Akron at Bowling Green Preview

OCTOBER WAS NOT KIND TO FALCONS

Everything I've been reading on Bowling Green lately has been really depressing for the Falcons. At the end of September, they were 3-1 with wins over Minnesota of the Big Ten (11), Temple and Western Kentucky in addition to a respectable performance against Michigan State. But since then, they have been hammered by Boston College and Miami, beat a limping Kent team, then lost to Ohio at home. Yes, October has been a tough month.

Injury Woes

The Falcons fortunes turned during the Western Kentucky game when quarterback Tyler Sheehan injured his shoulder. Since then, BG is 1-3. Sheehan's production has diminished. Since the Western game, he has thrown more interceptions (6) than touchdowns (5). Still, head coach Gregg Brandon has no intention of benching Sheehan in favor of backup quarterback, freshman Anthony Glaud.

In addition to a limping quarterback, the Falcons are also working through an injury to freshman running back Willie Geter, who has been hobbling on a bad ankle sprain.

Same for the Zips

It is not like Akron has been setting the world on fire either. After a respectable showing against Ohio State and emotional victories over Kent State and Western Michigan, the Zips have completely lost their mojo by getting waxed at UConn and suffering two conference setbacks to Temple and Buffalo. The Zips are also banged up on defense.

Match Ups

Despite their injuries, BG still has the MAC's top passing offense, averaging 300 yards per game. They'll be going up against the MAC's top pass defense in Akron, giving up only 198.5 yards per game. Offensively, the Falcons have been moving the ball, ranking fourth in total offense (401.4) compared to the dismal performance of the Zips offense, averaging 293 yards per game - last in the MAC. Comparing the defenses, Akron holds the edge, giving up 28.4 points per game to BG's 34.4 ppg. The Falcons' defense has been yielding almost 428 yards a game to the opposition, compared to 383 yards for the Zips. Lately, the BG defense hasn't been showing much, but then again, neither has the Zips offense.

Offense must come alive

This is the game where the Zips offense must show something...anything! If quarterback Chris Jacquemain struggles, coach J.D. Brookhart has got to relent and put in Carlton Jackson, who hasn't played substantial minutes since the Kent State game. At UConn, Jackson was benched for breaking a team rule, and he hasn't seen daylight since. Akron has got to exploit their best offensive weapon, receiver Jabari Arthur and balance out the pass with effective use of running back Bryan Williams. If Carlton Jackson gets in, his running ability will be another offensive threat. It's time to take some chances.

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AKRON AT BOWLING GREEN - THE TALE OF THE TAPE

Akron (3-5, 2-2 MAC) at Bowling Green (4-4, 2-2 MAC), 7:30 p.m. ET

Site: Doyt Perry Stadium

Series: Bowling Green leads 8-7 (Last meeting: Akron 35, BG 28)

Radio: SportsRadio 1350/Akron, WERE 1490/Cleveland

Television: ESPNU

Line: BG favored by 7

Outlook: A couple of weeks ago this game was setting up as potentially being one that would decide the winner of the MAC East but both teams have stumbled badly down the stretch with Akron dropping back-to-back divisional games against Temple and Buffalo while Bowling Green has dropped two of its last three divisional games. Both teams will need significant help to get back into the race. The Zips got a lift last week with the surprise return of DB John Mackey who was thought to have been lost for the season but Mackey's return was not enough. The Zips offense ranks last in the MAC, averaging only 293.4 yards per game and outside of WR Jabari Arthur, who is second in the MAC with 95.6 yards receiving per game, has been completely ineffective this season, scoring barely above 19 points per game, 11th overall in the MAC. The Falcons meanwhile have been probably the most inconsistent team in the MAC, looking like world beaters one week and then crashing and burning the following week, much as they did against Ohio at home in their most recent setback. To make matters a bit more dicey for the Falcons, BG may be without freshman RB Willie Geter who suffered a sprained ankle against the Bobcats and may also be without leading WR and return man Corey Partridge due to a thumb injury. QB Tyler Sheehan has struggled lately but BG still possesses the MAC's top passing offense, averaging 300 yards per game which presents an intriguing matchup, facing Akron, the MAC's top passing defense, allowing only 198.5 yards per game through the air. Both teams are struggling and if it weren't for their last second miracle finish at Western Michigan, the Zips would be on a four-game losing streak. Not much confidence in choosing either side here, but we will go with the Falcons at home. (source: MACReportOnline.com)