Buffalo Bulls aim to continue encouraging start to the season
By Paul Taylor
Lance Leipold and the Buffalo Bulls will look to build off their dominating win versus Colgate and move to .500 on the season, when they take on FAU.
As with last season, the Buffalo Bulls find themselves entering their fourth game with a 1-2 record. Similarly, they are coming off a win at home.
However, there is a different vibe around the 2017 version of this team. You just don’t envision the Bulls finishing the campaign with a second successive 2-10 record.
While statistics can often be manipulated to present an argument, there are still some figures worthy of mention, as noted by UBBulls.com in their game preview. For a start, the Bulls have already surpassed the five plays of 45+ yards they produced all last season, with six in just three games.
Buffalo has also scored on their opening drive in the last two games, after managing this just once during the 2016 campaign. In addition, they rank first in the MAC and fourth in the nation in pass defense, allowing an average of just 104 yards per game.
More from Tip of the Tower
- Cam Phillips making his mark on Toronto Argonauts offence
- Toronto Argonauts: 4 storylines ahead of matchup against Redblacks
- Federico Bernardeschi ready for new challenge with Toronto FC
- Toronto Argonauts overcome Roughriders in entertaining Touchdown Atlantic
- Buffalo Bills: Von Miller drawing inspiration from Bruce Smith
Of course, regardless of any sentiment, the first thing the Buffalo Bulls need to do, is actually equal their win total from a year ago. And they will get the opportunity on Saturday, when they host Florida Atlantic.
The two sides have only met once before, and while previous encounters aren’t usually a reliable indicator of how a game will go, there is still genuine reason for optimism. That’s because the previous meeting ended in a 33-15 victory for the Bulls, on the road in Florida.
Further, most of the top bookmakers have the Buffalo Bulls as 3-point favorites for the game, at UB Stadium. (You can find all the latest odds, via SportsBookReview.com.)
As you’d expect, Bulls head coach Lance Leipold will not be taking anything for granted, especially given the FAU coaching staff, led by Lane Kiffin. Speaking to the local media ahead of the game, Leipold said:
"“There’s a lot of things faceted there that you have to look at and you have to respect. (However), we have to look at what they’re doing schematically, and still break it down. It’s still going to come down to our guys against their guys, executing and doing those things and not get caught up with any other storyline.”"
If the Bulls are going to win, you imagine their ground game will play a significant role, with Emmanuel Reed leading the way. The sophomore running back had a career day last week in the game against Colgate, with 120 rushing yards and his first touchdown.
In addition, quarterback Tyree Jackson could present more problems for the FAU run defense. He finished the 33-10 win over Colgate, with a career-high 97 rushing yards.
Overall, it figures to be an interesting game on Saturday night, especially as the losing team will drop to 1-3 on the season. Here’s hoping the Bulls are not the ones walking off the field dejected, when the game ends.
Next: Bandits focused on returning to glory years
What’s your take on the way the Buffalo Bulls have started this season? Further, what is your prediction for Saturday’s game versus FAU? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.