Next Season Questions

[CapitalFalcon]

Ok...You BG Falconfiles out there that are closer to the action, monitor recruiting, and have a better sense of what is going on with the program, I have a question for you...How do you like our chances next year?

Will we be able to break out of the 3-loss rut?

Will this be a true breakout year that surpassed what our gusy have accomplished thus far?

Can we run the table this season?

What holes should we be looking to plug in recruiting?

Just thought I'd solicit some feedback and get a read on the pulse of next year.

[kdog27]

Will we be able to break out of the 3-loss rut?

Will this be a true breakout year that surpassed what our gusy have accomplished thus far?

Can we run the table this season?

I am tired of losing three games every year. I think the key to both of these queations is in our defense. I realistically cannot expect the offense to be any better. It might even say th e odds are better that it will be worse rather than better. Mainly because it is pretty difficult to duplicate all that success on offense, and can you really expect your qb to only throw 4 ints all season once again? I don't expect him to break his own td/int record. I expect Jacobs to have another sensational year but he will be hard pressed to surpass last seasons numbers. Maybe he can, but they still will not be much better.

Last year showed us that no matter how potent your offense is you still have to have a good or at least a decent defense if you want to run the table and win championships. The defense lost us all three games last year. As I said earlier if the defense is only just as good (or Bad) as last year than we will be looking at another 3 loss season. I guarantee Wisconsin will be able to run the ball down our throats. We have a lot of trouble containing teams that feature a RB and a FB. I suspect the Boise St game to be a shootout but it will be quite difficult to leave that stadium with a victory. If we can beat them in their own stadium than we should run away with things.
And we have trouble with big road conference games. I have no idea who we will be playing next year but I suspect there will be one tough road game.

I very much want to break out of this 3 game loss rut. I want a MACC and if we could be undefeated too it would be that much more satisfying. Right now I don't think we have the defense to go 13-0. I will have to wait and see how things look with players like Crossley, Perry, spring game etc. before I will cast judgement and make predictions for next season. It's way too early at this point but if we want to get better we have to put the same effort on defense as we do on offense.

As far as recruiting goes I don't think anyone here knows what we really got and how good they really are.

[Class of 61]

Will we be able to break out of the 3-loss rut?

Will this be a true breakout year that surpassed what our gusy have accomplished thus far?

Can we run the table this season?

I am tired of losing three games every year. I think the key to both of these queations is in our defense. I realistically cannot expect the offense to be any better. It might even say th e odds are better that it will be worse rather than better. Mainly because it is pretty difficult to duplicate all that success on offense, and can you really expect your qb to only throw 4 ints all season once again? I don't expect him to break his own td/int record. I expect Jacobs to have another sensational year but he will be hard pressed to surpass last seasons numbers. Maybe he can, but they still will not be much better.

Last year showed us that no matter how potent your offense is you still have to have a good or at least a decent defense if you want to run the table and win championships. The defense lost us all three games last year. As I said earlier if the defense is only just as good (or Bad) as last year than we will be looking at another 3 loss season. I guarantee Wisconsin will be able to run the ball down our throats. We have a lot of trouble containing teams that feature a RB and a FB. I suspect the Boise St game to be a shootout but it will be quite difficult to leave that stadium with a victory. If we can beat them in their own stadium than we should run away with things.
And we have trouble with big road conference games. I have no idea who we will be playing next year but I suspect there will be one tough road game.

I very much want to break out of this 3 game loss rut. I want a MACC and if we could be undefeated too it would be that much more satisfying. Right now I don't think we have the defense to go 13-0. I will have to wait and see how things look with players like Crossley, Perry, spring game etc. before I will cast judgement and make predictions for next season. It's way too early at this point but if we want to get better we have to put the same effort on defense as we do on offense.

As far as recruiting goes I don't think anyone here knows what we really got and how good they really are.

KDOGG,
No offense, but you're starting to sound like an OSU fan here...."tired of losing 3 games a year?" 4 yrs. ago, you'd have killed for that kind of season! Now, am I happy that we lost "that many" games? No..but I've enjoyed BG football more in past 4 yrs. than in practically any era you can name...and I go back to 1957 watching us play.... Do we need to get better? Of course, there's always room for improvement and the D has been our weak link in achieving that MACC goal we all want. But enjoy what we've had and done...I've not had this much entertainment as a fan in a very long time.

[Jham]

Next year obviously has everyone excited after the GMAC Bowl. KDog made good points about the defense, but let's look at the schedule.

If we're in the West still, NIU and UT both come to the Doyt (UT will anyway).

