MAC Champion Gets To Play….Georgia Southern

[ZuluWarrior]

MEH.

I'll watch and I hope the team has a great time. I know Mobile puts on a fun few days for the players, but really?

And what really pisses me off is that NIU gets to play Boise in San Diego - not right.

[gmartin]

Already have a similar thread but Toledo plays Temple and CMU plays Minnesota.

[Indiana4]

Does not make sense that Toledo and NUI would play better opponents. Can some one explain that please.

[jpfalcon09]

Does not make sense that Toledo and NUI would play better opponents. Can some one explain that please.

Sure!

The GoDaddy Bowl was upset that last season they did not receive the MAC champion as their representative as NIU went to Boca, so they were adamant that this year the conference champ was going to go. It just so happened that the SBC winner Arkansas State has gone to the bowl four straight years and both parties weren't interested in a 5th. GSU was selected because they're an upstart program (second year in FBS) and will supposedly travel well for this game.

I blame if anything the way the bowl contracts have been structured. I firmly believe that the MAC champ should be facing another G5 conference champ who isn't going to the playoff. It would make too much sense for it to work as this year you would have the MAC go against CUSA (BG/WKU) and the SBC vs. MWC (Ark St. vs. SDSU).

IMO, the MAC needs to do a MUCH better job at ensuring their conference champion lands in a desirable bowl game. It's a chance to capitalize on a fan base that will be energized and willing to travel for a good matchup. I feel bad for the players in this case as I've talked to numerous BG alums who sadly don't have much interest in traveling to Mobile this year because of who they're playing.

[kdog27]

Does not make sense that Toledo and NUI would play better opponents. Can some one explain that please.

Sure!

The GoDaddy Bowl was upset that last season they did not receive the MAC champion as their representative as NIU went to Boca, so they were adamant that this year the conference champ was going to go. It just so happened that the SBC winner Arkansas State has gone to the bowl four straight years and both parties weren't interested in a 5th. GSU was selected because they're an upstart program (second year in FBS) and will supposedly travel well for this game.

I blame if anything the way the bowl contracts have been structured. I firmly believe that the MAC champ should be facing another G5 conference champ who isn't going to the playoff. It would make too much sense for it to work as this year you would have the MAC go against CUSA (BG/WKU) and the SBC vs. MWC (Ark St. vs. SDSU).

IMO, the MAC needs to do a MUCH better job at ensuring their conference champion lands in a desirable bowl game. It's a chance to capitalize on a fan base that will be energized and willing to travel for a good matchup. I feel bad for the players in this case as I've talked to numerous BG alums who sadly don't have much interest in traveling to Mobile this year because of who they're playing.

I live in Birmingham and have little interest...

[MarkL]

Just a quick thought ... Georgia Southern is about as stylistically opposite of us as one can get. They run and run and run and run some more and they are good at it. The clash of the two styles may make for a better-than-expected game. And if we get behind we are in trouble because they clock control so well.

However I expect us to win. For two reasons. One, we'll be able to score on them while Matt and the offense finish the season on a high note. And two, we have several weeks to prep. Those option offenses are made so effective during the regular season because defenses have to shift gears in one week to prep. That is a big reason the military academies run variants of the triple option - the totally different offense is a way to balance out the size disadvantage. But when you have all winter to prep for this offense, you are ready. Look at GT's bowl record under Paul Johnson and the triple option - their one serious bowl win was over a sleep-walking Mississippi State game. Beyond that GT has a bad record in bowls including some blowout losses. And we have an interim head coach who is the defensive coordinator - he will have his guys ready.

[Redwingtom]

Did someone say run?

GaSo has 742 yards passing...FOR THE WHOLE SEASON!

[BGSU33]

Did someone say run?

GaSo has 742 yards passing...FOR THE WHOLE SEASON!

Georgia Southern is THE #1 rushing offense in the country! I have only caught glimpses of them this year but from what I remember (and I could be wrong) they don't always line up in a traditional wishbone formation running that offense. I feel like I remember them running it more out of a 2-back set and sometimes even out of the pistol formation. The guys on set of the bowl selection show said it best, they said this is a team BG needs to get out ahead of early with a fast start and put them behind a couple scores, because if not, GSU will run, run, run and hold the ball and give your defense fits while keeping your offense on the sidelines.

