s also coached at a variety of other schools as well. He was LSU’s OC and tight ends coach before this from 2022-23, and was an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Cincinnati from 2017-21.

Denbrock hasn’t been a head coach at the collegiate level, but he has been an associate head coach, including at Notre Dame from 2015-16 and at Indiana State in 2009.

Denbrock’s name has come up plenty of times when it comes to college football hot seats and potential head coaching hires this season. If he’s open to taking a G5 head coaching job, Akron would be a good fit.

Washington State Offensive Coordinator Ben Arbuckle

Arbuckle is only in his second season as Washington State’s OC and quarterbacks coach. But he’s made an impact quickly.

This year, WSU is top 20 in the country with 462 yards per game and 39 points per game. A season ago, the Cougars were in the top 40 in the country in terms of scoring offense with 31.7 points per game and total offense with 421.7 yards per game. Cameron Ward, WSU’s QB in 2023, was in the top 10 in the FBS with 3,735 passing yards and top 20 with 25 touchdowns.

Arbuckle has coached in the area. Before WSU, he was a co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Western Kentucky. In 2022, the Hilltoppers were in the top 15 in the nation with yards per game (497.3) and points per game (36.4) as quarterback Austin Reed led the country with 4,746 yards and was third with 40 touchdowns.

Arbuckle hasn’t been coaching at the collegiate level long, but he was at one point on 247Sports’ 30-Under-30 list, which recognizes up-and-coming college football coaches. Considering he’s shown great expertise on the offensive side of the ball, maybe Akron should consider him.

The post Joe Moorhead Hot Seat: 5 Candidates For Akron Football’s Head Coach Replacement appeared first on HERO Sports.

The Cardinals head coach led the program, which he used to play quarterback for and was the MAC Offensive Player of the Year in 1993, to a MAC Championship in 2020. Ball State was even ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 and won the Arizona Bowl that year.

Then Ball State went 6-6 during the regular season in 2021 and lost in the Camellia Bowl. And steadily since then, the Cardinals have only been worse. They went 5-7 in 2022 before going 4-8 a season ago. They’ve started this year 2-4 with their only wins being against FCS Missouri State and Kent State.

In Neu’s previous eight years as Ball State’s head coach, the Cardinals have had just one season above .500, and that doesn’t appear to be changing after this season. If things don’t improve quickly, some have wondered if Ball State might look for a new head coach.

If the team ends up looking to replace Neu, here are some coaches the Cardinals might consider.

Notre Dame Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock

Denbrock would make a ton of sense for Ball State if he were interested.

Denbrock has coached in the area for years. He’s worked with offensive linemen, tight ends, and wide receivers over the years at Notre Dame, but he’s also coached at a variety of other schools as well. He was LSU’s OC and tight ends coach before this from 2022-23, and was an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Cincinnati from 2017-21.

Denbrock hasn’t been a head coach at the collegiate level, but he has been an associate head coach, including at Notre Dame from 2015-16 and at Indiana State in 2009.

Denbrock’s name has come up plenty of times when it comes to college football hot seats and potential head coaching hires this season. If he were open to taking a G5 head coaching job, Ball State would be a good fit.

Idaho Head Coach Jason Eck

Eck is one of the top head coaches in the FCS, and he already has experience at Ball State.

Eck is in his third season as Idaho’s head coach. The Vandals went 7-4 during the regular season in 2022, earning a trip to the postseason for the first time since 2016, and were 9-4 last year as they reached the FCS quarterfinals. Idaho is one of the top teams in the Big Sky and FCS again in 2024.

Before that, he was the offensive coordinator at South Dakota State from 2019-21 and the team’s offensive line coach from 2016-19. Going back to 2000, he’s also been an assistant at Montana State, Minnesota State-Mankato, Western Illinois, Hampton, Ball State, Winona State, Colorado, and Wisconsin.

Eck has proven he can take a program to the next level and is the exact type of coach Ball State would want.

Washington State Offensive Coordinator Ben Arbuckle

Arbuckle is only in his second season as Washington State’s OC and quarterbacks coach. But he’s made an impact quickly.

This year, WSU is in the top 25 in the country with 462 yards per game and 39 points per game. A season ago, the Cougars were in the top 40 in the country in terms of scoring offense with 31.7 points per game and total offense with 421.7 yards per game. Cameron Ward, WSU’s QB in 2023, was in the top 10 in the FBS with 3,735 passing yards and top 20 with 25 touchdowns.