The name Bowling Green is out there. I think they'll be in the top 25 to start the season. So if they go into Camp Randall and give the Badgers a scare, and proceed to beat up Boise (who will also likely be in the top 25 to start), we could be looking at a top-20 position heading into the MAc slate.

Then, if they can pick up steam and pay NIU and UT back for this year, you're looking 10-1 and a MAC championship berth...Win that, and win a bowl game, 12-1.

Not bad.

I understand that expectations are high, and people are talking about going undefeated and being another BCS buster...But going into Camp Randall and playing Boise on the road? I'm not sure if that's realistic.

However. 12-1 and another bowl win, combined with another possible big year from Omar, will do well to continue to get BG out there and into the circles...That's when, in my opinion, we can continue to schedule these games that we've been scheduling.

In my opinion, and it has been proven as fact before, you can't beat the big boys if you don't play them, even if it is on their turf.

[BelieveNBG]

For the record, NIU kicked our butt on all sides of the ball, offensively and defensively. The offense scored 17 pts, went scoreless in the 2nd quarter, and only a field goal in the 3rd. I still don't know why we quit running the ball that game and why we kept throwing the ball. It resulted in several 3 and outs, putting the defense right back on the field. We needed better ball control on offense to help keep the ball away from Wolf. I won't blame that game on either side. Now, the UT game was the defense, but geez...with that type of lead, we still could have used more running of the ball and clock management to keep UT off the field. Oklahoma was just better...period.

[JohnnySwoop '85]

This debate could rage on for another 7 months at this point. the difference between 8-3 again or 10-1 could be a total of 13 points.

Your right about Wisconsin running game, Bernstein up the gut could chew up a lot of clock and keep the O off the field although the pace Omar and Co. play at still won't spell the Defense for long. Their QB, Stocco isn't bad either.

Moving to the East won't make much of a difference...you just trade all 3 Michigan schools for Buffalo, Kent, Akron, or OU. Miami, although not the same without Hoeppner, is equal to NIU...and I assume even if we move (and I think we are the logical candidate geographically-speaking) we still would keep the Toledo game.

Regardless of final record, we'll laugh, we'll cry, and we will still be eligible to make travel plans around XMAS time! Big 10, Conference USA, who is next?

[kdog27]

Will we be able to break out of the 3-loss rut?

Will this be a true breakout year that surpassed what our gusy have accomplished thus far?

Can we run the table this season?

I am tired of losing three games every year. I think the key to both of these queations is in our defense. I realistically cannot expect the offense to be any better. It might even say th e odds are better that it will be worse rather than better. Mainly because it is pretty difficult to duplicate all that success on offense, and can you really expect your qb to only throw 4 ints all season once again? I don't expect him to break his own td/int record. I expect Jacobs to have another sensational year but he will be hard pressed to surpass last seasons numbers. Maybe he can, but they still will not be much better.

Last year showed us that no matter how potent your offense is you still have to have a good or at least a decent defense if you want to run the table and win championships. The defense lost us all three games last year. As I said earlier if the defense is only just as good (or Bad) as last year than we will be looking at another 3 loss season. I guarantee Wisconsin will be able to run the ball down our throats. We have a lot of trouble containing teams that feature a RB and a FB. I suspect the Boise St game to be a shootout but it will be quite difficult to leave that stadium with a victory. If we can beat them in their own stadium than we should run away with things.
And we have trouble with big road conference games. I have no idea who we will be playing next year but I suspect there will be one tough road game.

I very much want to break out of this 3 game loss rut. I want a MACC and if we could be undefeated too it would be that much more satisfying. Right now I don't think we have the defense to go 13-0. I will have to wait and see how things look with players like Crossley, Perry, spring game etc. before I will cast judgement and make predictions for next season. It's way too early at this point but if we want to get better we have to put the same effort on defense as we do on offense.

As far as recruiting goes I don't think anyone here knows what we really got and how good they really are.

KDOGG,
No offense, but you're starting to sound like an OSU fan here...."tired of losing 3 games a year?" 4 yrs. ago, you'd have killed for that kind of season! Now, am I happy that we lost "that many" games? No..but I've enjoyed BG football more in past 4 yrs. than in practically any era you can name...and I go back to 1957 watching us play.... Do we need to get better? Of course, there's always room for improvement and the D has been our weak link in achieving that MACC goal we all want. But enjoy what we've had and done...I've not had this much entertainment as a fan in a very long time.

