Bg vs Wisc Breakdown From CFN
Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 1:00 pm
Big Ten Game of the Week
Sat Sept. 3
Bowling Green at Wisconsin ESPN 11:00 AM
Why to watch: The Barry Alvarez farewell tour begins with a nasty opening day test against Omar Jacobs and the high powered Bowling Green offense. The Falcons have received a ton of offseason press after finishing second in the nation in total offense (averaging over 506 yards per game) and fourth in scoring (averaging 44.33 points per game) and has enough returning talent to pull off the upset. The Badgers are one of the few Big Ten teams in need of rebuilding, so they need every win they can get to be assured of a post-season spot.
Why Bowling Green might win: Experience. It's not just that Bowling Green returns 13 starters, it's that the team as a whole has gone through some intimidating games and played well highlighted by last year's opening week better-than-it-looks 42-24 loss to Oklahoma. Camp Randall Stadium might be one of the most hostile environments in college football, but it's not going to faze Jacobs and the offense. Wisconsin isn't going to be explosive enough on offense to match Bowling Green punch for punch if this gets into a shootout.
Why Wisconsin might win: Can Bowling Green handle Wisconsin's power running game? The Falcons weren't bad against the run last year allowing 132 yards per game, but they gave up big days to any back with a pulse allowing 120 yards to DeAngelo Williams of Memphis before he got hurt in the GMAC Bowl, 112 yards and two touchdown to Toledo's Scooter McDougle, 202 yards and three touchdowns to NIU's Garrett Wolfe, and 142 yards and two scores to Oklahoma's Kejuan Jones. Yes, that was last year, but Bowling Green doesn't have a huge front four and could have problems holding up against a good, big Badger offensive line.
Who to watch: Much of Wisconsin's offseason focus has been on replacing the all-star defensive line, but the secondary could be the bigger problem. Safeties Johnny White and Roderick Rogers hit like linebackers, but they also cone like linebackers. Considering the passing attack they're about to face, they have to play like veterans right away.
What will happen: It'll be an upset unless the Badger front four can get consistent pressure on Jacobs. If Jacobs is comfortable and has time to work, he'll pick apart the young Wisconsin defense like it's not even there. The Badgers don't have the offense to keep up the pace.
CFN Prediction: Bowling Green 27 ... Wisconsin 24 ... Line: Wisconsin -4
Must See Rating: (5 lock yourself in a room to watch - 1 The Comeback) ... 4
Sat Sept. 3
Bowling Green at Wisconsin ESPN 11:00 AM
Why to watch: The Barry Alvarez farewell tour begins with a nasty opening day test against Omar Jacobs and the high powered Bowling Green offense. The Falcons have received a ton of offseason press after finishing second in the nation in total offense (averaging over 506 yards per game) and fourth in scoring (averaging 44.33 points per game) and has enough returning talent to pull off the upset. The Badgers are one of the few Big Ten teams in need of rebuilding, so they need every win they can get to be assured of a post-season spot.
Why Bowling Green might win: Experience. It's not just that Bowling Green returns 13 starters, it's that the team as a whole has gone through some intimidating games and played well highlighted by last year's opening week better-than-it-looks 42-24 loss to Oklahoma. Camp Randall Stadium might be one of the most hostile environments in college football, but it's not going to faze Jacobs and the offense. Wisconsin isn't going to be explosive enough on offense to match Bowling Green punch for punch if this gets into a shootout.
Why Wisconsin might win: Can Bowling Green handle Wisconsin's power running game? The Falcons weren't bad against the run last year allowing 132 yards per game, but they gave up big days to any back with a pulse allowing 120 yards to DeAngelo Williams of Memphis before he got hurt in the GMAC Bowl, 112 yards and two touchdown to Toledo's Scooter McDougle, 202 yards and three touchdowns to NIU's Garrett Wolfe, and 142 yards and two scores to Oklahoma's Kejuan Jones. Yes, that was last year, but Bowling Green doesn't have a huge front four and could have problems holding up against a good, big Badger offensive line.
Who to watch: Much of Wisconsin's offseason focus has been on replacing the all-star defensive line, but the secondary could be the bigger problem. Safeties Johnny White and Roderick Rogers hit like linebackers, but they also cone like linebackers. Considering the passing attack they're about to face, they have to play like veterans right away.
What will happen: It'll be an upset unless the Badger front four can get consistent pressure on Jacobs. If Jacobs is comfortable and has time to work, he'll pick apart the young Wisconsin defense like it's not even there. The Badgers don't have the offense to keep up the pace.
CFN Prediction: Bowling Green 27 ... Wisconsin 24 ... Line: Wisconsin -4
Must See Rating: (5 lock yourself in a room to watch - 1 The Comeback) ... 4
