Tidbits from coaches caravan...

[falcon83]

After what we put (or didn't put) on the field last year, it would appear we could be sacrificial lambs against the rest of the MAC. The first few games will probably make that more certain.

[Falcon137]

will Ronnie Moore have to sit the first half bc of the targeting call in the Bowl game.

Yes, he will.

[FalconKid]

thanks, Falcon137.

[Schadenfreude]

Also, if this type of schedule is so ideal...

I don't see many here saying it's ideal. It's more challenging than usual. But, since the athletic department has been clear this does not represent a philosophical shift, I don't see the point in grousing about it.

[Schadenfreude]

I know I'm not alone here but my interest for BG football was spawned from us beating teams like Purdue, Northwestern, Kansas Mizzou etc. It also grew from losses to teams much more physical and talented than Tennessee like Ohio State and Oklahoma. It converted me from being a casual fan of BG football to one who has seem us play in 20 different stadiums now. Sorry but going 3-1 against sorry teams probably never would've done much for me.

Good point. The nonconference games against recognizable opponents is perhaps my favorite part of the season. I was there when the Falcons upset Missouri in 1995. I've been to a lot of different stadiums since, hoping to see the Falcons do it again. Sometimes they do. Watching them take their shots is a lot of fun -- one of the best parts of Falcon football, in my mind.

[FalconKid]

Tennessee will be pretty good this yr. Maryland, not so much.

[kdog27]

Tennessee has supposed to be good for years now. I'll believe it when they actually are. They are no better than the last 2 teams from the SEC we have played.

Not saying a slaughter is out of the question but I think we match up fine with them for a week 1 game.

[Falconfreak90]

I am more worried about Memphis than any other non conf team this year. I expect to beat MD and Purdue. TN will be a tough matchup.

[footballguy51]

I am more worried about Memphis than any other non conf team this year. I expect to beat MD and Purdue. TN will be a tough matchup.

What's sad is if we go 3-1 in non-conference play, with our one loss being to Memphis, we'll be dissed for having a bad loss instead of having three good wins. Meanwhile, if we go 4-0 and only squeak by Memphis, the nation will claim we aren't very good because we couldn't destroy Memphis. We all know Memphis is probably the best (or second best) non-conference team we'll play, but the nation will see it as the fourth best because they aren't in a power conference.

[gspointer]

Until our defense proves itself all this talk of beating Purdue and Maryland is comical. We were bad- epic bad last year. On paper we do not appear to be better. The game is not played on paper but I think all this swagger is a bit premature. All of those teams could end up running on us all day.

[kdog27]

My expectations aren't really high. I thought we were a poorly coached team for most of last season that got to 8 wins by beating several really bad teams. Indiana and bowl game were bright spots but other than that we underachieved.

That being said I hope they put it together in year 2 of this style of play. Lot of talent on offense that will hopefully be better utilized. Defense will probably give up a lot of yards and points though

[Falcon137]

If BG is 4-0 or 3-1 they will, at the very least be in the conversation for a New Years bowl.

Everyone keeps talking about Maryland and Purdue not being very good. The last "not very good" Big10 BG played on the road beat the best BG team in 10 years by 32.

BG is probably talented enough to play with everyone. Can they mentally get up for each game in back to back to back to back weeks is the question. That's a tall task. Last year, Wisconsin was clearly better but it was also obvious BG didn't have the same energy as the the week before against Indiana.

[Beaker]

Good point. Taking wins for granted is what led to the disaster that was week 1 last year. I think a lot of fans, players and coaches were guilty of that, for the most part. Hopefully that will serve as a lesson learned for this upcoming season.

[Falconfreak90]

The offense should be firing on all cylinders this year with every starter back. Yes, the D has BiG ?'s but I like the hire of Brian Ward to vastly improve the D. Getting B Thomas back for another year is a huge plus. Both Tate and Davidson return on ST's. Maybe I get too jacked up in the pre season with expectations but feel we can go at least 2-2 non conf.


101 days til kickoff....BEAT TN.

[Flipper]

As fans who don't actually play a single down of football...we can be as cocky and overconfident as we wish. The players and coaches are another story...