PREDICTION: MAC Championship. BG Vs. NIU

[jpfalcon09]

Miami was 6-6 one year and made it so nice try. I agree NIU will win convincingly.

[gmartin]

Only thing that will save BG in this game is the elements of playing indoors and possibly and hopefully Calloway.

NIU 45
BG 34

[gmartin]

And if Greene plays. He hit his head hard the last drive of the game. He could possibly have a concussion

[Falconwriter]

And if Greene plays. He hit his head hard the last drive of the game. He could possibly have a concussion

Good Lord, if he's out because Babers was playing him at the end of a blowout loss, then our coach truly is one very stupid man. You don't play a RB who has been fighting injuries most of the season at the end of a meaningless loss when you're facing a title game in a week.

Just ridiculously stupid.

As for the game: If NIU doesn't beat BG by at least two touchdowns, I'll consider it an upset of sorts. This is a BAD Bowling Green team right now. They've regressed more than any team I can remember in recent memory down the stretch -- especially on defense. And that defense started the season bad and never really got much better.

[jpfalcon09]

And if Greene plays. He hit his head hard the last drive of the game. He could possibly have a concussion

Good Lord, if he's out because Babers was playing him at the end of a blowout loss, then our coach truly is one very stupid man. You don't play a RB who has been fighting injuries most of the season at the end of a meaningless loss when you're facing a title game in a week.

Just ridiculously stupid.

As for the game: If NIU doesn't beat BG by at least two touchdowns, I'll consider it an upset of sorts. This is a BAD Bowling Green team right now. They've regressed more than any team I can remember in recent memory down the stretch -- especially on defense. And that defense started the season bad and never really got much better.

Agree with the Greene comments, we were already heading home when he got hurt and I couldn't believe he was in the game that late with what the score was.

As for the MACC, I'd give Callaway the start and see what happens. You already know what Knapke is going to give you so why not game plan a different look. It's becoming obvious that both the coaches and players have lost confidence in James.

We will see just how much leadership this coaching staff and senior class has by next Friday night.

[Flipper]

The game is indoors...perfect conditons and a fast track. We're reeling because the offense is running 45 second possessions and getting nothing. String a few quick scores together and NU has to start throwing it around. That isn't their strength.

They're playing well...but they aren't THAT good....I wouldn't completely dismiss our chances.

[Falconfreak90]

I am not looking through orange and brown glasses. IF we play like we did yesterday, NIU will bury us by 24+. If we actually show up, from the staff all the way down to the ball boy, we have a good chance. NIU is good but beatable.

I wonder about the psyche of this team...they seem to think they deserve it instead of EARNING it.

[MarkL]

I hope I get a chance to do a preview of NIU this week, hopefully I have more time than last week. The long and short of it is NIU does not dominate scoreboards unless they're playing Presbyterian. They hang with you all game and play effectively, then out muscle you in the second half, especially offensively. They have a back that reminds me a lot of Edwards from yesterday. The way to beat NIU is basically the same way we did it last year - get an early lead and play fundamentally sound defense, especially in tackling the big runners.

If the team plays well, they can win. If the team plays like yesterday, they will lose but the scoreboard won't show a complete blowout.

[apollo]

NIU will not be messing around....unless we luck into some turnovers this game will be a blowout. I'd start Calloway as well....Knapke gives us no chance at this point, so we should just make the change.

If Knapke starts....
NIU 56
BG 14
If Calloway starts....
????, but at least we'll have some hope.

Make no mistake about it, we played as good a game as we could have last year in the MACC, it will take that same type effort to even be in the game in the fourth quarter. It's time for Falcon Fast to come up with a gameplan and actually move the ball. We're talking about MAC defenses....lets actually coach the team and execute the plays. See if that works instead of rushing from one horse $&!@ play to another.

[Rollo83]

Sorry fellows, but you can stop calling for Calloway. I miss Matt Johnson for sure, but Knapke gives us the best chance to win in this one. You know it, I know it and the coaches know it.

I sat in the Glass Bowl and watched Calloway after his touchdown pass surprised Toledo. The Rockets gathered themselves and started blitzing the young quarterback and we all saw what happened then. I think he was 1 for his last 12 pass attempts and got sacked 3 times. He was clueless in those situations...as you would expect him to be.

I am certainly not happy with the way Knapke has played down the stretch. I think he has left some plays and points on the field. But I don't put all the offensive problems entirely on him. There have been crucial times when he has put the ball in a spot where the receiver hasn't made the play. But more than that, I think the coaching staff has lost confidence in James. I think the playbook has shrunk considerably since the Indiana game, and I am not sure why?

At the postgame press conference on Friday, I asked Babers why they seemed reluctant to attack the middle of the field lately? He said he didn't agree with my statement and cited a catch by Burbrink over the middle for a first down and also mentioned that the deep ball to Lewis was in the middle of the field. I thought that was a weak answer.

Anyone breaking tape down of our offense the last few games can see how they are only letting Knapke throw sideways on wide receiver screens and bubble screens, or the deep balls...which are the equivalent of a punt if they get picked off. I think they are trying to avoid the interceptions by calling safer throws for Knapke. You can beat the likes of Ohio, Akron, Buffalo and Kent State with that strategy. But you run in to trouble when you play the better teams you need to score with to win.

Maybe Babers has been saving something for the MAC Championship Game? Maybe he'll open up the offense again? What does he have to lose at this point? Playing not to lose will get us beat by three scores in Detroit next week. If you have to live with some turnovers in this game, at least you go down giving yourself a chance to win. The play calling we have seen the last few weeks will not.

[NIUBIGGS]

Eh guys I am more worried about this year than I was last. I figured with lynch we would have come out on top and back in to the BCS. It is always such an unknown when we suit up and play. Believe me I am just praying we get our act together and be competitive. Here is to a injury free and entertaining MACC!

[bgdodgeball4]

While I'm definitely not happy with the effort over the past two weeks, it'll be a close game because it's indoors. The offense should be able to do some things inside; we've been a soft team all year, and not having to deal with the weather factor will be a difference maker.

The spread will be 14ish, but I think we'll cover that.

[jpfalcon09]

BG opens as a 1-point underdog, I expect that line will move considerably.

[Falconfreak90]

1? I would have guessed NIU would open at -10, at least.

That said, I'm gonna pick an upset. Falcons win 27-24. GO BG!

[Falcon137]

I saw it opened at 2.5 and moved VERY quickly to 5.5. Vegas knows. Remember when BG opened as a 3 point favorite against Indiana and everyone lost their minds? I think it closed at BG +8.

No one has any idea how this game is going to go. NIU struggled with, Kent, Miami, EMU, and Ohio. But looked great in the 2nd half vs WMU.

The BG offense and Knapke have looked terrible playing in poor conditions against, WMU, Toledo, and Ball State. Playing indoors is going to be a huge help for the offense.

I'll say NIU 41-38 but wouldn't be surprised if either team came out and won by 2 TDs.