Also keep in mind, this is the second consecutive year we'll be facing a team making their first-ever bowl appearance. You know damn well their team and fans are jacked.

[BGSU33]

Also keep in mind they lost in OT at Georgia this year! Last year they only lost by 1 at NC State and by 4 at Georgia Tech, and the year before that they beat Florida in The Swamp - without completing a pass! Think about that for a minute.

[ValleyBoy]

Did someone say run?

GaSo has 742 yards passing...FOR THE WHOLE SEASON!

Georgia Southern is THE #1 rushing offense in the country! I have only caught glimpses of them this year but from what I remember (and I could be wrong) they don't always line up in a traditional wishbone formation running that offense. I feel like I remember them running it more out of a 2-back set and sometimes even out of the pistol formation. The guys on set of the bowl selection show said it best, they said this is a team BG needs to get out ahead of early with a fast start and put them behind a couple scores, because if not, GSU will run, run, run and hold the ball and give your defense fits while keeping your offense on the sidelines.

Also keep in mind, this is the second consecutive year we'll be facing a team making their first-ever bowl appearance. You know damn well their team and fans are jacked.

Just a little history on the Georgia Southern offense. When Georgia Southern restarted their football team in the early 80' the offense that was used was the Paul Johnson flex-bone offense that is still used today at Georgia Tech, Navy, and Army. This was the offense that Georgia Southern ran all except for 4 years which Georgia Southern fans refer to as the dark ages and the last 2 years under Willie Fritz. When Willie Fritz was hired alot of GS fans wanted another HC hired that would also run the flex-bone offense. Fritz was hired because he ran an option based offense which the fanbase could except at Georgia Southern.
The offense that Georgia Southern runs under Fritz is ran out of the pistol/shotgun set with anywhere from no backs or up to 3 backs in the backfield. The Eagles usually have at least one player in motion on each and every play, it could be a back or wideout that is in motion. The Eagles offense lives and dies off of the inside running game. The Eagles runningbacks and QB's are very good at being able to located the hole then hit the hole. The one part of the Eagle offense which has not been up to speed this year is the passing game, but it has been more of poor excution. The passing game has been there but has been more of the QB's making poor throws or the receivers just flat out missing the ball.

[Johnnyswoop]

Guys I said it in my thread that I started...which by the way my daughter has started trash talking already!

Do not take this team lightly!! They can two-platoon at Quarterback with Upshaw, but mostly with Ellison. Matt Breida while hurt a few weeks back is a good strong runner inside or outside and L.A. (stands for Little Albert) Ramsby is no slouch either.

Big Key to the game, set it up as a track meet. Get up early with the Falcon Fast and go 8 Men in the Box and stuff their run. The closest thing we have seen to their type of offense is OU and that worked out well this year.

See you at the Brick Pit and Parade Route.

[BGFalconfromCincy]

I don't think anyone around here is taking Georgia Southern lightly, especially since we are without our head coach and they have the top rushing offense in the country. Disappointed in our bowl opponent shouldn't be seen as taking them lightly.

At the end of the day though our words mean nothing since none of us are playing in the game.

[TG1996]

I don't think anyone around here is taking Georgia Southern lightly, especially since we are without our head coach and they have the top rushing offense in the country. Disappointed in our bowl opponent shouldn't be seen as taking them lightly.

At the end of the day though our words mean nothing since none of us are playing in the game.

"Do not overlook this team!" ranks up there with "I hope I'm wrong, but I predict we'll lose" atop the message board-isms list for me.

[Lord_Byron]

I'm taking them lightly, but it doesn't f****ng matter because I don't have to play or coach.

[MajorFalcon92]

I'm taking them lightly, but it doesn't f****ng matter because I don't have to play or coach.

If you make the trip you may be able to coach, since it appears we may not have many on the sidelines for this game.