Toledo's Game Plan Against the Falcons

[Salsa]

Here's my guess about what Coach Amstutz and his crew will have as their game plan.

What They Don't Want--They don't want to have to play catch up. This is what happened to Marshall and several other teams we've defeated. And it's usually led to disaster. For example, Marshall threw 56 passes against us while we threw 37. I don't think Marshall planned on that.

What Toledo Will Do to Avoid That--I think they'll start the game by emphasizing the run. They'll hope to run and mix in some short passes to develop long, time consuming scoring drives and keep BG's offense off the field. Their starting running back now is Scooter McDougle, a big physical running back who often gets 4, 5, or 6 yards running between the tackles. He may be the most physical running back we will have faced all year.

History shows that Amstutz likes a physical running attack that might start slow but wears the opponent down in the 2nd half. So, in spite of the fact that everyone's talking about the Rockets' QB, Gradkowski, I think a physical running attack will be the heart of their game plan.

Will this Work?--I certainly hope not. Our superior kicking game should help us win the battle of field position. Our defense against the run seems to be getting better with each game. Of course, getting ahead by a TD or two certainly has helped. Funny thing about Amstutz. Sometimes he falls behind and you think he has to change his attack. But he usually doesn't and often that's paid off for him.

So, that's my guess about what Toledo's game plan will be. What do you think?

[BGSUfanatUT]

hers what I think he'll do:

eat
throw the bubble screen 40 times.
eat.

lose.

[Bleeding Orange]

You know, I think I agree with your analysis; however, I don't think it is going to matter. Yesterday, Brandon proved how good his offense really is. No matter how long Toledo keeps their offense on the field, every drive MUST result in a touchdown -- JUST TO KEEP UP!!! That is a TON of pressure to put on an offense, and a recipe for disaster. That kind of pressure creates mental mistakes and errors.

Let me make this perfectly clear to Toledo's defense: NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO YOU CAN NOT STOP OUR OFFENSE! If their secondary closes us down (which it won't), they'll compromise their D-line and P.J. and Omar will run roughshod over them. We are not a 1-sided attack either way. We excel at both the pass and the run which is why we are so dominant. And, our defense isn't anything to sneeze at, either!

Instead of practicing anything specific for the next two weeks, Toledo should practice as usually, but create another daily session with a trained therapist to help them with the heartbreak they are about to experience!

I really do usually do my best to not get too overconfident before a big game like this one, but yesterday was one of the most convincing perfomances that I have ever seen. Toledo doesn't stand a chance, and neither does anyone else that we play from here on out!

[Dr.Sooner]

Toledo has a history playing BG tough at home. A matter of fact BG hasn't beaten Toledo in Toledo since 1994 Blackney's last good team. UT will execute the same game plan as NIU. Ball control offense and keep the clock moving. Based upon how poorly BG's defense played against Marshall I don't think BG is going to see the field if they don't play a more aggressive scheme and take the action to UT. They need to force Ut into mistakes and win the early downs to make it 3rd and long. If it is close on 3rd UT will go for it. It basically boils down to keeping BG's offense off the field. If BG is going to win it will be up to the defense to play their best game to date.

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dayons_Den]

If BG is going to win it will be up to the defense to play their best game to date.

It really seems like each time out on the field is BG;'s best defensive game to date. I have seen improvements each week. The d impressed me vs. Marshall.

[Falconfreak90]

here's what I think he'll do:

eat
throw the bubble screen 40 times.
eat.

lose.

Damn is that funny!!!

I am feeling very good about BG getting a win in the Glass City for the first time since 1994...Yes our D gave up big yards to Hill and Co...look what Marshall put up against Akron (even though they lost).
I love the fact that our run D held the Herd to 98 yards. We must contain the UT running game and our D line MUST get tons of pressure on Brucie and knock his arse down!! Leininger, Crossley, Parks, Thaler, Williams, Cooley & Newble have to get past a very good UT O line. Throws some blitzes at Brucie as well. Our secondary will see a group of WR's every bit as talented as Marshall's.

As far as the BG O? I don't see UT slowing us down, let alone stopping us.
If Ohio and Marshall had the best D's in the MAC when we played them....
Our O is unstoppable except by us....

GO FALCONS!!! DESTROY THE ROCKETTES!!!

