Early Football Previews and Predictions: Game Twelve at Bowling Green

[catdaddyp]

2024 Rewind:

Scott Loeffler decided to make his move to the NFL as a position coach after six seasons with the Falcons and wrapping up 2024 with a 7-6 record. In fairness, Loeffler seemed burned out and probably took Bowling Green as far as he could.

 

Former Ohio State Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George will now attempt to find success as a head coach at the G5 level after finally breaking through at Tennessee State in his fourth year.

 

 

Recruiting under George:

2025: 

On3 - 5th in MAC (prep only)

247 - 2nd in MAC 

 

 

Falcons on Offense:

All-conference quarterback Connor Bazelak is finally out of eligibility and will be replaced by Missouri transfer Drew Pyne. Pyne’s best year came in 2022 at Notre Dame, but he hasn’t attempted more than 82 passes in a season since then.

 

All-conference running back Terion Stewart has moved on, as has everyone else on the roster who had over 100 yards rushing. It’ll be a completely new group in the backfield, and honestly, it’s anyone’s guess who will be starting.

 

Similar to running back, almost all of the production at receiver is gone. The Falcons brought in six transfers and will supposedly run more two tight end sets this season. Speaking of tight end, Harold Fannin was drafted by the Browns and leaves a huge void at the position. Although, I doubt this year’s offense will be involving the tight ends in the passing game all that often.

 

One area where Bowling Green will have some consistency is along the offensive line, with four out of five starters returning. However, the best lineman from 2024 has moved on, and the four returners were above average at best. The offensive line probably won’t look as good this season without all the playmaking talent that was at the skill positions.

 

 

Falcons on Defense:

The new staff will be moving away from the 3-4 alignment to a more traditional four-man front. The Falcons were absolutely blistered with losses along the defensive line and have brought in a number of transfers, including George’s son, Eriq George, at defensive end. Outside of the coach’s son and returnee Evan Branch-Haynes at defensive tackle, it’s hard to predict how the depth chart will be filled amongst this group of linemen.

 

The only linebacker returning with over 15 total tackles is Myles Bradley, and he’ll likely be moved to defensive end. This will basically be a new group made up of a mix of transfers and seldom-used backups from 2024.

 

Safety Darius Lorfils is the only starter returning to the secondary. Backups Kal-El Pascal and Darius McClendon are expected to step into starting roles, along with Illinois State transfer MJ Cannon and Western Carolina transfer Mateo Studipo.

 

Zach Long returns at kicker after hitting all his extra point attempts and going 13 of 19 on field goals. All-conference punter John Henderson is also back.

 

 

Position Advantage:

Due to Bowling Green being riddled with question marks and inexperience at this point in the year, I have to give most of the position advantages to Akron. That may change by the time this game is played.

 

QB - Akron

RB - Akron

WR - Akron

TE - Akron

OL - Bowling Green

DL - Even

LB - Akron

DB - Akron

ST - Bowling Green

 

 

Way too Early Prediction:

Going into this preview, I thought Bowling Green would be in contention for another six to seven win season. After completing the preview, I think they’ll struggle to reach five wins. There are so many holes and question marks at nearly every position, it’s hard to see this year’s Bowling Green squad being as competitive as they were last season. A lot of praise has been given to Eddie George, and he very well may take the Falcons to the next level—but I don’t think it’ll be in 2025. Nothing in his coaching history suggests that either—his first three seasons at Tennessee State went five wins, four wins, six wins, before finally breaking through with a nine-win season.

 

Akron is always playing their best ball at the end of the season under Moorhead. That, coupled with what should be a down year for Bowling Green, has me thinking Zips win this one 28-20.

 

 

Season Preview and Prediction Wrap Up:

For those keeping track, I’ve predicted the Zips going 8-4. Honestly, that seems ludicrous given the past seven years or so. However, going through and breaking down each game on the schedule gives me reason to believe that it can be done. Playing a much easier out-of-conference schedule and then facing five teams during the conference slate with new head coaches bodes well for the Zips. If there was ever a year to make some noise and change the perception of the program, this is it. It’s well past time for this program to turn the corner. 35 days until kickoff. Let’s see how it all shakes out.

 

 

[ZippyRulz]