Buckeye Planet's BGSU Preview

[Zom]

Buckeye Planet has published their preview for Saturday...

http://www.buckeyeplanet.com

[Tricky_Falcon]

Behind the Numbers


Not Pretty
This week proves, even better than the early weeks, that traditional statistics taken out of context can be worse than worthless. In fact, the evidence that this game provides is not just an indictment of statistics; it is nearly a conviction. Your honor, I offer People's Exhibit A:
..........................OHIO STATE..rk........Bowling Green.........rk
Total Offense........386.60 ypg...34.........362.40 ypg...........52
Total Defense........293.00 ypg...37.........299.00 ypg...........41
Seriously. According to those who like to take numbers out of context, Bowling Green is nearly as close a match to Ohio State as was Iowa. Similar are we? Hardly. Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, I offer Defense Exhibit A:
..........................OHIO STATE..rk........Bowling Green.........rk
Scoring Offense......32.40 ppg....23...........23.80 ypg..........63
Scoring Defense.......9.80 ppg......5...........30.00 ppg.........101
OK, that's better. Where the rubber meets the road, scoring, OSU is clearly superior in traditional statistics. And yet, even this is misleading.
How many people honestly believe that OSU has the 23rd (or 34th) best offense in the country? Give me a break. Just as OSU is much better than their statistics indicate; the Falcons are even worse than a glance at their statistics will tell you.


Schedules
As with every week before, let's start to unravel this thread by looking at who each team played while compiling these numbers.
OSU's Opponents.............Bowling Green's Opponents
NIU..................................Wisconsin
Texas...............................Buffalo
Cincinnati..........................Florida International
Penn State........................Kent State
Iowa................................Ohio

That's right. Yet another team plays a craptacular schedule and then deigns to play the #1 team in the land. Try to wrap your mind around this statistic: Bowling Green gave up 30 points a game to that schedule.

At this point it is customary to show the average statistics of the opponents; but this week that would be just cruel. Further elaboration is not needed.


So How Good is OSU?
This week, we are going to take a break from Differential Statistical Analysis (DSA). We'll tell you why in a moment, but for those who are curious; here are the predictions provided by DSA for this game:
OSU....370+ yards and 53-62 points
BG......263+ yards and 8-11 points
The first reason why DSA was discarded for this game should be obvious by now: For a match-up this lopsided, the numbers become invalid. Is there any chance that BG could hold OSU to 370 yards of offense? OSU could gain that in the first half if they were so inclined.

Dispensing with any analysis of yards as pointless; Let's look at OSU's differential offense and defense (scoring) in every game to date to really illustrate the point:

OPP.........Differential Offense..............Differential Defense
NIU...................138%........................ ..........38%
UT....................257%........................ ..........14%
Cinci.................154%........................ ...........40%
PSU..................131%......................... ..........21%
Iowa.................308%......................... ..........72%

Note that at 308%, the Iowa game implies that OSU could score more than 90 points (30 * 3.08) on Bowling Green. Ummm, OK that's a bad example. They could.

But they wouldn't, and that's the point. After Tressel & Co. have played more games like this the statistics will account for the 3rd string offense playing at least a quarter. At that point, DSA will provide a good prediction. Until then... not so much.

The most important point that can be taken from those numbers is that the Differential Offense is highest for the highest quality opponents. OSU places every bit as much pressure on the opponent as it needs to place on them. OSU is every bit as good as they need to be. In other words, OSU could have won by higher margins than they did in 4 of their 5 games.

OSU was 17 points better than their best opponent against what most teams would call a brutal schedule. And these numbers suggest that Tresselball is alive and well.

How good is OSU? Scary good.


So How Bad is Bowling Green?

Yes OSU is scary good. Especially if there is a color or a direction in your school name. Let's take a look at BG's Differential Scoring Offense & Defense and see what it tells us.

