BG picked 4th in the MAC by Lindy's, Athlon and Phil Steele

[BGSU33]

All the preseason magazines are out and BG was picked 4th in the MAC by all of them. Well, technically Phil Steele picked BG tied for 3rd with NIU, but he has NIU listed above BG, which essentially means he's placing NIU ahead of BG despite picking them to finished tied in the standings. All the magazines have the MAC's Top-4 as:

1. Miami
2. Toledo
3. NIU
4. BG

I expect the MAC Preseason poll will look very close to the same, if not identical. They are all picking Miami to face Toledo in the MAC Championship with Miami picked as the favorite to repeat as MAC Champions. They are all listing BG as a team to contend for the MAC Title, but the Falcons' biggest hurdle being the unfriendly pod that the MAC placed BG in. The BG/UT/NIU is the toughest pod in the MAC and it's not even close. This was the reason I hated seeing BG grouped in there when the new pod system was announced. Phil Steele made that exact same comment. On top of having to play both UT & NIU in the toughest pod, the MAC also gave BG a game vs Miami, who was picked #1 by all the publications. BG caught no breaks with the conference schedule. That said, I do think this is Loeffler's best team yet, but it's going to have to come out and prove it against a very unfriendly schedule (thanks MAC schedule makers). The bottom line is, BG is going to have to beat at least 2 of the 3 out of the UT, NIU and Miami trio and also take care of business in the other games while avoiding a pitfall to get back to the MACC in Detroit. If they do, they have a shot. But if they stumble, this season could turn from very promising to very disappointing. It's all laid out in front of them to win the first title in nearly a decade. But there's no room for error since removing the divisions truly now makes it everyone for themselves, even when it comes to tiebreaker situations. We shall see what happens...

[mbenecke]

I’d be thrilled if we’re competitive in every MAC game and competing for a title. With a roster like this, we should be.

Totally right about our difficult pod and scheduling luck, having all 3 of the others on the schedule. But at least 2 of them have to come to the Doyt!

Feeling a lot of excitement for this season. Has a chance to be special. Let’s get it.

[jpfalcon09]

All the preseason magazines are out and BG was picked 4th in the MAC by all of them. Well, technically Phil Steele picked BG tied for 3rd with NIU, but he has NIU listed above BG, which essentially means he's placing NIU ahead of BG despite picking them to finished tied in the standings. All the magazines have the MAC's Top-4 as:

1. Miami
2. Toledo
3. NIU
4. BG

I expect the MAC Preseason poll will look very close to the same, if not identical. They are all picking Miami to face Toledo in the MAC Championship with Miami picked as the favorite to repeat as MAC Champions. They are all listing BG as a team to contend for the MAC Title, but the Falcons' biggest hurdle being the unfriendly pod that the MAC placed BG in. The BG/UT/NIU is the toughest pod in the MAC and it's not even close. This was the reason I hated seeing BG grouped in there when the new pod system was announced. Phil Steele made that exact same comment. On top of having to play both UT & NIU in the toughest pod, the MAC also gave BG a game vs Miami, who was picked #1 by all the publications. BG caught no breaks with the conference schedule. That said, I do think this is Loeffler's best team yet, but it's going to have to come out and prove it against a very unfriendly schedule (thanks MAC schedule makers). The bottom line is, BG is going to have to beat at least 2 of the 3 out of the UT, NIU and Miami trio and also take care of business in the other games while avoiding a pitfall to get back to the MACC in Detroit. If they do, they have a shot. But if they stumble, this season could turn from very promising to very disappointing. It's all laid out in front of them to win the first title in nearly a decade. But there's no room for error since removing the divisions truly now makes it everyone for themselves, even when it comes to tiebreaker situations. We shall see what happens...

Great thing they have to play the games.

[Flipper]

I'm having a difficult time getting stoked about football this year...between the portal shuffling rosters, the asinine mid week games and my general lack of enthusiasm for Loeffler as a coach...

Im just not feeling it. When's basketball going go start ( men and women)

[BGSU33]

I'm having a difficult time getting stoked about football this year...between the portal shuffling rosters, the asinine mid week games and my general lack of enthusiasm for Loeffler as a coach...

Im just not feeling it. When's basketball going go start ( men and women)

I share some of the same thoughts about college football in general now (Well, most of college sports I guess I should say). Between the transfer portal, NIL, conference realignments and the obsessive greed that permeates throughout the sport that is driven by money, money and more money, it's essentially killed the sport that I fell in love with. The transfer portal is beyond comical to me. Some of these guys get 7-8 years of eligibility (with the Covid year, redshirt year, medical redshirt, application year, etc) and play for 4-5 different schools. It's a joke. Then you have the NIL which literally allows schools to go out and buy players from other schools through these collectives. That part is pathetic. I was all on board for NIL the way it was first announced - that is - students could profit from their name, image and likeness. For example, signing autographs, doing commercials, getting a percentage of sales, etc. But where in the world did the collective component come from where wealthy alums, fans and sources could pump money into these collectives to then allow schools to go out and literally offer and shop for other athletes from other schools??? But, somehow BG has navigating through it all (for the time being), and finally, actually seems to have finally put together a team that should actually be decent for the first time in a decade. But I'm saying that on paper. I am excited about the potential this year, but I do have some doubt about seeing them win the title with what they're up against. If they stay healthy, the certainly could do it (and I'm hoping like hell that they can). I just have a feeling they're going to come up short. I hope I'm wrong.

[It's the Journey...]

This should be the make or break year. I don't care who or where we play, there can be no excuses. He has been here long enough to get his players and system in place. Everyone has to deal with the portal in some way or another. The schedule is what it is. If this team does not perform this year then a new direction is needed.