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FACTS & STATS: Site: Kibbie Dome (16,000), Moscow, Idaho. Television: None. Home Record: BGSU 0-0, Idaho 0-0. Away Record: BGSU 0-0, Idaho 0-0. Neutral Record: BGSU 0-0, Idaho 0-0. Conference Record: BGSU 0-0, Idaho 0-0. Series Record: Idaho leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: The Bowling Green Falcons and Idaho Vandals will open up the 2011 season on Thursday night, as the two meet up in Moscow. The Falcons open their 2011 season with revenge on their minds, as they were defeated by Idaho in the Humanitarian Bowl in 2009.

It was a heartbreaking loss for those players on BGSU's roster that took part in that matchup, as the Vandals scored a two-point conversion in the final seconds to claim a one-point win. That marks the only previous meeting between the two schools heading into this season.

Last year was vastly different for BGSU, which finished the 2010 campaign with just two victories. One of those wins came on the road against Central Michigan (17-14), but overall it was a disappointing second season for coach Dave Clawson, who is hoping for a better showing this time around.

As for the Vandals, they followed a similar path, following an eight-win 2009 season and bowl victory with a down year in 2010 at just 6-7. It was the third losing season in four years for coach Robb Akey. However, the fifth-year head man is hoping for a better start in 2011, as the Vandals will host four of their first six matchups, including Thursday's meeting with the Falcons.

Last year Matt Schilz started 10 games for the Falcons, but began this year in a battle with Trent Hurley for the starting nod in 2011. Schilz won the battle and will have a chance to build on his numbers from a year ago.

He will definitely benefit from the return of Kamar Jorden. Jorden was a huge target for Schilz last year and even though he only scored four touchdowns, he hauled in 96 passes for over 1,100 yards. Repeating that type of success might be tough, but the hope is that the result will be more trips to the end zone in 2011.

The passing attack is not a big concern for coach Clawson, because his focus has to be on the rushing game, which for the second year in a row finished near the bottom of the FBS. In 2009 the Falcons totaled just 86.5 rushing ypg, and last year was shockingly worse at a meager 62.8 ypg.

Jordan Hopgood only had 76 carries last season, but will now be the starting back for BGSU. He will not be the lone back, as freshman Anthon Samuel will likely give this rushing attack a boost as well.

While Clawson is hoping for improvement in terms of rushing the football, he is also looking for a much better showing by his defense against the run. Stopping the run has been a problem for BGSU over the past two seasons, and with not much experience back, it will be interesting to see how the front line does in this area in week one.

Stopping the run is not the lone problem for this unit however, as this defense was also battered by the pass in 2010. The secondary is another inexperienced group. It is unclear if senior Jovan Leacock will be at the stud position, but if he is not, then it will be Ryland Ward, who is a redshirt freshman. He won't be the only freshman in the secondary, as Devon McKoy will man the corner slot. The other three starters will be sophomores and the only one out of three with significant playing time under his belt is corner Cameron Truss.

The most important job for coach Akey heading into 2011 was finding a replacement for Nathan Enderle. Clearly replacing one of the best quarterbacks in school history will not be an easy task, but as of now the belief is that Brian Reader has the talent to lead the Idaho offense. He will get his first crack at proving his coach right this Thursday night.

It won't just be a process with Reader, but for the entire offense, because only four starters are back in the fold. Reader will have a practically new receiving corps as well.

While the passing attack will need time to gel, the ground game will also have a few kinks to work out on Thursday. After rumbling for just 88.0 ypg a year ago, Idaho certainly needs to improve to take pressure off of Reader. Ryan Bass might be the starter, but look for Princeton McCarty and Kama Bailey to see plenty of playing time against BGSU. Coach Akey is looking for the trio to balance things out.

The Vandals have taken the necessary steps in improving defensively, but 2010's ranking of 95th in the nation shows there is still plenty of work to do.

The Vandals need to show improvement in every area, but where the team should see a significant boost is in the secondary.

Three starters are back for the 2011 season, and that includes Aaron Grymes, who grabbed two picks and finished third on the team in tackles a year ago.

Up front, Idaho is counting on Michael Cosgrove for leadership after he started all 13 games for the program last season and made 30 total stops. Cosgrove, responsible for clogging up the action on the line, also tied for the team lead in quarterback hurries with 10, showing his ability to get upfield and make things happen.

Both teams enter the new season with question marks on both sides of the ball, so it will be interesting to see what team is more prepared for the start of the year. In terms of this matchup, the Vandals may be home, but there are major questions at multiple positions. Look for the Falcons to grab a victory on the road, although it won't come easy.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Bowling Green 27, Idaho 21