COLLEGE STATION, Texas — For the second straight game, Bowling Green State University will face a ranked opponent on the road as the Falcons take on No. 25 Texas A&M in the first meeting between the two schools.
BASICS
Who: BGSU (1-1) at Texas A&M (2-1)
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Kyle Field
Spread: Texas A&M by 22½
TV: SEC Network Plus
Radio: 100.7 FM
Follow: Michael Burwell
PLAYERS TO WATCH
BGSU: Terion Stewart. The Falcons’ star running back is slated to return vs. the Aggies after missing the loss at Penn State on Sept. 7 with an ankle injury. In the season-opening win over Fordham, Stewart dominated with 161 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just 14 carries. Texas A&M’s defense will obviously be a stiffer challenge, but if Stewart is close to or at 100 percent, his presence could be exactly what the Falcons need to stay in the game.
Texas A&M: Marcus Ratcliffe. A strong and physical sophomore defensive back at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, Ratcliffe has two of Texas A&M’s five interceptions this season. He is one of four players in the Southeastern Conference with two interceptions. Ratcliffe also forced a fumble and has eight total tackles, including 1.5 for loss. It will be interesting to see if he gets matched up at any point against BGSU standout tight end Harold Fannin, Jr., who leads the Falcons in receptions (17) and yards (204).
STATS TO KNOW
4: BGSU has four wins in 15 games against current members of the SEC. The Falcons’ win over Kentucky in 1985 was the only one in which the team was in the league at the time of the victory. BGSU’s other three wins came over Missouri when the Tigers were in the Big 12 Conference.
0: The Falcons have yet to allow a sack through two games this season. BGSU held strong against a solid Penn State front that had its streak of 28 straight games with at least one sack snapped.
100,000: If the raucous Texas A&M crowd lives up to its billing, it will be the third time since the start of the 2023 season that BGSU has played a game in front of at least 100,000 fans. The Falcons played in front of 103,861 fans against Penn State two weeks ago and 109,995 at Michigan early last season. When the game concludes at Kyle Field, BGSU will have played in three of the four largest FBS stadiums in the country in that span.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
BGSU’s offense vs. Texas A&M’s defense: The Falcons did just about whatever they wanted to offensively in the first half against a solid Penn State defense. Can BGSU do it again vs. another power conference opponent? The Falcons have averaged 425 yards and 34 points through two games, while the Aggies have allowed 312 yards and 17.7 points through three games.
PREDICTION
Don’t be surprised if BGSU throws some early punches, especially offensively, like the Falcons did against the Nittany Lions. BGSU isn’t afraid of the moment, environment, or name on its opponents’ jersey when it comes to these big nonconference games. If the Falcons can find a way to sustain a balanced offense and find the end zone, they will have a chance in the fourth quarter. But Texas A&M, with one of the best rushing offenses in the nation at 263 yards per game on the ground, should be able to wear down a BGSU team that has struggled against the run. Texas A&M 42-24.
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