UB Bulls Beat: All About The International Bowl

It’s really simple: Buffalo needs to run the table to finish the season with a 7-5 record, which should be enough to get them a second straight invite to the International Bowl in Toronto. With Temple running away with the MAC East, and Central Michigan doing the same in the MAC West, the Bulls are as likely to win the MAC title, as they are to get invited to a BCS bowl.

Would the International Bowl invite a UB squad that finished 7-5 (4-3) and in 3rd or 4th place in the MAC East? Yeah, they would because the organizers of the International Bowl want to sell tickets. The attendance for last year’s UB vs Connecticut scrap was an International Bowl record 40,184; that represents nearly a 22% increase from the 2008 International Bowl (31,455) and a 34% increase from 2007 (26,717).

Anybody that watched last year’s game, knows that hordes of Buffalonians, UB students, and alums descended upon Toronto for that game. There’s no reason to think they wouldn’t do it again given the proximity of Buffalo to Toronto.

Of course, none of this matters if Turner Gill’s squad doesn’t care of business in tonight’s ESPN2-televised scrap with Bowling Green 3-5 (2-2) — 25 questions about BGSU answered at Bull Run and Paul Peck chips in a preview at WIVB. Buffalo is a 3-to-4 point favorite to beat the Falcons. To do so, they’re going to have play much better pass defense than they have so far this season. The Falcon’s pitch-and-combo of quarterback Tyler Sheehan and record-setting wideout Freddie Barnes — 99 receptions through 8 games. That’s right, 99 catches!! — is one of the best in the country. Since no team has really stopped them this season, the best the Bulls can do is hope to limit the big plays and keep Barnes underneath. That’s the recipe Central Michigan used in a 24-10 win over the Falcons on October 24th.

The offense needs to hold up it’s end by not treating the rock like it’s a disposable bodega coffee cup and by getting Ike Nduka rolling. As potent and prolific as Dave Clawson’s offense is, the run defense is that bad. The Falcons have allowed 100-yard rushers in six of their first eight games. No reason why it shouldn’t be 7-of-9 after tonight’s game.

The Bulls win 34-30.

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