Memphis is coming to BG on fire

[BGSU33]

Memphis is riding a 9-game winning streak dating back to last season and has been an offensive machine this year as the Tigers are 2-0 and in the last two weeks they've scored 118 points in two games. Their QB, who happens to be 6-foot-7, just put up Matt Johnson-like numbers of his own vs a Power 5 team last week as he guided the Memphis offense to 651 yards (threw for 354) in a 55-23 road win at Kansas. Yes, I know it was Kansas, but try telling that to a Memphis team that just snapped a 19-game losing streak to Power 5 teams. The Tigers are coming into this game on just as much of a high as BG is, with a little extra something being undefeated. I think it's pretty safe to say that whichever team's defense and special teams plays better is going to win this game as both offenses looks pretty potent.

[Falcon137]

This should be a fun one. I love when 2 good group of 5 members play eachother. Memphis the defending AAC Champ playing the MAC East Champ with both schools look like they will again challenge for their conference crown.

They dropped the hammer on Missouri State and Kansas. The Kansas game reminded me a little of the BG Maryland game. Memphis spotted Kansas a 10-0 before eventually running it to 31-13 and winning 55-23. Of course Kansas was coming off their opener, a game which FCS S. Dakota State scored 41.

In the Kansas game, Memphis ran it 52 times for 281 yards. 5 players had 6 or more carries.

Their QB, Paxton Lynch is 30-37 (81%) for 432 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT and has only been sacked once. Impressive numbers.

Memphis also has a quirky 3 week schedule. They traveled to Kansas last week, BG this week, and then return home to play Cincinnati, Thursday night. Could be a little trap game between a power 5 school and conference rival coming in on a short week.

Safe to say that BG will be the best team Memphis has played thus far. This is going to be a really fun game...and could also have implications for the Group of 5 access bowl.

[Schadenfreude]

This is going to be a really fun game...and could also have implications for the Group of 5 access bowl.

The winner could end up in the Fiesta Bowl. Memphis is as tough a team as we will play the rest of the year.

[jpfalcon09]

They're a very good team for which BG will need to be prepared for. I'm extremely surprised that ESPN or CBS Sports Net hasn't decided to pick up this game, it's likely one of the top-10 games of the week.

We're going to see some gaudy numbers in this one and I wouldn't be shocked to see the total points scored over 100.

[Falcon137]

This is going to be a really fun game...and could also have implications for the Group of 5 access bowl.

The winner could end up in the Fiesta Bowl. Memphis is as tough a team as we will play the rest of the year.

Agreed. Massive Saturday in NW Ohio. tsun has a chance to go to 2-0 with 2 BCS wins (and will likely be favored in every game, except for maybe at the Doyt). BG has a chance to follow a P5 win with a win over the AAC champ, with a winnable P5 game on the horizon.

The MAC setting itself up for a 2003 type season. Ohio has a winnable game @ Minnesota in 2 weeks. NIU has @ BC in 2 weeks.

Go MAC!

[kdog27]

This could be a great year. Hopefully we can play well this Saturday. Got to score touchdowns early and put pressure on Memphis. As much as I hate to do it (root for Toledo) would be sweet to see Toledo and us not lose until we play. Would be similar to the 2003 game with NIU.

I know we MUST play better at home this year and give the fans a reason to keep coming back.

[Falconfreak90]

Memphis is the real deal, totally legit. Their offense is scary...should be a GREAT game and I hope to have us set up in Lot 20 by 10AM. Right now, chance of off and on rain and high of 73.

GO FALCONS!!!!

[Falcon137]

Memphis is the best team to visit the Doyt since.....

Kent State in 2012? Otherwise, probably Boise in 2009.

[TigerFan]

Memphis fan here. Just wanted to say I'm really excited about this game as are most Memphis fans. Pretty impressive what you have been doing this year. Just keep doing your thing (other than this weekend) and beating the P5 teams when you have the chance. Best of luck.

[MarkL]

Definitely looking forward to this one. Memphis is a solid team. They shellacked both Missouri State and Kansas ... and I'm really not sure which one of those was a better team. So this game will be a great measuring stick for both BG and Memphis.

Note: Memphis' defense was outstanding last year. It also was a very senior-led defense. Now they have new guys everywhere but a heck of a good defensive staff to coach them up. Offensively they were good last year but now everybody is back and they are on fire.
It kind of sounds like us - we were excellent on defense in 2012-13 but all of those guys sans Royster and Colvin are gone. We now have a GREAT defensive coordinator and new faces all over the D. Flipside on offense, everybody is back and the offense is explosive. And both teams are coming off dominant multi-possession wins over Big LearnToCount teams. I can't come up with a better mirror of our team than Memphis.
It would only be fitting if this one comes down to the wire. But for the sake of all the cardiologists in NW Ohio and the greater Memphis area, let's hope it doesn't.

[WilliamDuVOL]

This is a tough game for me, as I was raised a UT fan, but as I mentioned a while back I am a Memphis grad. I'm having a hard time deciding who to pull for, as a Memphis win is good for my alma mater, but a BGSU win is good for UT's strength of schedule. That being said, Memphis will be another good test for your O line and QB, and they will test your defense. On the other hand, you will be by and large the best offense they have faced to date, and maybe the best defense considering they've only played an FCS team and a terrible Kansas team that lost to an FCS team. It should be a good, high scoring game.

[jpfalcon09]

This is a tough game for me, as I was raised a UT fan, but as I mentioned a while back I am a Memphis grad. I'm having a hard time deciding who to pull for, as a Memphis win is good for my alma mater, but a BGSU win is good for UT's strength of schedule. That being said, Memphis will be another good test for your O line and QB, and they will test your defense. On the other hand, you will be by and large the best offense they have faced to date, and maybe the best defense considering they've only played an FCS team and a terrible Kansas team that lost to an FCS team. It should be a good, high scoring game.

