Chicago Tribune Preview
Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 11:40 am
The Chicago Tribune has good previews for most games via The Sports Network. They pick UW by 3.
The Sports Network
DATE & TIME: Saturday, September 3rd, 12:00 p.m. (et).
FACTS & STATS: Site: Camp Randall Stadium (76,634) -- Madison, Wisconsin. Television: ESPN. Home Record: BGSU 0-0, Wisconsin 0-0. Away Record: BGSU 0-0, Wisconsin 0-0. Neutral Record: BGSU 0-0, Wisconsin 0-0. Conference Record: BGSU 0-0, Wisconsin 0-0. Series Record: Wisconsin leads, 1-0.
GAME NOTES: A couple of teams expected to be competitive in their respective conferences collide at Camp Randall Stadium this Saturday, as the Bowling Green Falcons soar into Madison to take on the Wisconsin Badgers. The Falcons, who reside in the Mid-American Conference, have been one of the most productive teams over the last few seasons, although they are often overlooked playing in a smaller league. The squad has ben ranked in both the Associated Press and the USA Today/Coaches polls in each of the past three seasons. BGSU has also won eight games or more in four consecutive seasons and is 37-12 overall since 2001. Big things are expected from the Falcons this year, as they return 13 starters from the 2004 club which finished 9-3 and won the GMAC Bowl. BGSU is 3-1 in its in last four openers and an identical 3-1 versus the Big Ten in the past four years. As for Wisconsin, it posted its third straight winning campaign in 2004, finishing 9-3. The team also made a postseason appearances for the eighth time in nine years, losing out to Georgia (24-21) in the Outback Bowl. With 10 starters back from last year's bunch, the Badgers should certainly compete for another winning campaign in 2005. The team should also be confident about getting off to a good start, as Wisconsin is 11-0 versus teams from the MAC under head coach Barry Alvarez. Alvarez's Badgers have met the Falcons on just one other occasion in 1992, with Wisconsin prevailing by a score of 39-18.
The Falcons have made a name for themselves over the past few seasons thanks to a high powered offense which should be even more fun to watch this year with the return of signal caller Omar Jacobs. The MAC Player of the Year led the nation with 41 touchdowns passes last year, helping BGSU rank second in the country in total offense. He will be aided by the return of his favorite target Charles Sharon, who led the team in receiving yards (1,070) and touchdowns (15) last season. In the backfield the Falcons are led by P.J. Pope, who earned Al-MAC honors after rushing for 1,098 yards and recording 21 touchdowns a year ago. With two returning starters up front and plenty of depth the Falcons' ground attack will surely be among the best in the MAC for the second straight year.
With the offense garnering most of the attention, BGSU's solid defense often gets overlooked. The Falcons welcome back six starters from last year's group, which ranked third in scoring defense in the MAC. Defensive end Devon Parks anchors the line and has started every game during his three year career. He led the team with four sacks in 2004. In the middle of the field the defense is led by linebacker Teddy Piepkow. The senior recorded 81 stops a year ago and was a force in the middle for the fifth ranked run defense in the MAC. Cornerback Jelani Jordan will be the leader in the secondary, after pacing the MAC in pass breakups last season with 15. The secondary is where the Falcons need the most improvement, as they ranked 104th in the nation in pass defense last season.
The Badgers have relied on a strong ground attack over the last decade or so, but with the return of signal caller John Stocco the team, may rely on an air attack a little more. Stocco is coming off a season in which he threw for 1,999 yards, while completing 52.6 percent of his passes. However, he thew just nine touchdowns against seven interceptions, an area that clearly needs to be improved upon. Senior wideouts Brandon Williams (42 catches) and Jonathan Orr (three TDs) will be Stocco's primary targets downfield, while senior TE Owen Daniels (25 grabs) should be able to find openings in the middle of the field. As for the ground game, Colorado transfer Brian Calhoun is slated to get a bulk of the carries with fullback Matt Bernstein opening holes for him. Calhoun, who started his career at Colorado, is a solid all- around player and having one of the nation's top fullbacks in front of him shouldn't hurt either. The offensive line should once again be one of the top units in the Big Ten this season with a pair of all-league players in Donovan Raiola and Joe Thomas back. The two are big and physical, which has been a trademark of the Badgers' offense last the last few years.
With only four starters back on the defensive side of the ball, Alvarez certainly has cause for concern. Jamal Cooper and Joe Monty have the most experience on the defensive line, but that isn't saying much considering they combined for just 36 stops a year ago. Helping take some of the pressure off the guys down front is the return of all three starting linebackers. Dontez Sanders highlights the trio after leading the Badgers in tackles in 2004 with 76. Both Andy Crooks (38 stops) and Mark Zalewski (55 tackles) should provide a nice complement to Sanders in the middle of the field. As for the secondary, Brett Ball is certainly the most decorated player of the bunch and is coming off a season in which he recorded 64 stops and three interceptions. He will be counted on to lead an inexperienced and young secondary that is sure to endure some growing pains early on.
This should be one of the more interesting games early in the season, as BGSU's high powered offense goes against a stingy and bigger Wisconsin defense. The Falcons clearly have the better players at the skilled positions, but the Badgers' size and homefield advantage should be a factor. It will be a close one from start to finish, but the Badgers' relentless ground game should pay dividends late in the contest, leading to a victory in Barry Alvarez's last season on the sideline.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Wisconsin 31, Bowling Green 28
08/31 11:33:53 ET
The Sports Network
DATE & TIME: Saturday, September 3rd, 12:00 p.m. (et).
