VanDelaySports.com > MAC Football > 2008MAC Football Pigskin Preview > Bowling Green Falcons

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2008 Bowling Green Football Preview

BG's Strengths:

• QB Tyler Sheehan returns after a solid sophomore campaign that saw him complete 64% of this passes for over 3,200 yards and 23 TDs. He earned 3rd team all-conference honors. Corey Partridge and Freddie Barnes are splendid receivers. When BG opens at Pitt on August 30th – the players responsible for 300 of last season's 332 receptions will be on hand.
• BG’s defensive backfield is quite good and safety PJ Mahone, VanDelaySports.com’s #7 incoming MAC recruit in 2006, is one of the top defensive players in the league. Mahone was a second team all-conference pick last season and is one of the MAC’s best defensive backs. He had seven INTs in 2007. With corners Antonio Smith and Kenny Lewis returning, along with FS Jahmal Brown, the Falcons have the MAC’s #2-rated DB unit (behind Western Michigan) entering the season.
• A glaring weakness in the past was stabilized last season. PK Sinisa Vrvilo and punter Nick Iovinelli each had solid 2008campaigns. Vrvilo was perfect on his PATs and 15-19 on FGs with a long of 49 while Iovinelli downed 12 punts inside the opponents 20.

BG's Weaknesses:

• While the offensive line will not be a weakness per say, there’s no doubt that BG will miss four-year starter and 1st team All-MAC Kory Lichtensteiger along with Kevin Huelsman and Drew Nystrom along the trenches. According to Phil Steele’s 2008 College Football Preview, BG’s returning offensive starters have just 36-career starts between them, which ranks 103rd nationally.
• The size of the defensive line is a concern. Yes, DE Diyral Briggs is a returning All-MAC selection, but the preseason projected two-deep DL averages 6-3, 257 lbs per man. While there is speed up front, the lack of size could be why the Falcons gave up 208-yards per game on the ground, ranking 109th nationally in 2008. Consistent play from the D-line is a concern entering the season.

Bowling Green's 2008 Opportunities:

• The Falcons do not have a real feature running-back but they have a nice group to choose from in converted QB Anthony Turner along with Willie Geter and Chris Bullock. Toss in Eric Ransom and this group rushed for 1,396 yards last season and averaged 5.6 yards per carry. If the revamped offensive line can jell, this unit will easily surpass 1,600 yards this season.
• Erique Dozier is one of the most under-appreciated players in the MAC. He led the Falcons with 112 tackles and year ago and his fellow LB John Haneline added 96 despite missing four games due to injury. If converted safety Jarrett Sanderson or someone else can contribute right away to that third LB spot, the Falcons will have one of the most productive LB corps in the MAC.

BG's Threats:

• Overcoming last year’s GMAC 63-7 to Tulsa debacle. A game like that can ruin the momentum and pride that the 2007 season put back into the program. When you suffer the NCAA’s most lopsided loss in bowl history it will either make you stronger as a program to redeem yourself or kill the team's psyche.
• The Falcons have co-offensive coordinators and both are new to that role. Matt Campbell and Troy Rothenbuhler share that position and inherit an eight returning starters on an offense that ranked 46th nationally with 30 points per game in 2007. The offense did not look good at all during the spring.

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The Big Game(s) for BGSU:

Due to a scheduling glitch, the Falcons do not play MAC East rival Temple this season. That means that all five of their divisional games will have an even greater importance. As for the really ‘big game(s)’ – October 18 hosting Miami may be the game that determines the east champion. The final game of the year at Toledo on November 28th could determine if BG becomes bowl eligible or not.

Final Analysis of Bowling Green in 2008:

There are several preseason publications that will be picking BGSU either first or second in the MAC this year. This publication, considered by many MAC fans as the most accurate in terms of Mid-American Conference football predictions, does not see that due to the following reasons. First, the schedule is a true bear as the Falcons play the most demanding non-league schedule of anyone in the MAC (at Pitt, Minnesota, at Boise State and at Wyoming). Second, the cross-over games are all against what is expected to be the three most improved teams in the league (Eastern Michigan, NIU and Toledo). Finally, there is no sneaking up on anyone in the East. BG will be the hunted in 2008 and the defense, especially against the run, needs to improve dramatically. BG has a lot of talent and a solid group of returning players, but for the reasons stated above, look for the Falcons to hover around the .500 mark in 2008.

By Nick Gerogosian
published 07.07.2008