Bowling Green's Jarret Doege throws a pass against Toledo. Doege started five games as a true freshman a year ago.
Blade/Kurt Steiss
What they're saying
"[Head coach Mike Jinks is] creating a nice base of talent for the next BGSU rise. We’ll just have to see if he’s the one in charge when said rise occurs. If it’s going to happen for Jinks in Bowling Green, we’ll know this year. We saw hints of recent recruiting paying off in 2017, even if results didn’t follow." — Bill Connelly, SB Nation
"The call went out for a dramatic overhaul after the Falcons allowed an alarming 506.6 yards per game last season. Bowling Green has hired [Carl] Pelini to run the unit and brought in several new position coaches. With five of the top six tacklers returning, the opportunity for significant improvement is there." — Athlon Sports
"While wins on the field have been elusive for Bowling Green, the program has found some success on the recruiting trail. ... If Pelini can work his magic on the defense, Bowling Green could exceed expectations and start piling up wins sooner rather than later." — Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel
Facts and figures
107.6 — Average all-purpose yards as a freshman for running back Andrew Clair, which ranked fifth in the MAC.
0 — Times the Falcons won at Doyt Perry Stadium in 2017.
5 — BG's projected finish in the MAC East, according to preseason poll voters.
1983 — The last time a true sophomore QB had starting experience. Jarret Doege started five times last season.
253.3 — Bowling Green's average rushing yards allowed last season, which ranked last in the MAC and fourth-worst of 129 FBS teams.
4.4 — BG’s over/under for total wins, according to the South Point Casino.
Projected starters
Offense
QB: 2 Jarret Doege
RB: 1 Andrew Clair
WR: 21 Scott Miller
WR: 80 Quintin Morris
WR: 18 Deric Phouthavong
TE: 47 Dorian Hendrix
LT: 74 Lorenzo Taborn
LG: 65 Jack Kramer
C: 55 Caleb Bright
RG: 77 John Kurtz
RT: 64 Austin Labus
Defense
DE: 50 Jonah Harper
NT: 97 Josh Croslen
DT: 93 Kyle Junior
DE: 58 Brian Sanders
LB: 1 Brandon Harris
LB: 55 Kholbe Coleman
CB: 30 Ty Redding
CB: 14 Marcus Milton
CB: 6 Monte Gregory
FS: 13 Jamari Bozeman
SS: 4 Fred Garth
Special Teams
P: 98 Grant Tinnerman
K: 12 Nate Needham
Contact Nicholas Piotrowicz at npiotrowicz@theblade.com, 419-724-6110, or on Twitter @NickPiotrowicz