Thoughts on WMU

[mc3022]

I have only seen WMU play once this year vs Michigan. I know that they have a very solid team with Carder at the helms of their spread offense.

Going to be a tough one for us on a homecoming game for Western.

Only thing I was really able to take away from that Michigan game is that if you let Carder sit in the pocket comfortably he will pick you apart. So getting pressure and forcing him to move around in the pocket will be key.

Thoughts?

[BGSU33]

I have only seen WMU play once this year vs Michigan. I know that they have a very solid team with Carder at the helms of their spread offense.

Going to be a tough one for us on a homecoming game for Western.

Only thing I was really able to take away from that Michigan game is that if you let Carder sit in the pocket comfortably he will pick you apart. So getting pressure and forcing him to move around in the pocket will be key.

Thoughts?

I agree with your comments above. Last year, on our home field, WMU was already ahead 27-0 before BG even got a first down!!! The game was already over before we even moved the chains. I was feeling pretty good about our team in general, but in the last few weeks, we have gotten very, very sloppy with turnovers, and last week it seemed like we were playing a man or two down on defense the way WVU gouged us on the ground. I know we expected them to pass, but damn, we made what looked like no adjustment to the run. And if we did, well, that is even more worrisome. That looked like the run defense of old, they were busting off long run after long run.

We have arguably the toughest stretch of MAC games of any team the next three weeks, and it is going to tell us a lot about where we are as a team. We are either going to be sitting pretty, or buried in the standings when it is all said and done.

[bgsufalcon24]

I have only seen WMU play once this year vs Michigan. I know that they have a very solid team with Carder at the helms of their spread offense.

Going to be a tough one for us on a homecoming game for Western.

Only thing I was really able to take away from that Michigan game is that if you let Carder sit in the pocket comfortably he will pick you apart. So getting pressure and forcing him to move around in the pocket will be key.

Thoughts?

I agree with your comments above. Last year, on our home field, WMU was already ahead 27-0 before BG even got a first down!!!

That's what happens when a team is 2-9 and has already packed it in.

I don't think we can take much away from last year's contest going into this year. That'd be like EMU saying "hey, we beat CMU that one time when it was the last game of the season and they had the division locked up and they didn't a sh*t, we can do it again." Same concept applies here.

[Flipper]

Agreed...last year was last year.

However, I do believe that this is probably going to be our toughest conference game this season. Western has a really good QB ad we're playing them in Kazoo....home of Bell's, the best damn brewery going today.

Along with Leinenkugel....

[NWLB]

Good as the team can become, they aren't there yet, and won't be most of this season. WMU can be beat, the Falcons can summon enough to do it. But I just don't think they are there yet.

[BGWriter]

This team hasn't grown up yet, but when it does, it will be able to beat anyone in the MAC, home or away.

That growth spurt could easily happen this season.

First things first: get the tackling in order. There's no way they can win tackling like they did against WVU. It was simply an embarrassment; I'm sure the players hated watching that film.

Second, stop killing yourselves with turnovers. This team has to show it can go through an entire game without giving the opponent multiple chances to score.

It really does come down to fundamentals. Block and tackle better, and don't give up the football, and you leave *ichigan with a win.

[hammb]

Agreed...last year was last year.

However, I do believe that this is probably going to be our toughest conference game this season. Western has a really good QB ad we're playing them in Kazoo....home of Bell's, the best damn brewery going today.

Along with Leinenkugel....

Did you really just compare Bell's and Leinenkugel!?!?

Wow...

Leinenkugel was DECENT before they were bought by Miller-Coors. I don't think the beer is the same quality now, and they actually raised the prices. No way I'd even put them in the conversation with real breweries like Bells, Stone, DogfishHead, Founders, Great Lakes, New Holland, etc.

[Falconfreak90]

After the first 3rd of the season, I would say WMU is the best team in the MAC...so far. This is a very solid team we're playing Saturday and we cannot afford to make mistakes and turn the ball over. The Broncos will make us pay if we do.

It is a winnable game IF we play to our capabilities...

