2008 Woodie Awards
It's a game worth attending
By: Chris Voloschuk
Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: Sports Commentary
Tomorrow's finally the day it all comes together.
Unless you've been living under a rock, which hopefully you haven't, you already know the circumstances. They're definitely unique.
Minnesota of the Big Ten is coming here to play your Falcons in a rematch of last season's opening night shocker. It's the first time in history that a Big Ten team has agreed to come to BG and play the role of visitor.
I repeat, the Falcons aren't packing their bags and heading north to the Land of 1,000 Lakes. Nope, the Golden Gophers, in a very belated college football twist, had to pack theirs and come into your house.
Very rarely do teams from conferences like the Big Ten have to travel for their non-conference games. For instance, the Ohio State Buckeyes, who seem to be a lot of people's favorite team on this campus, are hosting Ohio. That's the norm.
But what we have on our hands tomorrow night isn't the norm. And because of that reason alone, this game is worth watching. But there are other reasons, too.
Not only is it a school from a major conference coming into BG, it's a team from a major conference looking for revenge. If you'll remember, the Falcons stunned the Gophers in the Metrodome in overtime almost one year ago to the day on a gutsy two-point conversion pass from Tyler Sheehan to Freddie Barnes.
The unexpected win proved to be the start of a special season for BG, which ended in an 8-4 regular season record and a bowl berth. The Minnesota game was indeed a tone-setter.
But something just feels different about this year. This time, the Falcons have some major momentum going in due to a 27-17 upset of Pittsburgh on the road one week ago. And because of that, this game just feels winnable.
Even the odds makers are on board. BG will take the field as 4.5-point favorites. And did I mention the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU? There's some real hype surrounding this game.
A whole lot of football fans have already responded to the uniqueness of this game. According to the BGSU ticket office, the game is nearing a sellout. If you're counting home games over the last five years, how many of them have had the word "near sellout" next to them? The answer is none.
So if you were actually thinking of missing out on this once-in-my-time-as-an-undergrad experience, do yourself a favor and reconsider.
In my opinion, you should look into tailgating before kickoff. You should get all your buddies together and toss around a football or play some cornhole, You should definitely leave your old Troy Smith jersey hanging in the closet. And, most importantly, you should get down to The Doyt and support your team. Make no mistake, they are your team.
I'm not supposed to be a cheerleader for athletics, but this scenario is different in so many ways. This is everyone's chance to be a part of history and enjoy what should be an entertaining football game with some real implications as far as BG's status near the nation's Top 25 goes.
Tomorrow night it all finally comes together. Where will you be?
Unless you've been living under a rock, which hopefully you haven't, you already know the circumstances. They're definitely unique.
Minnesota of the Big Ten is coming here to play your Falcons in a rematch of last season's opening night shocker. It's the first time in history that a Big Ten team has agreed to come to BG and play the role of visitor.
I repeat, the Falcons aren't packing their bags and heading north to the Land of 1,000 Lakes. Nope, the Golden Gophers, in a very belated college football twist, had to pack theirs and come into your house.
Very rarely do teams from conferences like the Big Ten have to travel for their non-conference games. For instance, the Ohio State Buckeyes, who seem to be a lot of people's favorite team on this campus, are hosting Ohio. That's the norm.
But what we have on our hands tomorrow night isn't the norm. And because of that reason alone, this game is worth watching. But there are other reasons, too.
Not only is it a school from a major conference coming into BG, it's a team from a major conference looking for revenge. If you'll remember, the Falcons stunned the Gophers in the Metrodome in overtime almost one year ago to the day on a gutsy two-point conversion pass from Tyler Sheehan to Freddie Barnes.
The unexpected win proved to be the start of a special season for BG, which ended in an 8-4 regular season record and a bowl berth. The Minnesota game was indeed a tone-setter.
But something just feels different about this year. This time, the Falcons have some major momentum going in due to a 27-17 upset of Pittsburgh on the road one week ago. And because of that, this game just feels winnable.
Even the odds makers are on board. BG will take the field as 4.5-point favorites. And did I mention the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU? There's some real hype surrounding this game.
A whole lot of football fans have already responded to the uniqueness of this game. According to the BGSU ticket office, the game is nearing a sellout. If you're counting home games over the last five years, how many of them have had the word "near sellout" next to them? The answer is none.
So if you were actually thinking of missing out on this once-in-my-time-as-an-undergrad experience, do yourself a favor and reconsider.
In my opinion, you should look into tailgating before kickoff. You should get all your buddies together and toss around a football or play some cornhole, You should definitely leave your old Troy Smith jersey hanging in the closet. And, most importantly, you should get down to The Doyt and support your team. Make no mistake, they are your team.
I'm not supposed to be a cheerleader for athletics, but this scenario is different in so many ways. This is everyone's chance to be a part of history and enjoy what should be an entertaining football game with some real implications as far as BG's status near the nation's Top 25 goes.
Tomorrow night it all finally comes together. Where will you be?
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
John
posted 9/06/08 @ 10:48 AM EST
It's the land of 10,000 lakes not 1,000 lakes.
Patrick
posted 9/06/08 @ 12:09 PM EST
It's the land of 11,842 lakes, if we want to be REALLY technical about it. :)
MichelleOsama
posted 9/07/08 @ 4:36 PM EST
42-17. I find reading the police blotter, detailing the latest crimes Brandon's players have committed, to be far more interesting.
Gregg Brandon
posted 9/07/08 @ 11:45 PM EST
Too bad BGSU couldn't have it's players do some forced entry on Minn. hotel rooms and scare them.
We got played like the second rate chumps we are. (Continued…)
I am glad I did not attend
posted 9/08/08 @ 4:13 PM EST
a massacre on the field!
a disgrace in the stands!
the university makes national headlines ( not for academics )
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