End zone: BGSU Falcons, Oct. 17

10/17/2013

While those who have compared football to war fail to grasp the bloodshed involved only with the latter, there are some similarities in terms of preparation. In fact, the weekly march toward a Saturday game can become so regimented, it becomes harder and harder for football teams to see the forest from the trees.

That's why BG's bye week is so valuable: Instead of grinding through the daily routine, this week coaches, players, fans, and — yes — media can take a step back and assess where the season stands.

There have been some bumps in the first half of the season for the Falcons, to be sure. Still, at 5-2 BG has won the battles it should win, not to mention claiming a few tossups along the way.

But the war itself is far from won. The Falcons have claimed the high ground at this point, winning their first three conference games. And last week's loss at Mississippi State may have been the team's best performance; going toe-to-toe with an SEC school certainly should build confidence for the skirmishes ahead.

Bullets are about to fly as BG hosts Toledo and Ohio at the Doyt. Those are two games that appear to be must-win contests for the Falcons to reach their goal of a MAC title.