Gorgolon Lives
The Reverend of CTG
With 2 MAC teams going, I think Thursday will be an interesting night. I see lots of MAC haters out there, and deservedly so after the performances by Buffalo and Ohio. Tonight, we will see two of the MAC's best: BG and NIU.
BG:
I like BG tonight. Some concerns about the line moving to 7, so I'll wait to see if folks bring this back down once they come home from work. I'm guessing they will. BG's defense is for real. They've given up 44 total points in their last 5 games. 27 of those were to NIU, who BG generally shut down most of the game. I realize the layover could affect their momentum, but I still think this team feels under appreciated. Folks are talking about how their win against NIU was an "upset." I disagree. This team still doesn't get enough recognition, and I feel they will want to prove themselves tonight.
Pitt is bringing an anemic rushing offense to the table tonight, averaging under 3yrds per carry on the road. There's been some talk about Pitt playing tougher opponents than BG, but the ACC isn't really that good of a conference. Taking a look at Pitt's schedule, they struggled against Virginia (a 2-10 team), only managing 8 rushing yards. And they managed only 21 rushing yards against a 6-6 Syracuse team.
If BG can make Pitt one dimensional, Pitt is in trouble, especially with one of Pitt's top WRs OUT for today. BG is 4th in FBS, allowing just 166 passing yards per game.
The under appreciated theme carries over to BG's offense. Here's a great article about how BG's QB, Johnson, is pissed that PITT did not recruit him because of his size: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/...missed-out?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE.
Johnson is having a very solid year and he seemed to get better later in the year: 14tds and 4int in his last 5 games. He also outplayed Lynch in the NIU game.
Outcome:
There shouldn't be many concerns about BG's motivation today. Despite beating a potential BCS bowl team and winning the MAC, this team still isn't getting the national recognition they deserve. They probably still won't after tonight UNLESS they embarrass PITT, which I think they can and will want to do.
I'd be more concerned about the coaching situation if this team wasn't very good, but BG has a legitimate team and the players won't need any extra pep talk or leadership to get up for this game.
Concerning the venue, BG beat NIU on this same field in the MAC championship, so they should be very comfortable here. While not huge, it's an added edge for BG.
I don't see PITT putting up more than 14-17 points tonight. With the way BG's offense has been clicking, I think they can put up 28-31 easily. So I feel pretty good about a BG cover.
BG:
I like BG tonight. Some concerns about the line moving to 7, so I'll wait to see if folks bring this back down once they come home from work. I'm guessing they will. BG's defense is for real. They've given up 44 total points in their last 5 games. 27 of those were to NIU, who BG generally shut down most of the game. I realize the layover could affect their momentum, but I still think this team feels under appreciated. Folks are talking about how their win against NIU was an "upset." I disagree. This team still doesn't get enough recognition, and I feel they will want to prove themselves tonight.
Pitt is bringing an anemic rushing offense to the table tonight, averaging under 3yrds per carry on the road. There's been some talk about Pitt playing tougher opponents than BG, but the ACC isn't really that good of a conference. Taking a look at Pitt's schedule, they struggled against Virginia (a 2-10 team), only managing 8 rushing yards. And they managed only 21 rushing yards against a 6-6 Syracuse team.
If BG can make Pitt one dimensional, Pitt is in trouble, especially with one of Pitt's top WRs OUT for today. BG is 4th in FBS, allowing just 166 passing yards per game.
The under appreciated theme carries over to BG's offense. Here's a great article about how BG's QB, Johnson, is pissed that PITT did not recruit him because of his size: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/...missed-out?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE.
Johnson is having a very solid year and he seemed to get better later in the year: 14tds and 4int in his last 5 games. He also outplayed Lynch in the NIU game.
Outcome:
There shouldn't be many concerns about BG's motivation today. Despite beating a potential BCS bowl team and winning the MAC, this team still isn't getting the national recognition they deserve. They probably still won't after tonight UNLESS they embarrass PITT, which I think they can and will want to do.
I'd be more concerned about the coaching situation if this team wasn't very good, but BG has a legitimate team and the players won't need any extra pep talk or leadership to get up for this game.
Concerning the venue, BG beat NIU on this same field in the MAC championship, so they should be very comfortable here. While not huge, it's an added edge for BG.
I don't see PITT putting up more than 14-17 points tonight. With the way BG's offense has been clicking, I think they can put up 28-31 easily. So I feel pretty good about a BG cover.