[Flipper]

The preliminary forecast for toledo on game day is partly cloudy with a hi in the 40's and a low in the upper 20's-low 30's. Winds will be light.

If that holds and we play on a dry, fast track, I like our chances...a lot

[BGSU99]

We just put up 56 on the best defense in the MAC. No way do to the Rockets stop us.

[BGBoilermaker]

Our superior kicking game should help us win the battle of field position.

I just wish Nate Fry could hit punts in the game like he does in warm-ups. He's got a good leg, but it doesn't seem to show up in game.

I really do think we are gonna smack Toledo in the mouth. I just get the feeling that Brucie might have a bubble-bursting performance and that we will score a ton of points. Honestly, 56-55 would be fine with me, but I'd love 56-10 or even better.

[orangeandbrown]

Nate Fry has been good in games this year, but had a bad day against Marshall.

Two things. First, if we don't tackle effectively, the UT offense will torch us. If you're on the guy who catches the screen in the flat, you have to get him. Let's hope we make our tackles.

Second, the main strategy objective of the game will be to pressure Omar. They will bring every blitz in their package. If we can stop it, obviously we light up the night, but they are going to try and pressure Omar to see if he makes mistakes like he did a couple times against the Herd.

[BGSUfanatUT]

Two things. First, if we don't tackle effectively, the UT offense will torch us. If you're on the guy who catches the screen in the flat, you have to get him. Let's hope we make our tackles.

We suck at this aspect of the game. I dont know how many times I watch us miss a first tackle. the next week, thats all the D should do, work on 1 on 1 open field tackles. I want to see some stats of how many yards we let up after first contact with the ball carrier. I bet its not pretty.

We just put up 56 on the best defense in the MAC. No way do to the Rockets stop us.

Like I said, EVERY team we play is "the best D in the MAC". Thats b/c we hadnt played them yet. After we get done with a team, they are nothing. We make defenses look like Jr. high teams. toledo will be no exception. We are going to torch them so badly it will make your head spin. However, Im worried they will do the same to us.

[Falconboy]

Our one one one tackling has GOT to get better our we will lose yet again the the Glass Bowl. If UT's O-line is as big as some here have said ( around a 320 average) and with what Coach Brandon having said at the Coaches Show about them probably going with 2 TE's and running it, it could be a long day for us. We have not played well on that turf they have up there. I hope that ends next Tues. Their running game and our ability to shut it down could very well be key. But their passing game is still very much an area of concern. We can't continue to give up 10 yards off the receiver every time we lineup. I getting sick of our coaches using this useless strategy of laying off recievers. Why , we can't get up in their face and jam em' at the line of scrimmage and make them work? Give me a break. That strategy WILL NOT work against Toledo. Mark my words. That should be our first order of business next Tuesday, play the recievers tight. If our guys aren't fast enough to cover , they shouldn't be out their.

If I sound frustrated , I am. Even in the win against Marshall , I still saw defiencies in our pass coverage that must get corrected for us to beat UT.

GO BG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SLAM BANCROFT HIGH!!!!!!!!!!!

[Warthog]

If I sound frustrated , I am. Even in the win against Marshall , I still saw defiencies in our pass coverage that must get corrected for us to beat UT.

I understand yours and other fans perspective when thinking about our pass defense, and our defense in general. But think about thier performance in conjunction with the game score. We have been WAY ahead in most games, including Marshall. In that context, the defensive schemes changes to a more prevent style of play. We ahve a big lead, just don't give up a big play and let the other team score quickly. Therefore, less blitzes, more zone covereages. If the other team is going to score, we want them to take some time off the clock. We really haven't been in a close game, as of late, where our defense had to step it up and make stops. Well, maybe in the third quarter against Marshall after they made it 35-28. And fwiw, the defense shut them out the rest of the way except for a garbage TD late.

[BGSUfanatUT]

garbage TD's is what im worried about in toledo. That and the deep ball. Everyone keeps saying that Bruce cant throw deep. Replay last years game and you will see differently.

[orangeandbrown]

garbage TD's is what im worried about in toledo. That and the deep ball. Everyone keeps saying that Bruce cant throw deep. Replay last years game and you will see differently.

Right-0. He threw deep against NIU too, and with success. On their home field with a title on the line, they will be tough to beat.