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Buffalo Bulls Football Preview Predictions and Schedule 2011
The problem with success at schools like Buffalo is that it's hard to maintain, due to the fact that when major programs go looking for new head coaches, conference like the MAC become their grocery stores. We mentioned Urban Meyer's stint at Bowling Green in our preview of that school. Well, Buffalo had their taste of success with Turner Gill. Gill took over a team that was 1-10 in 2005 and in fact had only won 1 game in each of the 2002, 2003 and 2005 seasons with a big 2 wins in 2004. Gill won 2 games in 2006, 5 games in 2007 and 8 games to go along with the MAC title in 2008. After a 5-7 year in 2009, Gill bolted for Kansas.
Jeff Quinn took over last year and brought with him the spread offense. Introducing a new offense to existing players is an impossible task. The spread offense requires players used to that scheme. It requires players recruited to play that offense. The best example of this is Rich Rodriguez at Michigan. That hire had to be the dumbest move any big time University ever made. Rodriguez would have been successful if Michigan committed to him and gave him the time needed to implement his changes. That would have meant a minimum of 5 years to let him recruit players. Coming in with players recruited previously, he had just about no chance for success.
No different at Buffalo. Jeff Quinn took over and introduced the spread and the team proceeded to field the worst offense in Division 1-A Football. They averaged a mere 14 points per game while giving up 28. The defense was decent, but unfortunately they only return 2 starters to that unit. Buffalo had 3 close games, all against the weakest teams on their schedule, Eastern Michigan, Akron and Bowling Green. Oh, and they beat Rhode Island. Just about every other game was a blowout loss.
If Buffalo doesn't pull a Michigan, and is committed to Quinn and they allow him the time needed to be successful, he likely will be. It will take time, but we're likely to see gradual improvement starting as early as this year. We predict a 4 win season for the Bulls and some much closer games than a year ago. Still a ways away though.
From a betting perspective, the Bulls were 2-10 against the spread last year, so look for that mark to improve as oddsmakers likely make them bigger underdogs than they should be based on public perception. So there may be several nice opportunities to grab a cover with this team in 2011. Also look to back Buffalo against Eastern Michigan and Akron, their two close losses a year ago.
2011 Buffalo Bulls Football Schedule
9-3-11 at Pittsburgh
9-10-11 STONY BROOK
9-17-11 at Ball State
9-24-11 CONNECTICUT
10-1-11 at Tennessee
10-8-11 OHIO
10-15-11 at Temple
10-22-11 NORTHERN ILLINOIS
10-29-11 at Miami OH
11-12-11 at Eastern Michigan
11-19-11 AKRON
11-25-11 BOWLING GREEN (Fri.)
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