Game thread - Ball State

[Siborg]

Well until Friday is over I assume BG will be preparing for both teams, but I suspect they'll be spending more time going over Toledo film since the likelihood of seeing them is greater.

This is an interesting question. Which team, NIU or Toledo, do we focus on until we know the result of the Toledo/WMU game?

I agree we probably prepare for either possibility but I would focus more on NIU and then adjust if necessary this Friday. BG recently prepared for Toledo but has not for NIU this year. NIU can focus on us so if we do not focus on them, we give them a small advantage of a few days prep. Toledo has to focus on WMU so no advantage lost there. In fact, Toledo will not start prep for us again until perhaps Saturday so we would still gain an extra day on them. Again, none of this is critical but its an interesting question to ask the coaches. Of course they must give the PC answer of, we'll prepare for both until they know better which might be true but I bet they focus on one over the other.

[BGSU1]

If UT makes the game next week, I'm not optimistic of our chances. You all can think what you want. Losing this game has become an epidemic as of late. I think our problem is just the opposite of what everybody else is saying (treating it like just another game, coming in cocky, etc.). Honestly, I think we are coming in with such a huge focus on having to beat our rival that we're actually beating ourselves. We come into the game tense and tentative, trying not to lose again. So, rather than trying to win, we're trying not to lose, and we screw up. As fans, we view games against UT as highly important and we want that game to be of huge importance and a major focus. But, I think the team needs to stop putting the game on this huge pedestal, because they've raised it so far up that they can no longer reach it or even see it.

EXACTLY. It was absolutely ridiculous to imply the players did not care about the UT game, or didn't think it was important. I 100% believe they were playing tense instead of going out and playing loose and having fun, and I 100% believe the team would play a completely different game in Detroit. The type of game we're used to seeing them play.

[kdog27]

Each season is different. A loss from 5 years ago has no bearing on this one.

True, but we don't have to go back one, two, three, four or five seasons ago, we only have to go back a few weeks ago when they came into our house and kicked the $hit outta us before we knew what hit us. Toledo was up on us 30-7 right before halftime. I wouldn't expect any team in the country including the likes of Clemson, Ohio State or Alabama to do that to us. But Toledo did.

Nearly everything that could go wrong in that game did and BG was still in it in the 4th quarter. If that happens again I'll believe there is a curse.

I get the doubt but there is reason for optimism.

[Furious_Falcon]

Hey guys, I've been a faithful lurker all season, but with a potential rematch with TSUN looming I had to join the conversation.

I want Toledo in the MACCG more than anything and I was rooting for Ohio like crazy last night. I want to hang another banner as much as the next guy, but you can't deny that doing it against UT would be 100 times more special. The 2013 championship was incredible, but when I talk about it to people I don't just say the we took home the trophy. I talk about how we took on an undefeated, nationally ranked team with a Heisman candidate QB that had a ticket to a major bowl game sitting next to their third straight conference title... and we DOMINATED them. That day is one of my favorite memories, but it's not just about the championship, it's about how it was earned. BG was undeniably the best team that year and no one can say otherwise.

Sure, we would beat NIU and their 9th string QB if we played them a week from now. My guess is we'd be a 2-TD favorite and win by 30. BG would take home the trophy, but no one would think we earned it. "Still didn't beat Toledo", "Played in the weaker division", "Beat a team without a QB". I don't want that.

I believe this team is great. And from what I've read here, so do most of you. And part of being a great team is winning big games against other great teams. I want to play TSUN again, and I want to dominate them like I know this team can. And when we say "2015 MAC Champions", I want that to undeniably mean "Best team in the MAC". That who I think we are and that's what I want to prove.



Also, I realize most of you probably agree, but it still feels good to shout it . Looking forward to being a part of AZZ!

[Falconfreak90]

That #19 playing LB...Roberts?... was around the ball an awful lot last night. Reminded me of Glenn Stanley ...really tall and lean... 'who also played a lot as a true freshman before academics cost him here and eventually cost him a shot at USC with Kiffin.

19 is Brandon Harris, had a game high 11 tackles. Has had a really nice year for a true freshman.

BH is gonna challenge for a starting spot next year...he played a hell of a game last night.

[Falconfreak90]

Hey guys, I've been a faithful lurker all season, but with a potential rematch with TSUN looming I had to join the conversation.

I want Toledo in the MACCG more than anything and I was rooting for Ohio like crazy last night. I want to hang another banner as much as the next guy, but you can't deny that doing it against UT would be 100 times more special. The 2013 championship was incredible, but when I talk about it to people I don't just say the we took home the trophy. I talk about how we took on an undefeated, nationally ranked team with a Heisman candidate QB that had a ticket to a major bowl game sitting next to their third straight conference title... and we DOMINATED them. That day is one of my favorite memories, but it's not just about the championship, it's about how it was earned. BG was undeniably the best team that year and no one can say otherwise.

Sure, we would beat NIU and their 9th string QB if we played them a week from now. My guess is we'd be a 2-TD favorite and win by 30. BG would take home the trophy, but no one would think we earned it. "Still didn't beat Toledo", "Played in the weaker division", "Beat a team without a QB". I don't want that.

I believe this team is great. And from what I've read here, so do most of you. And part of being a great team is winning big games against other great teams. I want to play TSUN again, and I want to dominate them like I know this team can. And when we say "2015 MAC Champions", I want that to undeniably mean "Best team in the MAC". That who I think we are and that's what I want to prove.

Also, I realize most of you probably agree, but it still feels good to shout it . Looking forward to being a part of AZZ!

Welcome Furious Falcon! The more Falcons, the better. I agree with your whole post. Bring on the rockettes for round 2...IF they beat WMU.

[BGSU33]

Hey guys, I've been a faithful lurker all season, but with a potential rematch with TSUN looming I had to join the conversation.

I want Toledo in the MACCG more than anything and I was rooting for Ohio like crazy last night. I want to hang another banner as much as the next guy, but you can't deny that doing it against UT would be 100 times more special. The 2013 championship was incredible, but when I talk about it to people I don't just say the we took home the trophy. I talk about how we took on an undefeated, nationally ranked team with a Heisman candidate QB that had a ticket to a major bowl game sitting next to their third straight conference title... and we DOMINATED them. That day is one of my favorite memories, but it's not just about the championship, it's about how it was earned. BG was undeniably the best team that year and no one can say otherwise.

Sure, we would beat NIU and their 9th string QB if we played them a week from now. My guess is we'd be a 2-TD favorite and win by 30. BG would take home the trophy, but no one would think we earned it. "Still didn't beat Toledo", "Played in the weaker division", "Beat a team without a QB". I don't want that.

I believe this team is great. And from what I've read here, so do most of you. And part of being a great team is winning big games against other great teams. I want to play TSUN again, and I want to dominate them like I know this team can. And when we say "2015 MAC Champions", I want that to undeniably mean "Best team in the MAC". That who I think we are and that's what I want to prove.



Also, I realize most of you probably agree, but it still feels good to shout it . Looking forward to being a part of AZZ!

Good post and welcome aboard. I agree about the 2013 MACC. That made it extra special. If we do indeed face Toledo and beat them in the MACC, that loss in the regular season would be nothing more than a hiccup.

[footballguy51]

I will be at the Toledo game tomorrow with the girlfriend, a UT alum. I'm taking a neutral stance on the game and promised not to wear BGSU or WMU colors. She's been to almost all of the BG home games with me, so I figured it's only fair.