2009 Buffalo NCAA Football Predictions
The Buffalo Bulls breathed a big sigh of relief when they were able to keep head coach Turner Gill, but at some point the bigger schools are going to come calling again, and that figures to be sooner rather than later. So the program needs to take advantage by continuing its winning ways. Gill has led the Bulls to back-to-back MAC East titles, including an outright league championship by upsetting 12th ranked Ball State in blowout fashion last year. Can the Bulls make it three straight MAC East titles? Get my take in this 2009 college football betting preview. Take advantage of our special $500 match bonus at BetUS!
Offense – The Buffalo offense has some size 22 shoes to fill with quarterback Drew Willy departing. Willy conquer nearly every school passing mark during his time under center at Buffalo. Sophomore Zach Maynard is the early favorite to replace him. The dual-threat QB Maynard has at least seen the field, seeing limited action in eight games last season while backing up Willy.
It really doesn’t matter a whole lot who takes the ball under center for the Bulls, though, as the game plan will be to get it to first-team All-MAC running back James Starks as much as possible. He packs a heavy dose of speed and power and is the only player in school history to record consecutive 1,000 yard campaigns. Starks ran for 1,333 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. And he’s not all the Bulls have to throw at you. They have a shake-n-bake back in the shifty Mario Henry and a bruiser in Brandon Thermilus.
The receiving unit is talented also. It’s led by Naaman Roosevelt, who demolished the record books last fall by catching 104 passes for 1,402 yards and 13 scores. The other issue besides the QB position is the offensive line which must replace three starters. Junior left guard Peter Bittner, who has started all 26 games in his career, leads the unit.
Defense – The Bulls are very strong across the back with arguably the league’s best safety duo in Mike Newton and Davonte Shannon. Both players received All-MAC accolades last season. The Bulls also boast a strong trio or corners in Domonic Cook, Kendric Hawkins and Josh Thomas. The linebacker unit is led by third-team All-MAC selection Justin Winters. He is the teams top returning tackler with 158 stops in 2008. Three other returning linebackers saw significant time in 2008 and freshman Darius Willis is expected to push for time at middle linebacker from the word go.
The two aforementioned units will be very critical as Buffalo has to replace three starters on the defensive line. Junior defensive tackle Anel Montanez is the lone returning starter. He will likely be joined by both Dane Robinson and Richie Smith as the two split time at the other tackle spot.
Prediction: 1st MAC East - Turner Gill has won 15 games in three seasons at Buffalo. That number may not jump out at you right away, but consider that the program won only 10 games in the seven seasons prior to him taking over. A softer non-conference schedule in 2009 will give the Bulls a chance to at least match the eight wins they recorded last season. The Bulls still appear to be the most talented team in the MAC East despite all their losses. Expect Buffalo to grab its third straight division title. Bet the MAC at BetUS and get up to 145% in sign up bonuses!
Beat the college football odds this season with Jimmy Boyd’s award-winning NCAA football picks.
Expert football picks are just a click away at Locksmith Sports!
