Three things BG is going to need to beat OU

[BGSU33]

1. The passing game must get something going. It looked good in the opener against Florida and we moved the ball well through the air against a damn good defense, but it has sputtered mightily in other games against far inferior competition. While we have developed a very solid running game that has been great to see unfold, teams know we’re going to try and run the ball and we’re going to need to make some plays through the air in this one. Ohio is going to make us have to pass the ball to beat them.

2. We’re going to need to make a big field goal. We’ve dodged this one pretty much all season long so far, but I think this could be the exact kind of game where we’re going to need to make one to either keep us in it, or win it, with a field goal. BG is just 5-11 on the season but Tate has seemed to have stepped up into maybe being our answer and has looked good on his last few attempts. But we all know this phase of the game is still questionable and has us holding our breath any time we attempt a field goal. On the flip side, OU’s Weller is 18-25 this season including 5-6 from 40-49 and is a huge, four-year proven All-Conference kicker.

3. The BG defense must weather the storm against OU. I know - what the hell am I talking about - our defense has been playing lights out, we’re #1 in the MAC, etc. Yes, I know. But turn back the clock to almost exactly one year ago to the day and this year’s BG defense is looking a lot like that “Big Bad” Temple defense that was so dominating last year. That same Temple team (that also relied on running the ball) held Penn State to 14, Maryland to 7, posted back-to-back shutouts over Ball State and Buffalo and allowed just 13 points in its last three games combined before heading to Athens - then was torched by OU for 35 points and was shredded for 521 yards. That Temple defense was smothering teams just as BG has been, but it was torn apart by OU in that matchup. I think this is going to be our toughest test of the season because of OU’s balance and ability to not only run but throw the ball. Tettleton is arguably the MAC’s toughest QB to prepare for because he can hurt you with his arm and his legs and as Clawson said this week, BG just hasn’t been able to bring him down.

The bottom line is this. Clawson is 0-3 against OU and the Bobcats have pretty much owned us in recent years winning 4 of the last 5 including 3 consecutive. I’ve watched BG play in every game this year, and I’ve sipped on the orange Kool Aid, but the proof is in the pudding. This is 100% going to be a “Show Me” game for BG. For me, for the fans and for the rest of the MAC. It’s been awhile since we’ve been in this position to realistically challenge for the MAC East title. Ohio has played in the MAC Championship in 3 of the last 6 games and has by far been the best team from the East during that stretch. The old saying goes – in order to be the best, you must beat the best. Well here you go Falcons. This one is also being served up on the road and on national TV. So no matter what all we have to say about this team, come Wednesday night, we’re going to find out exactly if we are finally contenders, or still pretenders. I hope it’s the former.

GO BG!!!

[Flipper]

We had them last year and got screwed on a 4th down penalty call. Run the ball, put Tettleton on his ass a few times and we go home winners.

[jpfalcon09]

OU's defense is banged up so I think our offense can move the ball on them. The defense needs to make plays and tackle, and shut down the running game. Tettleton's a good runner but she's an average passer. BG can win this one with the right gameplan.

[Falconfreak90]

BG's D can shut down OU...but we will need to open it up on offense more. I'll take BG winning by 7-10.

[footballguy51]

In reference to #2, I think I heard on a TV, radio, or internet broadcast that Stein is considered our short range field goal kicker, and Tate is our long range kicker. We have four kickers on our roster. Farinella has kickoff duty, Stein kicks extra points and short field goals, Tate kicks long field goals, and Oczypok practices punting and kicking but has no gametime assignment (other than fielding snaps for the long snapper in warm-ups on the sideline during the game). I think it's just insane to have four kickers on a roster, let alone having everything split like we do.

[Falconfreak90]

We had them last year and got screwed on a 4th down penalty call. Run the ball, put Tettleton on his ass a few times and we go home winners.

I'm sure CJ and da boyz will get to know Tettleton up close and personal. Our D is just kickin' the chit outta teams and flying high.

[kdog27]

"Tettleton's a good runner but she's an average passer. BG can win this one with the"

[Ydfalcon]

OU's defense is banged up so I think our offense can move the ball on them. The defense needs to make plays and tackle, and shut down the running game. Tettleton's a good runner but she's an average passer. BG can win this one with the right gameplan.

I see what you did there. And I like it.

[h2oville rocket]

"Tettleton's a good runner but she's an average passer. BG can win this one with the"

And if she throws for 300+ and OU wins that's not gonna look good at all.

[Oldballcoach61]

"Tettleton's a good runner but she's an average passer. BG can win this one with the"

And if she throws for 300+ and OU wins that's not gonna look good at all.

And when NIU whips the Suckets up North tomorrow, they won't look good at all.

[Flipper]

I think the back seven is going to make the difference....our LB's are going to make life extremely difficult for Tettleton because they're equally adept at blitzing...particularly on a delay...and dropping into coverage.

[transfer2BGSU]

1. The passing game must get something going.

2. We’re going to need to make a big field goal.

3. The BG defense must weather the storm against OU. I

No matter how good/bad the defense is...

No matter how good/bad the offense is....

No matter how good/bad the special teams are....

No matter how good/bad the offensive play calling is....

No matter how good/bad the head coach is....

BGSU must score one more point than OU to beat them.

[BGSU33]

Three hours until kickoff.....in about 6 hours from now, we're going to know a lot more about where this teams stands. Probably more than we have at any point all season after the tough four-game stretch to open the year coupled with the five-game stretch after it. We all know poor record we've had the last several years in close, one-score games. It would be nice to turn that around right here tonight because I feel like this one is going to come right now to the wire.

[Flipper]

We had them last year and got screwed on a 4th down penalty call. Run the ball, put Tettleton on his ass a few times and we go home winners.

Seems to be working so far...

[BGFalconfromCincy]

1. The passing game must get something going.

2. We’re going to need to make a big field goal.

3. The BG defense must weather the storm against OU. I

No matter how good/bad the defense is...

No matter how good/bad the offense is....

No matter how good/bad the special teams are....

No matter how good/bad the offensive play calling is....

No matter how good/bad the head coach is....

BGSU must score one more point than OU to beat them.

mission accomplished