Friday night College football and we will see the Bowling Green Falcons travel to Bowling Green Kentucky to take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The game has a start time of 7:30 pm (Eastern) and will be televised on CBSSN. Current Vegas odds have Bowling Green listed as 7 point favorites, while the total is set at 61.5.
Analysis: 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. 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 steps up. 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 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 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers were just 2-22 in their first 2 season at the FBS level (2009-10), but they have now strung together 3 winning seasons in a row and have made the jump to Conference USA. . Jeff Brohn was the OC for the Hilltoppers last year, but has moved up to take over the HC duties. That means nothing should change offensively for a team that put up 30.8 ppg and set 20 Team/ player school records along the way. Brandon Doughty is back to QB the team, after throwing for 2857 yards with 14 TDs and 14 INTs last year. He is a senior and should have a better year, especially with 8 players back that caught at least 13 passes last year. They will lose top back Antonio Andrews, who led the nation in all-purpose yards last year, but a stable of talented backs are ready to have a solid year. The defense is where this team cold struggle this year, as they lost their top 5 tacklers from a team that was 14th in the nation in total defense and 10th in passing defense last year. Cam Thomas is the top returning tackler, with 41, while he had 10 PBUs and 5 INTs last year.
Pick: Let's look Over in this game. The Falcons put up 34.8 ppg last year and could possibly top 40 ppg this year with 7 starters back, including QB Matt Johnson and with new HC Dino Babbers wanting his offense to play at warp speed.The Falcons had a very tough defense last year, but should take a step back on that side of the ball with just 5 starters back. They should also struggle in this one vs a WKU squad that has 8 starters back from an offense that put up 30.8 ppg last year. WKU had an average defense last year, but they have just 4 starters back on that side of the ball, while losing their top 5 tacklers from a year ago. Both teams will score plenty of points this year, while the defenses are will be suspect, especially early in the year. I can see nearly 70 points in this one.
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