(12-04-2014 01:30 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(12-04-2014 01:11 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(12-03-2014 02:02 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  If anything, with Arkansas St in the GoDaddy it probably means NIU won't go there. I don't think anyone is interested in a re-match of a game played only 3 years ago.

Besides, NIU usually gets pushed to the secondary MAC tie-ins like Humanitarian, Poinsettia (twice), Independence, etc. We've barely played in the primary tie-ins.

Go Daddy likes to pride themselves on the potential to take the SBC and MAC Champs. SBC Champs were ineligible this year, so I don't think there is any chance they voluntarily give up the MAC Champ.

Our players said today, they want another shot at NIU. those Freshman that lost the 2012 bowl will be Seniors this time...its a big deal for them.

I understand the motivation of the stAte players but can understand that NIU administration and fans really wants nothing to do with that match up or bowl right? It does absolutely nothing for exciting our fanbase and while the destination is nice the bowl cost us over $150k last time after the payout and expenses. If we win the MACC our AD will do everything he can to get us out of that bowl. It may be futile on his part but still its not desired.

In the minds of stAte fans, if we played in Go Daddy 15 consecutive years, we'd be perfectly happy. Our fans love Mobile, and Mobile businesses love us to the point that they wanted us over a Mobile based South Alabama team

That being said I understand the desire of any G5 team to play a conference champ or a p5 school in a bowl.

I guess stAte and Mobile are kind of like ULL and New Orleans, the fans travel well and don't necessarily care about the matchup. But I'm not surprised that Mobile business prefer stAte over South Alabama, USA would draw far fewer out of town fans (relative to stAte) and wouldn't have as much of an impact on the local economy. It's fine if the MAC only brings a few thousand, but Mobile depends on the Sun Belt teams (and the local community) to fill most of the hotels, restaurants, shops, etc.

(12-04-2014 01:35 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(12-04-2014 01:30 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(12-04-2014 01:11 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(12-03-2014 02:02 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  If anything, with Arkansas St in the GoDaddy it probably means NIU won't go there. I don't think anyone is interested in a re-match of a game played only 3 years ago.

Besides, NIU usually gets pushed to the secondary MAC tie-ins like Humanitarian, Poinsettia (twice), Independence, etc. We've barely played in the primary tie-ins.

Go Daddy likes to pride themselves on the potential to take the SBC and MAC Champs. SBC Champs were ineligible this year, so I don't think there is any chance they voluntarily give up the MAC Champ.

Our players said today, they want another shot at NIU. those Freshman that lost the 2012 bowl will be Seniors this time...its a big deal for them.

I understand the motivation of the stAte players but can understand that NIU administration and fans really wants nothing to do with that match up or bowl right? It does absolutely nothing for exciting our fanbase and while the destination is nice the bowl cost us over $150k last time after the payout and expenses. If we win the MACC our AD will do everything he can to get us out of that bowl. It may be futile on his part but still its not desired.

In the minds of stAte fans, if we played in Go Daddy 15 consecutive years, we'd be perfectly happy. Our fans love Mobile, and Mobile businesses love us to the point that they wanted us over a Mobile based South Alabama team

That being said I understand the desire of any G5 team to play a conference champ or a p5 school in a bowl.

Its great for you guys because its within a half a days drive. For those of our few fans that did go they loved it. Most even said it was a better pregame experience than the Orange Bowl. Even with that knowledge its just to darn expensive or long of a drive to get to. You are talking about over $2000 for 2 people hotel & to fly in or take 3 days off just to drive down, watch the game and drive back. Add on top of that that NIU played stAte recently and it gives our fans a double whammy at the idea of this game.

If there were cheaper and direct flights then this would be much less of an issue overall. Its just this bowl is not something that can build NIU's fanbase as a program because fewer than 1500 people would go to the game.

(12-04-2014 02:48 PM)HuskieTap22 Wrote:  

(12-04-2014 01:11 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(12-03-2014 02:02 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  If anything, with Arkansas St in the GoDaddy it probably means NIU won't go there. I don't think anyone is interested in a re-match of a game played only 3 years ago.

Besides, NIU usually gets pushed to the secondary MAC tie-ins like Humanitarian, Poinsettia (twice), Independence, etc. We've barely played in the primary tie-ins.

