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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Football Picked Fifth In East Division
July 24, 2001 | Football
July 24, 2001
DETROIT, Mich. - The Bowling Green State University football team was tabbed to finish fifth in the Mid-American Conference's East Division in the 2001 season. The announcement was made at the annual MAC Football Media Day, held at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel in Detroit, Mich.
The poll is the result of voting by members of the MAC News Media Association. Marshall was picked to win the East Division, while Toledo was the choice to win the West Division.
The Falcons received a total of 151 points to trail, in order, Marshall, Ohio, Miami and Akron. Kent State and Buffalo round out the East.
First-year coach Urban Meyer and senior nose guard Brandon Hicks represented the Falcons in Detroit.
"I think, with all due respect to the media and the people who voted, (the poll) is insignificant," Meyer said. "I am more worried about our upcoming two-a-days, and finding a common denominator between becoming more physical and avoiding injuries.
"I will say that, in a few years, I hope we're ranked number one and everybody's talking about us. But, do I let (being picked fifth) consume my thoughts? No."
Meyer noted that the Falcon players have been working hard since his arrival last December.
"We led a lot of games into the fourth quarter last year, and somehow let that lead slip away. So, I've made everything extremely hard and uncomfortable for the players. And, we've had some attrition."
"But, my players have always played hard, and I take pride in that. This group has a real commitment to football and a commitment to Bowling Green State University. I feel good about my guys, and when I say `Go,' they're gonna go."
Hicks said that the Falcon players have been working hard on their own during the offseason.
"Everyone's attitude has been unbelievable," said the Fairborn, Ohio, native. "Everyone has been working out, lifting and running, because we don't want to let each other down."
The Falcons open the 2001 schedule on Sept. 1 with a trip to Missouri. The next week (Sept. 8), BGSU begins the home and MAC schedules, taking on Buffalo in the first game under the lights, with start time set for 6:00 p.m. at Perry Stadium. The non-conference slate also includes games with South Carolina and Temple.
"The schedule is extremely difficult," said Meyer. "If I have one main concern, it's that."
"In my mind, the key game is the second of the season. It is a MAC game and our home opener, against a division team that beat us last year. Our focus will be on both Missouri and Buffalo during two-a-days."
The complete MAC poll, with points and first-place votes received, follows.
MAC Preseason Football Poll
East Division
Team (first-place votes) Points 1. Marshall (41) 344 2. Ohio (7) 276 3. Miami (1) 258 4. Akron (2) 224 5. Bowling Green 151 6. Kent State 107 7. Buffalo 68West Division
Team (first-place votes) Points 1. Toledo (36) 287 2. Western Michigan (14) 254 3. Northern Illinois 198 4. Ball State (1) 155 5. Central Michigan 101 6. Eastern Michigan 73
MAC Championship Game Winner: Toledo (25), Western Michigan (13), Marshall (12), Ohio (1).
Points awarded on the basis of 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 for the East Division, and 6-5-4-3-2-1 in the West Division.
