The Bowling Green Falcons wrapped up the 2009 college football season with a disappointing 43-42 loss to Idaho at the Humanitarian Bowl. The Falcons completed its seventh winning season in nine years going 7-6, including a 6-2 record in the MAC and a third place finish. Under the guidance of head coach Dave Clawson the Falcons opened the season 1-4 before rebounding to end the season with four consecutive wins. The strong finish ranked Bowling Green #111 and 6th in the MAC by Athlon to start this year's campaign. With less than a dozen returning starters, Clawson and his expert coaching staff will face the overwhelming task of rebuilding their program. Recruiting has been well thought out so expect it to be a short process.
Offense:
After succumbing to a loss of 18 seniors from last year's squad, including QB Tyler Sheehan, Clawson will look to fill multiple offensive positions starting with quarterback.
Bowling Green was built around its passing attack and it won't be easy replacing the spectacular senior who passed for over 10,000 yards and 70 touchdowns in three seasons as a starter. But Clawson is known for his knack in developing young QBs and he has a perfect candidate in redshirt freshman Matt Schilz. The 6-2 190 lbs sophomore was named an All-CIF Southern Section QB throwing for 3,200 yards and 31 touchdowns in leading Maranatha High School to an 11-2 record as a senior.
Of course there are a couple of other likely contenders in fellow redshirt Kellen Pagel, Aaron Pankratz and Caleb Watkins. All had good spring practice performances and could be chosen for the job.
Among the four offensive starters returning in 2010, is running back Willie Geter, who along with graduating senior Chris
Bullock, combined for over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2009. The 5-foot-7 explosive back displayed his athleticism by running for 116 yards against Toledo scoring twice, as well as two TDs on 92 yards in the Falcons Humanitarian Bowl effort. His new partners in crime will likely be sophomore John Pettigrew and junior FB Zach Akenberger.
The receiving corps will be lead by WR Adrian Hodges. Standing at just 5-11, the sophomore plays much larger, and averaged nine yards a catch with 417 overall in his debut season. The group is rounded out with veteran wide receivers Tyrone Pronty, Calvin Wiley and Ray Hutson. After missing three seasons because of injury, Wiley was recently granted his sixth year of eligibility.
But injuries were not just limited to one group, some knocks on the offensive line, has raised reason for some adjustments. Three starters return in the line, including sophomore Ben Bojicic at center as well as RT Tyler Donahue, and 6-6, 340 pound Chip Robinson. The o-line must improve in an attempt to boost Bowling Green's anemic running game that averaged only 86.5 yards per game rushing in 2009.
Defense:
The Falcons led the conference in yards allowed at 400 per game and most of those came by an inability of being able to defend against the oppositions run.
You would expect much better results in 2010 with six starters returning to the line up including senior DE Angelo Magnone who led the line with 43 tackles last season.
Senior LB Cody Basler, James Schneider and Jerrett Sanderson, who combined for a total 250 tackles, will anchor the second row. Underclassman Dwayne Woods will line up in the middle and is expected to be a star with the talent to stop anything in his path.
In the secondary will be junior CB Adrien Spencer, who had 42 tackles and sophomore safety Keith Morgan who started six games and is expected to play fulltime in 2010. Tim Moore, and junior college transfer Javon Laecock will be factors at safety as well.
The defense doesn't need to be stellar, but they do need to play well enough to allow the Falcons offense to do its job.
2010 Prediction: Third in the MAC East: There will be a lot of questions surrounding this team at the start of he year, and depending on how or where the Falcons end up at the conclusion of the season will determine their success. They will struggle to move the ball offensively and the defensive unit will likely see its share of troubles with young and somewhat inexperienced players. Mix in a tough non-league schedule, including games at Troy, Tulsa and Michigan, and Bowling Green's chances of equaling last year's 7-6 record and second straight bowl bid seems highly unlikely.
Here's a closer look at the 2010 Bowling Green Falcons to help make your College Football wagers winners. For a detailed look at the 2010 MAC Predictions check this out.
Also be sure stay up to date on all the college football odds right here this season. And check in often for more college football picks to help make your betting experience a winner.
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