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The Bowling Green Falcons and the Ohio University Bobcats meet on Wednesday night at Doyt Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio. Weeknight #MACtion continues with the a pivotal Eastern Division match-up that features championship and bowl implications for both teams.
The Falcons are seeking to improve to 7-2 overall for the first time in 11 years and 5-0 in the MAC for the first time in 12. A win would leave them one step away from sealing a third straight division title and trip to Detroit, as well as set up a potential championship game preview with Western Michigan the following week. BGSU is also trying to keep an incredible streak of 16 consecutive wins against Eastern Division teams alive. Since the beginning of 2012, they are 21-1 against the East.
The Bobcats would become bowl eligible with a win, as their overall record would move to 6-3. Their conference record would rise to 3-2, and that would re-open their own path to Detroit, particularly with upcoming home games against Kent State and Ball State. With a loss, Ohio would be eliminated from contention for the division title.
Quick Game Info
Game Date, Time: Wednesday, November 4th. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.
Location: Doyt L. Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio
Television: The game will be carried live on ESPN2 with the broadcast team of Dave Lamont (PBP), Desmond Howad (color) and Quint Kessenich (sideline).
Streaming: You can stream the game live on the Watch ESPN website or by using the Watch ESPN mobile app.
Radio: BGSU fans can listen via eight different affiliates, including the flagship station WFRO 99.1 FM. They can also listen online here. Ohio fans can listen via a 15-station network, including flagship WXTQ 105.5 FM. Live online audio can be found here.
Live stats: Live stats are available through this link, courtesy of BGSU Athletics.
Odds: Bowling Green is a heavy 21-point favorite to defeat Ohio. The over/under for the game is 68.5 points. (Courtesy of Oddsshark.com)
Weather: Unseasonably warm. Mostly sunny skies, a high of 75 and no chance of precipitation. Temperatures during the game should be in the low 60s with south winds at 5 MPH. (source: weather.com)
Series: Bowling Green leads the all-time series, 39-25-2. The Bobcats' last win in the series was a 29-28 victory at Bowling Green during the 2011 season. The Falcons have beaten Ohio three consecutive times, including a 49-0 win in the last meeting in Bowling Green and a 31-13 win last season in Athens, Ohio.
Players To Watch
Matt Johnson (QB, BGSU) and Roger Lewis (WR, BGSU) -- It will be fascinating to see Johnson and Lewis try to work again against one of the MAC's best pass defenses. The Bobcats are third in the MAC in passing yards allowed per game (198.4) and second in pass defense efficiency (112.3). They're allowing only 60% of passes to be completed and have nine interceptions compared to six touchdowns allowed. However, Johnson and Lewis are among the nation's leaders in passing and receiving, and the two have connected 58 times for 1,122 yards and 11 touchdowns. The team that wins this battle will be in great position to win the game.
Alfonso Mack (DB, BGSU) -- Mack has stepped in for an injured Darrell Hunter at cornerback and has helped solidify the back end of the Falcons' defense. He is fourth in the MAC with three interceptions. He also has two pass breakups, a fumble recovery and two tackles for loss. Ohio has been much better passing the ball than running it this season, so if Bowling Green is to continue their resurgence on defense, Mack will have to continue his solid play.
A.J. Ouellette (RB, Ohio) -- Ohio currently ranks 10th in the MAC in rushing yards per game, and Bowling Green ranks fifth in rushing yards allowed. For the Bobcats to win, they will need to be able to run the ball and do so much more successfully than other Eastern Division teams have against BGSU. Ouellette will be the key to that. Last year against the Falcons, he carried the rock 16 times but only managed 45 yards. He needs to have a much better game to keep the #FalconFast offense off the field.
Quentin Poling (LB, Ohio) -- Poling has been one of the most disruptive forces on Ohio's defense, and he does it all over the field. He has 40 tackles, including four for losses. Three of those are sacks, which is tied for the team lead. Poling is also tied for the team lead with two interceptions, one of which he's returned for a touchdown. He's even forced two fumbles. Against BGSU's offense, this sort of diversity from a linebacker is going to be very important, and if he can continue to be this productive, the Bobcats will be in good shape.