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BG hosts Murray State on Saturday, September 18 at 5:00pm for Homecoming.

If you can't get to the Doyt, the game will be broadcast on ESPN3.

This could be a dog fight. Murray State is a good FCS team. We will need to bring our A game.

Lots of speed on the appropriately named Racers. I tend to think they are going to score points, so the offense needs to get a well-balanced attack going or they may be in trouble.

A lot better teams than us have lost to fcs teams this year and fcs teams have fared pretty well in general this year. However a win this weekend could go a long way in building confidence while getting the rebuild going the right direction. Won't be easy but we're getting better just need to learn how to finish a game

fanatic13 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 13, 2021 2:05 pm A lot better teams than us have lost to fcs teams this year and fcs teams have fared pretty well in general this year. However a win this weekend could go a long way in building confidence while getting the rebuild going the right direction. Won't be easy but we're getting better just need to learn how to finish a game

This game has me nervous, especially coming off a tough loss in a game BG should have won. Psyche of the players will be big. Can see BG easily losing this game if things go south early on. Racers have a good team and will be better than some MAC opponents. I really think we'll see exactly what this team is made of, which is sad to say against a FCS opponent.

Something to bear in mind too is that Murray State played a 7-game spring schedule, along with many other FCS programs. May be giving them a little bit of an advantage in terms of cohesiveness.

I'd be lying if I said this game does not make me nervous. The 2017 loss to South Dakota is just too vivid.

Our team strengths so far have been QB play - shocking if you watched last year - and defensive line - even more shocking. An FCS offensive line should not push around an FBS defensive line, just don't tell that to Mike Jinks. Hopefully the good play of the line continues and in a week we all laugh off the nerves of this one, and McDonald puts up all kinds of yards and points. And even better if the running game makes an appearance for the first time.

Murray State was picked to win the OVC. BG was picked dead last in the MAC, and in the FBS by a number of publications. This game is probably a toss-up.

BGSU33 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 13, 2021 11:11 pm Murray State was picked to win the OVC. BG was picked dead last in the MAC, and in the FBS by a number of publications. This game is probably a toss-up.

ESPN's FPI has BG with a 75% chance of winning this one.

Still, I don't honestly know if I even actually expect BG to win this game. I'm hoping for a competitive showing, but I also understand we aren't very good yet and that the MAC now is on a more similar level to the FCS game than it was 10-20 years ago.

I just want to see us improve this week. I'd be thrilled with a victory - and a dominant one would be amazing. But at the end of the day, I just need to see that this team is learning from their mistakes and getting better each week.

Very excited to be in town to tailgate early for this one.

In looking quickly at Murray State's roster and stats, and watching a little video from the first game, a few things jump out at me:

QB1 is Preston Rice, a RS-Jr. He's 26/44 for 265 yards, 0 TD, and 4 INT. Not a super prolific passing attack by any means. However, he has 5 rushing touchdowns on only 18 carries. He doesn't appear to be the most athletic guy on the field from the limited stuff I've seen from him, but he seems powerful and huge - which is deceiving because he's only 6'2.

Damonta Witherspoon appears to be their best back, and he averages just 3.4 yards per carry. If we keep him check and force Rice to throw, I like our chances.

They have a player on their roster named Frank Coppet, a transfer out of Vanderbilt, but originally from Fort Lauderdale, FL. I would imagine he has to be related to recent Falcon Fred Coppet in some capacity.

Frank Coppet is Fred's brother. I can remember when he was being recruited by Vandy... didn't know he left Nashville.

Highlights from Murray State vs Cincinnati: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PLXV-mEN5yE

QB is part of the run game. Offense looked good at times. Obviously hard telling much from highlights without the full context.

MarkL wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 12:31 pm Highlights from Murray State vs Cincinnati: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PLXV-mEN5yE

QB is part of the run game. Offense looked good at times. Obviously hard telling much from highlights without the full context.

Even when you see the context, they're tough to evaluate. They played Mississippi Valley State Delta in their first game, and #8 Cincinnati in their 2nd game. We haven't seen them play a team close to our level, so it's tough to tell much about them prior to Saturday.

Murray State's QB has 0 TD passes 4 ints. And 5 rushing TDs. He's got some legs to him. This will be the first real running threat of a QB on the season.

Reading a smattering from a limited Murray chat space, they seem to have issues with penalties and self inflicted mistakes.

I’m hoping to get all our punts off without a delay penalty or a panic time out this week… that will be progress.

BG is a 2.5 point favorite. Sounds about right.