OPP............Differential Offense........Differential Defense
Wisconsin..............95%........................ ....132%
Buffalo.................200%...................... .....414%
FIU......................181%..................... ......267%
Kent St..................13%........................... 227%
Ohio......................81%..................... ........56%

Note that Bowling Green's best Differential Offense (DO) numbers came against their worst competition, while OSU's came against their best. This is not a team that can be accused of playing Tresselball.

There are several other points that we can elaborate on here, three look good but aren't. One looks very bad, and is worse.


56% DD vs. Ohio
Best performance on Defense right?
Wrong. Ohio's average offense was inflated by playing NIU while the Huskies were suffering from their Buckeye hangover. It was NIU's worst performance of the year by far, and it exaggerates all of the Bobcat's opponents' DD numbers.
181% DO vs. FIU
It's Florida International for crying out loud
Sunbelt
Provisional IA team last year, 1st year as fully qualified
200% DO vs. Buffalo
Triple overtime game, and
They needed to score a lot against Buffalo because...
414% DD vs. Buffalo
Even in 3OT, this is inexcusable.

That last number is perhaps the 2nd most important number to remember with respect to this game.

Temple gave up 9 points to Buffalo.

Bowling Green gave up 40.

Does it really matter that it was triple over-time?

How bad is BG? That bad.

How bad will OSU beat them? By whatever number they want.


The Most Important Number

Yes, the defensive debacle against Buffalo (of all teams) produced the 2nd most important number for this game.

The most important number was produced by Bowling Green's offensive line.

The Falcon's surrendered 5 sacks ... to Kent State.

Gentlemen (Quinn, Vernon, David, Jay, et. al.), start your engines.



The Lighter Side
Perfect. This is exactly where we all hoped we'd be. Not only has Ohio State won all of its games, they've actually looked really good doing so. The "worst win" (point wise) was the 17 point victory over then #2 Texas. It is indeed a great day to be a Buckeye. Football players should never get ahead of themselves and focus on anything but their next opponent. But, fans can "look ahead." From where I'm sitting, it's all downhill to Michigan. From here to November 18, the question should not be, "will Ohio State win?" It should be, "Will Ohio State cover the spread?" Something they've also managed to do all year. Well, covering the spread this week is a tall order. Bowling Green comes in as almost 34 point dogs.

What's in a name

Bowling Green represents yet another Ohio school who's fans have an unnatural and clinically troubling hatred of Ohio State. It's the kind of burning hate that we typically leave reserved for our chief rival. But even then, we tend to at least respect our chief rival. These fans can't utter the word "respect." Not where OSU is concerned. Correction. They can utter the word, but only in this or similar context, "You Ohio State fans are so arrogant. You need to respect us!" It's sad. But, after some research in to the history of Bowling Green, it makes sense.

You may not be aware, but the sport of bowling has been around a very long time. Bowling historians will say the ancient Egyptians were playing a bowling type game as early as 3200 BC. In the world before today's sports - football, baseball, basketball, etc., everyone was bowling. Bowling was a different game then, played outdoors on grass. In the early 1800's in northwest Ohio, the game enjoyed an unbelievable popularity. Owing in large part to the comforts that the newly acquired statehood had granted them, (1803), when early settlers in what we now know as Bowling Green weren't trading fur, farming, or cutting down trees, they were bowling. Enter postman Joseph Gordon.

Joseph Gordon's legacy

Now, Bowling Green has claimed many a famous person. Tim Conway, Thump's all-time figure skating hero, Mr. Scott Hamilton, 80's sex symbol, rock n roller Rick Ocasek, and even present day porn star Brandy Talore are just a few who have all called Bowling Green home. But none was more famous or influential than Joseph Gordon. Gordon was well traveled, as postmen from those days typically were. Unlike most postmen, however, Gordon was also a bowler. He carried two satchels. In one he'd carry the mail, and in the other were his bowling implements. Originally from Kentucky, Gordon, a postal journeyman, finally planted roots in northwestern Ohio, allowing him the time to concentrate on his bowling. Soon he had realized both of his life long dreams, delivering the mail, and being the best bowler around. And boy could he bowl. Simply put Gordon dominated - at least against everyone in this little town and the occasional passerby. His bowling exploits quite naturally became the talk of the town. Everyone loved him. There are those who say Gordon was the first true sports hero. He had his image painted on storefronts, people watched his every move, if he bought a certain kind of candy, every kid wanted that same candy - the less athletically gifted kids studied their civil service exam handbooks, daring to be even half the postman Gordon was. Gordon always had the time to sign autographs and loved living the good life.

