SB Nation 2015 Bowling Green football preview

[MarkL]

I'm a big fan of SB Nation's college football previews, and the Bowling Green preview is posted.

Definitely worth a read. The author, Bill Connelly, is a big stats guy. If any of the stats don't make sense, post them and I'll try to give as good of an explanation as I can. I imagine that the pace of our offense makes stat reviewing and comparing a bit difficult.

A few highlights from the preview:
Regarding offensive depth:

The only offensive "starter" who isn't scheduled to return in 2015 is tight end Chris Pohlman ... and BGSU doesn't use a tight end much. In fact, if not for the loss of receiver Heath Jackson and guard Darion Delaney, the entire SECOND-string would return intact as well. BGSU was young and got even younger because of injuries.

and ...

If Lewis develops like a normal second-year guy, and if Chris Gallon returns to form as a contributor, this offense could produce obscene numbers. Hell, it'll need to play at a high tempo just to give everybody the touches they deserve.

Regarding the defensive scheme:

But when the offense is battling inefficiency, then defensive discipline might trump risk. BGSU had plenty of the latter and very little of the former.

I believe this is the first major preview of the offseason and it comes very early. SB Nation does a preview like this for every team so they start extremely early for the smaller conferences. I like the writeup and I really do like our 2015 chances. The offense could be spectacular. The defense will have a third coordinator in three years, but I far prefer the coordinator we have now and I think we may improve on defense, even with so many losses in the front seven.

[factman]

I think he tries to "baffle you with BS" with all his stats. He didn't even mention Clayton Nichols at QB and Robie Rhodes at WR, which might be VERY big parts to the offense.
I didn't go over the whole thing with a fine tooth comb, but those omissions stuck out right away. I'm sure there are more if you care to dig.

Here is an article on Rhodes for anyone else that has forgot about him.

http://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/ ... ling-green" target="_blank

[jpfalcon09]

I think he tries to "baffle you with BS" with all his stats. He didn't even mention Clayton Nichols at QB and Robie Rhodes at WR, which might be VERY big parts to the offense.

Or Hardy coming in to play at safety. Seems like this article was either written over the winter when some of those details didn't come out, or the writer simply chose not to include them for whatever reason. I don't anticipate the defense being as bad as it was last year even with the losses of Martin and Lynch at LB. I think Ward will bring a similar scheme as to what Elko employed and have success with it. I also expect some of the freshmen to have an impact after cutting their teeth in the OOC schedule.

[Falconfreak90]

Some good stuff in there but why do people always seem to think Ohio U will be tough and compete for the East title? They are good for 6-7 wins a year and a bowl. Akron? Nah, they took steps back in the second half of the season last year.

BG *should* win the East again....it's the games against the West we must improve drastically. Starting with those asshats up the road on Bancroft.

Just tee the ball up!! Jacked for Falcon football!!!!

[zete]

Yea, wonder why he missed R Rhodes.

[Siborg]

Not a bad write up but he did miss quite a few. Rhodes, Nicholas, two Saunders, Hardy, Wilson and not sure who else w/o looking a bit.

Edit, he did list Lunsford...

[Flipper]

Hardy will have the biggest impact of all the players we add (Hardy, Rhodes, Nicholas, Wilson) this year. Can't stress the value of a veteran in the secondary enough.

[Falcon137]

I'd say it's pretty accurate. Offense could be scary good. Quite the collection of skill guys. Lewis, Rhodes, Gallon, Dieter, Moore, Greene, Coppett, Givens. 9 offensive linemen.

I'm really excited to see the offense with Johnson. So many issues last year could be tied to 30 second 3 and outs and the inability of the offense to sustain drives. Interested to see Nichols in the mix as well. I thought he was impressive last summer.

Interested fo spring practice to start and see who is playing at linebacker and on the d line. I think Aaron Banks could be a guy to watch. Defense is a complete mystery.

[MarkL]

On defense I'm really excited about the talent of the youngsters. There will be a learning curve which will probably be frustrating but the young talent is exciting. I'm especially looking forward to Nilijah Ballew and Nate Locke. They both played some last year and looked good in their opportunities. And of course I'm looking forward to the progression of Nick Johnson and Clint Stephens. They both played extraordinarily for their age.

[mscarn]

So many issues last year could be tied to 30 second 3 and outs and the inability of the offense to sustain drives.

That's the key. Efficiency and consistency. Like hammb has said, the whole ball of wax is predicated on getting first downs. Some more variety in the play-calling (i.e. not 20 runs directly up the middle) would help matters as well.

I think James Sanford is another potential superstar on defense along with the freshman DB's. He played extremely well last year and was dominant at times with his speed to the ball.

[kdog27]

I had high expectations (I admit probably too high) last season and was really disappointed with the way we played. Trying to limit my enthusiasm this off season and just wait and see what we got. I'll be in Nashville. Hope some others from here can make it.