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Buffalo Bulls 2014 NCAA Football Gambling Odds & Predictions

2014-15 Football Previews – (MAC) – Bulls

Buffalo had a nice 8-5 season last year, but things will get much tougher this season. The Bulls lost what might be the two best players in their program’s history in one offseason.

Khalil Mack was a lottery draft pick, and Branden Oliver set all kinds of records in the backfield at Buffalo. A small school like this one has trouble losing one guy like that, let alone two.

Buffalo

Mid American Conference 2014-2015 College Football Preview – Buffalo Bulls
Head Coach: Jeff Quinn
2013 Record: 8-5
Buffalo Gambling Odds to win the MAC: +3,000
Season Win Total Gambling Odds: 6.5
Buffalo [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Jeff Quinn has done a really nice job building up this program.

They were 2-10 in 2010. They went 3-9 in 2011. They went 4-8 in 2012. They jumped to 8-5 last year, but they did finish the season with two big losses against Bowling Green and San Diego State.

Buffalo will now be tested in 2014. Is this program going to turn the corner and be better on a consistent basis or was last year’s jump a one year deal?

Team Strengths:

Joe Licata emerged as a nice starting quarterback for the Bulls last year. Licata threw 24 touchdown passes and only eight interceptions.

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He’ll have more pressure on him this year without Oliver in the backfield, but I think Licata will have another good season. This is a guy with quality tools, and he has really progressed as a decision maker.

It helps that he is protected by one of the best offensive lines in the MAC. Licata is going to have time to throw it behind this group.

The front seven on defense definitely suffered some major losses (Mack being the biggest and most obvious), but this group is still stronger than most in this conference.

Lou Tepper is a big name defensive coordinator who was a great hire at Buffalo. He’ll keep getting the most out of his guys.
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Look for Buffalo to continue to do a good job getting after the quarterback and slowing down the running game.

Team Weaknesses:

The running game is a major issue. Licata and the offensive line are good, but without a running back like Oliver or James Starks (who was here before Oliver), Buffalo is going to need to air it out a lot more often.

Without that same kind of balance, I’m not sure Buffalo is going to be able to succeed in the same way offensively.

Buffalo also has to replace their top two receivers from last year. Their leading returning receiver had 13 catches a year ago.

Alex Neutz was third all-time in Buffalo history in receiving yards. This is just another area that will be much weaker than last season.

The Bulls secondary returns only one starter from last year. Their pass defense was good last year partially because of the amazing pass rush from Mack and company, and now the secondary is thinner and they don’t have that same boost from the pass rush.

2014-2015 Buffalo Bulls Prediction: 6-6

Buffalo plays seven home games and has one of the easiest schedules in the MAC. That will help keep them from falling off too badly, but I think anything more than six wins is a stretch. Buffalo is likely to be in the middle of the pack in the MAC this year.

The Bulls have to replace too many stars in one season.

2014 Buffalo Schedule

  • 8/30/14 3:30 PM ET DUQ
  • 9/6/14 12:00 PM ET @ARMY
  • 9/12/14 8:00 PM ET BAY
  • 9/20/14 TBD NORF
  • 9/27/14 TBD M-OH
  • 10/4/14 TBD @BGSU
  • 10/11/14 TBD @EMU
  • 10/25/14 TBD CMU
  • 11/5/14 8:00 PM ET @OHIO
  • 11/11/14 8:00 PM ET AKR
  • 11/19/14 8:00 PM ET KENT
  • 11/28/14 TBD @MASS

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By Kyle Hunter

Kyle Hunter sports picks – A degree in finance and a great ability to follow important trends and statistics set him apart from the rest. Totals are Kyle's specialty, so look for a lot of totals picks from NBA, NCAAF, & the NFL. Check out his plays today.