One of the benefits that Gordon had over the local bowlers was that as a postman he had the unique ability to stay in touch with the rest of the world. He, of course, was always up to speed with developments in the world of bowling. One day he learned of a particular bowler from the "big city" (records do not indicate which "big city" it was). "Ten Pin Slim" was his name. Ten Pin was a heavy set fellow, known for his ability to drink copious amounts of beer while playing. He was rarely seen without a cigar. Being from the big city, he was a flashy man, wearing odd three colored shoes. When he bowled, Ten Pin would wear a bright red shirt with his name emblazoned on it in diamond studs. What Gordon was in his little northwestern Ohio town, Ten Pin was everywhere else. You may not know, but today's bowling "look" is a quiet honoring of Ten Pin Slim.

So, anyway, Gordon decided to challenge Ten Pin. Ten Pin, sure of himself, accepted the challenge of this relatively unknown. It wasn't close. Gordon had no idea what to expect. He was clearly in awe of Ten Pin's flashy style and obvious skill. Gordon lost big. But, Gordon was a proud man. Again and again he'd challenge Ten Pin, and time and time again he'd lose. Gordon became increasingly emotional regarding Ten Pin, becoming so envious of Ten Pin's dominance he began dressing strangely, started drinking heavily to gain a "better gut," and even began smoking cigars, which he had previously loathed - all the while believing these things would make him a better bowler, he even eventually gave up delivering the mail altogether. Worse, he became an excuse maker. There was no limit to the excuses he'd make up as to why he couldn't win. His most well know was when, without any notable rationale, he claimed his proximity to Toledo was responsible for his shortcomings (an excuse BG students use even today to explain why BG has no shot at competing for a national title in football.) He once wrote in his journal, "I don't get it. I have been the class of my town, winning all the time. But with this guy, I don't seem to be able to compete. I must have his ability. I must. It MUST BE MINE! It is all the drives me. Either I get that good, or I wish him harsh and embarrassing failure. And he deserves it, dear diary, that jerk doesn't respect me one little bit." His fixation consumed him, driving him to the brink of insanity.

Gordon died in 1834. The local townsmen still regarded him as a hero, even in spite of Gordon's repeated failure against Ten Pin. There was talk of naming the town after him, but no one was particularly thrilled with the idea of naming the town Joseph, or Gordon - though "Gordon" was the more likely candidate. But then fate would intervene. Ten Pin heard of Gordon's death and decided to go to the funeral of his fraternal bowling brother. Upon his arrival he was asked to speak, as the majority of the townsfolk were too heartbroken to even muster complete sentences. Ten Pin, ever the crowd pleaser, obliged. And in now famous words (at least up there in northwest Ohio) Ten Pin honored Gordon, "You know, Joe was the biggest challenger I ever faced in my bowling career. I know you all know Joe better than I did, but one thing I could tell, even from the first time we met, was that he was envious of me, my flashy style, and later my place in the bowling pantheon altogether. But let me tell you this, if Joe had not been bowling green with envy all the time, he'd have beat me better than half the time. We'll all miss you Joe. If you can bowl up there in heaven, roll a frame for me." And so it stuck, what could have been "Gordon, Ohio" became "Bowling Green, Ohio." Unfortunately, what had been meant to serve as a reminder of what ultimately ailed their first prodigal son, it seems the lessons are now long lost.

