The Way I See It – Week 2 Boise State vs. Bowling Green

The Broncos (1-0) are coming off a 49-7 win versus Idaho State to take on the Bowling Green Falcons (1-1) from the Mid American Conference. The way I see it, this game will be a huge test for the Broncos, as Bowling Green is coming off a 1-1 non conference start against BCS opponents, Pittsburgh and Minnesota.   Many questions surround this game. Could Bowling Green hand the Broncos their first regular season home loss since 2001?  Will the Jumbo Tron be working?  Will game time programs be given away or will Boise State Athletics try to squeeze every dollar it can out of Bronco Nation? Can Bowling Green Head Coach Greg Brandon become Urban Meyer?

The Facts:

On September 21st, 2008,  the only meeting between Boise State and Bowling Green, the Broncos won 48-20. The dominate win was the first of the season for the 2005 Broncos and it could not have come at a more critical time.  Bronco Fans got a taste of things to come as Ian Johnson, a Freshman, ran for 85 yards. The Falcons are led by 2007 third-team All-MAC performer, Junior QB Tyler Sheehan, who passed for 23 touchdowns, to go along with 3,264 yards, three rushing touchdowns, and two receiving scores (the only QB in the Country to do so). The Falcons were 8-5 last year starting the season off with a 32-31 upset win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers and then ending the season by suffering a GMAC Bowl loss to the Tulsa Golden Hurricane 63-7, proving taking on teams with Golden in their names is harder then one would think.

The Bottom Line:

Bowling Green is seeking its first MAC Conference Title since 1992, going 10-2 that season. The Falcons come into this week’s game a bit down after its home loss to Minnesota, but will likely still be thinking upset. QB Tyler Sheehan will provide tougher competition for the Bronco Defense, as early in the 08′ campaign he is 53 of 83 with 424 yards passing.  More information on the Falcons can be found here.

Boise State was very pass-happy in week one, as Bronco QB’s threw for 352 yards.  That trend will likely continue as suspended Junior WR Jeremy Childs, who accounted for 82 receptions, 1085 Yards and 9 touchdowns in 2007 despite being suspended for the Hawai’i Bowl, makes his return to the Blue.  Boise State will look to clean up some mistakes from the opening week, as Titus Young had some trouble keeping a hold of the ball, accounting for both Bronco turnovers in the ISU game.   Questions remain on both sides of the line with Defensive End, Ryan Winterswyk and Offensive Lineman, Nate Potter unlikely to return for this week’s game.  Did Derrell Acrey, accounting for 14 of the Broncos tackles in week one, secure the spot at Middle Linebacker or is Kyle Gingg at full strength to make the start?  Finally, Kellen Moore will undoubtedly face his toughest test in his young College Football career.

With the Broncos virtually unstoppable at home since join the WAC, having had a week to rest up and key players returning for this game, I predict that Boise State will face a tough test, but will rise to the competition pulling out a convincing win.  Go Broncos!!

Here are some links related to Bowling Green:

• The Peace Pipe is a trophy awarded annually to the winner of the game between the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University.
• Bowling Green Football Website.
• Bowling Green Fan Forum.
• Bowling Green 2008 Media Guide (PDF).
• Falcons Coach Greg Brandon’s MAC Media Days Interview.
• Coach Brandon hands out 400 Sandwiches to students in an effort to persuade them to attend the Minnesota home game.