For the fifth season in a row the Bulls failed to defeat a non-conference opponent not named Temple. Buffalo is entering the meat of its conference schedule, as the Bulls will play three straight Mid-American Conference teams before taking a one-week hiatus to play Big East foe Syracuse.
The Bulls go into conference play with a 1-3 record, however their one win was against MAC cellar-dweller, Temple. Buffalo goes into this week's game against Ball State looking for their second conference victory, a feat they have not accomplished in six years.
Head coach Turner Gill says that the team's goal is to win the MAC Eastern division this year, and while Ohio is the favorite to repeat as champions, Gill believes that the title is up for grabs.
"I think it's wide open," Gill said. "Definitely in the East it's Ohio, they won it last year. And I think Western Michigan out in the West. I think it's wide open, but those are the two teams Western Michigan and probably Ohio."
Ohio has been the cream of the crop in the MAC this year ranking fourth in offense with over 26 points per game, and second in scoring defense allowing just over 24 per game.
The Bulls hope that their offense, which is averaging 22.5 points per game, and an improved defense that is allowing 31 points per contest, four points less than last year, will help them in conference play.
If the Bulls can keep their scoring output over 20 points per game throughout the season, it would be the first time the team has averaged at least 20 points per game since joining the MAC in 2000. Gill says that the team is improving year by year but needs to improve on its consistency.
"Consistency, creating turnovers, ball security. If we can do those things, then things will happen here," Gill said.
With a full season under his belt as a coach, and the players having a year to learn the system, Gill believes that the team is more prepared than a year ago to win in the MAC.
"I think we're better prepared overall no matter who we're playing, because it's the second year in our system offensively and defensively," Gill said. "We know our players better, they know us better, the familiarity of what we're trying to do helps us whether we're in the MAC or anywhere else."
While the MAC is not a major player in the BCS bowl games, MAC teams have fared fairly well when facing bigger opponents. Last week Ball State took nationally-ranked Nebraska to the brink of a loss, before finally succumbing 41-40.
Bowling Green was able to withstand two rounds of overtime against Minnesota before falling in three overtimes to the Gophers. This couples with Buffalo's fine showing against nationally ranked Penn State.
Gill says that in order to win in any conference, not just the MAC, the key is to execute the game plan.
"There is no secret formula to say how we're going to win," Gill said. "It's just going out there and executing better than the other team."
Having seen firsthand that Baylor and Rutgers have gone from schools with losing traditions to teams who are competitive and win their fair share of games, Gill hopes that Buffalo can be the next school to make the leap.
"I think it's a deal where you it can be done because other teams have done it," Gill said. "It can be done and it will be done here. I can't tell you when it's magically going to happen, but it does give you confidence."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