Bowling Green Today

Even today, you can feel Gordon's far reaching influence on the mindset of the town that carries his name. Football has replaced bowling in popularity. But, much like Joseph Gordon, BG can't beat those kids from the "big city." This causes the same sort of envy and resentment that Gordon felt. So, they compensate in the same way Gordon did. They beg for respect, they make wild claims about BCS conspiracies designed to keep them down, they root for Ohio State's embarrassment. And, like Gordon, they'll never get over the top. The fixation itself prevents them. They can, like Gordon, dominate lesser competition - BG is something of a MAC traditional powerhouse - but they can't beat Ohio State. Truth is, I like Bowling Green. They have plenty to be proud of, but they can't move past the ever present, ghostly mindset of one Joseph Gordon the bowling postman who could never beat Ten Pin Slim.



BGSU Traditions
Since starting these previews I have learned one thing, our Ohio based opponents have an unhealthy hatred towards us. Bowling Green is no exception. While met with much resistance when first trying to obtain "traditions" we were able to stick it out, dodge their low-blows, shake and shimmy around their feverish disdain and in the end we were able to gather some very interesting "traditions."

"Before each game I take a big steaming piss in the direction of Columbus." Oh sorry, that was just the first response to the "Traditions" thread started on the Ay Ziggy Zoomba board.

Seriously Now:
The historical story behind how BGSU began using Brown and Orange as its school colors dates back to 1914. Dr. Williams, the university's first president, gathered a group of people, which included a Dr. L. L.Winslow from Industrial Arts as a selection committee for the school's new colors. While on an interurban (or trolley) ride to Toledo, Dr. Winslow sat behind a woman wearing a large hat adorned with beautiful brown and orange feathers. It is unclear whether or not she ever actually gave him a few of these feathers from her hat, however, he was so interested in the color scheme of the pair that he convinced the committee to approve the combination of brown and orange.
Until 1927, Bowling Green State University was referred to as Bowling Green Normal University, for its teacher training curriculum. The school's nickname was "The Normals." That year a man named Ivan "Doc" Lake, who was a distinguished 1923 graduate of the university, and active athletics booster, suggested that the university needed a new nickname. Doc Lake, then a sports reporter for the local Sentinel Tribune newspaper, had just finished reading an article about falconry. He suggested the university rename its nickname and mascot, "The Falcons." He felt the bird was a fierce fighter with speed and courage. Doc Lake's suggestion of "The Falcons" met with instant general approval by members of the university.
Freddie and Frieda Falcon have been the BGSU mascots since 1950. Freddie was first introduced in 1950 while Frieda officially joined him in 1966. You can find out everything there is to know on their website. You will find out how they came to be, what their life stories are and there is a photo gallery available for you to watch.
For certain games (i.e., homecoming and the Toledo game) the alumni and student organizations set up large orange, white, and brown tents behind the stadium. There are always drinks, games, music, and food available, but you have to be "invited" and have a wristband for that particular tent to get in.
SICSIC, the spirit crew. Six BG students dress in masks and jumpsuits, their identities concealed for the three years they are members of the group. They hand out candy, run all over the place at athletic events, paint signs and hang them all over campus, spread enthusiasm, and generally get away with whatever they want.
For home games the Band performs the "Field House Field Show." In past years it was in the Field House, but this year it was moved to the tailgating area by the stadium.
After scores some fans throw Tootsie Roll candies up in the air to the crowd. Tootsies are orange and brown the chosen colors of The Bowling Green Falcons.
They fire the ROTC cannon after every touchdown when playing at home.
After wins the football team, including coaches and cheerleaders, runs over to student section and raise their helmets into the air and sing Ay Ziggy Zoomba.
"Ay Ziggy Zoomba Zoomba Ze
Ay Ziggy Zoomba Zoomba Zoomba
Ay Ziggy Zoomba Zoomba Ze
Roll along you BG warriors
Roll along and win for BGSU!"
The "Beer Barrel Polka" is traditionally played after the game a la Iowa's polka, "In Heaven There Is No Beer."
"Undying hatred for anything Toledo. The BG/UT rivalry is the most heated rivalry in the conference... no matter how hard the directional Michigans may argue, or how hard NIU may wish." BGSU's rivalry with Toledo is a battle for the Peace Pipe.
And finally, we will leave you with this other post from Ay Ziggy Zoomba:

"We have very proud traditions at BG. But in a state where the media basically ignores the other 7 1-A programs to cover OSU at all costs, it gets sickening. Couple the fact that BG could easily be 2-1 lifetime against OSU...but we're not."

