INSIDE SLANT

There’s a lot at stake Nov. 27 when Bowling Green (6-5 overall, 5-2 in the Mid-American Conference) hosts Toledo (5-6, 3-4).

With a win, the Falcons would not only down their arch-rival, they would be 7-5 and bowl-eligible to fill an at-large berth. It would also give first-year head coach Dave Clawson a winning season. The Falcons have won five of their last six games.

“Now we’ve taken it to Game 12 and it just sets up a very, very big football game for us. We always want to be in this position. We always want to be playing the last game of the year and have something to play for, whether it’s a championship or a bowl game,” Clawson said. “The Toledo game will always set itself up to be a big game for us. This year there is even a lot more on the line.”

And then you have to throw in the rivalry between the two teams located less than 30 minutes apart. Bowling Green has won two straight and four of the last five against Toledo.

“It’s a big game. There is a great tradition, great history and we’re very fortunate to have a game like this to look forward to,” Clawson said. “I’ve been at schools that don’t have rivalry games. When you’re at one that has a big one like we do, we’re lucky to be a part of this. It gives us something to look forward to every year.

“These are the games that push both programs to be better.”

For Toledo head coach Tim Beckman, he now gets the opportunity to see the rivalry from the other sideline. Beckman was an assistant coach at Bowling Green from 1998-2004.

“I’ve thought about it since Dec. 4 (2008) when I took the job up here at Toledo. Being involved in the tradition at Bowling Green and now being the head football coach at Toledo, it was something that I thought about,” Beckman said. “But my colors are Midnight Blue and Gold … and I look forward to being in that visitors locker room.”

NOTES, QUOTES

• Bowling Green’s Freddie Barnes is a finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s outstanding college football wide receiver. Joining Barnes as finalists are Notre Dame’s Golden Tate and Texas’ Jordan Shipley.

Barnes leads the country in receptions (129), receptions per game (11.7), yards (1,482), yards per game (134.7) and touchdowns (14). The senior has eight double-digit reception performances, has gone over the 100-yard mark eight times and has five games of at least two touchdowns.

• A total of 20 Bowling Green seniors will be playing in their final regular-season game on Nov. 27, including 18 who are either starters or major contributors.

Series History:   Bowling Green leads series 38-31-4 (last meeting, 2008, 38-10 BG).

Scouting The Offense:   It’s been the Tyler Sheehan to Freddie Barnes show this season.

Sheehan has completed 64.6 percent of his passes for 3,527 yards with 21 touchdowns and only six interceptions.

Barnes leads the country in receptions (129), receptions per game (11.7), yards (1,482), yards per game (134.7) and touchdowns (14). The senior has eight double-digit reception performances, has gone over the 100-yard mark eight times and has five games of at least two touchdowns.

Scouting The Defense:   Bowling Green’s defense has improved over the last month, but the Falcons still have problems stopping the running game.

However, Bowling Green leads the Mid-American Conference in third-down conversion defense at 34.6 percent (51-of-147). The Falcons are also fourth in the conference in red zone defense, allowing 22 touchdowns and six field goals in 36 total red zone opportunities.

The return of S P.J. Mahone from a six-game suspension has sparked BG’s defense in the last three games. Mahone is a sure tackler and a playmaker and has made 30 tackles in the last three games.

Quote To Note:   “It looks very promising at 7-5 that we will be in a bowl. I can’t worry about what happens in this game or that game. The only thing we control is our preparation.”—BG head coach Dave Clawson.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

This Weeks  ’ GAME: Toledo at Bowling Green, Nov. 27—It’s the final game of the regular season and it matches arch-rivals located less than 30 minutes apart. With a win Bowling Green is 7-5 and in position to earn an at-large bowl berth.

Also WR Freddie Barnes needs 13 catches to equal the national record of 142 receptions in a season set by Houston’s Manny Hazard in 1989.

Keys To The Game:   Bowling Green’s offense needs to move the ball and put points on the board. BG’s defense must limit a Toledo offense than is capable of big plays. The Rockets come into the game averaging 30.2 points per game and have two talented running backs and two top-notch receivers.

Players To Watch:  

WR Freddie Barnes needs 13 catches to equal the national record of 142 receptions in a season set by Houston’s Manny Hazard in 1989.

QB Tyler Sheehan had thrown for 300 or more yards in eight of 11 games this fall. He needs 407 passing yards to reach 10,000 for his career. He has gained (passing and running) 10,045 yards in his career. Sheehan has thrown a TD pass in 20 straight games.

LB linebacker Jerett Sanderson is also having a strong senior season. He can defend the run and help cover in the passing game. Sanderson leads the team in tackles (72) and tackles for loss (7 1/2). He has chipped in with a sack, interception, two quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles.

Roster Report:  

• Two senior wide receivers—Tyrone Pronty (foot) and Calvin Wiley (knee)—will seek a medical redshirt from the NCAA in an effort to return to the team for the 2010 season.

Pronty played in one game this season and Wiley was injured in preseason.