2008 Official Predictions
Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:11 pm
Alright, we've heard all the experts, all the prognosticators, and all the bs spewed by SI.com about how we're going to crash the BCS, along with CFN's 5-7 prediction. The fact is that nobody really knows how the season will play out, including the players and coaches themselves. Even those of us who have seen the team practice can't really know.
Now I know many of you hate predictions, and everybody's got predictions just like everybody's got, well, you know. I understand if you don't want to participate. But here's the challenge. I want you guys to post how you think we're going to fare this season, down to the exact amount of victories. Show where you stand, and at the end of the season, we'll see who the top prognosticators are.
I'll start the thread off with my official picks for each game.
August 30th - @ Pittsburgh - L (0-1)
I think that BG has a good chance to win this game, but Pitt's power running attack is going to be a load to stop, and their D-Line is tough. It's very hard to win a game getting dominated in the trenches, even if your QB is on. Pitt wins this one by about 14 points.
September 6th - Minnesota - W (1-1)
Minnesota did have a good recruiting class, but it's hard to imagine a bunch of freshmen beating our seasoned group inside the Doyt. The offense will deliver enough points to get the win so long as the defense doesn't get absolutely torched. BG by about 10-14 points here.
September 13th - @ Boise State - L (1-2)
I'm starting to become more optimistic about this one, since Boise has to replace their QB and 4 OL, but at the end of the day, they are still Boise State, and they NEVER lose at home. If this were at the Doyt, I'd call for a victory, but not out there. Boise in a blowout.
September 27th - @ Wyoming - W (2-2)
Wyoming features a very good defense, but their offense is bad. This will be a good challenge for our defense to step up, and they've played some great games on the road in the past, so I think this might be another. This will be a close one, but I think BG will pull it out by a touchdown or less.
October 4th - Eastern Michigan - W (3-2)
EMU has played BG tough lately, but they can't seem to beat us. Being that this game is homecoming at the Doyt as well, I think this should be one of our easiest games of the season. BG will only lose if they completely lay an egg on all sides of the ball. BG in a blowout.
October 11th - @ Akron - W (4-2)
The easy stretch of the schedule continues with a road game at Akron. Akron's offense is terrible, so look for the Falcon defense to play as well as they did a year ago in a 44-20 romp. It's a road game, but I still like BG to win this one by about 14-17 points.
October 18th - Miami - L (4-3)
This could be the make or break game for us. Unfortunately, there are three factors working against us here. First of all, unlike most MAC teams, Miami actually plays defense. Secondly, we have the Miami Whammy to contend with. Thirdly, this game falls on Family Weekend, so we have the dreaded Family Weekend Jinx to deal with as well. That's too much to overcome. Miami by a touchdown in our only loss in the Doyt this season.
October 25th - @ Northern Illinois - W (5-3)
The ending part of the schedule begins at NIU, and this game scares me because NIU will be a team on a mission this season. They are dangerous on defense, but I think our defense should limit their points as their offense is horrible. As long as we don't turn it over like crazy we should be able to win, but it'll be closer than most people would think. BG by a touchdown.
November 1st - Kent State - W (6-3)
Kent is good at running the football, and that's it. They can't pass, which should make things easier on our defense. They did get some recruits on defense, but our offense should put up tons of points at home as they usually do. BG in a blowout here.
November 8th - @ Ohio - W (7-3)
If the Falcons have a possible letdown in the late season, it might be here as they face Ohio on the road. Like Akron, Ohio lost a lot of talent to graduation and will probably not contend. Their offense might be interesting because of the dual threat QB they have, but if they can't throw, we should be able to contain them enough to win. BG by 2 touchdowns.
November 21st - Buffalo - W (8-3)
The last time BG lost to Buffalo at the Doyt, Ronald Reagan had just moved into the White House. Buffalo's offense is good, yet very inconsistent. Same with their defense. Their players have also developed a bit of an attitude, alarming since they had a losing record (AGAIN!!) last season. I think BG shuts up teh Bulls with a 2 touchdown victory in the final home game of the season.
November 28th - @ Toledo - W (9-3)
This was probably the toughest game of all to call for me, even tougher than the NIU game, because we haven't won at Toledo since 1994, but that defense of there's is just horrific. They've got a great offense, but if the D can slow them even to say, 30-35 points, Sheehan, Barnes & company should be able to put up a big number and get the job done inside the Glass Bowl. BG by a touchdown.
