Can upset-minded Bowling Green State Falcons pull off huge upset over Texas A&M football at Kyle Field?
In some ways, the near-upset that the Bowling Green State Falcons pulled off in Happy Valley benefitted Texas A&M football more than anyone. If BGSU didn't have the Aggies' attention beforehand, they sure do now.
Let's be clear: this is a team that Texas A&M should beat, and pretty soundly. But it's also a team that they should not take lightly.
Bowling Green is a senior-laden team. They boast a former SEC quarterback in Conner Bazelak, who has faced off against the Aggies and a Mike Elko defense before.
The last time a senior-heavy G5 team rolled into Kyle, it didn't end so well for the Aggies. Yeah, that was under Jimbo and all that—but I only mention it to say that this is a game the Ags should take seriously.
Luckily, it seems like they are doing just that—thanks, in large part, to a former Falcon. Cashius Howell, who led BGSU (and their entire conference, as a matter of fact) in sacks last year, is now donning the Maroon and White. And to hear him talk about it, he's out in front of this one.
Cashius Howell: "I know how Power 5 schools go into these lower conference-level games. Every year I was at BG, we had an upset over a higher conference school. ... They're going to come in here ready to go to work and get after us."
— TexAgs (@TexAgs) September 16, 2024
"I've been telling all my teammates and…
From a statistical perspective, the Aggie defense may have their work cut out for them. The Falcons have been pretty explosive so far through two games, including against a solid Penn State defense. With some of the struggles that the Aggies have had against the big play, especially looking at the Florida game, the DBs—now down a few men, of course—will have to be on their game.
It's on third down where the Falcons have been elite. They've converted 52% of all third downs this year, including half of those they faced against Penn State. More than that, they have allowed a mere 27% conversion on third, which is an elite mark.
Of course, the Falcons want you in third and long, and with the efficient rushing attack we saw out of the Aggies last week, that could be a tough prospect. A&M can lean on a smaller BGSU line to get into favorable downs and distances if all goes well.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Reed get the start again in this one. I think that he can lead another big day on the ground—to the tune of 300+ total yards in the rush game for the third contest in a row—and salt this one away early ahead of a trip to Dallas next week.
I'll go with a 41-16 final in this one in favor of the Aggies. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Falcons find the end zone once, but this is a good get-right game for an A&M red zone defense that has not been the best thus far—they're currently allowing five points per trip to their opponents. That had better change quickly.