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Ohio v. Buffalo Football Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on November 9, 2009

The Ohio Bobcats take on the Buffalo Bulls at UB Stadium in Buffalo, New York Tuesday night in a MAC East battle on ESPN 2. Ohio has not played since winning at Ball State on Halloween while the Bulls will be looking to recover from last Tuesday night’s heart-breaking one-point loss to Bowling Green. Buffalo has won each of the last two seasons in this matchup by double digits and football odds makers expect the Bulls to make it three straight over the Bobcats. Buffalo is listed as a 2.5-point favorite.

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The 6-3 Ohio Bobcats are off to a 4-1 start in conference play and looking to continue their quest for a title with another big road win Tuesday night. Offensively, the Cats have transitioned into their new spread-pistol hybrid offense nicely with QB Theo Scott running the show. Scott has thrown for 1,437 yards and 13 touchdowns against nine interceptions. He’s played well, but his turnovers have hurt at times. He’ll need to avoid making costly turnovers down the stretch for Ohio to make a run at the title.

Ohio’s calling card has been superior special teams play and making big plays on defense. The Bobcats haven’t always won the battle of the trenches, but they have come up big on special teams, blocking four punts and returning three punt/kicks for scores. Also, kicker Matt Weller is having a heck of a season, connecting on 15 of 20 field goals. And defensively, the Cats are one of the best in the country at forcing turnovers with 27.

Offensively, Ohio must improve in the red zone. The Bobcats have scored only 10 touchdowns in 29 red zone chances and have only scored 20 times period in those 29 red zone trips. You have to capitalize when you get down there against good teams and that’s what the Cats will have to do down the stretch. It is worth noting that the Bulls are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games as a home favorite. If you like the Bobcats to get the win Tuesday night, bet Ohio at +2.5 at BetUS.

Buffalo will not repeat as MAC champs, and it likely won’t even make a bowl game, so the task at hand for head coach Turner Gill is to keep his boys playing as hard as they can. Buffalo may be able to find success on the ground this week against an Ohio defense that has been susceptible to the run at times, allowing 150 rushing yards per game. While injuries have plagued the tailback position, Buffalo’s deep stable of running backs continues to perform. The Bulls were already without star running back James Starks so when Mario Henry and Ike Nduka went down with ankle injuries last week, Jeffvon Gill, who started the season fifth on the depth chart, got the call and didn’t disappoint. Gill rushed for 172 yards and a touchdown and figures to get more time to shine this week with Nduka still listed as questionable. It is Buffalo’s strong running game that sets up its passing game with Zach Maynard. Maynard has had a solid season with 2,147 yards and 15 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. He joins Bowling Green’s Tyler Sheehan as the only two MAC QB’s to have thrown a TD pass in every game this season.

Basically, Buffalo has not been good enough defensively to get the job done this season. The defense played as well as it has all season against Bowling Green but it was not able to make enough plays in the fourth quarter to preserve a win. The unit figures to match up even better against Ohio, but how will it perform if the game is on the line again? It is worth noting that the Bobcats are just 4-12-1 ATS in their last 17 games as an underdog of 3.0 points or less. If you think the Bulls have what it takes to bounce back strong at home, bet Buffalo at -2.5 at BetUS.

Crush your book Tuesday night with expert football picks from World Champion Handicapper Jimmy Boyd!

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