BG football coach Dave Clawson lapsed into coach-speak when asked how important the Florida game is to his program. "It's the biggest game on our schedule -- because it's the next one," he said.
Well, he is correct that it is the next game on the schedule. But is it right to say that the first game of the 2012 season is the most important?
It is the most important game if you consider the financial impact of the contest, since BG is receiving a $1.25 million guarantee to show up at the Swamp. And if the Falcons get the upset, it will be one of the biggest wins -- if not the biggest -- in school history.
But what if the odds-makers are correct and Florida is a whole bunch of points better than Bowling Green?
Then it becomes the biggest game only if BG allows that to happen.
It's not the biggest game in terms of reaching the team's goals, which include winning a Mid-American Conference division title, reaching the league's title contest, and earning a bowl berth. In that instance, it is just one game out of 12.
But if the Falcons are too beat up -- physically, emotionally, or mentally -- to handle the aftermath of the contest, then it is the biggest game on the schedule. For all the wrong reasons.
I would trade a win over Florida for a win in the MAC Championship game any day.
Posted by: Orangeandbrown | 08/30/2012 at 09:35 AM
I think I know where you're going with this, O&B, but two questions ... First, tell me why.
Second, tell me which is more obtainable.
Posted by: John_Wagner | 08/30/2012 at 01:11 PM
beat Florida. It would make a bigger national splash, plus would help recruiting. Game on ESPN, would be huge for program
Posted by: tony fedor | 08/30/2012 at 01:48 PM
Andrew Tweeted: Which one do you think is more helpful for the program when it comes to recruiting over the next 2-3 years?
What do YOU think?
Posted by: John_Wagner | 08/30/2012 at 05:05 PM
I really think that how the season unfolds after the Florida game determines how I feel. If BG beats Florida and then goes 9-3 but doesn't win the MAC title, I'll take the Florida win. If BG beats the Gators but then winds up 5-7, well then I'd prefer a loss in the Swamp in trade for the first MAC title since 1992.
Posted by: Andrew | 08/30/2012 at 05:51 PM
Andrew: I see your point, but that's what makes hindsight 20/20.
Here's the question: You can only choose one, and you can choose a win over Florida or a MAC Championship game. Which do you want?
Post your comments below, and vote in the poll in the upper right nav bar.
Posted by: John_Wagner | 08/30/2012 at 11:23 PM
John, I just think that the program exists to win championships, which are real. The "attention" that comes from beating a big-time team is a sugar high doesn't last...the power schools just say we couldn't do it if we were in that league every week, etc. What did beating UM do for Toledo and its coach?
Posted by: Orangeandbrown | 08/31/2012 at 11:38 AM