All I am saying is I would like to see some improvement. Last year should have been the year to do it. There was no excuse losing to both UT and NIU. We must improve on that. Just because things are better now does not mean we have to settle as is.
I am one of the people who is always positive after losses but I am ready to take the step up. I would like to see us win a MACC. As O&B says 12 years is way too long. And calling me an OSU fan is fightin words

[BelieveNBG]

KDog...I agree. I think we all expect more this year and 8-3 won't cut it.

[hammb]

Their QB, Stocco isn't bad either.

Stocco was terrible most of this year. He looks to have no confidence in his abilities at all, and as you know that makes you play below your ability. If you can get any sort of pressure on him you can make him look real bad, real quick.

[SuperFan_FutureGrad]

First, I would just like to disagree with the statement that our defense cost us three games this year. In the Toledo game in particular, our offense kept giving the ball back to UT! Had we sustained one decent drive in the third quarter, scored just ONCE, we would have knocked all the air out of them. The fans would have started to leave, the players would have started to give up. Our defense made some mistakes, no doubt, but our offense kept giving them the ball at midfield!

Second, I think we are in great shape to have a remarkable season next year. We return two starters and several veterans on the offensive line - not to mention those two starters were both first team, all-conference members and one, Kory, was a Freshman All-American. At receiver, we return Chuck and Steve, and although losing Cole, Hawk, and McGrady will be a setback, it will not be a breakdown of our potent offense. We are also returning all of our running backs, headed of course by P.J., and I am hoping to see a possibility of utilizing a two-back set from the shotgun like Utah used this season with P.J. and B.J. on the field together. Especially with P.J.'s receiving skills that make him such a threat catching the ball as well.
On defense, it will be a loss losing Leininger, and Crossley if that does happen, but we are returning Thaler, Williams, Cooley, and Parks. Linebacker took a shot losing Sayles and Burkes, but we still have Teddy, and the coaches rotated several people into the linebacker spots every game. At defensive back is our biggest concern, as it was this season. However, Jelani and Terrill Mayberry both have this year under their belt, and we will hopefully get Crumpler and Perry back at safety. Our kicking game will take a shot losing Shaun, but who needs to kick the ball when we'll score a TD every time on offense???

Oh yeah, and we're returning some guy that led the country in TD passes, was in the top 5 in several offensive categories, and was the first-team, all-conference selection at QB. I think his name was Omar or something. Jacobs, was it? Look for him to be the darkhorse candidate for the Heisman next year (a la Alex Smith).

As I have said before, Boise State v. BG will be the Mid-Major Bowl, and the winner will be next year's Utah! We will convincingly run the table in the MAC (East or West), and will make a statement against Wisconsin in our opener, and put on a show against Temple (again).

Thanks for listening to my two cents.

[BelieveNBG]

First, I would just like to disagree with the statement that our defense cost us three games this year. In the Toledo game in particular, our offense kept giving the ball back to UT! Had we sustained one decent drive in the third quarter, scored just ONCE, we would have knocked all the air out of them. The fans would have started to leave, the players would have started to give up. Our defense made some mistakes, no doubt, but our offense kept giving them the ball at midfield!

Right on the mark. Also, we should have went for the kill with 2 minutes left in the first half, instead of being satisfied with a big lead. In the 3rd, when we finally crossed the 50, we threw 3 deep balls in a row, instead of just simply getting another first down and grinding the ball slowly until we scored while running the clock.

[1987alum]

First, I would just like to disagree with the statement that our defense cost us three games this year. In the Toledo game in particular, our offense kept giving the ball back to UT! Had we sustained one decent drive in the third quarter, scored just ONCE, we would have knocked all the air out of them. The fans would have started to leave, the players would have started to give up. Our defense made some mistakes, no doubt, but our offense kept giving them the ball at midfield!

Anything remotely resembling a defensive stop would have kept us in the game. That moment perfectly illustrated what was said earlier - you can't expect your offense to do it all. Sure the offense sputtered a bit. But a decent - not great, but decent - defense steps up and makes a stop to help control momentum. Our defense did not. In fact, name the biggest stop our defense made during the 2004 regular season.

Second, I think we are in great shape to have a remarkable season next year. We return two starters and several veterans on the offensive line - not to mention those two starters were both first team, all-conference members and one, Kory, was a Freshman All-American. At receiver, we return Chuck and Steve, and although losing Cole, Hawk, and McGrady will be a setback, it will not be a breakdown of our potent offense. We are also returning all of our running backs, headed of course by P.J., and I am hoping to see a possibility of utilizing a two-back set from the shotgun like Utah used this season with P.J. and B.J. on the field together. Especially with P.J.'s receiving skills that make him such a threat catching the ball as well.

You'll have a tough time finding anyone who isn't pretty certain our offense will, once again, be very special. However, it is hard to imagine it being any better than it was last year.

