Benchmark Report, EMU Edition

There are no terrible surprises here....there are some shocking numbers, but nothing you would not expect.  With sacks deducted, the EMU passing game actually accounted for -16 yards.  It is important to remember they ran only 44 plays, so 3 turnovers in that many plays is three times the league's average.  With the sacks added back, their running was better but will almost 2 yards per carry below MAC average.

On offense, BG ran 3rd down plays only 14% of the time, which is incredible.  Meanwhile, the Eagles ran them 27% of the time...as mentioned last week, 33% is the theoretical max.

Here's the one thing I would like to mention.  Todd Walker also brought it up when he said that Coach Clawson is not happy with how the Falcons are protecting the QB.  This is perhaps the key factor in Friday's game.  Buffalo features almost-certain MAC Defensive POTY Khalil Mack and leads the conference in sacks as a team.  BG is 12th in sacks allowed in the MAC this year (all games) and 12th in sacks based on percentage of passing plays (8.8%).

BG can't let that happen Friday.  Based on history, I think you will see BG take some a lot of short drops and pick a protection-friendly game plan.  BG's line run blocks effectively, but is still playing 2 FR T's and I think that is showing.  Anyway, if EMU got 5 sacks, Buffalo is going to get that many or more.