Tag: Buffalo Bulls

Steelers have visit with a familiar face at WR on Wednesday

The Steelers always have their eye out for tall, talented receivers to bolster their practice squad.

 

Wide receiver Anthony Johnson, who was with Pittsburgh in the offseason, visited with the team on Wednesday, per the NFL transaction report.

In January, Johnson signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers. He was waived/injured in August, reverted to the team’s injured reserve list (knee) and waived with an injury settlement on Sept. 4.

Johnson signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2019. After he was waived during final roster cuts, he joined the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad. Two days after his PS contract expired, he signed with the Steelers.

The 6’2 former Buffalo Bull has yet to see the playing field in a professional game. The Steelers love their tall receivers and they can never have enough of them on their practice squad.

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College Football News Preview 2020: Buffalo Bulls

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Buffalo Bulls season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Buffalo Bulls season with what you need to know.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Schedule Analysis
– Buffalo Previews 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

2019 Record: 8-5 overall, 5-3 in MAC
Head Coach: Lance Leipold, 6th year, 31-32
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 92
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 39
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 101

No one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.

5. College Football News Preview 2020: Buffalo Bulls Offense 3 Things To Know

– The offense that took a step back after a huge 2018 – averaging 389 yards and 32 points per game – is loaded with enough talent and experience to be among the MAC’s best attacks with eight starters expected back.

It starts with junior QB Kyle Vantrease, who wasn’t quite accurate enough on a regular basis, and he didn’t bomb away – he hit just 59% of his passes for 1,193 yards and eight scores with two interceptions – but that’s because he took over for sophomore Matt Myers, who connected on 47% of his throws for 602 yards and six scores with four picks before getting knocked out for the year.

They’re both big, they’re both experienced, and they both have live arms. And they can both run the attack. And …

CFN in 60 Video: Kansas State Preview
Buffalo at Kansas State, Sept. 5
[jwplayer ofLWiSAD]

– All of the top receivers are back. Including TE Zac Lefebvre – who caught 21 passes for 235 yards and two scores – the five pass catchers return. It starts with Antonio Nunn, an all-star who led the way with 49 catches and six scores, but senior Daniel Lee has the upside to be the team’s most dangerous target. This is a deep, talented group.

– Jaret Patterson and Kevin Marks is among the nation’s best 1-2 rushing punches. Patterson pounded out almost 1,800 yards and 19 scores, and the 200-pound Marks ran for 1,025 yards and eight touchdowns. Sophomores Dylan McDuffie and Ron Cook are back to be a part of the rotation, too.

The pass protection was second in the nation, and the line was amazing for the MAC’s top ground attack. In time, it’ll be solid again, but it loses three starters. Kayode Awosika is a 6-5, 305-pound all-star at one tackle spot, and Mike Novitsky is a good center to work around with nice athleticism for the position.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Buffalo Bulls Defense 3 Things To Know

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Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl: Buffalo vs. Charlotte odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl between the Buffalo Bulls and Charlotte 49ers, with betting odds, picks, tips and best bets.

The Buffalo Bulls (7-5, 5-3 MAC East) and Charlotte 49ers (7-5, 5-3 C-USA) square off in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl at 2 p.m. ET Friday. We analyze the Buffalo-Charlotte odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Buffalo vs. Charlotte: Three things you need to know

1. The Bulls head to the Bahamas for the fourth bowl appearance in school history, and they’re still looking for their first win. They lost the International Bowl in 2008, they were dropped in the Idaho Potato Bowl in 2013 and they were dumped by Troy 42-32 in the Dollar General Bowl last season.

2. The 49ers will be making their first-ever trip to the postseason. They enter play on a five-game win streak, going 4-1 against the spread during the span.

3. Charlotte hit the Under in three of their final four games, as the defense stepped up by allowing 19.0 points per game during the impressive span.

College football season is almost over! Place your bets on this game, or others, at BetMGM now. Place your bets and win, win, win!

Buffalo vs. Charlotte: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Buffalo 36, Charlotte 32

Moneyline (ML)

Buffalo (-239) is a very risky play for a plethora of reasons. One, this is a lot of scratch to lay on a smallish return. Two, Buffalo is 0-3 all-time in bowl games, and three, Charlotte (+195) enters on a five-game win streak. If anyone is worth a play, it’s the 49ers on a small-unit flyer.

Against the Spread (ATS)

CHARLOTTE (+6.5, -110) would be a slam-dunk play if this were at a touchdown or more. If you buy a point up to Charlotte (+7.5, -150), I’d go even heavier on the play. In fact, it’s rather attractive to grab another point and go Charlotte (+8.5, -162) for just a little more risk. Either of those should give you a little more insurance and comfort.

