MACtion vs. the Funbelt. That's how the two conferences brand their games - mostly because they play so many on Tuesday and Wednesday nights during the regular season. The thing is, it's worked. Those weeknight games give the schools in these conferences exposure they would never get on a Saturday. It's a great tool for recruiting - a kid can go to a Big 5 school and ride the bench for a few years or play right away and get on TV.
A clash of styles - BG's wide open passing attack against the GS option running scheme. Good back and forth first half. There was even a Bowling Green extra point attempt that was blocked and returned for two points. Some quick scores to end the half and its BG 27 GS 23. Much better than the last game...
And then the turnover bug hit BG and it was all downhill from there. Georgia Southern racked up 35 straight points, holding the Falcons to zero. I'll say the game turned when Bowling Green went for it on 4th and 9 on the Southern 22 and failed to convert. Once again, a MAC team whose coach left for another school so an interim coach plays the "what the ____" card and rolls the dice. Snake eyes, brother.
Georgia Southern 58 Bowling Green 27, ouch.
My pick, Bowling Green (5-5) Fortunately I've had most of these incorrect picks low in my confidence pool.
Game notes:
-This was a big win for Georgia Southern, their first in only their second year in the FBS. The Eagles also have some really solid looking uniforms.
Black and white, numbers on the helmet. Kind of like the Mean Machine in The Longest Yard if they had road unis.
-Still a good season for Bowling Green, 10 wins and a MAC Championship. But they're starting over at head coach, again. Such is MACtion.
-Not a good day for the MAC. NIU and BG gave up 113 combined points.
-This bowl game is played in Mobile at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. I like double named stadiums. This one became double named in 1997 to honor E.B. Peebles, a civic leader who helped revitalize the Senior Bowl. Ernest F. Ladd was a local banking magnate. "Magnate", a word not used often enough.
I think they're still using the original scoreboard.
High schools have more up to date scoreboards. Mr. Ladd would not approve.
-What did I eat? Since this was an 8pm start, we had dinner before hand. A nice ham, macaroni and cheese and a salad.
-Bowl swag: Pretty cheap, not even a gift suite. Timely Watch Co. watch; Sol Republic Punk speakers; 32-quart Lit cooler; Wilson official souvenir game ball
-GoDaddy girl Danica Patrick did not show up in the rain in Mobile. Actually, her NASCAR sponsorship with GoDaddy is ending this year. She's now on board with nature's bakery (lower case, thank you).
Two more games on Christmas Eve - Popeye's Bahamas Bowl at noon and Hawai'i Bowl at 8pm.
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