Looking for revitalization

A week ago, the football team was coming off its biggest win of the season and sat in the driver's seat of the Mid-American Conference's East division with an undefeated conference record.

A lot changed in a week.

The Bulls (7-3, 5-1 MAC) look to bounce back after a 51-41 loss to Toledo (7-3, 5-1 MAC) that included Buffalo's usually dominant defense giving up 38 points before UB's offense scored.

Buffalo has a week to regroup against one of the worst teams in the country in Miami Ohio (0-10, 0-6 MAC), before their showdown with Bowling Green (7-3, 5-1 MAC) on Nov. 29 - which should be for the MAC East title.

"This is definitely a redemption week," said junior linebacker Lee Skinner. "It hurts to lose anytime you lose. It doesn't matter what the score is."

Head coach Jeff Quinn attributed the early deficit last week to Toledo's domination at the line of scrimmage. Toledo's rushing attack is second in the conference, and even without running back David Fluellen, the Rockets had no trouble moving the ball on the ground - rushing for four touchdowns.

The Bulls' offense came alive in the second half. Sophomore quarterback Joe Licata was the star of last week's game, throwing for 497 yards and four touchdowns. He has thrown for at least one touchdown in every game so far this season and is five away from tying the single-season record for touchdowns set by Drew Willy.

"That's something that's special to see from Joe Licata; that's something that's special to see from this team," Skinner said. "We're never out of the game. It doesn't matter if we're down 38 points."

The Bulls will likely lean heavily on their run game again this week against Miami's below average defense. The RedHawks are allowing an average of 222.9 yards per game on the ground, which is 10th in the conference.

The Bulls' defense should return to form this week against one of the worst offenses in the country.

Miami's offense has scored only eight touchdowns this season and is ranked last in the conference in every offensive category.

The first half of last week is not indicative of this team, according to Skinner.

"How we played in the second half, that's the team that we are," Skinner said. "That's how we need to practice, that's how we need to play all the time."

Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Tuesday. The game will air on ESPNU.

Predictions

Buffalo (-24) @ Miami Ohio

@aaroncmansfield (8-2): Buffalo - UB should be angry. That won't bode well for Miami.

@bentarhan (6-4): Buffalo - This game will be very similar to the UMass and Western Michigan games. Suffocating defense and dominant running will rule the day for the Bulls.

@owenobri (7-3): Buffalo - The Bulls have rolled over every inferior team this season and this week will be no different.

@jgags15 (7-3): Buffalo - Skinner wasn't lying when he said last week isn't the team they are. They will bounce back easily against the worst team in the conference.