On defense, it will be a loss losing Leininger, and Crossley if that does happen, but we are returning Thaler, Williams, Cooley, and Parks. Linebacker took a shot losing Sayles and Burkes, but we still have Teddy, and the coaches rotated several people into the linebacker spots every game. At defensive back is our biggest concern, as it was this season. However, Jelani and Terrill Mayberry both have this year under their belt, and we will hopefully get Crumpler and Perry back at safety.

Returning players from a defense that had so many problems isn't exactly reassuring. Top that with the fact that our best defensive back and undoubtedly our biggest playmaker is gone and you have reason for concern. I'm pumped that Winovich should get some playing time. I think he's the real deal.

If our defensive linemen overcome the loss of Crossley, if our linebacker play improves, if Winovich is as good as I think, if our corners improve - drastically, if we can find not one, but TWO good safeties (BTW, Perry could be an academic casualty, too) and if we address the fundamental problems with our defensive scheme, we'll be fine. That, you'll have to admit, is a lot of ifs.

Our kicking game will take a shot losing Shaun, but who needs to kick the ball when we'll score a TD every time on offense???

Compare how many FGs we kicked in 2004 from beyond 40 yards with the other top teams in the MAC. You'll be quite surprised to see we kicked many, many more. Here are the numbers:
BG: 11 attempts, 7 made
UT: 1 attempt, 1 made
NIU: 3 attempts, 1 made
Miami: 0 attempts

Sure, a FG isn't that big of a deal when you're hanging 70 on Temple or posting 49 in two quarters against WMU, but think of how valuable a FG against a Wisconsin or Boise State will be. For that matter, how important was that 47-yarder against Purdue in 2003?

Oh yeah, and we're returning some guy that led the country in TD passes, was in the top 5 in several offensive categories, and was the first-team, all-conference selection at QB. I think his name was Omar or something. Jacobs, was it? Look for him to be the darkhorse candidate for the Heisman next year (a la Alex Smith).

Yes, but how much better can he be than last year? Can we get any further than we did if Omar throws 50 TDs and our defense doesn't improve?

As I have said before, Boise State v. BG will be the Mid-Major Bowl, and the winner will be next year's Utah! We will convincingly run the table in the MAC (East or West), and will make a statement against Wisconsin in our opener, and put on a show against Temple (again). Thanks for listening to my two cents.

I share your enthusiasm, but let's not breakout the champagne just yet.

[Metz]

I share your enthusiasm, but let's not breakout the champagne just yet.

Definitely keep the cork in the neck...if we are going to compete with teams like Wisconsin and Boise, the defense is going to need major work. I have faith we will be great next season, but I am not going to jump the gun and believe anything until I see it on the field.

[SuperFan_FutureGrad]

I appreciate the criticism of my comments, and to most, I agree in part.

However, I am not as adamently concerned about our defense. I am also not as concerned about the hole left in the kicking game. Our defense is losing Keon, yes. Our defense struggled this year, yes. But our defense also had its first shut out in years - a shut out! That's not an easy task no matter who you play - especially considering Brandon had third-stringers playing by the end of the third quarter. And we stopped throwing the ball altogether! We had a shut out. The defense also stepped up at CMU and at Ohio. Not to mention strong play at Oklahoma, who happened to play in the National Championship game. How much did we beat the spread by? And no one could argue that their athletic talent is anything but superior to ours. We hung right with them. Did our defense disappoint at times, sure. NIU, UT, and even EMU showed that our defense needed work. But I agree that Winovich is the real deal (all-state at LB in Pennsylvania, was offered a schollie by Penn State - formerly known as Line Backer U. - but wanted a shot at QB), and I saw some great play from our D-Line this year and from Perry/Crumpler. Let's not forget that the players were are starting to see now, are of a better class than those previous. Prior to 4 years ago, we were recruiting as a mediocre (at best) football team. As of late, we've been recruiting as MAC West Champs, Bowl winners, etc. I think our defense will prove themselves. I also did not see much offense at all out of Wisconsin this year, and again, there is no reason we shouldn't dominate in our conference schedule. Our biggest game will be Boise - the Mid-Major Bowl.

And if any of the games we play next year come down to field goals (including Boise), we don't deserve to win.

[Metz]

SuperFan_FutureGrad, when I mention the defense needing improvement, I mean at the DB position. Actually one person to be specific. I am sick of watching teams get 40+ yard catches on us on a consistent basis because our "top" DB doesn't know how to cover man-to-man. I have no doubt all of the players will improve...but like I said, I'm not believing anything until I see it.