The top national college football preview magazines have hit newsstands and the internet. Here is what they have to say about Bowling Green’s upcoming season.
Bowling Green will open its schedule Aug. 29 at home against Morgan State.
PHIL STEELE
Predicted finish: Sixth in the MAC East
What they’re saying: “New [head coach] Scot Loeffler has just 12 returning starters and lost his starting QB after spring was over. Facing Kansas State, Notre Dame and Louisiana Tech is a tough non-conference slate, and they pull Toledo and [Western Michigan] from the West [Division]. This looks like a rebuilding season for sure, and it will be tough to top last year's three win total.”
ATHLON
Predicted finish: Sixth in the MAC East
What they're saying: “Loeffler’s first college head coaching job will require some major reconstruction. He took a solid step in a positive direction by surrounding himself with an experience-laden staff. ... Road games at Notre Dame and Kansas State will make the first portion of the schedule bumpy, and the MAC East Division — which is trending stronger — won’t make things much easier the rest of the way.”
STREET & SMITH
Predicted finish: Fifth in the MAC East
What they're saying: One of new coach Scot Loeffler’s first choices was to tab Brian VanGorder — most recently of Louisville — to fix Bowling Green’s broken defense. The Falcons allowed a MAC-worst 40.0 points per game last year, and VanGorder’s blitz heavy, risk-heavy style seems an odd choice for a defense that has some experience in the front seven, but very little in the back end.”
LINDY’S
Predicted finish: Fifth in the MAC East
What they're saying: “The Falcons have a history of success, but regressed in the Mike Jinks era due to his lack of college experience. He left behind too many question marks and depth issues for Bowling Green to contend in the MAC this season. Expect the Falcons to take their lumps, mainly due to their defense, in Year 1 under Loeffler.”
First Published June 18, 2019, 5:01 p.m.
