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BG has given up 360 rush yards to WVU, 351 to WMU and 268 to UT in its three-game losing streak. That's 979 yards (328 ypg) and next week Temple comes to town after rushing for an even 400 yards today vs Buffalo. What's more, the Owls have rushed for 750 yards (375 ypg) in back-to-back wins with RB's Pierce (121 and 154) and Brown (14 and 121) both cracking the century mark on the ground while Temple has attempted just 24 passes combined in both games. On top of that, the Owls rushed for 285 yards and attempted only 9 passes for the game in their 38-7 win at Maryland. It's no secret whatsoever what they want to do (run the ball) and it's equally no secret what we are struggling to do (stop the run). In the Owls’ loss to Toledo a few weeks ago, Temple only rushed for 145 yards and attempted 20 passes (10-20 with 2 ints) as UT did a great job against them.

BG must….MUST….stop the run and make Temple try and beat us through the air. If they go up top and beat us through the air, so be it, but it’s not like BG doesn’t already know what Temple is going to come here and try to do.

I think the game plan to beat BG is pretty simple. Run The Ball. Until BG proves it can stop the run, as an opposing coach, I'd never put it in the air. Line up in a power formation and cram it down the D's throat. Keep the Falcon offense off the field.

I've always been a fan of being able to run the ball and stop the run. Neither of which BG is very good at this year or recent years past

As a Temple fan, if I were going to design a defense against us, I'd put nine in the box and dare our QB (Chester Stewart) to throw.

We run as much as we do, not only because Bernard Pierce is almost certainly the best RB we've ever had (and Matt "The Bug" Brown is no slouch either), but because Stewart flat out can't beat anyone with the pass.

You'll notice that he has one read, and if that's not open, he'll tuck it and run... quickly. He's big and fast, but not terribly quick or elusive, not much a scrambler either. His strengths are failing to notice wide open receivers, throwing inexplicable interceptions, and taking sacks at the worst possible moment.

In general, our OL is big and experienced (4 seniors) but we don't trap or pull much. It's a straight ahead knock your DL out of the way type of scheme.

Pierce is big, fast, quick, strong, elusive and has incredible ballance. If he gets through the line, and he often does, it's generally a mismatch with LBers. Matty Brown on the other hand, is about 5' 5" (possibly smaller) and is very hard to pick up behind our line, the kid is lightning quick and has good vision.

Out of curriosity, I haven't seen Bowling Green this year, what is your offense like? Our D has been very good with the glaring exception of Toledo, who came in, beat us senseless, stole our lunch and left with our cheerleaders.

Unless something dramatic happens between now and Saturday -- I don't see BG stopping anyone from running the ball.

This is a very poor defense when it comes to the fundamentals of staying in their lanes, fighting off blocks, and tackling. You would think by now, these guys would have the tackling thing down pat, but I have to wonder what kind of coaching they get from the defensive staff when I see such poor form tackling in game after game.

Prove me wrong, please. Starting with Temple.

To the title of this thread .... in other recent news, grass is green, sky is blue.

MarkL wrote:To the title of this thread .... in other recent news, grass is green, sky is blue.

And everything looks orange through my glasses!

Falcon Fanatic wrote:

MarkL wrote:To the title of this thread .... in other recent news, grass is green, sky is blue.

And everything looks orange through my glasses!

Right on!!

BG has done a good job at trying to move the ball on the ground this year. Samuel has several 100yd games this year, and while it hasn't been dominant it has been effective. The problem I am having with the offense is we do not try to mix in play action and we run the same pass play 3 times on a 3 and out drive.

The first four weeks there were only a few missed tackles. You could probably take the number of missed tackles combined in those four weeks and they had that in each of the last three games I think. It was slightly better vs UT but definitely worsened in the second half.

So what happened? Really, seriously what happened? Did the guys lose the intensity? Forget everything about all of their fundamentals drills? Whatever it is, it's losing games for this team. This is a talented team and the sky is the limit, but these missed tackles have got to stop.

Well, they proved me wrong and I couldn't be happier. Very good job defending Temple, with only one long run allowed (I believe).

Now we need to get the offensive coordinator to stop choking when BG gets into the Red Zone and start scoring some touchdowns, instead of field goals.

Start by killing the wildcat and any misdirection plays involving wide receivers. There are better options when you're inside the 20.

The defense really came to play today. Count me as pleasantly surprised.

The offense has to get better in the red zone. As I said after last week, I am OK if I never see the wildcat formation again. It's one thing when you have a physically imposing team, but we don't. Samuel is a good running back so I don't get why we continue to take it out of his hands in keys situations. I can't figure out what they are thinking there. The novelty of the wildcat is long gone.

I think we have a lot of talent on this team and that is why I get so frustrated when we don't win games like these or get blown out. Glad to see us on the good side of a close game for once. Hopefully they build on this.