2013 Bowling Green Spring Football Analysis

Bowling Green Falcons 2013 ... Head Coach: Dave Clawson

Bowling Green Falcons

2013 Schedule
8/29 Tulsa
9/7 at Kent State
9/14 at Indiana
9/21 Murray State
9/28 Akron
10/5 UMass
10/12 at Miss State
10/19 OPEN DATE
10/26 Toledo
11/5 at Miami Univ.
11/12 Ohio
11/16 OPEN DATE
11/23 at Eastern Michigan
11/29 at Buffalo

Why To Be Excited ... Everything is in place to go on a run for the MAC title and a good bowl game – the expectations are rightfully high. After a nice eight-win season and a bowl appearance, the Falcons should be among the league’s favorites with ten starters returning on offense – only losing right tackle Jordon Roussos – and with nine coming back on the league’s best defense. If quarterback Matt Schilz can come up with a decent season, and if running back Anthon Samuel can build on his great 2012 to make the offense improve, this upside for 2013 is through the roof.

Why To Be Grouchy ... The defense that led the MAC in total defense, rush defense and pass defense might be loaded with experienced veterans, but the two losses are massive. Dwayne Woods was a guided missile of a linebacker who dominated over the last three years, while defensive tackle Chris Jones was one of the nation’s best interior playmakers who was the tone-setter for the D. There might be several good players returning to pick up the slack, but those two were special. The kicking game has to be better after Brian Schmiedebusch had an off year punting and the placekicking was mediocre.

What Needs Working On ... The passing game has to be more efficient and effective. Matt Schilz regressed after a terrific sophomore season throwing for almost 500 fewer yards and 14 touchdown passes after bombing for 28 in 2011. With three years of starting time under his belt, he knows what he’s doing and is one of the team’s leaders. With the Falcon defense so strong, Schilz doesn’t have to take any unnecessary chances and doesn’t have to bomb away, but he needs to be able to hit on his downfield passes on a regular basis and has to cut down on his interceptions with 39 for his career and 12 last season including six in the final two MAC games.

Non-Conference Games: Tulsa, at Indiana, Murray State, at Mississippi State
Games Against The West: Toledo, at Eastern Michigan
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Worst Case Record: 5-7
Likely Finish: 8-4

Pre-Preseason Projected Wins: at Kent State, Murray State, Akron, UMass, Toledo, at Miami Univ., at Eastern Michigan, at Buffalo

Pre-Preseason Projected Losses: Tulsa, at Indiana, at Mississippi State, Ohio

Schedule Analysis: This should be a good Falcon team, but it’ll be tested right away with a potential battle against Tulsa and followed up by a road trip against Kent State in the conference opener and a fight at Indiana. Home games against Murray State, Akron and UMass should provide a nice base of wins before having to deal with a trip to Mississippi State. November finishes up with three road games in the final four and the home game against Ohio could decide the East.

Team Concerns For 2013: The passing game has to become efficient again. Matt Schilz is a veteran who knows what he's doing, but he needs more downfield weapons to play around with. The defense should be fantastic, but it'll still hurt to lose tackling machine Dwayne Woods, and the punting game will be better than it was in 2012 - Brian Schmiedebusch is better than 40.9 yards per kick. As long as the offense starts to find a groove again like it had a few seasons ago. the Falcons will be among the MAC favorites.

The 2013 Class Is Heavy On ... Running back. Safety Isaiah Gourdine might be the star of the class, and linebackers Nathan Locks and Paul Senn will make a huge impact, but the skill spots should be the strength in time once receivers Teo Redding and Mike Rogers - two big targets - mature. Helping the passing game will be tight ends Hunter Fokertsma and Logan Larson. Fred Coppet is a nice running back out of Fort Lauderdale who fits the offensive mold, while Marcus Levy and Patric Hannon are good recruits who'll find playing time.

2012 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 78. That Class Was Heavy On ... Offensive tackle. Apparently, it’s time to start blocking someone with most of the emphasis on offensive tackle with a strong MAC class being put together. Defensively, the linebacking corps is loading up for the second time in three years, especially for the inside, with some terrific athletes coming in. After a few years in the weight room, there’s a lot to be excited about. 

2011 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 82. That Class Was Heavy On ... Defensive linemen. Getting a smallish, talented playmaking quarterback in Matt Johnson should give the team an interesting player to work around over the next few years, but the most immediate help comes to the offensive line, mostly helped by JUCO transfers Scott Hodges and Dominique Wharton. The most overall talent, though, is on the defensive front led by ends Bryan Baird and Zach Colvin.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 92. That Class Was Heavy On ... Linebackers. Head coach Dave Clawson had an eye towards the future last year by trying hardest to bring in good quarterbacks. Even so, he brought aboard two more this year led by Caleb Watkins, a strong all-around playmaker who could get an honest shot at the job right away. Don't be stunned if RB Jamel Martin and WR Marcus Beaurem aren't a part of the mix right away. While the offense will keep rolling, the Falcons beefed up the defense with a slew of small, athletic, safety-sized linebackers.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 82. That Class Was Heavy On ... Quarterbacks. New head coach Dave Clawson needs quarterbacks to work with for the near future, and he brought in three of them with Matthew Schilz the best of the lot, Austin Collier a more mobile option, and Alex Thomas a dark-horse bomber who could be in the mix a few years from now.