Both teams will be tested immensely. BG's defense will undoubtedly have to prove the Maryland game wasn't a fluke and will need to carry over a good performance. Offensively, fireworks galore. This will be a track meet if everything goes as planned.

This game deserves better than ESPN3/American Sports Net, IMO. Hopefully some of the Vols decide to check it out since I'm sure many of you stay aware of what Memphis does.

[mscarn]

This game deserves better than ESPN3/American Sports Net, IMO.

It's shocking how bad our TV deals are. The Little 14 network has yet to replay the Maryland game in their replay rotation.

[tigerfanbritt]

First, I come in peace!

I am really looking forward to this game. Two of the better G5 teams and a good measuring stick before conference play. Really wish this one was at home in the Liberty Bowl. I think home field advantage is huge in this game.

Memphis does indeed come into the game on fire. We are led by a coach many consider to be the best coach under 40 in Justin Fuente. I suspect, much like you guys, we will lose him to a P5 school in the near future. Real shame because just 4 years ago we were truly a dumpster fire.

Our QB & RB's are the strength of our football team. Our QB, Paxton Lynch, has NFL potential. He is a big kid with above average arm and can really move for a man his size. We have 4 RB's that could start at most G5 schools and are pretty much interchangeable. Fuente usually plays all 4 and then rides whichever back gets hot. Our WR core is not flashy, yet solid. No burners. We rely heavily on good down and distance situations and are way more ball control than what I have see of your Art Briles type offense.

For those that like to watch action away from the ball I would encourage you to watch our TE/FB in #40 Alan Cross. Dude was a walk-on who is now the team captain. His blocking is exceptional. He is by far my favorite player on our team. Google Cross + Miami Bowl and he is the dude smashing his face with his helmet before the game to fire up the team.

Our defense is fair. We get progressively worse as you move away from the line of scrimmage. Our best defender plays DOG for us. He is really run to watch. Jackson Dillon will fly all over the field. When you see him you won't believe he is playing D1 football. Tall and rangy but has a ton of heart.

Our LB's & DB's are young and inexperienced. I suspect you guys will give them a real test. I expect a shootout. I just hope our DB's can make enough plays to get out of there with a W.

Anyway, just thought I would share a little bit about us. Good luck the rest of the year. Give us this one & we will gladly pull for you guys going forward.
Don't expect a ton of Memphis fans at the game. We travel well but most of us picked Kansas last week for our travel dollars and neither is very close to home. Picking a Kansas road trip wasn't a knock on you. It was simply putting on a good face for the B12 in case they expand.

[jpfalcon09]

First, I come in peace!

I am really looking forward to this game. Two of the better G5 teams and a good measuring stick before conference play. Really wish this one was at home in the Liberty Bowl. I think home field advantage is huge in this game.

Memphis does indeed come into the game on fire. We are led by a coach many consider to be the best coach under 40 in Justin Fuente. I suspect, much like you guys, we will lose him to a P5 school in the near future. Real shame because just 4 years ago we were truly a dumpster fire.

Our QB & RB's are the strength of our football team. Our QB, Paxton Lynch, has NFL potential. He is a big kid with above average arm and can really move for a man his size. We have 4 RB's that could start at most G5 schools and are pretty much interchangeable. Fuente usually plays all 4 and then rides whichever back gets hot. Our WR core is not flashy, yet solid. No burners. We rely heavily on good down and distance situations and are way more ball control than what I have see of your Art Briles type offense.

For those that like to watch action away from the ball I would encourage you to watch our TE/FB in #40 Alan Cross. Dude was a walk-on who is now the team captain. His blocking is exceptional. He is by far my favorite player on our team. Google Cross + Miami Bowl and he is the dude smashing his face with his helmet before the game to fire up the team.

Our defense is fair. We get progressively worse as you move away from the line of scrimmage. Our best defender plays DOG for us. He is really run to watch. Jackson Dillon will fly all over the field. When you see him you won't believe he is playing D1 football. Tall and rangy but has a ton of heart.

Our LB's & DB's are young and inexperienced. I suspect you guys will give them a real test. I expect a shootout. I just hope our DB's can make enough plays to get out of there with a W.

Anyway, just thought I would share a little bit about us. Good luck the rest of the year. Give us this one & we will gladly pull for you guys going forward.
Don't expect a ton of Memphis fans at the game. We travel well but most of us picked Kansas last week for our travel dollars and neither is very close to home. Picking a Kansas road trip wasn't a knock on you. It was simply putting on a good face for the B12 in case they expand.

Welcome!

We're certainly excited for the game on Saturday, Memphis may be the best home opponent BG has had since Boise State in 2009. Please take that as a major compliment. We're hoping for a big crowd at the Doyt and crossing our fingers the weather stays nice.

I suspect the game will be high scoring and come down to whomever can get stops (or force FGs) and generate turnovers. I mean this as no disrespect but this will likely be the best offense Memphis faces all year. BG has arguably the deepest WR group in FBS and two solid RBs that compliment each other. BG has four legitimate receiving threats that can make game-changing plays and Matt Johnson leads FBS in passing yardage.

BG has a new D-coordinator this year who was responsible in shutting down Melvin Gordon last year. They played well despite being out-sized and skilled against Tennessee, and while they allowed 59 points, a handful of drives were the result of a short field due to poor special teams. They played much better against Maryland (allowing 20 points, one TD was scored on special teams) and forcing four turnovers. Memphis should provide a great test for both Coach Ward and the players on D to see how far they've come.

I think as far as G5 schools go, this may be one of the top 5 non-conference games at the mid-level range this season. I wish you guys good luck as well and look forward to meeting some of your fans at the Doyt.