Buffalo vs. Albany prediction and game preview for the opening contest of the 2016 season. Find out who’s projected to win the matchup between the Bulls and Great Danes.
Buffalo vs. Albany Game Preview
Game Details
When: Friday, Sept. 2 – 7 p.m. ET
Where: UB Stadium, Amherst, N.Y.
Last season: Buffalo turned a 7-7 game after one quarter into a rout, winning 51-14 on its home field.
Matchup to Watch
Albany’s struggling offense vs. Buffalo’s loaded defensive line
Sophomore Neven Sussman beat out former Penn State quarterback DJ Crook for the Great Danes’ starting job despite a subpar camp. Crook apparently was even worse, giving Sussman the chance to improve on last season’s ugly numbers: Two touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing just 40 percent of his passes. Albany finished 110th out of 125 FCS teams in total yards per game in 2015.
The Bulls picked off Crook twice in last season’s meeting and seem prepared to give Sussman fits this year. The line wasn’t exactly stellar last season – Buffalo ranked 10th in the 13-team MAC in rushing yards allowed per game at 186.1 during a 5-7 season – but it’s counting on another year of experience and depth. The addition of former Lousiana-Layfette tackle Remaine Douglas should complement a projected starting line of Brandon Crawford, Max Perisse, Chris Ford and Demone Harris.
Offensive Edge
Iowa State transfer Grant Rohach and redshirt freshman Tyree Jackson are making it difficult for coach Lance Leipold to decide on a starting QB to replace the departed Joe Licata. The competition is even at the moment, making it possible both see action against Albany as part of an extended audition. A hunch says Rohach will get the start given he has in-game experience have played 10 for the Cyclones prior to transferring.
With Albany’s murky quarterback situation, it hopes sophomore running back Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks can help carry most of the load. He ran for 74 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries against the Bulls last season.
Advantage: Buffalo
Defensive Edge
Douglas has had a dominating camp and starting cornerbacks Boise Ross and Cameron Lewis are looking to break out and lead the Bulls’ secondary.
The Great Danes return Malachi Hoskins to the defensive line after he finished with a team-best five sacks in 2015, but they have little else to rely on after finishing dead last in the 12-team Colonial Athletic Association in total defense.
Advantage: Buffalo
Edge In Special Teams
The Bulls lost plenty contributors, which might not be a bad thing considering they ranked low in nearly every special teams category last season.
Albany ranked near the bottom of the FCS with only seven punt returns last season. It’s hoping the defense can make more stops to give the return group some opportunities.
Advantage: Even
Coaching Edge
Leipold went 109-6 and led Wisconsin-Whitewater to six Division III championships in eight years. He lost more times in his first season with the Bulls in 2015, but he’s ready to make his own mark on the program in Year 2. Leipold kept his squad strong through the offseason and camp after sophomore defensive end Soloman Jackson died suddenly following a conditioning session in February.
Greg Gattuso went 7-5 in his first season at Albany before dipping to 3-8 last season. As a defensive specialist, he’ll need to get more out of that unit to improve this year.
Advantage: Buffalo
Intangibles
The Great Danes have lost seven of their last eight road games, but Buffalo went just 2-4 at home last year, with one of those victories coming against Albany.
Advantage: Even
Buffalo vs. Albany Prediction
Buffalo runs away from Albany for a second straight season, winning 48-10.