Week One: Bowling Green versus Florida

Bowling Green at Florida: This is a matchup between the Florida Gators of the SEC and the Bowling Green State University Falcons of the MAC. The Gators went 7-6 in 2011 winning the Gator Bowl over Ohio State to guarantee a winning record last fall. The Falcons finished 5-7 and were undone by losing 6 of their final 8 games after starting 3-1. Both teams fell below expectations with Florida expecting to compete for an SEC East division title and Bowling Green missing out on a winning record.

Offense: The Florida Gators have historically been one of the better offensive teams in the nation but 2011 was a fall from grace for the Gators finishing 105th nationally with only 328 yards per game. The run game averaged a solid 4.0 yards per carry but only 144 yards per game and 17 touchdowns in 13 games. The Gator passing attack could not live up to its history and finished a very disappointing 89th nationally with 185 yards per game. The Gators threw for 13 touchdowns but also threw for 13 interceptions in a weak display of quarterbacking. Overall, the Gators scored 25.5 points per game ranking them 71st nationally in scoring offense. The Bowling Green Falcons were much more efficient on offense in 2011 with a 384 yards per game average that put the Falcons at 62nd nationally last fall. The Falcons were horrible at running the football averaging 122 yards per game with a 3.7 yards per carry average and 13 touchdowns. Passing was better for the Falcons with 261 yards in the air per game and 28 touchdowns but the Falcons threw 14 touchdowns and turned the ball over 28 total times on the season. The Falcons were only able to put up 26.5 points per game ranking Bowling Green 63rd nationally in the all important scoring offense. EDGE: Push

Defense: In the tradition of the SEC, the Florida Gators had a very strong defense in 2011. The Gators gave up 299 yards per game ranking Florida 8th nationally in total defense last fall. The Gators were stingy versus the run giving up only 3.4 yards per carry for a total of 132 yards per game and 16 rushing touchdowns. The passing defense of Florida shut opponents down to 166 yards per game with only 15 passing touchdowns on the season. In a bit of a disappointment, the Gators only had 8 interceptions and only 14 forced turnovers last fall. The Gators held opponents to 20.3 points per game, good for 20th nationally. Bowling Green struggled on defense in 2011 giving up 406 yards per game to opponents and ranking the Falcons 79th nationally. Opponents ran all over the Falcon defense averaging 4.9 yards per carry and 203 yards per game with 24 touchdowns. Teams did not need to pass as much on the Falcons defense so the passing yards allowed per game was only 202 yards per game with 14 touchdowns. The Falcons were only able to intercept 6 passes and force 15 total turnovers on the season. The Falcons ended up 77th in the nation with a 28.8 points per game average. EDGE: Florida

Coaching: Will Muschamp is the head coach of the Florida Gators and is in his 2nd year as the head coach of the Gators. Muschamp got his starting career in 1995 with Auburn as a graduate assistant. After Auburn, Muschamp coached at West Georgia, Eastern Kentucky, Valdosta State, LSU, the Miami Dolphins, Auburn again, and Texas before finally getting his shot at the Florida job. Muschamp went 7-6 in his one season as head coach with a win over Ohio State in the Gator Bowl. Dave Clawson is the head coach of the Bowling Green Falcons and is entering his 4th season as the Falcon head coach. Clawson started coaching in 1989 with Albany before moving to Buffalo, Lehigh, Villanova, Fordham, Richmond and Tennessee. In 2009, Clawson accepted the head coaching job at Bowling Green. The head coaching job with the Falcons is Clawson's 3rd head coaching job after stints at Fordham (29-29) and Richmond (29-20). Clawson is 14-23 at Bowling Green and lost his only bowl appearance with the team. EDGE: Florida

This is the first meeting in school history between the two programs.

For some reason, Clawson's coaching has not taken effect with the Falcons after three years with the program. The Falcons went to a bowl game in his first season but have struggled since with the defense struggling badly in the last two seasons. Their opponent, Florida, struggled in the first season following the reign of Urban Meyer but showed signs of life especially on defense. The Gators are improving while getting players that fit the new image of Florida and are better fits for a more traditional offense than in the past. The Gators are just too talented for the Falcons but this game could see Bowling Green hanging around a little too long for comfort with the Gators pulling away to a comfortable win in the second half.