FACTS & STATS: Site: Camp Randall Stadium (76,634) -- Madison, Wisconsin. Television: ESPN. Home Record: BGSU 0-0, Wisconsin 0-0. Away Record: BGSU 0-0, Wisconsin 0-0. Neutral Record: BGSU 0-0, Wisconsin 0-0. Conference Record: BGSU 0-0, Wisconsin 0-0. Series Record: Wisconsin leads, 1-0.
GAME NOTES: A couple of teams expected to be competitive in their respective conferences collide at Camp Randall Stadium this Saturday, as the Bowling Green Falcons soar into Madison to take on the Wisconsin Badgers. The Falcons, who reside in the Mid-American Conference, have been one of the most productive teams over the last few seasons, although they are often overlooked playing in a smaller league. The squad has ben ranked in both the Associated Press and the USA Today/Coaches polls in each of the past three seasons. BGSU has also won eight games or more in four consecutive seasons and is 37-12 overall since 2001. Big things are expected from the Falcons this year, as they return 13 starters from the 2004 club which finished 9-3 and won the GMAC Bowl. BGSU is 3-1 in its in last four openers and an identical 3-1 versus the Big Ten in the past four years. As for Wisconsin, it posted its third straight winning campaign in 2004, finishing 9-3. The team also made a postseason appearances for the eighth time in nine years, losing out to Georgia (24-21) in the Outback Bowl. With 10 starters back from last year's bunch, the Badgers should certainly compete for another winning campaign in 2005. The team should also be confident about getting off to a good start, as Wisconsin is 11-0 versus teams from the MAC under head coach Barry Alvarez. Alvarez's Badgers have met the Falcons on just one other occasion in 1992, with Wisconsin prevailing by a score of 39-18.
The Falcons have made a name for themselves over the past few seasons thanks to a high powered offense which should be even more fun to watch this year with the return of signal caller Omar Jacobs. The MAC Player of the Year led the nation with 41 touchdowns passes last year, helping BGSU rank second in the country in total offense. He will be aided by the return of his favorite target Charles Sharon, who led the team in receiving yards (1,070) and touchdowns (15) last season. In the backfield the Falcons are led by P.J. Pope, who earned Al-MAC honors after rushing for 1,098 yards and recording 21 touchdowns a year ago. With two returning starters up front and plenty of depth the Falcons' ground attack will surely be among the best in the MAC for the second straight year.
With the offense garnering most of the attention, BGSU's solid defense often gets overlooked. The Falcons welcome back six starters from last year's group, which ranked third in scoring defense in the MAC. Defensive end Devon Parks anchors the line and has started every game during his three year career. He led the team with four sacks in 2004. In the middle of the field the defense is led by linebacker Teddy Piepkow. The senior recorded 81 stops a year ago and was a force in the middle for the fifth ranked run defense in the MAC. Cornerback Jelani Jordan will be the leader in the secondary, after pacing the MAC in pass breakups last season with 15. The secondary is where the Falcons need the most improvement, as they ranked 104th in the nation in pass defense last season.
The Badgers have relied on a strong ground attack over the last decade or so, but with the return of signal caller John Stocco the team, may rely on an air attack a little more. Stocco is coming off a season in which he threw for 1,999 yards, while completing 52.6 percent of his passes. However, he thew just nine touchdowns against seven interceptions, an area that clearly needs to be improved upon. Senior wideouts Brandon Williams (42 catches) and Jonathan Orr (three TDs) will be Stocco's primary targets downfield, while senior TE Owen Daniels (25 grabs) should be able to find openings in the middle of the field. As for the ground game, Colorado transfer Brian Calhoun is slated to get a bulk of the carries with fullback Matt Bernstein opening holes for him. Calhoun, who started his career at Colorado, is a solid all- around player and having one of the nation's top fullbacks in front of him shouldn't hurt either. The offensive line should once again be one of the top units in the Big Ten this season with a pair of all-league players in Donovan Raiola and Joe Thomas back. The two are big and physical, which has been a trademark of the Badgers' offense last the last few years.
With only four starters back on the defensive side of the ball, Alvarez certainly has cause for concern. Jamal Cooper and Joe Monty have the most experience on the defensive line, but that isn't saying much considering they combined for just 36 stops a year ago. Helping take some of the pressure off the guys down front is the return of all three starting linebackers. Dontez Sanders highlights the trio after leading the Badgers in tackles in 2004 with 76. Both Andy Crooks (38 stops) and Mark Zalewski (55 tackles) should provide a nice complement to Sanders in the middle of the field. As for the secondary, Brett Ball is certainly the most decorated player of the bunch and is coming off a season in which he recorded 64 stops and three interceptions. He will be counted on to lead an inexperienced and young secondary that is sure to endure some growing pains early on.
This should be one of the more interesting games early in the season, as BGSU's high powered offense goes against a stingy and bigger Wisconsin defense. The Falcons clearly have the better players at the skilled positions, but the Badgers' size and homefield advantage should be a factor. It will be a close one from start to finish, but the Badgers' relentless ground game should pay dividends late in the contest, leading to a victory in Barry Alvarez's last season on the sideline.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Wisconsin 31, Bowling Green 28
08/31 11:33:53 ET
