Bowling Green vs. North Dakota prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins Week 2’s game between the Falcons and Fighting Hawks.
Bowling Green vs. North Dakota Game Preview
When: Saturday, Sept. 10 – 3:30 ET
Where: Doyt L. Perry Stadium, Bowling Green, Ohio.
Broadcast: ESPN3
What a moment it must have been for Brandon Harris as he intercepted J.T. Barrett’s pass and returned it 63 yards to give Bowling Green a 7-0 lead over Ohio State last week. The game was tied less than two minutes later, though, and the Falcons were no match for the Buckeyes in a 77-10 blowout. They allowed 417 passing yards as their young secondary struggled after learning defensive back Will Watson is suspended for the first six games of the season. Ohio State went 11 for 13 on third down. Nothing went right after Harris’ touchdown, but the Falcons are hoping a matchup with an FCS opponent can help restore some confidence.
The Hawks were nationally ranked in the FCS entering the season, then lost to Stony Brook 13-9 on the road last Thursday. Bowling Green needs to take advantage of this contest and put up some points.
What To Know About Bowling Green
The defending MAC champions looked anything but against Ohio State. No one expected the Falcons to come out of Columbus with a victory, but a 66-point thrashing was just embarrassing. James Knapke went just 12 for 33 and tossed two interceptions, and James Morgan’s only incompletion in 10 pass attempts was a pick. Bowling Green will need to get its offense going no matter who is under center after finishing with only 244 total yards, and the defense will need to step up, too. Watson’s suspension, levied by the NCAA for an infraction in 2014, was a bit of a surprise, but his absence was no excuse for giving up 776 yards.
What to Know About North Dakota
John Santiago is one of the FCS’s top running backs after rushing for 1,459 yards as a freshman last season. He scored against Stony Brook but was largely held in check, finishing with 51 yards on 16 carries. The rest of North Dakota’s offense will have to pick up the slack if Santiago is shut down again after gaining only 177 total yards. Keaton Studsrud’s longest completion went for 18 yards, and the game was decided when the Hawks had a blocked punt returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Advantages
Offense: Bowling Green – The Falcons’ unit is much better than it showed against the Buckeyes, and I expect running back Fred Coppet to have a better game this week.
Defense: Bowling Green – Seems odd this would be the case, but the Falcons do have talent on that side of the ball that should step up.
Special Teams: Bowling Green – Could take advantage of another North Dakota special teams blunder.
Coaching: Bowling Green – Mike Jinks’ debut didn’t go as planned, but he’ll have a better game plan ready to go against North Dakota.
Intangibles: North Dakota – The Hawks won their last game against an FBS opponent, beating Wyoming 24-13 last year.
Matchup To Watch
Santiago vs. Bowling Green’s defense
Santiago’s freshman season was amazing, and he’s going to be anxious to rediscover that form after a rough game against Stony Brook. He knows there’s opportunity after watching what happened to the Falcons last week.
Betting Odds
Spread: No Line
Over/Under: No Line
Bowling Green vs. North Dakota Prediction
Bowling Green is able to shut down Santiago and the offense gets going early as it evens up its record.
Bowling Green vs. North Dakota Final Score Prediction: Bowling Green 24, North Dakota 6