It should also be known that when I thanked the kind gentlemen for contributing to the watering of our new field (steaming piss, remember?) they were quick to point out, the grass that now resides in the 'Shoe was grown about 3 miles outside of Bowling Green. They feel that gives them "home field advantage."



Historical Data

Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH) Founded in 1910
Football 1st Season: 1919
Stadium: Doyt Perry Stadium
Constructed: 1966 (Renovated in 1997)
Seating Capacity: 28,599
Playing Surface: Natural Grass
Conference: Mid American Conference (MAC) since 1952 (1919-1920 Independent, 1921-1931 Northwestern Ohio Intercollegiate Athletic Association, 1932-1932 Independent, 1933-1942 Ohio Athletic Conference, 1943-1951 Independent)
Colors: Brown & Orange
Mascot: The Falcons (Freddie & Frieda)
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1983 (mixture of small/major college classifications other years)
Conference Championships: 10 MAC Titles: 1956, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965*, 1982, 1985, 1991, 1992 (* = Co-Champs), in addition to 5 NOIAA titles in 1921, 1922, 1925, 1928, 1929*
Consensus All-Americans: 26 (23 different players as of 2004)
College Hall-of-Famers: 2
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 0
Award Winners: 1 Sammy Baugh Trophy
National Championships: 1, 1959 United Press International College Division National Champions
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-1 year, Coaches-1 year






Records

All Time: 465-303-52 (.599)
Bowl Games: 4-3-0 (.571) Most recently a 52-35 win over Memphis in the 2004 GMAC Bowl
All Time vs the BigTen: 4-9-0 (.308) versus teams with conference membership at time of game.
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 0-3-0 (.000) The last meeting was a 17-24 loss in Columbus (2003).
Coach?s Reord: Gregg Brandon, 2003-2005, 26-11-0 (.703), 17 year career mark of 128-78-0 (.621)

Last Season: 6-5-0 (.599)
L - Wisconsin (42-56)
W - Ball St. (40-31)
L - Boise St. (20-48)
W - Temple (70-7)
W - Ohio (38-14)
W - Buffalo (27-7)
L - Western Michigan (14-45)
L - Akron (14-24)
W - Kent St. (24-14)
W - Miami (42-14)
L - Toledo (41-44)

Last 5 Years: 43-17-0 (.717)
Last 10 Years: 62-53-0 (.539)

[mk455]

that is a ridiculous amount of "additional information"

do they do that every week?

[BGtom]

What can one say about Bowling Green recruiting? How about this - they (like the other MAC schools) get the Big Ten's leftovers ... and it generally shows on the field. Although MAC league games can be exciting, and the MAC teams occasionally produce some star players (Randy Moss, Chad Pennington, Byron Leftwich, Ben Roethlisberger, Garrett Wolfe), the conference as a whole simply cannot compete with the big boys - and lack of talent is the reason why. And the inability to recruit top flight high school prospects is the root cause for the lack of talent.

Crap like this is why I HATE OSU fans. I was under the impression that these articles were aimed at informing people about the team, not insulting the team/school.

Bowling Green represents yet another Ohio school who's fans have an unnatural and clinically troubling hatred of Ohio State. It's the kind of burning hate that we typically leave reserved for our chief rival. But even then, we tend to at least respect our chief rival. These fans can't utter the word "respect." Not where OSU is concerned. Correction. They can utter the word, but only in this or similar context, "You Ohio State fans are so arrogant. You need to respect us!" It's sad. But, after some research in to the history of Bowling Green, it makes sense.