Before WSU, Arbuckle was a co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Western Kentucky. In 2022, the Hilltoppers were in the top 15 in the nation with yards per game (497.3) and points per game (36.4) as quarterback Austin Reed led the country with 4,746 yards and was third with 40 touchdowns.

Arbuckle hasn’t been coaching at the collegiate level long, but he was at one point on 247Sports’ 30-Under-30 list, which recognizes up-and-coming college football coaches. Considering he’s shown great expertise on the offensive side of the ball and has coached in the area, maybe Ball State should consider him.

Indiana Defensive Coordinator Bryant Haines

Haines followed Curt Cignetti from James Madison to Indiana, and he has been stellar as the Hoosiers’ DC thus far.

This year, Indiana is in the top 15 in the FBS in terms of scoring defense (14.8 points allowed per game) and total defense (255.7 yards per game allowed).

Before his current job, he was instrumental in JMU’s transition to the Sun Belt. He was promoted to DC and linebackers coach after three years as a co-defensive coordinator.

In just their first season as an FBS program, the Dukes allowed the eighth-fewest yards per game in the country with 290.2 while allowing just 20.9 points per game. They were also top 10 in rushing defense, tackles for loss per game, first downs allowed, sacks per game, third-down defense, and fumble recoveries.

In 2023, JMU was in the top 20 in the FBS with 19.5 points per game allowed and the top 30 in the country with 333.8 yards per game allowed.

Haines knows defense and the region, so he could be a good fit for Ball State.

Incarnate Word Head Coach Clint Killough

Incarnate Word apparently keeps attracting FBS-level coaches. Eric Morris led Incarnate Word for four years, and now is the head coach at North Texas. Then GJ Kinne took over before becoming Texas State’s head coach.

And now Killough might start to see some consideration for FBS head coaching vacancies. He’s continued the success of Incarnate Word, which is where he played from 2013-15. UIW went 9-2 overall in 2023, with one of its losses being a 28-14 game at UTEP. The team was ranked as highly as No. 4 in the FCS poll. The Cardinals ranked first in the Southland in terms of scoring offense, total offense, scoring defense, and total defense. UIW is 4-2 overall this season.

Before that, he was an associate head coach and wide receivers coach. He began coaching at his alma mater in 2018 as a quality control coach with an emphasis on inside receivers. UIW had some explosive passing offenses during that time, as multiple receivers broke school records. Killough does have some FBS experience, having been a defensive backs and special teams graduate assistant as well as a WRs GA at Bowling Green.

Killough is an up-and-coming coach with experience in the MAC who might see some consideration for FBS openings.

The post Mike Neu Hot Seat: 5 Candidates For Ball State Football’s Head Coach Replacement appeared first on HERO Sports.

That means, for the first time in more than a decade, UMass has a conference home. Here’s more info about the move and what it means for the Minutemen football team.

UMass-MAC Conference Arrangement & Timetable

Most of UMass’ sports will be competing in the MAC after the 2024-25 academic year. That includes football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s and women’s track and field, women’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and women’s tennis.

As of now, UMass is independent in football and plays in the Atlantic 10 in all other sports.

“As one of the nation’s leading public research universities, with a rich tradition of intercollegiate athletics, UMass Amherst is well suited to join the similarly situated institutions of the Mid-American Conference,” Chancellor Javier A. Reyes said in a press release. “We are aligned with the MAC in our institutional missions, our values, and the profound impact we have on our respective communities. We join the MAC with great enthusiasm knowing that this affiliation through athletics will elevate and extend the profile and exposure of both UMass Amherst and all members of the MAC’s member institutions significantly.”

For more Group of Five coverage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

What Conference & Division Is UMass Football In?

UMass has been an independent football program since 2015. The Minutemen were in the MAC before then.

UMass’ first season in the FBS was 2012. The Minutemen played in the MAC for three years before going independent.

UMass will be the 13th member of the MAC in football. The conference is getting rid of divisions for the 2024 season and beyond.

“Today marks a historic moment for the Mid-American Conference as we proudly welcome the University of Massachusetts into our family,” MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said in a press release. “Adding UMass is an exciting next step as we increase the strength of our collective programs. We are thrilled to welcome their student-athletes, coaches, administrators, alumni and fans to the Conference. 