[Flipper]

I wsn't so much comparing them as saying I like Bell's....and Leinenkugel. I think they still brew a good beer...it's the same brewery, they just have better distribution (at leat that's what I was told by a beer distributor at a party). I think you're marking them down because they now run with a crappier crowd.....

Bell's is in a league of their own...I just want to make that clear...

[hammb]

I think I'm marking them down because they also raised their prices when they raised their distribution. I was never a real big fan of their brews anyway but their red ale was drinkable and cheaper than killians even.

When they got bought out the prices went up.

I'm also a little annoyed that they seem to mirror the other major breweries in having 2-3 taps a lot of bars without any of them being anything I really love. I suppose i shouldnt fault them for that.

Bells is definitely a league above though, IMO.

I think I'm going to make the trip to kzoo and also hit up bells, founders, and new holland Saturday. Should be a great tour of some awesome breweries.

[MarkL]

I haven't watched WMU since the Michigan game, but at points they greatly impressed me in that one. Offense was high caliber, defense had its moments. I was really bothered, though, by their QB. He was great for the most part in the game, but on the sideline he was anything but a leader. Instead of talking to his offense after a series ended, he sat and pouted on the sideline. Not much leadership there. If that's how he is most of the time then I think we'll be in OK shape if we're in a tight game with them. In those tight games where the talent is pretty even, it often comes down to leadership. Which team has the guys on their team that inspire everybody to play with 100% effort on every play? Which team has the guys who motivate their teammates, acknowledge their great moments, and help fix their flaws? On offense, the QB has to be a leader who inspires his team to play their best, and I don't see it in Carder. I do see it in Schilz.

[h2oville rocket]

On offense, the QB has to be a leader who inspires his team to play their best, and I don't see it in Carder. I do see it in Schilz.

Yeah, no leader he. Well, OK he IS the leading passer in per game average in the conference but otherwise...Oh, and he's one of the leaders in total offense but so what? And I suppose if you count pass efficiency he's right up among the conference leaders but do you really want to lead with your play or by "pouting" on the sidelines? I'm sure most teams would prefer a guy who doesn't "pout" but is a dud on the field. I suspect WMU is jsut AOK with Mr. Carder's leadership ability.

[mc3022]

I haven't watched WMU since the Michigan game, but at points they greatly impressed me in that one. Offense was high caliber, defense had its moments. I was really bothered, though, by their QB. He was great for the most part in the game, but on the sideline he was anything but a leader. Instead of talking to his offense after a series ended, he sat and pouted on the sideline. Not much leadership there. If that's how he is most of the time then I think we'll be in OK shape if we're in a tight game with them. In those tight games where the talent is pretty even, it often comes down to leadership. Which team has the guys on their team that inspire everybody to play with 100% effort on every play? Which team has the guys who motivate their teammates, acknowledge their great moments, and help fix their flaws? On offense, the QB has to be a leader who inspires his team to play their best, and I don't see it in Carder. I do see it in Schilz.

Yeah I defiantly saw that too. Michigan was bringing the house pretty much every play and he pulled the "Tate Forcier" by pouting and arguing with his coaches and offensive line.

Even still Carder is a great QB...with an offense capable of putting up some great numbers. Offense will have to control the ball and limit turnovers - Defense will have to get pressure on Carder and limit big plays.

Should be an interesting game. Heard we had a great week of practice so we should come out fired up

[Falconfreak90]

WMU will be the toughest game the rest of the season....if we can steal one tomorrow, we'll be in great shape in the conference race.

GO FALCONS!!!! BEAT WMU!!

[1987alum]

First things first: get the tackling in order. There's no way they can win tackling like they did against WVU. It was simply an embarrassment; I'm sure the players hated watching that film.

That's been the gripe for about the last 10 years. I saw much improved tackling during the Idaho game (on ESPN3) and the Morgan State game (live). Didn't see the WVU game, but if they reverted to their old tackling ways, it will be a long season.

I had hoped we had turned the corner on that nagging problem.

Second, stop killing yourselves with turnovers. This team has to show it can go through an entire game without giving the opponent multiple chances to score.

Always a trademark of either a young or undisciplined team. Hopefully, it's just a sign of the former.