In the end, I see a 9-3 (7-1) season in our future. Initially I had the Toledo game as a loss, but I've changed it to a victory and I'm sticking to it. 9 days left, let's get the ball on the tee!!
Now I know many of you hate predictions, and everybody's got predictions just like everybody's got, well, you know. I understand if you don't want to participate. But here's the challenge. I want you guys to post how you think we're going to fare this season, down to the exact amount of victories. Show where you stand, and at the end of the season, we'll see who the top prognosticators are.
I'll start the thread off with my official picks for each game.
August 30th - @ Pittsburgh - L (0-1)
I think that BG has a good chance to win this game, but Pitt's power running attack is going to be a load to stop, and their D-Line is tough. It's very hard to win a game getting dominated in the trenches, even if your QB is on. Pitt wins this one by about 14 points.
September 6th - Minnesota - W (1-1)
Minnesota did have a good recruiting class, but it's hard to imagine a bunch of freshmen beating our seasoned group inside the Doyt. The offense will deliver enough points to get the win so long as the defense doesn't get absolutely torched. BG by about 10-14 points here.
September 13th - @ Boise State - L (1-2)
I'm starting to become more optimistic about this one, since Boise has to replace their QB and 4 OL, but at the end of the day, they are still Boise State, and they NEVER lose at home. If this were at the Doyt, I'd call for a victory, but not out there. Boise in a blowout.
September 27th - @ Wyoming - W (2-2)
Wyoming features a very good defense, but their offense is bad. This will be a good challenge for our defense to step up, and they've played some great games on the road in the past, so I think this might be another. This will be a close one, but I think BG will pull it out by a touchdown or less.
October 4th - Eastern Michigan - W (3-2)
EMU has played BG tough lately, but they can't seem to beat us. Being that this game is homecoming at the Doyt as well, I think this should be one of our easiest games of the season. BG will only lose if they completely lay an egg on all sides of the ball. BG in a blowout.
October 11th - @ Akron - W (4-2)
The easy stretch of the schedule continues with a road game at Akron. Akron's offense is terrible, so look for the Falcon defense to play as well as they did a year ago in a 44-20 romp. It's a road game, but I still like BG to win this one by about 14-17 points.
October 18th - Miami - L (4-3)
This could be the make or break game for us. Unfortunately, there are three factors working against us here. First of all, unlike most MAC teams, Miami actually plays defense. Secondly, we have the Miami Whammy to contend with. Thirdly, this game falls on Family Weekend, so we have the dreaded Family Weekend Jinx to deal with as well. That's too much to overcome. Miami by a touchdown in our only loss in the Doyt this season.
October 25th - @ Northern Illinois - W (5-3)
The ending part of the schedule begins at NIU, and this game scares me because NIU will be a team on a mission this season. They are dangerous on defense, but I think our defense should limit their points as their offense is horrible. As long as we don't turn it over like crazy we should be able to win, but it'll be closer than most people would think. BG by a touchdown.
November 1st - Kent State - W (6-3)
Kent is good at running the football, and that's it. They can't pass, which should make things easier on our defense. They did get some recruits on defense, but our offense should put up tons of points at home as they usually do. BG in a blowout here.
November 8th - @ Ohio - W (7-3)
If the Falcons have a possible letdown in the late season, it might be here as they face Ohio on the road. Like Akron, Ohio lost a lot of talent to graduation and will probably not contend. Their offense might be interesting because of the dual threat QB they have, but if they can't throw, we should be able to contain them enough to win. BG by 2 touchdowns.
November 21st - Buffalo - W (8-3)
The last time BG lost to Buffalo at the Doyt, Ronald Reagan had just moved into the White House. Buffalo's offense is good, yet very inconsistent. Same with their defense. Their players have also developed a bit of an attitude, alarming since they had a losing record (AGAIN!!) last season. I think BG shuts up teh Bulls with a 2 touchdown victory in the final home game of the season.
November 28th - @ Toledo - W (9-3)
This was probably the toughest game of all to call for me, even tougher than the NIU game, because we haven't won at Toledo since 1994, but that defense of there's is just horrific. They've got a great offense, but if the D can slow them even to say, 30-35 points, Sheehan, Barnes & company should be able to put up a big number and get the job done inside the Glass Bowl. BG by a touchdown.
In the end, I see a 9-3 (7-1) season in our future. Initially I had the Toledo game as a loss, but I've changed it to a victory and I'm sticking to it. 9 days left, let's get the ball on the tee!!
) On the weekend, I predict we stear clear of any NCAA regulations for attendance.