Well no sh**, when you post crap like what I quoted above, it's hard NOT to hate these cocky SOB's. I'm so glad our fans aren't like this, especially the people on this message board. It shows the true class of the fans.

[Warthog]

Bowling Green represents yet another Ohio school who's fans have an unnatural and clinically troubling hatred of Ohio State. It's the kind of burning hate that we typically leave reserved for our chief rival. But even then, we tend to at least respect our chief rival.

Ohio State fans showing respect for Michigan? I'll eat a bug when I see that happen.

[It's the Journey...]

Did anyone stop to think that their preview may have not been so critical if we hadn't jumped on them as soon as they asked for information????? Sometimes we are our own worst enemy, and this is a perfect example. We took our self-concieved notiones that all OSU fans are bad people and let get in the way of what BGSU fans should be. RESPECTFUL of our opponent regurdless of what they say or believe. In those first few posts we did a great job of playing the "cry baby little borther" and thats just how this article was written. UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!! And if you don't like what I have written, and I am sure there are some who won't, I'll give you a few options. Fry me right here (this is the one I expect the most); PM me; or look back at what has been said and realize I am right. I really don't care!

[Tricky_Falcon]

Did anyone stop to think that their preview may have not been so critical if we hadn't jumped on them as soon as they asked for information????? Sometimes we are our own worst enemy, and this is a perfect example. We took our self-concieved notiones that all OSU fans are bad people and let get in the way of what BGSU fans should be. RESPECTFUL of our opponent regurdless of what they say or believe. In those first few posts we did a great job of playing the "cry baby little borther" and thats just how this article was written. UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!! And if you don't like what I have written, and I am sure there are some who won't, I'll give you a few options. Fry me right here (this is the one I expect the most); PM me; or look back at what has been said and realize I am right. I really don't care!

They said we sucked long before they got down to our traditions.

[It's the Journey...]

So lets just fire back at them. That will show them...really, it will.....

[OilerBuck]

Did anyone stop to think that their preview may have not been so critical if we hadn't jumped on them as soon as they asked for information?????

You are completely right. I was surprised to see such a critical preview from BuckeyePlanet. Typically, they write extremely favorable articles about opposition.

Once I read that they receieved responses to their informational requests on this site, I understood why they were so eager to bash the Falcons. Seriously, it's easier to get help for articles from Michigan fans than it is on here.

Give utter disrespect and smart-aleck responses, get the same in return.

[Zom]

Seems to me that there are better ways to waste disk space. And bandwidth. Waste of time for that matter. The best winners I have ever met are the most consistently gracious, whatever gets tossed their way. In fact, that is probably what distinguishes a champion from a winner. Can't say I'm impressed, can't say I'm bothered either, really.

I PM's one of the contributors at BP about something earlier in the week, and I got a courteous response from her. I'd like to think that whatever her contribution to his might have been, it was roundly rejected for its intelligence before going to press by whoever edited this. I hope so.

[jacojdm]

Football be damned. You guys are missing the most important thing in this "preview." There's a porn star that went to BG?

[Flipper]

It's worth noting that the "traditions" request wasn't buckeyebuttock's introduction to our board. He posted here prior to the start of the season and certainly didn't endear himself...at kleast not to me.

Nonetheless my "steaming piss" tradition ( I don't even do that actually) made the cut....I'm so stoked to get that ever important validation from strangers!

[1987alum]

Did anyone stop to think that their preview may have not been so critical if we hadn't jumped on them as soon as they asked for information?????

You are completely right. I was surprised to see such a critical preview from BuckeyePlanet. Typically, they write extremely favorable articles about opposition.

Once I read that they receieved responses to their informational requests on this site, I understood why they were so eager to bash the Falcons. Seriously, it's easier to get help for articles from Michigan fans than it is on here.

Give utter disrespect and smart-aleck responses, get the same in return.

Point made.

[FliccGirl]

Yet another team plays a craptacular schedule and then deigns to play the #1 team in the land.

My only comment will be to gleefully point out the misuse of the word "deigns."

That is all.

[kdog27]

Congratulations Flipper