25 Questions that go Grrrrrrr

 What is their body of work?

The Bulldogs are coached by Skip Holtz, who has built a very solid program.  They have five straight winning seasons and five straight bowl appearances--all wins, BTW.  They have played in the C-USA title game once in that time.  Like BG, they lost a P5 game (Texas) and won an FBS game (Grambling).  The Grambling game was 20-14, which seems close.  Grambling was 6-5 last year but won 10+ in previous years.  Phil Steele picks them as a co-favorite in their division.

BG is 0-2 against La Tech.  The 1995 loss was the first game after the Fat Punter game and is one I look back on as the first chink in the Blackney armor.

 How many seniors and juniors on the two-deep?

They have 29...which is an experienced team.  Phil Steele ranks them as the 28th most experienced team in the country...BG 117th.

Who are their returning statistical leaders?

CB Amik Robertson was #18 in passes defended and #16 in INT
WR Adrian Hardy was #20 in receiving yards
Hardy is first-team All-CUSA pre-season, 2nd team last year.
DL Willie Baker and Robertson also first-team on defense, pre-season.

What was their turnover ratio?

They were +3 last season.  They created 23, which was #38 in the country

Offense:

How is their QB play?

Their QB is J'Mar Smith, who was 9th last year in C-USA in passing efficiency, with 57% completions and a 15/10 ratio.  He did run a little.  This year, he's at 67% and 3 TD over 1 INT, and 10.8 per completion.  Two notes, that would indicate high percentage passes and, as noted, we don't know what to make of them because of their schedule to date.

What is their scoring and yards per play?

Last year they were 96th and 25 ppg about the same with 5.4 yards per play.  They are scoring worse this year with slightly better yards per play.

Can they run the ball?

They did not run effectively last year at 3.9 yards per carry.  So far they are worse this year.  Steele said they had the #7 RB and #6 OL in C-USA.

Do they pass the ball?

Steele says they have the best WRs in the conference, led by Adrian Hardy.  In fact, so far this year Hardy is #4 in team receptions.

How is their run/pass balance?

Last year, they ran on 48% of their plays.

Do they convert on 3rd Down?

40% was #55 in the country.

Do they score in the red zone?

5.0 points per trip is very good

Do they protect the quarterback?

They give up sacks on 8.6% of their pass attempts, which is high.

Defense:

Topline: Scoring and yards per play.

They were very good.  Allowed 23 points per game, #39 in the country.  They allowed 5 yards per play, 29th in the country.  They returned only 5 starters and lost their DC.  So far, their numbers this year are not as good. New reports indicated that Grambling torched them on a stead diet of second-half RPOs, FWIW.

Did they defend the run effectively?

They allowed 3.96 yards per carry, which was #50 in the country.  To date, they are at 4.6.

Can they be passed on?

It was tough last year.  They were #25 in the country last year, allowing 57% completions, 16 TD and 13 INT and 11.3 per completion, all of which are strong.  They return the top DBs in C-USA, per Phil Steele.

Do they get off the field on 3rd down?

They were very good at 35% last year.  Much worse to date this year.

Do they defend in the red zone?

They were very poor at 5.5 per trip.

Do they pressure the QB?

They were good.  They had sacks on 7.8% of attempts.  Only 2 sacks so far this year.

Special Teams:

Punting?

They have a new punter and their net average is 37.5, which about midpoint in the NCAA.

Punt Return?

They have 2 punt returns this year for 27 yards.

Placekicking?

Their FG kicking is not great.  He's 17-26, 13 of 15 inside 40.  Long of 48.

Kickoff?

They are allowing teams to start at the 26.

Kickoff Return?

Back atcha, sport

They start at the 26.

Miscellaneous: Overall atmospherics and intangibles.

Hard one to judge.  Homecoming at BG...hope we get a crowd like we had for Morgan State, I think that will help a lot.  This is the best test for both teams to date....and a chance to see how BG might fare against stronger MAC teams.