“The opportunity to add a state flagship institution with exceptional academics and a storied athletics tradition does not come along often. I look forward to our collaborative efforts in providing outstanding opportunities for student-athletes to maximize their intellectual and athletic pursuits.”

UMass’ Football Record

UMass went 4-8 in 2023. That was the Minutemen’s best record since 2018. They started this season 1-5 overall.

UMass hasn’t had a single winning season or a bowl appearance since joining the FBS in 2012. The Minutemen are 24-112 in the FBS.

“Our entire athletics program will benefit greatly by aligning and partnering with the Mid-American Conference and its member institutions,” UMass athletic director Ryan Bamford said in a press release. “As we consider our future in a very challenging and choppy college athletics landscape, having conference peers with similar institutional profiles, aspirations and commitments toward athletics excellence will provide stability and strength. Furthermore, our transition to the MAC will provide additional resources allowing our department to evolve and grow in a manner that will support student academic success and competitive excellence.”

UMass Football 2024 Schedule

UMass plays five MAC opponents in 2024.

The Minutemen opened the season against Eastern Michigan at home on Aug. 31, then played Toledo and Buffalo on the road the following two weeks.

UMass also took on Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 28 and Northern Illinois on Oct. 5 on the road. UMass’ lone win has been against Central Connecticut State.

The Minutemen will also play Liberty, UConn, and Wagner, as well as Power Four opponents Missouri, Mississippi State, and Georgia.

UMass’ Football Head Coach & Coaching Staff

Don Brown is in his third season in his second stint as UMass’ head coach in 2024. He led the Minutemen to a 4-20 record the past two years.

Brown was also UMass’ head coach from 2004-08. The Minutemen were 43-19 during that time, which was the winningest five-year stretch in program history. They won two conference championships and made two appearances in the FCS playoffs.

Before 2022, Brown was a defensive coordinator at several other FBS programs including Arizona (2021), Michigan (2016-20), Boston College (2013-15), UConn (2011-12), and Maryland (2009-10).

The post UMass To The MAC: UMass Football Joining The MAC College Football Conference In 2025 appeared first on HERO Sports.

The reigning MAC champ is 1-4 and could very easily be 0-5 if UMass didn’t give the game away twice, both at the end of regulation and in overtime. Miami went 11-3 last season and returned 12 starters, including sixth-year quarterback Brett Gabbert. College football betting odds had Miami as a preseason favorite to win the MAC at +225.

What’s gone wrong for the RedHawks?

For starters, the offense hasn’t been good at all. Miami is only averaging 13.7 points per game and hasn’t scored more than 20 points in a contest. With only nine touchdowns, the RedHawks are the only team in the league that hasn’t scored double-digit TDs. The run game has struggled, and a lot of it has to do with the offensive line.

Despite returning four starters and high expectations, the O-line has been getting beat at the line of scrimmage more often than not and has struggled to generate any push. Miami is averaging only 79 rushing yards per game after averaging 158 YPG last season. It has already given up 15 sacks so far this year. 

Considering Gabbert likes to sling the ball and put pressure on the secondary, it’s surprising that the offense hasn’t been able to generate many points. One of the reasons has been turnovers. Gabbert has tossed seven interceptions on the season to just five touchdowns. The interceptions are tied for most in the league while the TD passes are the seventh most. 

It’s unusual for Gabbert to toss so many picks. He’s already thrown more than he has in any season besides 2019, where he had eight interceptions. Gabbert was named the MAC Freshman of the Year that season. 

Let’s not forget, though, that Gabbert is coming off a severe season-ending leg injury that forced him to miss the final six games of last season. 

There’s a chance the injury is limiting Gabbert’s potential, but it’s not the only factor that’s played into the slow start for this offense. There’s been a handful of factors that have led to Miami getting in scoring position. Kicker Dom Dzioban is 9 of 11 on field goal attempts, and one miss has come from 40-plus yards and the other from 50-plus. He’s been solid when he needs to be.

The only problem is, Miami also just isn’t able to sustain drives. The eight turnovers on the season also don’t help. In the second half last week against Toledo, the RedHawks were finally able to put together back-to-back quality drives until one of them resulted in a red zone interception which sealed the game for Toledo.

