by Bowling Green Falcons
Coach: Scot Loeffler, 5 years
Last year’s record: 7-6
Overview
Bowling Green had an impressive year after starting off 2-4 in what was feared to be a bowl-less season. Connor Bazelak, the transfer from Missouri and Indiana stepped up and proved to be capable of taking care of the ball and making big plays when they needed it most. Bazelak is joined by returning starters in RB Terion Stewart who I project to rush for well over 1,000 yards this season and be one of the touchdown leaders amongst backs in the MAC. Star TE Harold Fannin Jr is a player I suspect to lead the Falcons in receptions, being a big key to the offense. RJ Garcia II joins the WR room from Kansas State, he is projected to be an impact player amongst incoming transfers for BGSU. The Defensive line returns with three seniors, Ali Saad, Anthony Hawkins, and Dontrez Brown. The defensive line is expected to be the best on the team as the Linebacker room is a mixed bag of returners and new starters.
Dom’s Overlook
Last year I was wrong about Bowling Green when I predicted that they would be one of the bottom teams in the conference. Bazelak changed the outlook on this team, giving it a QB future that was not previously there. Bazelak makes smart decisions and keeps the ball off the ground and away from the defense. The running back, Stewart is a big body tailback that is fun to watch when he is able to find space by lowering his shoulder and creating holes with physical intent. He is the type of running back you want to see in a tough conference like the MAC. I think this years Falcons team will break teams will will an offense that will take small chunks in drives that will chew the clock and make the defense sit on their heels as they get picked apart by a consistent offense. Fannin Jr could have a season that sees him leaving after this season for the NFL, Fannin Jr is considered the best TE in the MAC and could stamp that even furthermore into existence if he has another good season. The defense lacks compared to the offense but has its strongest D-line to date. There might be some growing pains around the linebacker core and secondary but they will not let teams run down the field consistently. This Bowling Green team may be the strongest we have seen this decade as they could make a run for Detroit this season.
Predictions
The past two seasons I haven’t been in favor of the Falcons, this year I am more in favor of the Falcons but not as much as Bowling Green fans would like. BGSU can win two out of four non-conference games as I don’t see them winning games at Penn State and at Texas A&M. I have the Falcons winning seven games and going to a bowl game, dropping conference games against Toledo, Miami OH, and NIU. The lowest amount of Wins I see is five while the max amount of wins could be nine. They could very well go to the MAC Championship if they take care of business against the bottom of the conference and take two out of three in their games against NIU, Toledo, and Miami.
