Last year the Bowling Green Falcons won their first MAC title in 21 years and then lost HC Dave Clawson to Wake Forest. In Steps Dino Babers, who had good success at FCS school Eastern Illinois. Clawson left the cupboard full, so it is unlikely that the Falcons will miss a beat here. Preview & schedule are below.
The Falcons averaged 34.8 ppg last year and could blow that out of the water this year, as Babers vowed to incorporate a high octane that may be more up-tempo than that of Oregon’s attack. QB Matt Johnson, threw for 3467 yards last year and had 25 TDs to just 7 INTs and should have an even bigger year, especially if the WR corps that lost 2 starters can play to its potential, as they have plenty of talented youngsters ready to step in, to go along with Ronnie Moore, who led the team in receiving TDs last year with 7. The running game is in very good hand with Travis Greene back after breaking a 62 year falcon rushing record with 1594 yards last year. The OL is pretty young with just 1 starter being above sophomore. This unit should struggle some early, but will be better as the year does on. The defense has some holes after being one of the better defense in the nation, allowing just 15.9 ppg. They have just 5 starters back on this side of the ball, but the good news is that 22 lettermen return to the defense and there are 8 seniors in the projected lineup of the defense. The front wall should be very solid, but the back 7 for this team will get all the pub, with the top rated (tie) LB corps and the 2nd rated secondary in the league.
The Falcons were clearly the best team in the MAC East last year and that will be the same this year. Their offense is loaded with playmakers that will be expected to play at a dizzying pace this year, making it hard for teams to keep up with them. The defense lost 2 of hits top 6 tacklers from last year, but their top 2 and 9 of their top 15 are back, so this defense may be just as tough as last year’s group, but one thing to watch will be if the offense scores too quickly, could the defense tire late in games. We shall see. No matter what, the Falcons should just simply outscore most teams. They have road games vs Toledo and Akron, but have an easy home slate and avoid Northern Illinois from the west. Bowling green should notch DD wins again this year. KEY TREND: 17-3 ATS on the road vs a sub .500 team.
2014 Bowling Green Football Schedule
Aug. 28 at WKU
Sep. 6 VMI
Sep. 13 Indiana
Sep. 20 at Wisconsin
Sep. 27 at UMass
Oct. 4 Buffalo
Oct. 11 at Ohio
Oct. 18 Western Michigan
Oct. 25 OPEN DATE
Nov. 4 at Akron
Nov. 8 OPEN DATE
Nov. 12 Kent State
Nov. 19 at Toledo
Nov. 28 Ball State
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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Golden Nugget Games Of The Year
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