Purdue opens a 2-point favorite over BG

[BGSU33]

This is a game BG can win. But it's going to take our offense playing on fire again, our defense giving us something and our special teams showing a pulse. I do believe this game could come down to us needing to make a FG. The MAC has five matchup with the Big Ten this weekend and I would LOVE to see BG get another victory over them. I said before the season started I would be very happy going at least 2-2. If we did that it would have meant getting at least one win against a Power Five school. If we meet that mark now, it would be with a pair of Big Ten victories and I'll take that any day of the week.

[falcon83]

We HAVE to stop all of the stupid penalties to pull it off. Our offense is much better than Purdue and the defenses are equal. Fewest penalties wins the game.

[Falconfreak90]

This is a game we should win....period. I am watching the replay of Va Tech and Purdue right and they don't possess much of an offense. We *should* be able to move the ball at will on them.

83 is correct...the way to lose this game is by continuing to commit stupid penalties. Cut them down and I feel good about leaving WL with a double digit win.

[BGSU33]

I watched the Purdue vs Marshall game in week one and Purdue actually looked pretty good. They actually were in control for most of the game before Marshall pulled it out at the end. Purdue was pounding the ball with their two backs and was wearing Marshall down and their QB was pretty effective. I actually think BG is going to have to play a much more physical game than it did vs Maryland to win. But this is another great opportunity for another Power Five win, which would make three in the past two season vs Big Ten teams if BG can do it.

[MarkL]

Purdue's offensive line is outstanding. I said it on a different thread, Purdue may be the worst OOC opponent, but they may offer the most difficult matchup in their offensive line vs our front 7. They have a 400+ pound guard.
I believe our offense can score on them. To win this one, our defense will have to prevent Purdue from doing 5+ minute drives full of 4-5 yard plays which keep our offense off the field. If we get behind in this one and our defense cannot stop Purdue from running the ball and the clock, we are in trouble.

[jpfalcon09]

This game will teach us a lot about what type of football team we have this year. There's no doubt the Memphis loss stings and putting that in the review mirror will be important this week. Win this game and you still have the opportunity at a 10-win season and bragging rights over defeating two B1G teams.

[BGSU33]

This game will teach us a lot about what type of football team we have this year. There's no doubt the Memphis loss stings and putting that in the review mirror will be important this week. Win this game and you still have the opportunity at a 10-win season and bragging rights over defeating two B1G teams.

I agree. This game is going to either springboard us into MAC play, or we're going to go limping into MAC play. And remember, we play at Buffalo after Purdue so we don't even get to come home following this game. I wouldn't quite label this as a "must-win" game, but it's pretty close to being one as it's sandwiched between a tough heartbreaker and a conference road game.

[NIUBoiler]

I think it will be a very interesting game, but I see Bowling Green pulling away in this one. I'm not sure why Purdue opened as favorites.

[jpfalcon09]

I think it will be a very interesting game, but I see Bowling Green pulling away in this one. I'm not sure why Purdue opened as favorites.

They're home and BG's defense is suspect.

[WilliamDuVOL]

BG - 45
Purdue - 21

Matt Johnson throws for over 500 yards and eclipses 2250 on the season by game 5.

[Falconfreak90]

I hope to hell the Memphis loss stings in that locker room. It still stings for me today...should have, could have, would have. I so wanted the opportunity to go 3-1 non conf. I thought 2-2 in the first four would be good for us and we had the chance to do better. Add the fact that 4 of our first 5 games are on the road? That's a tough task but we seem to be up for it. The freakin penalties and bad ST play have got to stop as we are killing ourselves there.

Take out the frustration this week and get a W. Head into conference play ready to roll....

BEAT PURDUE

[Falcon137]

I hope to hell the Memphis loss stings in that locker room. It still stings for me today...should have, could have, would have. I so wanted the opportunity to go 3-1 non conf. I thought 2-2 in the first four would be good for us and we had the chance to do better. Add the fact that 4 of our first 5 games are on the road? That's a tough task but we seem to be up for it. The freakin penalties and bad ST play have got to stop as we are killing ourselves there.

Take out the frustration this week and get a W. Head into conference play ready to roll....

BEAT PURDUE

All of this is what makes me nervous about this game. I can see this loss hanging over like a dark cloud. If BG plays to their ability I wouldn't be surprised to see a 54-34 type score. Purdue and Maryland are comparable talent wise. Come in with a hangover from the Memphis game or looking forward to conference play and I can see that score reversed.

[TG1996]

Looks like the line flipped, BG now -2.5, O/U 79.

It's pretty amazing to me to think that we could be kicking off as a favorite in a Big Ten stadium. I fully expect us to win Saturday, and that scares me. Had a similar feeling the last time BG played a Big Ten team in the Hoosier State. Ouch.

[Beaker]

This will be a gut check game for us, particularly for the defense. They have something to prove and I'm hoping they'll rise to the challenge. We can't just rely on the offense to always carry the load - the defense has to get some stops, especially in the 2nd half. They did it against Maryland and didn't do it against Memphis. Granted, those offenses are certainly not on par with each other, but from watching both games, it seemed like the defense was putting out more effort against the Terps, with multiple guys swarming to the ball on every play, especially the later in the game it got. I wonder which defense we'll see this week? The Purdue offensive line is worrisome and stopping the run takes defenders making a commitment to put their bodies through a lot of punishment. I could see us either getting stops early and gaining confidence as the game goes on, or getting run over early and getting demoralized as the game goes on. The offense will score points, but as already stated in this thread, if we get behind early and can't stop their ground game to get the ball back for the offense, we'll be in for a long day. I don't know how to predict this one, but I think after it's over we'll know a lot more about the mental makeup of this team.

[jpfalcon09]

This will be a gut check game for us, particularly for the defense. They have something to prove and I'm hoping they'll rise to the challenge. We can't just rely on the offense to always carry the load - the defense has to get some stops, especially in the 2nd half. They did it against Maryland and didn't do it against Memphis. Granted, those offenses are certainly not on par with each other, but from watching both games, it seemed like the defense was putting out more effort against the Terps, with multiple guys swarming to the ball on every play, especially the later in the game it got. I wonder which defense we'll see this week? The Purdue offensive line is worrisome and stopping the run takes defenders making a commitment to put their bodies through a lot of punishment. I could see us either getting stops early and gaining confidence as the game goes on, or getting run over early and getting demoralized as the game goes on. The offense will score points, but as already stated in this thread, if we get behind early and can't stop their ground game to get the ball back for the offense, we'll be in for a long day. I don't know how to predict this one, but I think after it's over we'll know a lot more about the mental makeup of this team.

I felt the defense did what they could against Memphis, they especially keyed on the run and did a decent job at taking away the wide running game numerous times. The problem lied in pass coverage where the DL was not able to get much of a pass rush and thus the secondary lost coverages. If I counted correctly, BG forced I believe 6 stops (including FGs and the fake punt) which should be enough for you to win the game with the offense BG runs.

I like our chances if Purdue decides to play power football and go with double tight sets and try to pound the ball, defenses at BG have typically struggled with spread-style offenses.