2012 Football: Game by Game

So, our second annual effort in futility and humility is to predict the results of each game on our schedule before the season starts.  Then, when the season is over we can all look back and have a good laugh about it.  Anyway, here goes.

I see us going 8-4 and 6-2 with a 2nd place finish in the East.  Key wins we need to hold onto are Miami and EMU, and if the OU or Toledo game can go differently, this team could really achieve.

As with everything Falcon this year, it is important to remember that we still are playing very few seniors and that has a major impact on how your team wins tough games.  We still have question marks up front, especially on offense.  Even with all that, I don't see us less than 7-5 and I think we're in a bowl game, worst case.

@Florida     LOSS

This is not the greatest Florida team ever (though Phil Steele has them winning their division in the SEC) but they have 17 starters back and are playing on their home field, where they are very tough.  This will be a difficult game for the Falcons.

Idaho    WIN

BG beat them last year and Idaho finished 2-10.  They lost a bunch of guys off that team, and this year could be tough.  They are in a tough spot with the death of WAC football and could end up in FCS before it is over.  Anyway, I like the Falcons pretty strongly at the Doyt in this one.

@Toledo    LOSS

This is going to be a very interesting game.  We don't pick wishes in this space, so I will say that rationally I think BG has closed the gap tremendously with the Rockets since the debacle two seasons ago and this game is very winnable for BG, but at the Glass Bowl, the Rockets get a slight edge.

@Va Tech   LOSS

Similar to the Florida prediction, I just think this team is very tough for us to beat on the road.  The only caveat is that the Hokies seem to lose one inexplicable game every year and why not this one?

Rhode Island  WIN

Win.

@Akron   WIN

Things get a little easier here.  Even on the road, BG should be able to take down the Zips in the first meeting between the two teams in several years.

Miami    WIN

A key game in the season.  BG won in Oxford last year and needs to translate that into a win at the Doyt.  I'm picking us to win because I think we're the more complete team on the offensive side of the ball.

@UMass    WIN

UMass won't always be like this, but right now, they are not ready for FBS competition and BG should win this one, even a long way from home.

EMU     WIN

Not the pushover it once was, I still like the Falcons in this game.  Until I see otherwise, I think the hype in Ypsi has gone a little bit too far.  This is a good test for our ability to stop the run.  If, in fact, we are not stronger on defense than we were last year, then EMU will probably grind this one out.

@OU   LOSS

BG should have beaten OU last year and the fact they didn't has been beaten into the player's heads all through the summer.  If things unfold as I suggest, this should be the key game in the East.  It is a weekday game on the road, and I think a tough game for us to win.  I like OU's team a lot.  Having said that, a win here and BG is back.

Kent   WIN

Kent continues to sort of lurk around the middle of the MAC pack.  They aren't great at QB and on our Senior Day, I think BG is just better than Kent and gets the win.

Buffalo (Neutral field)   WIN

Despite giving up home field for what could be an important game, I think BG is better than Buffalo and closes out the win on a soccer field.