In an exciting turn of events, the Bowling Green Falcons find themselves in the midst of a thrilling college football season, currently holding a 2-3 record as of 2025. They are experiencing a challenging two-week losing streak, which was not exactly the promising start everyone anticipated, especially under the guidance of their newly appointed head coach, Eddie George. With an impressive background as a Heisman winner and four-time Pro Bowler, Eddie is in his first season leading the Falcons and has encountered the typical ups and downs of the sport. Even though the team has faced three losses thus far, the positive influence Eddie brings to home games at Doyt Perry Stadium cannot be overlooked. Notably, he has managed to keep the Falcons undefeated on their home turf and has already achieved the remarkable feat of breaking a decade-old attendance record in a remarkably short span of time.
But here's where it gets controversial...
According to an announcement made through BGSU's official Instagram, their game against Liberty on September 13th drew in over 23,000 enthusiastic fans—representing the largest home crowd since the Falcons faced the Toledo Rockets back in 2015. The final score saw Bowling Green triumph over Liberty with a solid 23-13 victory. The supportive turnout from home crowds is clearly working in Eddie's favor as he aims to build on this momentum moving forward.
To put this in perspective, back in 2015, Bowling Green had a staggering 23,492 fans in attendance, yet they suffered a heavy defeat against Toledo, ending the match at 44-28. This loss was particularly painful, marking the Falcons’ fifth consecutive defeat against Toledo, a streak that continued until 2018. Remarkably, since that time, no other coach has been able to pull in such large crowds to the Doyt, showcasing the cultural shift that Eddie George is cultivating among fans. It seems only fitting that their next home game will be against none other than Toledo in a clash fondly referred to as "The Battle of I-75" on October 11. The bowling green team is now rallying its supporters, urging them to come out in force. "Your impact is real, and now, we need you again. Let’s make history by filling the Doyt and surpassing that attendance record!"
As the season unfolds, the Falcons kicked things off with a significant home win, overpowering Lafayette with a score of 26-7. However, their initial success was followed by a tough loss to Cincinnati (20-34), marking their first setback of the season. Yet, they managed to bounce back with a home victory over Liberty. Unfortunately, their next two matches away from home did not yield favorable results; they lost to Louisville 17-40 and faced another defeat against Ohio, 20-35. However, every time the Falcons have returned home, they’ve secured a win, illustrating the importance of home-field advantage.
Now, let’s take a closer look at "The Battle of I-75". This intense rivalry is a significant part of the MAC Conference, pitting Bowling Green State University (BGSU) against the University of Toledo (UT). These two institutions are just about 25 miles (or 40 kilometers) apart along Interstate 75, which is how the matchup earned its name. Their paths first crossed on October 3, 1919.
This annual event is set for its 90th edition, and Toledo currently leads the overall record with 43 wins to Bowling Green's 42 alongside four ties. With just one win needed to level the score, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the Falcons. Initially, Bowling Green had the upper hand in this rivalry; however, the mid-2000s saw a shift as Toledo started dominating with impressive winning streaks. In their last ten encounters, Toledo has triumphed in seven of those matches. Remarkably, when they last met last season, Bowling Green emerged victorious with a strong performance, winning 41-26 in Toledo.
According to DraftKings, the Rockets are entering this year's Battle of I-75 as 7.5-point favorites. But here's the kicker: the betting odds are already showing a notable trend toward the Falcons’ favor. While the initial odds were in favor of the Rockets, the Falcons boast an impressive home record under Eddie, making this matchup one to watch closely. Whether you cheer for the Falcons or the Rockets, don’t you think this game will stir some heartfelt discussions? Share your thoughts!
