CMU

[zete]

One parting observation. I am perplexed to a degree as to how lackluster/unmotivated and under performing the FAlcons had played until this past weekend. Heck, we were 26 pt underdogs. Enter the likes of one fiery Italian, Phil Villapiano foaming at the mouth, and a host of other past players roaming throughout the locker-room and suddenly the team has swagger playing with heart. If I am the AD, I may question the current staff's ability to motivate.
This coming Saturday is the Central Michigan game. The outcome will be a better measuring stick as to where we are at.

[mbenecke]

I'm really looking forward to being back in the Doyt on Saturday. You're right that it's a bit of a measuring stick game - CMU rebuilt quickly and they seem to be a team on the rise in the West. If we win this game as 10 point underdogs, the momentum around the program will really start to build.

I could see this being a tough game for them to get up for after last week's slugfest, but consistency is a trait that good teams have. We're still working on it, but I'd love to see that type of effort and preparation two weeks in a row.

[Flipper]

I think you can...to a degree...throw out the pre ND portion of the season. Loy adds a dimension to the offense that Wade lacked. A more more productive offense aids the defense.

We're a different team with Loy at QB

[roguewarrior]

One parting observation. I am perplexed to a degree as to how lackluster/unmotivated and under performing the FAlcons had played until this past weekend. Heck, we were 26 pt underdogs. Enter the likes of one fiery Italian, Phil Villapiano foaming at the mouth, and a host of other past players roaming throughout the locker-room and suddenly the team has swagger playing with heart. If I am the AD, I may question the current staff's ability to motivate.
This coming Saturday is the Central Michigan game. The outcome will be a better measuring stick as to where we are at.

You have no idea what you are saying. The staff brings a tremendous intensity to EVERYTHING they do. The players have been challenged in everything
From day 1. It takes time to remove the dead wood, and turn the culture. I could give dozens examples of day to day “pushing” the staff does, from on time to academics to how to eat lunch. Don’t say stupid things you don’t know anything about.

[zete]

Ok Ok sorry i touched on a raw nerve. I thought a post such as yours would appear. You must be on the inside seeing many of the tangibles leading to results. I am hoping it continues ....How do they eat lunch anyway?

[roguewarrior]

Ok Ok sorry i touched on a raw nerve. I thought a post such as yours would appear. You must be on the inside seeing many of the tangibles leading to results. I am hoping it continues ....How do they eat lunch anyway?

The attention to detail includes weighing in each week, to make sure kids are eating properly. Emphasis on training, nutrition, water, sleep.... being commited to everything... so, lunch tray will not have shi€ on it. Many of these kids stayed up all night and ate garbage... ALL in at every is what is is demanded. It’s Tom Brady training vs. Johnny Manziel, if that helps.

[zete]

Ok Ok sorry i touched on a raw nerve. I thought a post such as yours would appear. You must be on the inside seeing many of the tangibles leading to results. I am hoping it continues ....How do they eat lunch anyway?

The attention to detail includes weighing in each week, to make sure kids are eating properly. Emphasis on training, nutrition, water, sleep.... being commited to everything... so, lunch tray will not have shi€ on it. Many of these kids stayed up all night and ate garbage... ALL in at every is what is is demanded. It’s Tom Brady training vs. Johnny Manziel, if that helps.

https://imagez.tmz.com/image/9c/o/2016/ ... 0f2_md.jpg" target="_blank

[BillyLP]

Now that I'm coming down off of my cloud from Saturday, I'm realizing two things about this matchup:

1) I sure hope the team came down off of the cloud quicker than I did, or they are going to get smacked.
2) I don't think CMU has really shown anything that makes them any better than BG so far.

CMU has had a very weak schedule, aside from Wisconsin (who beat them 61-0, so a comparable beat down to BG's against ND and KSU) and Miami (who looked like garbage and was clearly looking ahead to their ACC schedule). They let a much worse Albany team keep it relatively close, and two of their wins are against Akron and New Mexico State, who are solidly in the 10 worst teams in the country.