The inability to sustain drives has put a lot of pressure on the defense — which, all things considered, has played great. Miami still has one of the best defenses in the MAC and the reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year in Matthew Salopek. The defense has done what it’s needed to do to give the RedHawks a chance to win each game. It should also be considered that Miami played a strong non-conference slate, facing three Power Four programs. Still, I’d argue the RedHawks should have won at least one of those games.

If the RedHawks can figure some things out, and the defense can continue playing at a high level, then Miami still has a chance to flip its season around and make a run in the MAC. I don’t anticipate the RedHawks making it back to the MAC title game, let alone winning it. There hasn’t been a repeat conference champion in the MAC since 2011-12 when Northern Illinois did it. 

But there’s potential for Miami to still reach a bowl game. That’ll need to start with a win this week at Eastern Michigan. The RedHawks are a 2.5-point favorite.

Miami (Ohio)-Eastern Michigan Football Prediction

I predict Eastern Michigan will win. The RedHawks just haven’t shown enough to trust them in this situation against a 4-1 EMU team. 

The Eagles haven’t played a difficult schedule, but I need to see some sort of life from Miami before I can roll with the RedHawks to pick up a quality conference win.

The post Miami (Ohio) Football Faces Uphill Battle After Slow Start appeared first on HERO Sports.

Now looking forward, here are the top Mid-American Conference prospects who could be chosen in the 2025 NFL Draft, which begins on April 24 and goes on until April 26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

NFL Draft MAC Big Board

The post 2025 NFL Draft: MAC Big Board & Top Prospects appeared first on HERO Sports.

Old Dominion was leading Coastal Carolina by 10 points before a pair of turnovers helped the Chanticleers take the lead. The Monarchs trailed by five in the fourth quarter, but mental mistakes in ODU’s secondary were key in CCU pulling ahead. 

The Monarchs ultimately fell 45-37 and didn’t cover the spread. College football betting odds had them as a six-point underdog.

We already saw one G5 Underdog cash this week with FIU almost knocking off Liberty. Hopefully there are more to come.

Kent State (Spread +7, Moneyline +205) vs. Ball State

It’s always a good thing when you can find a home underdog in a conference matchup.

Maybe it’s not so great when it’s one of the worst teams in the FBS. 

Regardless, I’m the kind of guy that doesn’t want to see a team go winless during the season, and that’s the path that the Golden Flashes are on. Unless they pick up a win here, of course.

I think this might be the best opportunity for Kent State to get a win this season. Some may think that will be against Akron, but the Zips have been better than Ball State. KSU suffered season-ending injuries to its top two quarterbacks in a loss to Penn State three weeks ago, but Tommy Ulatowski started two weeks ago against Eastern Michigan and passed for 345 yards and three touchdowns as the KSU offense looked the best it has all season. The junior started three games for the Golden Flashes last season. 

Now, Ulatowski gets a Ball State defense that’s allowing 48 points and 516 yards per game. Unfortunately, KSU is the only team in the MAC that allows more. Much of that production allowed came against Penn State and Tennessee, however, which set program records in total offense in those contests. Ulatowski also has two all-conference wideouts in Luke Floriea and Chrishon McCray who should thrive against this pass defense.

The Golden Flashes’ defense looked a little better against EMU, but the turnovers were crucial. They coughed the ball up four times despite not turning it over once against two top 10 teams. 

Kent State is coming off a bye week, so it should be refreshed and hopefully a little more polished and prepared. The home team has won six of these last seven meetings and has gone 5-2 against the spread.

Arkansas State (+14.5, +475) at Texas State

We saw last week that Arkansas State can hold its own against a potent offense. The Red Wolves outlasted South Alabama in a 18-16 game where quarterback Jaylen Raynor led ASU on a game-winning drive. 

If the Red Wolves’ defense can play anywhere close to how it did in that game then they should be within two scores here. 

Texas State has played to the level of its opponents this season and lost as a double-digit favorite to Sam Houston two weeks ago and defeated Lamar by a touchdown as a 34-point favorite in Week 1. 

The Bobcats’ defense has struggled against dual-threat QBs this season, and Raynor could be in for a big game in this Sun Belt meeting.

Middle Tennessee (+5, +175) at Louisiana Tech

This will be a battle of one-win teams in a Thursday night CUSA matchup. Both squads are coming off a bye week.

