???It all comes down to one game.
???On Friday night, the football team can shock the Mid-American Conference with a win against Bowling Green. With the victory, the Bulls will win the East Division outright, putting the team in their first ever MAC Championship game, while giving them with their first bowl bid since 1958.
???Buffalo (6-4, 4-2 MAC) is riding a four-game winning streak after defeating Akron last week in a four-overtime thriller, 43-40. Bowling Green (5-5, 3-3 MAC) is coming off a game against Ohio where they dominated the Bobcats, 28-3.
???"They are a good football team," said head coach Turner Gill. "They are one of the elite in the MAC. They are always at the top. It's going to be a challenging game for us."
???Gill feels that the Falcon offense, led by quarterback Tyler Sheehan, cannot be underestimated. So far this season, Sheehan has thrown for 2,129 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
???"Sheehan is a good quarterback," Gill said. "He does good things. They are a spread offense as they move everyone around. Our defense is going to have to be prepared for that."
???Senior defensive end Andrae Smith agrees with Gill, understanding that his defense has to pay attention to every single player during every single play.
???"They are a gadget team, so we can't fall for any tricks," Smith said. "It's going to be difficult but we got to stay in point."
???In return, Buffalo's offense, which has shone in recent games, will look to make Bowling Green's defense work. Junior running back James Starks and junior wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt are leading the nation in some categories, showing how far the program has come.
???Senior quarterback Drew Willy feels that while Starks and Roosevelt are big reasons why the team is doing so well, the offensive and defensive lines are the links that hold the team together.
???"They've played tremendously well the past four wins that we've had," Willy said. "When they get going, James gets going, Naaman gets going, we start making big plays. You see it on any successful team in that it all starts with the offensive and defensive lines. Basically they're the glue that holds a team together. We can't do what we do on offense without those guys. They're going to play another great game this week and we're going to come out successful."
???Bowling Green's defense is a force to be reckoned with. In all of the team's conference games, the Falcon secondary is first in the league, allowing just 167.6 passing yards per game through the year. The entire unit has started together for the past 17 contests.
???"They got some really talented players, but I think we can do everything we want to do out there," Willy said.
???This season, five of the Bulls' 10 contests have come down to the game's last play, which is the most of any school in the country.
???"Our guys show that we talk about perseverance," Gill said. "We talk about effort every play. Play every game hard and we'll see what happens. I'm proud of how our guys responded and our coaching staff. This is how you play. You have things that might go your way, might not go your way, but you keep on playing."
???They are also a power when it comes to fourth down conversions, converting 5-of-5 in Akron's game and 16-of-20 overall. They are third in the nation in fourth down conversions behind Alabama and Texas, both ranked in the Top 5 by the Associated Press.
???"It was a combination of everyone playing well," Willy said. "We have a lot of confidence on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. It's a testament of Coach Gill's aggressiveness."
???Of Bowling Green's four home games this year, they have only won one, which came against Kent State on Nov. 1. While the statistic might be beneficial for the Bulls, Gill feels that the past has nothing to do with Buffalo's game on Friday night.
???"It's all about one game, one night," Gill said. "It's about playing the best you can."
???With the Bulls only one game away from their best season in their history, many people across the country are beginning to follow the team. Whether it is alumni, students, staff, community members or even football fans in general, Willy feels that this program is beginning to grow in ways that were never imagined.
???"I think it is great for the community to get involved," Willy said. "The campus is more lively since I got here. In the community, more people have noticed us. It's great for the program. It's a great feeling."
???Smith concurred with Willy, stating that while previous years were difficult, it's all about what's happening right here and right now.
???"It's great for the university because Buffalo is a great place to be," Smith said. "It's sad that we couldn't be here before, but we're here now and it feels good."
???While the Bulls are trying to keep their heads on straight, this game is easily the biggest game in the history of the football program. With this responsibility, Smith feels that pressure will be mounting, but the Bulls can handle it.
???"This game counts for a lot," Smith said. "We control our destiny. We have to stay down to earth and just play some football."
???Friday's game at Doyt Perry Stadium begins at 6 p.m.