I'm not saying I expect us to railroad them, because BG is still short on depth and skill, but I do think that we should make this a competitive game at home, at the very least.

[roguewarrior]

Now that I'm coming down off of my cloud from Saturday, I'm realizing two things about this matchup:

1) I sure hope the team came down off of the cloud quicker than I did, or they are going to get smacked.
2) I don't think CMU has really shown anything that makes them any better than BG so far.

CMU has had a very weak schedule, aside from Wisconsin (who beat them 61-0, so a comparable beat down to BG's against ND and KSU) and Miami (who looked like garbage and was clearly looking ahead to their ACC schedule). They let a much worse Albany team keep it relatively close, and two of their wins are against Akron and New Mexico State, who are solidly in the 10 worst teams in the country.

I'm not saying I expect us to railroad them, because BG is still short on depth and skill, but I do think that we should make this a competitive game at home, at the very least.

With Loy and the starters in one piece, I expect to be competitive in all our remaining games. I am hoping for at least 2 more wins....

[Schadenfreude]

I've been going back and forth about this game. On the one hand, Bowling Green dominated Toledo. That game wasn't really as close as the score. The defense was fierce and Loy offers a new dimension with his ability to run the ball.

On the other hand:

1. Loy has not shown himself to be much of a deep threat. The way he whiffed on that throw to a wide open Austin Dorris was agonizing.

2. How much of our defensive success is replicable? Can Central Michigan adjust to what we were doing? And how much of it was specific to Toledo?

3. Bowling Green caught some real breaks, including two badly misplayed kickoffs on Toledo's part. We can't count on that luck every week.

So we will see. I'm afraid to get my hopes up. But Bowling Green played a hell of a game last weekend, and it's interesting to think what might be possible from here on out.

[mbenecke]

I've been going back and forth about this game. On the one hand, Bowling Green dominated Toledo. That game wasn't really as close as the score. The defense was fierce and Loy offers a new dimension with his ability to run the ball.

On the other hand:

1. Loy has not shown himself to be much of a deep threat. The way he whiffed on that throw to a wide open Austin Dorris was agonizing.

2. How much of our defensive success is replicable? Can Central Michigan adjust to what we were doing? And how much of it was specific to Toledo?

3. Bowling Green caught some real breaks, including two badly misplayed kickoffs on Toledo's part. We can't count on that luck every week.

So we will see. I'm afraid to get my hopes up. But Bowling Green played a hell of a game last weekend, and it's interesting to think what might be possible from here on out.

Speaking to your first point, that play was the most frustrating moment of Saturday's game. Dorris had 10 yards on everyone and Loy just short-armed it. If he makes that throw, Dorris walks into the end zone easily and we're officially blowing Toledo's doors off.

And another thing in relation to that which I feel like bringing up: Matt McDonald's arm is scary good. It's clear to me why he won the starting job in camp, and I think it's a shame he was declared ineligible this year because I think our offense would have been much better than it has been through 6 games. Loeffler has helped him make a jump in practice, and I just saw a video yesterday of him throwing a bomb that traveled 50ish yards in the air and dropped on a dime right to Ortega-Jones near the end zone. It was a gorgeous ball, and I'm confident this offense will take a leap next year with the return of the downfield passing game, which will also force defenses out of stacking the box, allowing Andrew Clair to do what he does best. I'm really, really encouraged by this.

[Schadenfreude]

Matt McDonald's arm is scary good.... I just saw a video yesterday of him throwing a bomb that traveled 50ish yards in the air and dropped on a dime right to Ortega-Jones near the end zone. It was a gorgeous ball...

This is great to hear. Thanks for sharing.

[roguewarrior]

He is hands down the best QB, adding he knows the intricacies of the offense and is able to coach the line and receivers where they should be , Route depth/running, etc... sucks he was robbed of waiver, but in strange way, may we be better for it in the long run??

[BillyLP]

Good story on Grant Loy sticking it out here: https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/bgsu ... 0191016023

[zete]

I would be a little surprised, but not totally to see a little bit of Wade this Sat too.