Week 9 picks, preview: UM, MSU battle for Paul Bunyan, WMU in 1st place MAC showdown
Along with the Paul Bunyan battle, the three Michigan MAC teams have important games.
One of the biggest weeks of the year in the Mitten is here, with Michigan and Michigan State squaring off this Saturday night in Spartan Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on NBC.
Elsewhere, Eastern Michigan clings to bowl hopes while hosting Ohio, Central Michigan looks for a homecoming win over UMass and Western Michigan goes to Miami (OH) with a chance to seize control of the MAC.
Picks went 3-1 last week, the lone miss being Michigan beating Washington, and are 23-10 on the season.
Eastern Michigan vs. Ohio, noon, CBSSN
Ohio poses a particularly thorny issue for Eastern Michigan, as the Eagles have struggled to defend the run and the Bobcats run it quite well with Sieh Bangura leading the charge, with some quarterback run game from Parker Navarro sprinkled in. But Ohio isn’t just ground-and-pound, as Navarro is one of the top quarterbacks in the league and wideout Chase Hendricks has been one of the MAC’s top producing receivers.
Sitting at 2-6, it’s put up or shut up time for Eastern Michigan if the Eagles want to make a bowl, and along with slowing the Bobcats, the EMU offense will need to limit the turnovers that cost it last week. If quarterback Noah Kim can keep things under control and the run game gets going a bit more, Eastern Michigan can keep this game close. A desperate EMU keeps things competitive, but it’s ultimately not enough.
The pick: Ohio 33, Eastern Michigan 29
Central Michigan vs. UMass, 3:30 p.m., ESPN+ streaming
It’s homecoming and UMass is winless, but Central Michigan can’t afford to sleepwalk against a team that came whisker-close to beating undefeated-in-conference Buffalo. The Chippewas saw what can happen with a low energy start, as evidenced in a loss to Akron. Two weeks later, out of a bye, CMU played with the fire and energy head coach Matt Drinkall wanted to see.
The Chippewas seem likely to come out for a hot start with a good homecoming crowd expected, and getting a lead against this UMass team is a recipe for success. And be it the run or pass game going to work on offense for the Chippewas, it might just be Sean Cronin’s defense continuing to carry the day after a dominant performance against Bowling Green.
The pick: Central Michigan 34, UMass 10
Western Michigan at Miami (OH), 3:30 p.m., ESPN+ streaming
A game that will surely help shape who wins the MAC, the victor of this matchup will be 5-3 and 4-0 in conference play. Western Michigan is 4-0 and one of the hottest teams in the country behind a smothering defense. During the four-game win streak, WMU is allowed 7.5 points per game and has pitched a 42-0 shutout of Ball State.
Miami (OH) has a rushing attack that can test Western Michigan, but behind a defense that’s shoving opponents in lockers and an offense that gets better each and every week, the Broncos go on the road and seize control of the driver's seat in the MAC. Lance Taylor and his team deserve all the credit in the world for this turnaround after an 0-3 start.
The pick: Western Michigan 23, Miami (OH) 17
Michigan State vs. Michigan, 7:30 p.m., NBC/Peacock streaming
It’s a rivalry and has the potential for any number of unpredictable, zany things to happen. But just looking at the two teams, Michigan has a clear edge on offense and defense. The edge for Michigan’s defense is clearest, as the front seven should cause problems for Michigan State’s offensive line.
The margin is slimmer on the other side, as Michigan’s offense hasn’t been world beating and MSU can defend the run well. But if Bryce Underwood continues his progression and the ground game can work out a passable game, Michigan should be able to move the ball on the Spartans. If this game doesn’t spiral into rivalry oddities, Michigan should be able to lean on advantages on both lines of scrimmage and win.
The pick: Michigan 38, Michigan State 27
