Bowling Green Football Preview

by Maize_in_Spartyland

2012 Bowling Green Falcons Football Preview

2011 Record: 5-7 (3-5 Mid-American)

Head Coach: Dave Clawson, fourth season (14-23 at Bowling Green) (72-72 overall)

Projected Returning Starters: 19

Spring Game: April 13^th (Orange 14 White 13)

Notes: The Falcons have been fairly successful, with Urban Meyer rebuilding the program before departing for Utah. Despite Meyer’s success, Bowling Green hasn’t won a MAC Championship since 1992, under then coach Gary Blackney. Meyer’s successor, Gregg Brandon, fared decently at Bowling Green, but ultimately struggled with attendance. Now, Dave Clawson enters his fourth season – its do or die for Clawson as Bowling Green’s best season was in his first year, a 7-6 mark with a loss in the Humanitarian Bowl.

BVTSB Take: Bowling Green returns 19 starters this season, the most of any MAC team. Of BGSU’s seven losses, three of them came by seven points or less. Quarterback Matt Schilz returns in 2012 after throwing for more than 3000 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2011. Running back Anthon Samuel, who rushed for over 800 yards and five touchdowns in 2011 is the presumed starter in the backfield. The Falcons do lose their top two receivers from 2011, Kamar Jorden and Eugene Cooper, but return Shaun Joplin and Alex Bayer. The Falcons had a fairly manageable non-conference schedule in 2011, playing Idaho, Morgan State, Wyoming, and West Virginia, going 2-2 in those games. The non-conference schedule is a bit tougher this season, with Bowling Green playing Florida and Virginia Tech on the road, and playing host to Idaho and Rhode Island at the Doyt. Don’t be surprised to see another 2-2 mark out of conference. The Falcons have tough road games against Toledo and Ohio University, but their remaining conference games are more than manageable. Expect big things from Clawson and the Falcons in 2012. A MAC East Division title is not out of the question.

2012 Early Projection: 8-4

 

 

To see the 2012 MAC composite schedule, click here.

 

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