SP+ preseason rankings

[fanatic13]

Bowling Green ranks 101 which is good enough for 6th overall and 2nd in the East. Bit surprising an analytic website has us ranked that highly. Returning production is important which might explain why we passed Kent.

Toledo - 51 (1W)
Miami - 80 (1E)
Central Michigan - 87 (2W)
Niu - 88 (3W)
Western Michigan - 97 (4W)
Bg - 101 (2E)
Buffalo - 106 (3E)
Kent - 108 (4E)
Ohio - 110 (5E)
Eastern Michigan - 112 (5W)
Ball st - 123 (6W)
Akron - 129 (6E)

[fanatic13]

https://www.espn.com/college-football/i ... tions-2022

It is espn+ paywall but I know some will have that as its a requirement for MAC fans to watch

[MarkL]

6th in the MAC seems reasonable but 2nd in the east seems high. Not much respect for the east here.

[jpfalcon09]

East is due for a down year. Crum is gone at Kent, Vantrease is gone at UB, Akron has a new coach (again), Ohio showed it has a long rebuild ahead. I'd agree that BG and Miami on paper would be the two East teams that are best suited for success, but as we all know this comes down to coaching and execution as opposed to what's on paper.

[mbenecke]

I think we would probably be thrilled with that type of result, no?

If the East comes down to us playing Miami at home, we have to be happy about that. That’s such a massive step forward from where we’ve been.

[jpfalcon09]

I think we would probably be thrilled with that type of result, no?

If the East comes down to us playing Miami at home, we have to be happy about that. That’s such a massive step forward from where we’ve been.

I think it's all relative based on the context of how the season goes for most who post here.

[guest44]

East was down last year. See all West teams making bowl games largely based on destroying the East division teams in crossover games. Not out of the question divisions will be removed in football like in other sports.

[Flipper]

Divisions in football in particular are pointless...the MACC is pointless...the basketball tournament is pointless....at this time...most of the revenue sports here are pointless.

I think I see a trend

[MarkL]

I think we would probably be thrilled with that type of result, no?

If the East comes down to us playing Miami at home, we have to be happy about that. That’s such a massive step forward from where we’ve been.

For five straight years (2011-15), BG entered November in serious contention for the MAC east. Won three straight from 2013-15. Haven't since been in contention for the MAC east at any time. I would love to buck that trend.

If I had to rank right now where I'd put the east ...
1. Miami
2. Kent
3. Tie: BG, Ohio
5. Buffalo
6. Akron

Kent has too much talent in skill players to have a serious drop even with losing their QB. Look up Crum's stats, they are not as impressive as you may think for running that offense. He had better stats in 2019. And Ohio? 3-5 in conference. Only two losses by more than a possession - to UT and to BG, each two possession losses. All their MAC games were down to the wire. Call me nuts, I think Ohio's in way better shape going forward than everyone else here seems to be thinking. I don't know what to think about Buffalo. Akron made a really good hire but they've got problems.

The BG defense should be pretty good. Maybe this will be a 2012 sorta season where the defense allows BG to overcome some flaws on offense.

[Beaker]

Divisions in football in particular are pointless...the MACC is pointless...the basketball tournament is pointless....at this time...most of the revenue sports here are pointless.

I think I see a trend

The basketball tournament is particularly pointless because we never win it. Not ever.

[Schadenfreude]

If I had to rank right now where I'd put the east ...
1. Miami
2. Kent
3. Tie: BG, Ohio
5. Buffalo
6. Akron

This is close. I'd put it: Miami, Kent, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Ohio, and Akron.

If the team improves as much this offseason as it did during the previous offseason, the Falcons should get to 6-6, if not better, and qualify for (and play in) a bowl game.

(And even if it's the Etch-A-Sketch Bowl in Bryan, Ohio, you better believe this program will jump at the chance to get more practice and participate in the postseason.)

We know the schedule is more difficult this season. The team could improve quite a bit and still not reach 6-6. But I tend to think the Falcons will sneak a win or two we don't see coming, much as they did this season. Perhaps this means a win over Kent State or Miami or both.

If offensive line play improves, there is a chance this team could be transformed. We'll see.

[TommyG]

There is going to have to be massive improvement on offense to go 6-6.
Defensively I am anticipating some regression. Teams that could pass even a little carved the D up. The games where the defense excelled especially early, they played aggressive crowding the line and pressing wideouts. When teams exposed that for a couple big plays BG adjusted by playing a more conservative style. The run opened up and then the games were blown wide open. More teams will expose that. UCLA may provide a blueprint for MAC teams. Chip Kelly will find holes and I doubt BG will adjust enough to even keep it respectable.

[fanatic13]

Having Kent and Miami at home will be nice. However we know margins are thin and not sure we have the all important qb edge in any conference game. I think we have a clear path to third with buffalo, Ohio, and Akron. Important thing is we continue to improve on both sides of the ball and we have a chance to finish anywhere in the division