Scouting the Bulls: Buffalo enters this game in uncharted territory for the Bulls’ football program. This marks the first time since joining the MAC in 1999 that the Bulls are above the .500 mark in November, let alone in contention for a divisional title. The Bulls though have been getting done under the senior leadership of QB Drew Willy. The coolly efficient Willy is third in the MAC averaging 232.9 yards passing per game and has thrown 17 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Willy has thrown for 200 or more yards in seven of the Bulls’ nine games this season, including six games with two or more touchdowns. His favorite target is one of the MAC’s most dangerous receivers, Naaman Roosevelt. Roosevelt is averaging 93.7 yards per game is among the MAC leaders with seven touchdowns while Ernest Jackson has been a strong secondary receiving threat. The Bulls present a seriously balanced offensive attack that includes the MAC’s leading rusher, James Starks, who is averaging 125.3 yards per game, and despite missing two games due to injury this season, is only 123 yards from the 1,000 yard rushing mark. Starks has rushed for eight touchdowns and specializes in long-distance scores, with four of his scores covering runs of 52-yards or more…The Bulls defense has given up its share of yardage this season, allowing 391.8 yards per game and rank 11^th in pass defense (249.3 ypg) and fourth in rushing defense (142.4 ypg). The Bulls rank last in the MAC, tied with Akron, with only eight sacks this season but have been opportunistic on defense, forcing 14 fumbles in their past three games and with a turnover margin of +10 rank ninth in the nation in that category. Bulls’ LB Justin Winters ranks sixth in the MAC, averaging 8.7 tackles per game and is first in the league with forced fumbles while teammate Domonic Cook tops the MAC in fumble recoveries.

 

 Scouting the Zips:  The Zips play their final game at the Rubber Bowl with a chance to secure the inside track to only their second ever appearance in the MAC title tilt. Akron has been the surprise story of the MAC this season after being picked by most “experts” to finish at the bottom of the MAC East. Like the Bulls, the Zips possess one of the MAC’ most dangerous ground weapons. Senior RB Dennis Kennedy has averaged over 200 yards rushing per game over the Zips’ past three contests and needs only 97 yards to hit the 1,000 yard mark. Kennedy ranks second among MAC tailbacks with ten rushing touchdowns and is averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile QB Chris Jacquemain, who has thrown for 200 or more yards in eight of nine games this season and his 17 touchdown passes ties him with Willy for third most in the MAC this season but his eleven picks are also tied for most in the MAC. But notably, seven of those eleven interceptions occurred over the course of two games this season as Jacaquemain has shown to be a streaky performer. JUCO transfer Deryn Bowser has emerged as the Zips’ top receiving threat, leading the team with 600 yards receiving but converted safety Andre Jones tops the squad with seven receiving touchdowns and 16 yards per catch. Jones was suspended last week for violating team rules but is expected back this week…The Zips defense has proven very efficient this season in forcing turnovers, leading the MAC with 14 fumble recoveries which also ranks third overall in the NCAA so far this season and have forced 26 takeaways overall. But if you want to move the ball on the Zips, you can pick up some serious yards on the ground as the Zips are allowing 198.1 yards rushing per game to rank 12^th in the MAC. The Zips are also 12^th in total defense, allowing 401.6 yards per contest. LB Kevin Gran has been the Zips’ top defensive playmaker, leading the squad in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks while DB Miguel Graham has been tough to throw on, leading the MAC with eight passes defended…Special teams deserves a mention as well as Bryan Williams currently ranks seventh nationally in kickoff returns.

 

Prediction: These two are nearly mirror images of each other. Not only do they sport identical records, they also posses two of the MAC’s most dangerous running backs and the MAC’s top two ball-hawing defenses. Both teams have also had their struggles on defense, each allowing around 400 yards per game. The slight, and we mean slight, edge here appears to belong to the Bulls’ passing attack as we think the rushing attacks are even. Expect plenty of points tonight in a high-scoring affair that should send out the Rubber Bowl in grand style, but with a win by the visiting team as the Bulls become bowl-eligible for the first time since joining the MAC.. Buffalo 37, Akron 34.