25 Questions for the RIVALRY Game

 What is their body of work?

So, the Rockets have slowly build their program from good to really good.  For a number of years they were good but not able to get over the top, always good for a couple head scratchers during the season that cost them the top position.  They broke through last year, won the MAC, and then their bowl game. This year, they lost barely to Illinois to open the year and have run the table since.  The NIU, Ball State and Miami games were close....they beat Miami 21-17, whereas BG did not.  They are set to play in the title game already.

BG and UT have split the last four meetings.  BG won last year in a thriller, with Finn injured.  Toledo is a 10-point favorite.

How experienced are they?

They have 30 juniors and above on the two-deep, which is experienced.

Who are their national leaders?

Jacquez Smart is #4 in KOR

Quinyon Mitchell is #3 in passes defended, 

Jerjuan Newton is #13 in receiving TDs

Peny Boone is #5 in rushing yards per carry, #11 in rushing yards, #13 in yards per game, #14 in TDs

What is their turnover ratio? 

They are -1, but that's 17 out and 16 in, which is a lot both ways (All Games).

Offense

How is their QB play?  (MAC Games only unless noted)

He's good.  Dequan Finn is #1 in passing efficiency and #22 in rushing in the MAC. He completes 67% of his passes (2nd), 10 TD over 4 INT and 14.5 yards per reception.  

What is their scoring and yards per play

They lead the MAC in scoring at 34 per game.

Can they run the ball?

They are #2 in the MAC at 4.8 yards per carry.

Do they pass the ball?

As mentioned, they are #1 in passing efficiency and it's not very close. Completing 67% at 14.5 per reception is astounding. They have the #7, #9 and #15 WRs in the MAC.

How is their run/pass balance?

They run on 62% of their plays, which is a lot.  Probably misleading since Finn can scramble but the play was a called pass.

Do they convert on 3rd Down, 

They are #2 in the MAC at 41%.

Do they score in Red Zone?

They are deadly at 5.4 points per trip.

Do they protect the QB?

Yes, they do.  They have only been sacked 3 times in over 140 attempts. Finn is tough to pin down and their line is tough.

Defense:

Topline: Scoring and yards per play

They are 4 in scoring defense and 5th in yards per play. They are tied with BG in yards per play.

Do they defend the run effectively?

No, in fact.  They are 10th in opponent yards per carry.

Can they be passed on?

Yeah, they lead the MAC in passing efficiency defense and it is not close. They are #7 in the nation. They allow 45% completions, 4 TD and 7 INT and 11.7 per completion. 

Do they get off the field on 3rd down?

They are 6 at 37%.  (BG is last on defensive 3rd down).

Do they defend in the red zone?

They are good at 4 points per trip.  This is key to them being #4 in scoring defense.

Do they pressure the QB?

Sacks on 6% of opponent passes, which is in the average range.

Special Teams:

Punting?

They are last in net punting. He has been blocked once.  (All games)

Punt Return?

Not bad.  9 returns and 72 yards. No TDS.

Placekicking? 

All games, he is 8 of 9, long of 44, missed only above 40.  Not many FG attempts at all,

Kickoff? 

All games, opponents start on the 30, which is not good.

Kickoff Return?

Typical, teams start on the 26.

Intangible Miscellany

OK, so on paper this game would skew to UT.  They are very good on offense with a dual-threat QB.  Their big weakness is run defense, which should be good for BG except that the top 2 RBs are game time decisions. BG already struggles to throw the ball.  

On the other hand.  BG tends to show up for big games...I give you Georgia Tech and UM and contrast with Ohio and Miami. They certainly showed up last year for this one.  We have seen that we can be very competitive when we play like that.  UT only beat Ball State 13-6. They clearly are capable of being beaten on the right night. 

Compared to the other two Loeffler wins over UT, this one would hardly be an upset at all.

I don't think we get anything for UT already being in the MAC title game and there's still some chance out there they end up on New Year's if they don't lose again.

It's time to play the game.