2012-13 Football Previews – (MAC) – Bowling Green
Bowling Green went 2-10 two years, but the team improved to 5-7 in 2011. Bowling Green returns 20 starters, so the expectations for this team are much higher in 2012. Coach Dave Clawson has circled this year as one in which his team can compete for the MAC Championship.
MAC 2012-2013 College Football Previews: Bowling Green
Head Coach: Dave Clawson
2011 Record: 5-7
Bowling Green Gambling Odds from JustBet to win BCS Championship: (Part of Field) +1,800
Bowling Green Gambling Odds from 5Dimes to win MAC: +800
Bowling Green Gambling Odds from 5Dimes to win MAC East: +360
Bowling Green Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2012 Schedule –>
Bowling Green showed flashes of being a good team last year. The Falcons beat Temple and nearly took down Ohio and Toledo. The one-point loss to Ohio was particularly tough to take. The team could have easily been 8-4 and playing in a bowl game. This team goes into 2012 with tons of experience, and the coaching staff expects that to make a big difference down the stretch in close games.
Team Strengths:
Matt Schilz has a great understanding of the Bowling Green system. Schilz threw for 3,024 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2011. He did throw too many interceptions (13), but the coaching staff expects better decisions from him in his third-year as a starter. Schilz has a quick release and a strong arm, and he should help move this offense nicely in the season ahead.
Bowling Green’s secondary is one of the best in the MAC. BooBoo Gates isn’t just a neat name, but he is also a very good safety. Cameron Truss looks set to be a strong cover corner for the Falcons.
While it is overlooked by many, the punting game is extremely important. Expect Bowling Green to win the field position battle this year because of their amazing punter. Brian Schmiedebusch is one of the best punters in the nation. He averaged 45.3 yards per punt last year. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Team Weaknesses:
Bowling Green must be better against the run. They allowed opponents to run for 200 yards or more six times last year. Not surprisingly, they went 1-5 in those games. Defensive tackle Chris Jones is a first-team MAC performer, but the rest of the line must step up. If this team is going to take the next step, they can’t get shoved off the line by good MAC teams.
There is almost no experience at the wide receiver spot. Bowling Green likes to throw the ball around a lot, but they lost star receiver Kamar Jorden after last season. He isn’t the only one they lost. They lost five seniors from the wide receiver group. A ton of inexperienced youngsters will have to step up if this passing attack is going to work well in 2012.
2012-2013 Bowling Green Football Prediction: 7-6
Bowling Green plays a difficult non-conference schedule this season. The Falcons travel to both Florida and Virginia Tech. Road games at Toledo and Ohio will be very tough inside the MAC as well. The schedule isn’t particularly friendly to them, but I do expect the Falcons to be better in 2012. Having 20 starters back from a team that was so close should help this team take a nice step forward. Look for the Falcons to get to a bowl game this season.
2012 Bowling Green Schedule
9/1/12 3:30 PM ET @FLA
9/8/12 7:00 PM ET IDAHO
9/15/12 7:00 PM ET @TOL
9/22/12 TBD @VATCH
9/29/12 3:30 PM ET RHODE
10/6/12 2:00 PM ET @AKR
10/13/12 3:30 PM ET MIAOH
10/20/12 12:00 PM ET @MASS
10/27/12 3:30 PM ET EMICH
11/7/12 8:00 PM ET @OHIO
11/17/12 12:00 PM ET KENST
11/23/12 TBD BUFF
