OK, here it is... less than a week away from Camp Randall Stadium and the Badgers. We've hyped this Falcon team up a LOT this off-season, but none of that matters at all come Saturday. (I know we had a similar thread, but that was weeks ago... now we know a little more and traditionally we've done this the week of the game)
Post your prediction. If you want to justify it with some arguments, then do so.
Personally, I don't think this game will be close.
Falcons - 56
Badgers - 24
I also predict coach Brandon will wear this same outfit until we lose....
OK... maybe not...
Grant Cummings
ROLL ALONG!!!
"We are linked to this institution by invisible bonds that do not wither or dissolve." --BGSU President, Dr. Ralph W. McDonald - 1968
The front 7, especially Thaler, Parks, and Piepkow, must do a good job of slowing down Wisconsin's running game and getting pressure on the quarterback on third downs. For some reason, I'm not too concerned about the play of the DB's. Like everybody else, I have no concern about our offense being able to put up points against anybody's defense. I think Omar will get his yards to Steve and Chuck, but the difference is going to be the play of the other receivers (especially Corey Partridge) and PJ Pope running the ball. I think Wisconsin's going to concentrate on Omar chucking it down the field that they're going to completely forget about PJ, who is our best football player in my opinion. Special teams will do a decent job, hopefully not losing us any points. I think they will, though, at some point. Either by not converting a 4th down on the Wisconsin 15 that should have been 3 points or a kickoff out-of-bounds, we could easily give up points on special teams. If Timchenko can keep the kickoffs in bounds and placed well and can make extra points and potential easy field goals, we'll be fine. I'm not too worried about Fry because he shouldn't get much work.
For everyone headed to Wisconsin, have a safe and enjoyable trip to and from Madison! I would give anything to be there, but I will be in a bar in West Virginia watching on ESPN before a wedding at 2:30. I hope it's not close at 2:30 and I have to miss the 4th quarter. Can't wait for Muncie in less than 2 weeks!!
4th & 13 on PU 32yd line.. 56,000 fans up on their feet screaming, i held my breath the entire play trying to make as little noise as possible.. wouldnt u know Sharon would make the biggest touchdown catch in the history of BG Football, FALCON UP!
Coach B rightfully pulls Omar in the fourth, but if he keeps him in, the Falcons score 50 and Omar is on everyone's top 5 Heisman Watch Lists. Omar still throws for 300 and 2 td's, 0 int's(#6 on everyone's Heisman lists) while PJ scores twice and the defense scores once.
Of course, Wisconsin will use the 'ole ball control offense. If BG can stop Wisconsin from doing that, this game might get out of hand (see ZiggyZoomba's prediction).
I guess I'm not quite as confident as some of you about our ability to run up the score. I predicted 34 and I think the only way we get there is a couple quick scores and a TO or 2.
I know we have a great offense but we seem to not get into the stratosphere we're used to against high-level defensive teams (Purdue, Ohio A&M, Oklahoma). I don't think there's much chance of us breaking 40, unless a lot of the new guys on the Wisky D are sub-par. i'm thinking their D will be fine.
Also there is no way in hell Wisconsin gets near 40 points on us, no matter how bad our D is. Make no mistake, they will run the ball possibly 70% of the snaps. Unless they break off 3 or 4 60 yarders, I doubt they will get past 30 points. We are already pretty sure we won't turn the ball over much.
Our best chance to win this game is to hold them to field goals. They are going to move the ball on us because everyone outside of the directional michigans moves the ball on us. What we have to do is bend but not break, which was our strategy last year, and force some TO's like last year. Problem is our biggest ball-hawk is gone and some guys (teddy P) are gonna have to step up. Stocco is pretty terrible from what I've seen and while they do have talented receivers, none have produced much because the ball rarely gets to them. No matter what the stocco-backers say, his ratio last year was 9-7. NINE to SEVEN. That is pretty horrible for a starting QB at a big-time football school.
Bottom line is, I don't think this game will get into a shootout. If Wisconsin lets that happen, we could win by a lot more than anyone is predicting. i don't think they come out of the shell until we're up 21 and I don't think we can get up by that margin. I think they are gonna try and slow the game down and will have some success.
But they still can't score with us =)
BG 34 -- # 1 party school in America 27
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I really think the variables here lie with Wisconsin. Let me explain: 1) BG will not be intimidated by Camp Randall, so the "butterfly effect" will be nill; 2) BG will score points. The O-Line (very underrated, IMO), recievers, and Pope will complement Omar nicely. Again, not really an issue to discuss in detail; 3) kicking game is solid; and 4) for all of the positives above, the D will be a problem. This brings me to three things to watch for from Wisconsin:
1. Stocco--if the one who showed up against Minnesota and the last quarter of the Outback Bowl shows up, the Badgers will be very balanced. From the training camp reports, he appears to have improved.
2. Supporting Cast on Offense: Calhoun will be very good. The question is, how good will he be in his first game after escaping the cesspool at Colorado? I think there will be a bit of rust, thus the Badgers will have to rely on a talented, yet underachieving cast of wideouts. Williams and Orr are talented, but do not consistently show up. The most reliable reciever is the TE, Daniels, but Stocco has trouble finding him at times. If Calhoun or the recievers have good games, we will have our shootout.
3. Wisconsin D-Line/D-Backs: Both seem not to be as bad as some predicted, but are incredibly thin. Not convinced that they can hold up against BG's offense.
I think two of the three variables for Wisconsin need to go right for them to win. I don't think they will--BG 37, Wisconsin 31, and plent of beer downed on State Street after the game at the #1 party school in the country.
Pacifism is objectively pro-fascist. That is elementary common sense. If you hamper the war effor of one side, you automatically help out that of the other. George Orwell
Timchenko clanks two FGs. The defense gives up 150 yards on the ground but only 125 through the air. Our offense is slow to get going, but after working the rust out goes for over 500 total yards. Omar is 29 for 43, 402 yards and 4 TDs. Pope gets 80 yards rushing and one TD on the ground. Defense scores late for the exclamation point.
BG 42
UW-Madison 20
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools."
- Ernest Hemingway
BGSU 49
Wisconsin 30
Obviously the score could go 100 different ways but I think we get ahead early forcing them to play catchup. I expect to see a TD on our first possesion of the game. We scored a TD on the opening drive in the final seven games of last season, and we outscored opponents something like 160-38 in the first quarter. That does not mean much now, but the offense is just as talented if not more talented than last year. I think they will be better. Look for Steve Sanders to be electrifying this season. I do not think Wisconsin's defense is bad, I just happen to think our offense will be that good. I think the key to this game is getting ahead early and not allowing them to control the clock. If we get ahead early there will be a lot of points scored in this one.
This team is good and I am banking on them playing like it in EVERY game this season.
Into each set of predictions a little rain must fall.
I don't feel good about this game at all. I think way too many of us are overlooking a few things -- The Camp Randall environment isn't like any place this team has played in. You can talk all you want about a better defense (especially pass) but until I see it, I am not buying it. BGSU no longer has the "element" of surprise as a weapon. Fans may not buy that BG is competitive but you can bet the Wisconsin players do. When Mark May says nice things about BG, I really get concerned!
Badgers by a couple of touchdowns.
I'm now entering my makeshift bomb shelter.
