Three key games in 2022

[Schadenfreude]

Looking ahead to our 2022 schedule, what do you all see as our key three football games?

In my mind its:

--Marshall. This is the one nonconference game that seems like it could easily go either way. This is a historically sound football program. Winning this game could put the Falcons on the path to bowl eligiblity.
--Miami. This one got away from the Falcons and didn't end that close, but I do wonder if it would have been a much different story with better offensive line play. This is another game where, if we win, we should be in very good shape for a bowl game.
--Toledo. This one is always big. Given how out of hand this got last year, it looks like a tough matchup. We might be a year away from being favored in this game, but we cannot have a repeat of last year's debacle.

[roguewarrior]

IF …IF….. we are in the mix for a run or a bowl game, the Wednesday Night game V. Western Michigan will decide our season. So let it be written.

[MarkL]

If I had to pick out the arbitrary number of three key games that will dictate the season, I go with Marshall, at Akron, and Kent.

Marshall, the most winnable non conf FBS opponent and a good measuring stick. An early win goes a long way.
Akron, MAC opener and cellar dweller that is on an embarrassing two game win streak over BG. Ending that ugly streak would be a morale boost and the first 1-0 conference start since ... 2015.
Kent, MAC east champ that BG had and let slip away last year. Sandwiched between WMU and UT, a win would be meaningful.

[Schadenfreude]

If I had to pick out the arbitrary number of three key games that will dictate the season,

LOL

Marshall, the most winnable non conf FBS opponent and a good measuring stick. An early win goes a long way.
Akron, MAC opener and cellar dweller that is on an embarrassing two game win streak over BG. Ending that ugly streak would be a morale boost and the first 1-0 conference start since ... 2015.
Kent, MAC east champ that BG had and let slip away last year. Sandwiched between WMU and UT, a win would be meaningful.

Kent is another great choice. We were close in that one.

As for Akron: My goodness, if the Falcons can't find a way to finally beat those guys, this season could get very, very ugly.

[Flipper]

When you've lost as much as we have...all your games are "key" games

[TommyG]

1st 3 MAC games Akron, Buffalo, Miami. Better get off to a decent start in these games. Schedule gets tougher down the line. You don’t start off 2-1 you’re probably a last place team.

[roguewarrior]

When you've lost as much as we have...all your games are "key" games

I almost wrote the same. We don’t have any games you can presume victory for, so how can you pick a “key” game?

[Siborg]

3 I'm most interested in are @UCLA, Marshall and @MSU.
3 most important are probably any 3/5 against MAC East teams.

[Schadenfreude]

3 I'm most interested in are @UCLA, Marshall and @MSU.
3 most important are probably any 3/5 against MAC East teams.

Makes sense.

I love seeing how we measure up nonconference, so I get that.

I guess the question becomes which games are most 50/50 for us. Marshall definitely feels that way to me. I'm unsure about the MAC schedule, and which games truly are toss ups.

[MarkL]

As for Akron: My goodness, if the Falcons can't find a way to finally beat those guys, this season could get very, very ugly.

BG beat Akron every year from 2007 to 2016 except for 2010 and 2011 where the teams did not play. BG lost in 2005 and 2006, both games marred by highly questionable officiating. So for Akron to be as bad as they are and yet on a two game win streak is really infuriating.

I didn't get to watch the game last year, was traveling that day. As I recall BG was stomping Akron early and then let off the gas. Then some new Akron QB showed up and lit up the BG defense. BG had no film reels on the kid at all so in that situation Akron has an advantage of kinds. Still, the 2021 loss was bad. And the 2020 loss was just abysmal.

BG better beat Akron. They have a new coach who is going to work out if given the resources.

[Schadenfreude]

I didn't get to watch the game last year, was traveling that day. As I recall BG was stomping Akron early and then let off the gas. Then some new Akron QB showed up and lit up the BG defense. BG had no film reels on the kid at all so in that situation Akron has an advantage of kinds. Still, the 2021 loss was bad.

This is a pretty good summary. I'm not sure the Falcons let off the gas exactly, but there was one series near the Akron goal line, up 28-7, where Loeffler called several run plays in a row and the Falcons could not punch it in.

I imagine Loeffler saw it as a teaching moment: Either the team punches it in, and it's a bonding moment for the line. Or the team doesn't score, our linemen will recognize they have more work to do in practice, and the Falcons will get the ball back again soon because Akron really looked hopeless.

Soon thereafter, the Zips had a new QB, and it was like a whole new opponent.

That second half was painful to watch as the game slipped away.

I certainly hope this rebuilt offensive line will be able to punch it in on first and goal from short distance against Akron.

[factman]

I honestly think EVERY game is a key game this year. Not so much from a win/loss record, but how we play. If it is still sloppy and getting manhandled up front, it is time for a CHANGE. That being said, I think we should expect a WIN/LOSS record of better than 5 wins.