I like that the Blue Raiders are getting five points here against a team that struggles to score. I know, MTSU also has a hard time putting points on the board, and it is going up against what’s been a stout LA Tech defense. But I think quarterback Nicholas Vattiato can find ways to get the ball down the field and do enough to keep this a one-possession game. Vattiato leads the league in passing with 257 yards per game. 

LA Tech is 2-5 against the spread as a favorite at home dating back to last season.

The post CFB Betting: The Group Of Five Underdog Of The Week Is Kent State +7 vs. Ball State appeared first on HERO Sports.

The Rockets, who beat Mississippi State earlier this season, had lost to Western Kentucky by five points. Their hopes of a College Football Playoff appearance were seriously affected. Another loss might’ve kept Toledo out of any CFP consideration.

But the Rockets went ahead and defeated reigning MAC champion Miami (Ohio) 30-20. Toledo is now 4-1 with a Power Four win.

But Toledo has another tough conference matchup this week against Buffalo.

Toledo vs. Buffalo Betting Odds

Toledo is a -9.5 college football betting odds favorite against Buffalo, with the Over/Under being 44.5.

The moneyline for Toledo is -350, while it’s +270 for Buffalo.

Toledo vs. Buffalo On TV

The matchup between Toledo and Buffalo will be televised on ESPNU.

The game will kick off at noon ET on Saturday, Oct. 12. The contest is taking place at UB Stadium in Buffalo, New York.

Toledo vs. Buffalo Prediction

I predict Toledo will win and cover the spread at -9.5. I also project the game will go Over 44.5 total points.

Buffalo has surprised some people up until this point. The Bulls are 3-2 overall and beat Northern Illinois, which was ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 at the time. They could be in contention for a MAC Championship appearance by the end of the season.

But Toledo is clearly the better team in my mind. The Rockets are well-rounded, and I think their loss to Western Kentucky will prove to be a fluke as they continue to dominate against MAC teams.

They’ve scored at least 30 points in four of their five contests this year. I think they continue to score at a high rate and beat Buffalo by at least two touchdowns.

The post Toledo vs. Buffalo Prediction, Betting Odds & How To Watch appeared first on HERO Sports.

After East Carolina jumped out to a 17-0 lead, the Pirates let Liberty storm back for a 35-24 win. The Pirates’ defense just could not get off the field in the second half, and Liberty took the lead on a 16-play drive where it converted five third downs. The Flames went on to score on their next possession with under two minutes left to cover the spread. College football betting odds had ECU as a 6.5-point underdog.

All Quinton Cooley needed was a first down to ice the game, but instead he found the end zone from 21 yards out. 

We must move on, though. Here is this week’s G5 Underdog of the Week.

Northern Illinois (Spread +7, Moneyline +220) at North Carolina State

I faded the Huskies last week against Buffalo thinking it would be a let down spot following the big win at Notre Dame. I didn’t expect them to lose, however.

I’m still unsure how the Bulls managed to put up 23 points on 184 total yards while going 2 for 15 on third down, but they did enough down the stretch to come away with the win and knock NIU out of the Associated Press Top 25.

I imagine the Huskies are irritated about that loss and eager to get another taste of a Power Four victory this week. 

NIU’s defense has been stout all season and leads the MAC in scoring defense, allowing 17.3 points per game. The Huskies also allow only 256 total yards per game. NC State starting quarterback Grayson McCall is injured and missed last week’s loss to Clemson. True freshman CJ Bailey stepped in and performed OK, but a lot of his production came when the game was already out of reach. I think NIU’s defense can limit Bailey and this offense. 

The Wolfpack also struggle against the run, which is an area where the Huskies excel. NC State is giving up 170 rushing YPG, and NIU is averaging 222 yards on the ground. NIU’s offensive line should match up well with NC State’s defensive line and keep a clean pocket for NIU quarterback Ethan Hampton, who has also been very efficient on the season. The Huskies haven’t given up a sack this year, and NC State has gotten to the quarterback just four times.

NC State ranks last in the ACC in scoring defense, allowing 37.8 points per game, and its 417 YPG allowed rank second-to-last. I expect NIU’s offense to put some points on the board and its defense to continue its strong start to the season.

NIU is 5-1 as a road underdog the past two seasons and has beaten its last two ACC opponents.