Over/Under (O/U)

This game has featured the winning team notching at least 35 points in four of the previous five installments, with the losing team managing at least 20 points in four of those games. As such, the OVER 51.5 (-110) is an attractive play. Neither of these teams has appeared in this bowl.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Toledo-Buffalo odds: Bulls solid home favorites

Previewing Wednesday Toledo Rockets at Buffalo Bulls sports betting odds and lines, with college football analysis, picks and tips.

The Toledo Rockets (6-4, 3-3 MAC West) and Buffalo Bulls (5-5, 3-3) play Wednesday at UB Stadium in Buffalo, NY., at 7:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Toledo-Buffalo odds and betting lines while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Toledo at Buffalo: Three things you need to know

1. Neither team finished well last week as Toledo lost late to Northern Illinois which hurt its conference aspirations. Buffalo’s bowl hopes suffered a hit when they blew a three-touchdown lead to Kent State.

2. The Buffalo line opened at 6.5 but was quickly bet up 8.5.

3. Buffalo is playing for bowl eligibility. The Bulls’ 3-3 conference record eliminates their chances of going for the MAC Championship because of tiebreakers. If Toledo wins out and gets some help, it still has a chance at a division crown.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Toledo at Buffalo: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Buffalo 31, Toledo 27

Moneyline (ML)

BUFFALO carries a -323 moneyline. Toledo comes into this game with the conference’s best rushing offense versus Buffalo’s top rushing defense. Toledo averages 245.7 yards per game on the ground and if it has a chance of winning, it must exceed 200 yards versus Buffalo.

Toledo (+250) is a pass at this point. The conference loss last week took some wind out of the sails and Buffalo will be more than motivated to become bowl eligible. The Bulls know they likely need two wins.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Buffalo is 5-5 against the spread overall and 3-1 ATS at home this year coming in at 10 points per game above the cover projections at home. Toledo is 4-6 ATS overall and 0-4 ATS on the road. The Rockets miss the road cover at a whopping 19.8 points per contest.

The 8.5-point spread seems in line with what most are predicting. Again, Toledo’s rushing attack should be able to control just enough clock to keep things within a score. Our pick is for TOLEDO to cover with -115 odds.

New to sports betting? Every $1.15 wagered on Toledo to cover profits $1 if the Rockets win outright or stay within eight points in defeat.

Over/Under (O/U)

The projected total is 54.5. This will be close but it is hard to trust both defenses fully in this game. Taking a small wager with the OVER (-105) is our pick.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @ChrisWasselDFS and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Buffalo at Kent State odds: Bulls look to run amok in Kent

Previewing Thursday’s Buffalo Bulls at Kent State Golden Flashes college football matchup, with NCAA football betting odds, picks and best bets

The Buffalo Bulls (5-4, 3-2 Mid-American Conference East) travel to play the Kent State Golden Flashes (3-6, 2-3) Thursday night at Dix Stadium in Kent, Ohio. Kickoff is 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.

We analyze the Buffalo-Kent State odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Buffalo at Kent State: Three things you need to know

1. Buffalo is one of the top rushing teams in the country, posting 224.4 yards per game on the ground to rank 17th. On defense, the Bulls rank fifth against the run, allowing just 85.3 yards per game on the ground.

2. Kent State ranks just 128th in FBS, allowing 256.1 rushing yards per game. The Golden Flashes have also allowed 31.3 PPG, although those numbers are slightly skewed considering they lost to Power 5 teams at Arizona State, Auburn and Wisconsin.

3. The Bulls are 5-0-1 ATS in their past six trips to Kent, while the road team is 7-1-1 ATS in the previous nine meetings and the favorite 4-1 ATS in the past five in this series.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Buffalo at Kent State: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Buffalo 31, Kent State 21

Moneyline (ML)

Buffalo (-250) is going to win this game and attain bowl eligibility, but this is just too much to risk, especially on a road team. Kent State (+180) has too leaky of a run defense, and the Bulls are too powerful on the ground.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Buffalo returns a profit of $4 – every $1 wagered profits $0.40 (1 divided by 2.50) with a Buffalo straight-up win.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Take BUFFALO (-5.5, -115) laying the points. The Bull will get off to a strong start behind their powerful rushing attack, and Kent State (+5.5, -106) won’t be able to keep up.

As mentioned above, three of Kent State’s six losses were against Power 5 squads. However, its defense hasn’t been much better in the past three conference losses, allowing 45 to Ohio, 23 to Miami-Ohio and 35 to Toledo. The last time these teams met, Buffalo came away with a 48-14 win Nov. 6, 2018.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER (56.5, -110) is 5-1 in Buffalo’s past six appearances on Thursday night, and 6-1 in the past seven on the road against teams with a losing record. The under is also 7-2 in Kent State’s past nine showings on Thursday and 5-2 in the past seven at home.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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