Vandelay's MAC Preview

Globetrotter · Post by **Globetrotter** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 12:29 am

2 Questions

1. How big of a loss will Hardwick and the other guy really be? I know they were both penciled in as starters but they have not really been that productive, and in the case of Hardwick he was going to be at an entirely new spot. I think its a loss but might be being overstated. I agree that we will probably be weak at DT but I am not too sure that the loss of these two is going to be that huge.

2. Who are the replacements for these guys? Is there any way that we slide some experienced guys back to DL from the OL.

Nick in Cleveland · Post by **Nick in Cleveland** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:24 pm

Thank you for all of your feedback.

I officiated two of BG's practices in the spring and the one thing I noticed on the field at that time is that the defense was ahead of the offense. I would assume that BG's offense is far better for your opener at Pitt.

I couple of thoughts I wrote that are being missed are as follows...within my MAC East overview I state "The MAC East couldn’t be more of a crap-shoot with all seven teams having a legitimate shot at winning the division. Miami gets the nod due to their defense. The RedHawks, along with Temple, should have the top overall defensive unit in the MAC. If the RedHawks get any offense this season – look out. Who would have thought that Buffalo would be picked #2 by this publication? In the ten previous seasons, we have never picked the Bulls higher than 5th but this team may surprise with an abundance of ‘no-name’ players who have bought into Turner Gill’s program.

Both Kent State and Temple should be much improved and each will contend for winning seasons. With a few breaks, each has the ability to pull off a nice non-conference victory too. Bowling Green and Ohio each may be headed down the standings unless they find some play-makers in strategic areas. BG must replace some solid offensive linemen and play the MAC’s most demanding non-conference schedule (Pitt, Minnesota, Boise State & Wyoming) while Ohio must replace (nearly 4,400 rushing yards) workhorse tailback Kalvin McRae."

http://www.vandelaysports.com/football/ ... view-2008/

I certainly don't see anyone running away with the east division and in fact, the difference between first place and last place in the league this fall may be just two games. I would assume the MAC tiebreaker rules will come into effect this season, possibly in both divisions but certainly more so in the east where Temple and BG do not play each other along with Akron and Miami skipping each other.

Preseason articles are fun to write and read. While I do not see that at this point in time, the Falcons may very well win the league this fall since you certainly have some solid players on both sides and there is no dominant team in the league.

Good luck this season...Nick in Cleveland

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:45 pm

Nick,

I and many others appreciate all the work you do involving the MAC. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and you cover the MAC as well as anyone. ANYTHING can happen in 2008.

Although I expect BG to win the East and play for the title, I can see how any team in the East could win the division....except Akron. Just not sold on the Zips at all this year.

Thanks for your work....GO FALCONS!

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:54 pm

Globetrotter wrote:2 Questions

1. How big of a loss will Hardwick and the other guy really be? I know they were both penciled in as starters but they have not really been that productive, and in the case of Hardwick he was going to be at an entirely new spot. I think its a loss but might be being overstated. I agree that we will probably be weak at DT but I am not too sure that the loss of these two is going to be that huge.

2. Who are the replacements for these guys? Is there any way that we slide some experienced guys back to DL from the OL.

GT,

I was wondering the same thing about moving some OL guys back. Brady Minturn has played DL before as well as DJ Young. Coach B seemed pretty high on Young on the OL at the Cleveland Barnstorming stop in June. We definitely need Nick Davis back healthy and ready to smash heads. He will be a key, IMO>

Less than 46 days....damn, it's getting close!!!! ROLL ALONG!

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!

bgsufalcon24 · Post by **bgsufalcon24** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:02 am

The one point that Vandelay seemed to really miss on is the fact that our cross divisional schedule might REALLY help us. No Central Michigan, no Ball State, instead we get a currently down Northern Illinois, perennial doormat Eastern Michigan, and Toledo. This could be the biggest key to our entire season really, if we play well this will give us a nice leg up on some of our East Division competition.

factman · Post by **factman** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 7:22 am

I believe that as of today, they are still planning on both Young and Minturn as OL, but of course these things can change quickly.

Warthog · Post by **Warthog** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:16 am

bgsufalcon24 wrote:The one point that Vandelay seemed to really miss on is the fact that our cross divisional schedule might REALLY help us. No Central Michigan, no Ball State, instead we get a currently down Northern Illinois, perennial doormat Eastern Michigan, and Toledo. This could be the biggest key to our entire season really, if we play well this will give us a nice leg up on some of our East Division competition.

And that's the one I called him out on on the MAC boards and he didn't respond to.

1987alum · Post by **1987alum** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:18 am

Falconfreak90 wrote:
Globetrotter wrote:2 Questions

1. How big of a loss will Hardwick and the other guy really be? I know they were both penciled in as starters but they have not really been that productive, and in the case of Hardwick he was going to be at an entirely new spot. I think its a loss but might be being overstated. I agree that we will probably be weak at DT but I am not too sure that the loss of these two is going to be that huge.

2. Who are the replacements for these guys? Is there any way that we slide some experienced guys back to DL from the OL.
GT,

I was wondering the same thing about moving some OL guys back. Brady Minturn has played DL before as well as DJ Young. Coach B seemed pretty high on Young on the OL at the Cleveland Barnstorming stop in June. We definitely need Nick Davis back healthy and ready to smash heads. He will be a key, IMO>

Less than 46 days....damn, it's getting close!!!! ROLL ALONG!

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!

FWIW, I had a chance to talk with One Who Knows while at BG's youth football camp and Nick's rehab is going very well.

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 2:27 pm

1987alum wrote:
Falconfreak90 wrote:
Globetrotter wrote:2 Questions

1. How big of a loss will Hardwick and the other guy really be? I know they were both penciled in as starters but they have not really been that productive, and in the case of Hardwick he was going to be at an entirely new spot. I think its a loss but might be being overstated. I agree that we will probably be weak at DT but I am not too sure that the loss of these two is going to be that huge.

2. Who are the replacements for these guys? Is there any way that we slide some experienced guys back to DL from the OL.
GT,

I was wondering the same thing about moving some OL guys back. Brady Minturn has played DL before as well as DJ Young. Coach B seemed pretty high on Young on the OL at the Cleveland Barnstorming stop in June. We definitely need Nick Davis back healthy and ready to smash heads. He will be a key, IMO>

Less than 46 days....damn, it's getting close!!!! ROLL ALONG!

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!
FWIW, I had a chance to talk with One Who Knows while at BG's youth football camp and Nick's rehab is going very well.

THAT, my friend, is excellent news. Nick deserves a full season after all the crap he's been thru. He is an animal on the field.

BEAT PITT

Vandelay's MAC Preview

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