Honorable Mentions

South Florida (+6.5, +185) at Tulane

The Bulls’ 50-15 loss to Miami last week was closer than the score suggests. They were leading until late in the second quarter. It was reminiscent of their loss to Alabama three weeks ago where they were in the game early but just couldn’t keep pace with the opposing high-powered attack. Miami scored a touchdown on each of its second-half possessions. 

Those two contests should have prepared USF for conference action. Tulane gave up some big plays last week against Louisiana — especially on the ground — and Bulls QB Byrum Brown should be able to make some things happen both through the air and with his legs to give the Bulls a spark. 

Western Kentucky (+13, +345) at Boston College

I think the Hilltoppers might just look a little better with Caden Veltkamp at quarterback. And that’s no disrespect to TJ Finley. Last week’s victory over Toledo was impressive. I thought for certain the Rockets had that game in the bag. 

Veltkamp led WKU on two scoring drives in the fourth quarter to give the Hilltoppers the lead, but their defense is what really stood out. It forced Toledo into four second-half turnovers and also secured a safety. 

If the defense can play how it did in the second half against Toledo, I think the Hilltoppers have a good chance to keep this Boston College matchup within two possessions. WKU is 11-5 as a road underdog under head coach Tyson Helton.

Akron (+11.5, +377) at Ohio 

It hasn’t been an ideal start to the 2024 campaign for Akron — which has faced three Power Four programs and has been outscored 151-30 in those outings — but the Zips are still willing to battle. 

Ohio hasn’t been very good the past few weeks, and I can see another sluggish game happening here against an opponent the Bobcats are used to beating. However, the Zips have gone 6-2 against the spread in these last eight matchups.

I like Akron to flirt with an upset here.

The post Group Of Five Underdog Of The Week: Northern Illinois +7 at NC State appeared first on HERO Sports.

Behind quarterback Dequan Finn and running back Peny Boone, the Rockets led the league in both scoring (32.2 points per game) and in total yards, racking up 412 yards per game. They were one of the scariest offenses in the FBS.

Some say good things don’t last, and the Finn and Boone backfield dissolved after both hit the transfer portal. The QB landed at Baylor while Boone packed up and headed to UCF. Right now, Finn currently has 307 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions through two games, and Boone has 124 rushing yards and two TDs on the season. 

What they took with them was 75% of the team’s offensive touchdowns and 70% of the rushing production. The duo combined for 43 of the Rockets’ 57 touchdowns in 2023.

Talk about losing some key pieces. 

Let’s not forget, though, the Rockets are led by the reigning MAC Coach of the Year in Jason Candle. They also have junior QB Tucker Gleason and a pair of all-league caliber wideouts in Junior Vandeross III and Jerjuan Newton. 

And it may come as a surprise to some that this Rockets offense hasn’t skipped a beat this season despite losing Finn and Boone. That was on full display during last week’s 41-17 victory over Mississippi State. College football betting odds had the Rockets as a 10.5-point underdog. Toledo put up 454 yards of total offense and scored a touchdown on four of their five first half possessions. 

Gleason finished 23-of-28 passing for 285 yards and three touchdowns. Vandeross recorded seven receptions for 73 yards and a score, and Newton added five catches for 62 yards and two TDs. 

Toledo currently leads the conference with 42.7 points per game. Gleason has passed for 662 yards and nine touchdowns compared to zero interceptions. Vandeross has 14 receptions for 225 yards and three scores, and Newton has 200 yards on 11 receptions for four TDs. The Rockets have also distributed the carries fairly evenly with four separate players having at least 18 carries and 74 yards this season. Willie Shaw III leads the team with 137 yards on the ground and three TDs.

A few things that have been key in Toledo’s early success is the play calling and that they’ve been able to limit the turnovers. They’ve only had two turnovers, and one was an interception from backup quarterback John Alan Richter. The Rockets have also been effective on third and fourth downs, converting 44% of their third-down attempts and have gone 5 of 6 on fourth-down attempts.

Aside from the departure of Finn and Boone, the Rockets also lost their five starting offensive linemen, three of which were all-conference selections last season. The inexperienced and unfamiliar O-line makes the start to the season even more impressive for this new-look offense. 

But we’re only in Week 3, and there’s still plenty to prove. Next up is a trip to Western Kentucky, which just allowed 514 yards to Middle Tennessee. 

Seems like a good opportunity for Toledo to keep things rolling. 

The post Toledo Football’s Offense Looks Promising Despite Departures appeared first on HERO Sports.