Written by Big Head
| 11 September 2009
Coming off a 37-9 win over an Illannoy squad that was picked by some to contend for the BCS title as a 7.5pt dog, this Mizzou team is riding high. Bowling Green isn't here to get their asses pounded like a 5th grader that dresses up like Liberace for Halloween. How's this thing work out?
It's the home opener, and 70k are expected. Bowling Green isn't going to be intimidated, and has beaten some big names in the past few years...not counting us in '01 and '02.
As I mentioned in the podcast, BGSU has a totally rebuilt front seven. The Mizzou OLine should be all over these guys and dominate like John Goodman on a Thanksgiving turkey. DWash should wake up in a pool of his own drool with this happening. He should easily have 125-150yds rushing this week.
Blaine Gabbert got good protection last week, but as I just said above with the OLine, he should have even better protection this week. I'm not going to throw numbers out, after all, this is his 2nd start, but he will have a chance to improve on last week's 319yds passing. Again, he must not turn the ball over. Didn't last week. Hopefully won't this week.
Remember this name: Freddie Barnes. He is BGSU's stud wideout, and Tyler Sheehan's favorite receiver if 15 catches, 157yds, and two TDs says anything for one game. The Falcons are without Ty Pronty, which limits their wideout options again. Carl Gettis has a great game last week, and let's hope this is '07 Gettis we're seeing...not '08. He'll draw Barnes, and we should know quickly how this Mizzou passing D, and mainly the secondary, will react. Bowling Green will pass...a lot.
Mizzou's defensive speed should be the spotlight in this one. The MAC is made up mostly of gritty, undersized, white dudes that get it done. A solid BCS conference title contender shouldn't have a problem being a lot faster on the field.
Watch for big games out of DWash, DaNario, and Wes Kemp. BGSU is young. Real young. Like pedofile young. 48 of their 98 players are freshman. Obviously, this means they are inexperienced from their 2nd string on.
Rock M Nation will be doing up the live blog, and have their numbers crunched for the BTBS preview. I'm going to agree on this one; with the line going up and up, Mizzou is now a 20pt favorite, and I'd avoid this bet at all costs. Too many variables for a 20pt win. I'm sticking with a bit closer; Mizzou wins this one 35-17, and it's Victory Whiskey for all.
