Bowling Green made one of the more exciting moves this offseason when the school hired Eddie George in March to be its next head coach. George will replace Scot Loeffler, who took the quarterbacks coaching job with the Philadelphia Eagles. Loeffler had been BGSU’s coach since 2019 and went 27-41 during that span.
George comes from Tennessee State, where he had been the head coach since 2021. He took the Tigers to the FCS playoffs last season where they lost in the first round and finished 9-4. They were 24-22 under George. Co-offensive coordinator Travis Partridge and defensive coordinator Brandon Fisher also join George’s coaching staff from TSU.
Getting hired early in the spring and just a month before the spring transfer portal window meant George had a late start on recruiting his new roster. He still managed to bring in some notable players, however, and I think the consistency of the coaching staff will allow for the Falcons to be a competitive squad — just as their MAC title odds suggest.
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Bowling Green Football’s MAC Title Betting Odds
Bowling Green’s odds to win the MAC are +1100, via BetMGM.
Bowling Green Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
Bowling Green’s win total Over/Under is 5.5, with Over 5.5 at +105 and Under 5.5 at -125.
Bowling Green Football’s 2025 Schedule
- Aug. 28 vs. Lafayette
- Sept. 6 at Cincinnati
- Sept. 13 vs. Liberty
- Sept. 20 at Louisville
- Sept. 27 at Ohio
- Oct. 11 vs. Toledo
- Oct. 18 at Central Michigan
- Oct. 25 at Kent State
- Nov. 1 vs. Buffalo
- Nov. 8 at Eastern Michigan
- Nov. 18 vs. Akron
- Nov. 25 at UMass
Bold indicates MAC contests
Key Bowling Green Football Returners
2024 All-MAC Second Team
P John Henderson
Others
OL Alex Padgett
OL Nate Pabst
WR Finn Hogan
Bowling Green Football Season Preview
Bowling Green’s Offensive Line Provides Stability
While most of the offensive production from last season is gone, the Falcons will return four starters on the offensive front that should be the foundation for the offense. Padgett, Pabst, and Tunde Fatukasi started 13 games while Jake Burns started seven.
These guys will likely be protecting Drew Pyne, who should earn the starting job after transferring in from Missouri. He passed for 391 yards last season in one start. Pyne spent three seasons at Notre Dame and one season at Arizona State prior to Missouri.
Bowling Green Looks To Replace Harold Fannin Jr.
With former tight end Harold Fannin Jr. off to the NFL, the Falcons will need to find a new focal point of the offense. Not only is Fannin gone — who broke FBS tight end records with 1,555 yards and 117 receptions last season — but so are BGSU’s other top three pass catchers.
Hogan is the top returner in this group after catching 17 passes for 176 yards last year. At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, he’s a big target. Hampton transfer Brennan Ridley should prove to be a big get in the portal after he finished with 50 receptions for 596 yards and four touchdowns last season. Tight ends Arlis Boardingham (Florida) and Jyrin Johnson (Texas Southern) could also be key additions.
Bowling Green also has a lot to replace at running back and will likely lean on transfers to fill that void. Missouri transfer and redshirt freshman Austyn Dendy is a name to watch, but it’s anyone’s guess who takes the lead in the running back room.
Transfers Highlight Bowling Green Defense
What may be the biggest pick up for George out of the portal is linebacker Gideon Lampron from Dayton. He was a first-team FCS All-American after he paced Dayton with 98 total tackles and 6.5 sacks last year. His 23.5 tackles for loss were second most in the FCS. Kal-El Pascal should see an expanded role at nickelback after appearing in 13 games last year for the Falcons.
Safety Darius Lorfils is the lone returning starter in the secondary and tallied 24 tackles and one pass breakup in six starts last year. He’ll likely be joined by Mateo Sudipo at the other safety spot and a pair of transfer corners in Mark Cannon Jr. (Illinois State) and Jalen McClendon (Tennessee State). Cannon earned second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors for Illinois State last year after recording 83 tackles, three interceptions, 11 PBUs, and 3.5 tackles for loss.
Eriq George — son of Eddie — comes from Tennessee State as well and should be an anchor on the defensive line. He was an all-conference selection last season after finishing with 57 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. Returnee Evan Branch-Hayes appeared in all 13 games for BGSU last year, and I expect him to be another starter on the defensive line.
Henderson is the lone returning All-MAC selection where he landed 21 of his 50 punts inside the opposing 20-yard line. He’ll be a weapon once again.
Bowling Green Football Season Prediction
While I don’t predict Bowling Green will win the MAC, I do think that the Falcons can reach six wins and reach a bowl game.
They do play two Power Four programs, but I think they’ll be able to win enough conference games down the stretch to become bowl eligible in George’s first campaign at the helm.
