Next up are the Golden Flashes, traditionally someone who has looked like a win on our schedule, but actually is trending up and is competing with former BG Assistant Sean Lewis at the helm.
And need we forget, they delivered a 62-20 pasting on the Falcons last year. Vegas believes this game will be closer, installing the Flashes as a 20 point favorite.
They were 7-6 last year and won their first bowl game ever. It was their first winning season since the unforgettable 2012 season.
They return 7 starters on offense from that team and six on defense.
Lewis is a Babers-disciple, so no surprise that the focus is on the spread and a Baylor-style offense. They were 4th in the MAC last year in scoring and 3rd in yards per play. Their QB--Dustin Crum--led the MAC in passing efficiency. They were also 4th in rushing yards and 6th in yards per carry.
They lost a lot at RB, but in their opener had a True FR and a redshirt-FR split carries and average 5.4 yards per carry.
They also returned Isaiah McCoy, third-team All-MAC WR. He caught 8 for 104 and a score against EMU.
Crum is also a threat to run. He was only sacked once in the EMU game.
Overall, we can expect to see a team using a proven offensive system with good players across the board. They only scored 27 against EMU, for whatever that is worth. They had one turnover and were 2-4 in the red zone.
On defense, they were 6th in scoring defense and 10th in yards per play allowed last year. They were +6 in turnover margin last year, which explains how they ended up with a winning record while allowing so many yards per play.
As noted, they lost players from that defense.
Last year, they were 9th against the run and 8th in defensive pass efficiency. They did a good job with EMU, but you never know what EMU has. The Eagles lead back did average 7 yards per carry and the Flashes got five sacks, which impact rushing totals. Even removing sacks, EMU had 3.3 yards per carry.
Eastern was effective passing the ball, with 60% completions and 11.5 yards per reception. However, don't forget those five sacks and add in two picks.
In terms of special teams, the Flashes graduated an all-MAC kicker. The new guy did not attempt a FG and missed an XP. Their net punting was under 40 yards, so not a great opener on that front either.
Loeffler said in the presser that BG bounced back well in practice after the UT loss. Between that game and last year's Kent win, you'd hope to see them rebound. There's a ceiling right now on how good they are going to be, just based on youth. However, if McDonald has his timing back and Clair is available, this is a game BG could surprise in...though I don't think 20 points is an unreasonable spread.
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