My 2010 Buffalo Pregame Mixtape: The C-15

Hours before kickoff, the warmups begin, and the music turns on.  The average tailgater is too busy drinking to ever get to the game early, however the music is there.  In today's PC world, the music tends to skew family friendly which really doesn't sit well with me.  I can't get hype on "Dance" by Lee Ann Womack, or Even "Pro's in Area Codes" by Ludacris... Womack is for a Southern Belle's sweet 16 not a football game.  And I have HOES, in Area Codes, censorship is for pussies.

However there are times, when family friendliness, pop culture and awesomeness intersect and create a timeless pregame song, this is one of those moments:

Song 2: In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins

Qualifications: Sing-A-Long Style, In The Hangover, Rated PG, The 80's, Xtreme Drum Solo.

I've been waiting for this moment for all my life

-video after the jump

Pre Game Meal: Buffalo at Kent State

Story: Two schools who lost their All-pro senior running backs struggled to win close games this years.  Kent has already clinched 4th place in the MAC east, and Buffalo has already clinched a disappointing 5th place finish.  Kent however, with a win will finish 6-6 and become bowl eligible.

Buffalo Player to Watch: WR Brett Hamlin


Last year, Kent State beat Buffalo in Amherst in a game that was mostly meaningless for both teams.  Hamlin's fumble in the end zone in the last minute gave the game to Kent.  With Namaan Roosevelt's career over, Hamlin has the chance to dominate the game in his last career start at UB.

Kent State Player to Watch: DB's Brian Lainhart, Dan Hartman, Danny Sadler.


The three stars of Kent State's Secondary have 6, 3 and 2 interceptions respectively.


Out of their 11 combined interceptions, 7 have come in their 5 wins.

Comparison Games: Temple, Western Michigan, BGSU, Akron, Miami and Ohio.

The comparisons between Kent State and Buffalo are very similar.  After losing their star player on offense, both teams lost by 1 point to Bowling Green and both teams were trampled by Temple Kent 47-13, Buffalo 37-13.

Based on the numbers, Buffalo's offense is 2.8 points better than Kent State, while the Kent Offense is 1.2 points better than UB.


Buffalo wins by 1.

Pre Game Meal: Buffalo at Miami

Story: Buffalo plays for pride while Miami looks for inspiration for next season. 

Buffalo Player to Watch: Everyone

Miami is 1-10.  This is one of those games where each player has to show up and play.  If they can do that they should win.  Two weeks ago, Temple made the mistake of coming in looking for an easy win, but there is no such thing in the MAC anymore, Temple escaped with a 34-32 after kicking the winning field goal with 3 seconds left. Come out and play, you win.  Lack effort, you may just lose, it’s as simple as that.

Miami Player to Watch: QB Zac Dysert.

Dysert is the Redhawks offense.  He is a 2000 yard passer and Miami’s second leading rusher.  As a freshman, he struggles with interceptions, break his confidence early, and he’s toast, let him build up his confidence and he can hurt you.

 
Comparison Games: Western Michigan, Ohio, Temple & Bowling Green.

Each team lost to all four teams.  Buffalo scored on average 24.25 points while giving up 32 points.  Miami meanwhile has scored 19.75 points while allowing 36.25 points.

Based on those numbers, UB is 4.5 points better than Miami on offense and 4.25 points better than Miami on defense.

Buffalo wins by 9.

Pre Game Meal: Ohio at Buffalo

Story: Buffalo needs to win out to become bowl eligible meanwhile Ohio at 4-1 in the MAC needs to win to keep up with Temple before the Temple-Ohio showdown in two weeks.

Buffalo Player to Watch: RB Jeffvon Gill

Gill went 23 for 172 last week and gets his first start today. Ohio tends runs the ball poorly, and Buffalo has the opportunity to control the clock and wear down the Ohio defense while resting the UB D. In Ohio's 6 wins, they have allowed a healthy 77.8 yards on the ground, so a decent outing is not enough to wear down the Bobcats. In Ohio's 3 losses, they have allowed 135.6 yards rushing. Gill will have to carry the load and move the pile this week. If he can average 7.3/ carry again, then UB should "run away" with this one.

Ohio Player to Watch: K Matt Weller

Ohio is 8th in rushing and 8th in passing and 11th in 3rd down conversions in the MAC, yet they are 5th in points.

Ever point has been important for an Ohio team that doesn't move the ball very well. In conference play Freshman Weller has gone 8/9, including a 52 yard kick last game vs. Ball State.

In conference Weller has made up 28% of Ohio's points. If Ohio can get 40 and 50 yard kicks from Weller in a cold and windy UB Stadium it will be the difference tonight.

Comparison Games: Akron, Bowling Green.

Each team played Akron and Bowling Green this year, Ohio beat BGSU 44-37, and Akron 19-7 while UB beat Akron 21-17 and lost to BGSU last week 30-29.

Based on those numbers, Ohio is 6.5 points better than UB on offense and 1.5 points better than UB on defense.

Ohio wins by 8.