Buffalo Bulls Football Game Preview: Delaware (State)

Football is back, and I for one have never been more excited for Buffalo Bulls football. The national media has begun to notice the Bulls, and I think the Buffalo community will too. The obvious attention around the Bulls is because of the big three, Tyree Jackson, Anthony Johnson and Khalil Hodge, all three being a top 100 NFL prospect. However, the entire team is one that can not be overlooked. The Bulls return most of their offensive line including senior center James O’Hagan, who was ranked as one of the best centers in the nation according to PFF. The defense is primed for a big year too, and tomorrow will be the day we get to see it all put together.

So what should Bulls fans be expecting from Delaware (State)? Last year, the Hornets went 2-8 in the FCS, including a 59-16 loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers. Overall, they are just not the strongest team for the Bulls to open against, which I see as a positive and a negative. The negative for me, is that the Bulls won’t be battle tested too much after week one. They should come in, roll through Delaware (State) and be playing the back ups by halftime. However, the positive is that this game should be a confidence boost for the Bulls, as well as a chance to work on different situations, against an outside opponent. Overall, I’m excited for this game, as it means football is back, and so are the Bulls. Let’s take a look at what else to watch for in the game tomorrow.

What to Watch For

Tyree Jackson to Anthony Johnson

If you don’t know about these two by now, you’ve probably never heard of Buffalo athletics. This quarterback, wide receiver duo is listed as one of the best in the nation, with both having realistic chances to be playing on Sundays next season. The pair last year were absolutely explosive, often times capitalizing on the deep ball. If Tyree Jackson brings the accuracy this season, I don’t see them being stopped.

Focus

As I’ve said before, the Bulls will not lose this game. They should blow them out of the water, and it shouldn’t be close. That being said, how does a team focus for a game like this. If they want to be a serious contender for the MAC title this year, they must be ready to go for 12 weeks. If the Bulls come out slow, I will begin to worry about their focus, in front of a big crowd.

Defense

This is the one area I have some questions about for the Bulls. They lost a few key players on the defensive line, and it will be interesting to see how they hold up. Often times in FCS games, the defense is under much more scrutiny. If they let up 14 points, people get panicky, so it will be interesting to see how they come out. I expect a lot of pressure on the QB and for Khalil Hodge to put up at least 10 tackles.

Final Thoughts

I’m excited for this game plain and simple. The Bulls have never had this much hype around them, the field house is starting to look amazing, and it just feels like it’s the Bulls time. This game should be one of those no contest games, but it will also give us a good chance to see where the team is currently at. If I’m Lance Leipold, I call a deep pass to Anthony Johnson on the first play to get the crowd on their feet and show off the assets of this team. As a fan, be ready for a lot of points all season, and remember to have fun, this program is headed in the right direction.

If you’re in the area, make sure to come out to the game, as well as to Stampede Square. This athletics department has been putting in a lot of work, and it seems like the UB Football environment is about to become one of the best in the MAC. Who would have thought that just two seasons ago? As always, enjoy the game, and go Bulls!