WMU Preview....

 What is their body of work?

WMU is the surprise team of the MAC.  They were picked 7th, but have started 4-1 in MAC play.  They won their first 4---@BS, AK, @UB and Kent....before losing to NIU at KZoo last week.  They have played the two worst teams in the MAC--as BG has--to get this far.  The road win @UB certainly  signified they were going to be competitive.

Over the past 10 seasons, BG has played WMU 6 times and there has been a 3-3 split.  A loss to WMU was Coach Jinks' last game.  Loeffler is 2-1 vs. WMU and 1-0 vs. current coach Lance Taylor.

BG is a 9-point home favorite.

How experienced are they?

34 Juniors and Seniors on the depth chart.   Old team.

Who are their national leaders?

Jaden Nixon is #10 in all-purpose yards and #4 in yards per carry, #15 in rushing TDs.

Hayden Wolff is #18 in passing efficiency

(MAC games only unless noted)

What is their turnover ratio? 

They are +7 in MAC games.   This has been huge---8 were against AK and Kent.

Offense

How is their QB play? 

Going to be a good QB battle here. Above we mentioned Wolff's number for the season...he is also #1 in MAC play for pass efficiency.  He has 69% completions, 12 TDs over 3 INT and over 12 yards a completion. Bazelak is #3.

What is their scoring and yards per play

They lead the MAC with 41 points a game and 7 yards per play. BG's defense allows 16.4 points per game, which is 2nd.  The Falcons allow 4.8 yards per play (3rd).

Can they run the ball?

They surely can.  They lead the MAC with 6.1 yards per carry. BG allows 4.2 per rush, 4th in MAC.

Do they pass the ball?

As noted, they are #1 in pass efficiency. BG is #2 in pass defense efficiency.

How is their run/pass balance?

They run on 56% of their plays, sack adjusted.

Do they convert on 3rd Down, 

They do.  44%, #2 in MAC.  BG allows 32% which is #5 in the MAC.

Do they score in Red Zone?

5.8 points per trip, which is very good.  BG defense is really good in the red zone, with 4.1 points per trip allowed. BG has forced 2 scoreless trips and 6 FGs in 13 trips.

Do they protect the QB?

Yes, sacks on 4.9% of passing attempts.  BG gets sacks on 6% of passing attempts.

Defense:

Topline: Scoring and yards per play

They are #11 in scoring defense in the MAC (34) and 10th in yards per play allowed (6.6).  BG scores 25. which is #7 and 5.6 yards per play which is #7.

Do they defend the run effectively?

Not great, #7 at 4.6 yards per carry allowed. At 3.9 yards per carry, BG's offense is #8. 

Can they be passed on?

Yes. They are #11 in passing efficiency defense.  They have allowed only 64% completions, 11 TDs over 5 INT and almost 14 yards a completion, which is a ton.  BG is #3 in team passing efficiency. 68% completion is #2 in MAC.

Do they get off the field on 3rd down?

WMU allows 39%, which is #6.  BG converts 32%, which is #9.

Do they defend in the red zone?

They allow 5.7 per trip, which is not great. BG offense scores 4.3 per trip, which is also not great.

Do they pressure the QB?

Average, they have sacks on 5.1% of passes. BG allows sacks on 10% of pass attempts.

Special Teams:

Punting?

They are #8 in net punting. No blocks.  In MAC play, BG is #1.

Punt Return?

They are OK, #9 in the MAC.  0 TD.

Placekicking? 

He's accurate.  All games he's 9 of 10 with a long of 45.

Kickoff? 

Opponents start on the 27.

Kickoff Return?

They start on the 30, which is really good.

Intangible Miscellany

Look, we have waited a long time.  With 3 wins, we go to Detroit.  But winning championships is hard and so is winning 3 more games in a row.  WMU is a good team--probably not as good as their record, but good.  This sets up as a highly competitive matchup.  A very good WMU offense against a very good BG defense.  This would be an awesome time for BG to pull out some plays like they did against UT and really move the ball.  A loss doesn't end the season but makes it much more competitive.  If BG's best team comes out, we will win this one, but I wouldn't expect anything other than a really tough game.