Bowling Green has won 28 games over the last three years pumping out one of the nation's most dangerous offenses while getting good play from the defense. On a national scale, there's a thought that things will slip a bit after the graduation of QB Josh Harris. Think again.
If Omar Jacobs becomes the quarterback many believe he can be, this could be the best Falcon team ever able to compete with anyone in America. It'll get its shot right off the bat against Oklahoma, and then there's no one else on the slate, including Marshall, Toledo and Northern Illinois, that should be able to touch this loaded team with 19 returning starters. However, the MAC is a dangerous place, and the Falcons have to go on the road to face the Huskies and Rockets.
There are a few things to worry about. The experienced offensive line needs to get healthy after a tough spring, the run defense needs to get a little tighter, and Jacobs needs to be a superstar.
Jacobs has the experience, the arm, the flat out speed, and the team around him to run the Falcon spread attack to perfection, but he has to prove he can be the all-around leader that Harris was. If that happens, look out. Not even Oklahoma will be safe from this offense.
The Schedule: For a program that likes to test itself, this is a beauty of a schedule with four road games in the first five games including the opener at Oklahoma and a pivotal MAC West showdown at NIU. The closing act isn't exactly a peach with MAC title crushing games against Marshall and at Toledo.
Best Offensive Player: Senior C Scott Mruczkowski. With all the fireworks and all the fantastic skill position players, it's easy to forget that it's the line that helps to make it all happen. Mruczkowski, a first-team All-MAC performer, is the anchor and versatile rock in the middle of the line.
Best Defensive Player: Senior CB Keon Newson. Janssen Patton was the start of the secondary last year, now it'll be Newson as one of the best tackling corners in the nation. He's a safety with the athleticism to shine at corner.
Key player to a successful season: It's all on Omar Jacobs. He has the talent, but his performance in the spring game was a bit disturbing completing 19 of 36 passes for 236 yards with two interceptions. He'll end up being just fine and will be one of the MAC's most dangerous runners.
The season will be a success if ... Bowling Green wins the MAC title. No one has more overall talent, but the schedule will be nasty going on the road to face Northern Illinois and Toledo.
Key game: November 23 at Toledo. This should be for the MAC West title with the Rockets sky-high to get a shot at beating what should be a juggernaut of a Falcon team.
2003 Fun Stats:
- Penalties: Bowling Green 81 for 647 yards - Opponents 57 for 585
- Third down conversions: Bowling Green 105 of 210 (50%) - Opponents 64 of 195 (33%)
- Sacks: Bowling Green 33 - Opponents 21
If Omar Jacobs becomes the quarterback many believe he can be, this could be the best Falcon team ever able to compete with anyone in America. It'll get its shot right off the bat against Oklahoma, and then there's no one else on the slate, including Marshall, Toledo and Northern Illinois, that should be able to touch this loaded team with 19 returning starters. However, the MAC is a dangerous place, and the Falcons have to go on the road to face the Huskies and Rockets.
There are a few things to worry about. The experienced offensive line needs to get healthy after a tough spring, the run defense needs to get a little tighter, and Jacobs needs to be a superstar.
Jacobs has the experience, the arm, the flat out speed, and the team around him to run the Falcon spread attack to perfection, but he has to prove he can be the all-around leader that Harris was. If that happens, look out. Not even Oklahoma will be safe from this offense.
The Schedule: For a program that likes to test itself, this is a beauty of a schedule with four road games in the first five games including the opener at Oklahoma and a pivotal MAC West showdown at NIU. The closing act isn't exactly a peach with MAC title crushing games against Marshall and at Toledo.
Best Offensive Player: Senior C Scott Mruczkowski. With all the fireworks and all the fantastic skill position players, it's easy to forget that it's the line that helps to make it all happen. Mruczkowski, a first-team All-MAC performer, is the anchor and versatile rock in the middle of the line.
Best Defensive Player: Senior CB Keon Newson. Janssen Patton was the start of the secondary last year, now it'll be Newson as one of the best tackling corners in the nation. He's a safety with the athleticism to shine at corner.
Key player to a successful season: It's all on Omar Jacobs. He has the talent, but his performance in the spring game was a bit disturbing completing 19 of 36 passes for 236 yards with two interceptions. He'll end up being just fine and will be one of the MAC's most dangerous runners.
The season will be a success if ... Bowling Green wins the MAC title. No one has more overall talent, but the schedule will be nasty going on the road to face Northern Illinois and Toledo.
Key game: November 23 at Toledo. This should be for the MAC West title with the Rockets sky-high to get a shot at beating what should be a juggernaut of a Falcon team.
2003 Fun Stats:
- Penalties: Bowling Green 81 for 647 yards - Opponents 57 for 585
- Third down conversions: Bowling Green 105 of 210 (50%) - Opponents 64 of 195 (33%)
- Sacks: Bowling Green 33 - Opponents 21
