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If this program has any hopes of getting back to the MAC Championship, it starts right now with the Ohio game. It’s not the Toledo game, or the Michigan or Georgia Tech games, it’s the Ohio game. If BG wants to win the East and get back to the MACC, they must beat Ohio. Dave Clawson talked about it at length when he was here and we’ve seen it play out since. To win the East, you must beat Ohio. Period.

Since BG’s run of the East from 2013-15, it’s either been Ohio going to the MACC from the East, or a team that beat Ohio that got there. This series has been all Ohio since 2015 as Ohio has beaten BG in 6 of the last 7. Ohio is once again picked to win the East and their defense has been ridiculous good this year. And it’s only a matter of time for their offense to start exploding and that’s going to come in MAC play. What’s more, Rourke - the reigning MAC Player of the Year - said today after Ohio’s win over Iowa State that he finally feels 100%.

If BG drops this next game to Ohio, a shot at Detroit will be all but out of reach, as a loss to Ohio is essentially like losing twice to them. A loss means you lose both the head-to-head and a tie-breaker to them. And let’s face it, no way UB, UA or KSU is going to beat Ohio and they host Miami and they don’t lose at home (as Iowa State found out today). So this is it fellas, it’s beat Ohio or bust. Let’s hope like hell Bazelak is able to play next week, because we stand zero shot with a 3rd string walk-on as Orth is likely out next week.

For sure….time to put up or shut up. Loeffler has excuses coming out of every orifice at all times.
This rebuild has taken too long with no results…better show up to play Saturday. Ohio is going to be ready.

Looking at the MAC East....

OU...favorite..as good as advertised

Miami...better than advertised...2nd best team

US...OL has been better..defense surprisingly stout given the losses we had year over year. QB play a mixed bag, clouded picture due to injury. I think we're likely closer to the two below us than above us especially considering the injures we suffered at UM

Akron...Maybe a bit better than last year

Kent State...has some offensive firepower. Watched some of their game on ESPN+...tough to pick between them and Akron.

Buffalo...looks like a mess...most disappointing team in the MAC?

Out of those 5...I see us having a decent chance to win three. Against the west...We might be able to take Ball State. I think Toledo and WMU will beat us. If Orth and Bazelak can play...I see us at 5-7. If they can't...who knows?

Bobkitties open as ten-point favorites.

jpfalcon09 wrote: ↑Sun Sep 17, 2023 3:23 pm Bobkitties open as ten-point favorites.

Already up to 12.5. Our QB issues could be playing into this.

I saw it at +8.5 this morning.

Flipper wrote: ↑Sun Sep 17, 2023 11:25 am Looking at the MAC East....

OU...favorite..as good as advertised

Miami...better than advertised...2nd best team

US...OL has been better..defense surprisingly stout given the losses we had year over year. QB play a mixed bag, clouded picture due to injury. I think we're likely closer to the two below us than above us especially considering the injures we suffered at UM

Akron...Maybe a bit better than last year

Kent State...has some offensive firepower. Watched some of their game on ESPN+...tough to pick between them and Akron.

Buffalo...looks like a mess...most disappointing team in the MAC?

Out of those 5...I see us having a decent chance to win three. Against the west...We might be able to take Ball State. I think Toledo and WMU will beat us. If Orth and Bazelak can play...I see us at 5-7. If they can't...who knows?

I agree with your take on the East, well said.

mbenecke wrote: ↑Mon Sep 18, 2023 11:30 am I saw it at +8.5 this morning.

I did too, it skyrocket in the last few hours.

Hopefully SL can shed some light in his presser today if Bazelak or Orth have any chance at playing. If either one is expected to play, I plan to make the trip back to BG for the game. If not, no way am I spending that kind of time and money to travel to watch the carnage unfold.

Listening to the presser right now, and it doesn't sound good about either Bazelak or Orth. He wouldn't touch on the injuries but said the entire team didn't practice today because of how many key players (including those two) are hurt and they aren't sure how many of them - if any - will be able to go this week. He did confirm Bazelak was injured at the end of the EIU game and that Orth in the Michigan game (obviously).

Notes from Loeffler's press conference:

No updates on injuries. Practice today was cancelled due to guys being banged up/extra day of rest due to the late game on Saturday. Really unknown who plays. Bazelak was hurt in the 4th quarter of the EIU game. Doctors ruled him out so his injury may be a bit more significant than we think.

He really didn't disclose much. He has no idea who is playing this week. Might be some coach speak. But it sounds like it's going to be a patchwork type week, and he's obviously concerned given how physical Ohio is on defense, but it's next man up mentality.

That's really about it - my guess is Timo starts on Saturday. No other news on Orth or Hardamon.

jpfalcon09 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 18, 2023 12:57 pm Notes from Loeffler's press conference:

No updates on injuries. Practice today was cancelled due to guys being banged up/extra day of rest due to the late game on Saturday. Really unknown who plays. Bazelak was hurt in the 4th quarter of the EIU game. Doctors ruled him out so his injury may be a bit more significant than we think.

He really didn't disclose much. He has no idea who is playing this week. Might be some coach speak. But it sounds like it's going to be a patchwork type week, and he's obviously concerned given how physical Ohio is on defense, but it's next man up mentality.

That's really about it - my guess is Timo starts on Saturday. No other news on Orth or Hardamon.

Sadly, that's about what I came away from the presser with too. If Bazelak or Orth are both out, we don't stand a chance in this game. Ohio is too good. We'd have to not only be at full strength, but would beed to play our best and hope they didn't just to have a shot in this one. If we are forced to play Timosciek, we're toast. It would really be a shame if that's the case because this is a huge opportunity to start off MAC play.

BGSU33 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 18, 2023 11:31 am

Flipper wrote: ↑Sun Sep 17, 2023 11:25 am Looking at the MAC East....

OU...favorite..as good as advertised

Miami...better than advertised...2nd best team

US...OL has been better..defense surprisingly stout given the losses we had year over year. QB play a mixed bag, clouded picture due to injury. I think we're likely closer to the two below us than above us especially considering the injures we suffered at UM

Akron...Maybe a bit better than last year

Kent State...has some offensive firepower. Watched some of their game on ESPN+...tough to pick between them and Akron.

Buffalo...looks like a mess...most disappointing team in the MAC?

Out of those 5...I see us having a decent chance to win three. Against the west...We might be able to take Ball State. I think Toledo and WMU will beat us. If Orth and Bazelak can play...I see us at 5-7. If they can't...who knows?

I agree with your take on the East, well said.

You're just saying that because I said OU is the best....

For all your talking up of OU over many years on here their mac championship total remains the same. Zero. Solid program, not ever great. You’d think they have 5 Mac championships in 10 years the way you speak of them.