Go Daddy likes to pride themselves on the potential to take the SBC and MAC Champs. SBC Champs were ineligible this year, so I don't think there is any chance they voluntarily give up the MAC Champ.

Our players said today, they want another shot at NIU. those Freshman that lost the 2012 bowl will be Seniors this time...its a big deal for them.

In the 15 year history of the Go Daddy (fka GMAC Bowl) the same two teams have never played more than once. I would guess we won't be seeing it this year either. I think MAC East champ Bowling Green will get the nod. Regardless of what happens Friday they are still a division champ and haven't been to Mobile since 2008. There is almost zero support on the NIU side for a rematch. If Go Daddy wanted NIU this year then they should have invited Texas State.

+1 that would have at least been worth something in getting some publicity in TX how ever little it would have been.

(12-04-2014 02:48 PM)HuskieTap22 Wrote:  

(12-04-2014 01:11 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(12-03-2014 02:02 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  If anything, with Arkansas St in the GoDaddy it probably means NIU won't go there. I don't think anyone is interested in a re-match of a game played only 3 years ago.

Besides, NIU usually gets pushed to the secondary MAC tie-ins like Humanitarian, Poinsettia (twice), Independence, etc. We've barely played in the primary tie-ins.

Go Daddy likes to pride themselves on the potential to take the SBC and MAC Champs. SBC Champs were ineligible this year, so I don't think there is any chance they voluntarily give up the MAC Champ.

Our players said today, they want another shot at NIU. those Freshman that lost the 2012 bowl will be Seniors this time...its a big deal for them.

In the 15 year history of the Go Daddy (fka GMAC Bowl) the same two teams have never played more than once. I would guess we won't be seeing it this year either. I think MAC East champ Bowling Green will get the nod. Regardless of what happens Friday they are still a division champ and haven't been to Mobile since 2008. There is almost zero support on the NIU side for a rematch. If Go Daddy wanted NIU this year then they should have invited Texas State.

There was a lot of political pressure in Alabama to make sure South got a game. That meant one of the two bowls was going to have to take the Jags. That left Arkansas State and Texas State as the team getting left behind, hence why AState won out.

Until last year, no team had played in the GoDaddy twice.

Just as a heads up. I'm sure there are rooms blocked for the teams and usually some held for resale by the booster club and alumni association, but right now there are few rooms available for sale downtown in Mobile. Only three report having any available (Quality Inn, Fort Conde Inn, Malaga Inn).

Maybe NIU will get the invite and the bitterly disappointed fans not going will free up some more downtown rooms for AState fans.

(12-05-2014 12:27 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  Until last year, no team had played in the GoDaddy twice.

Do you consider the Godaddy and GMAC Bowls to be the same game with different sponsors or different bowls entirely? If it's the former (and I believe that's the case), Miami has gone in 2003 and 2010. According to Wikipedia a few other schools have played twice in Mobile, not that this matters very much.

(12-05-2014 02:29 PM)Love and Honor Wrote:  

(12-05-2014 12:27 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  Until last year, no team had played in the GoDaddy twice.

Do you consider the Godaddy and GMAC Bowls to be the same game with different sponsors or different bowls entirely? If it's the former (and I believe that's the case), Miami has gone in 2003 and 2010. According to Wikipedia a few other schools have played twice in Mobile, not that this matters very much.

More than twice.

(12-03-2014 01:14 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(12-03-2014 01:00 PM)Photodan Wrote:  

(12-03-2014 12:15 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  I actually wonder if GoDaddy would be willing to trade #1 MAC pick for a CUSA pick to get UAB for final game in the state so more of their families can travel to see the game in person.

That may actually get the GoDaddy to sell out AND give them a higher TV rating than normal.

That game was pretty well sold out when Toledo last played...

It was for our game with NIU as well. Its just that we out numbered NIU fans like 10-1.

I'd be perfectly happy if Go daddy took Toledo. Would be a fun matchup for both sets of fans.

Chief, I always considered our football programs as somewhat mirror images by the way we both tried to go big time in the 80's. Boise State did it the right way, we did it the wrong way and it took15 years to climb out of that mess
With that being said, our fan base is relatively new compared to other programs and we do not travel well. It does get better every year but by no means are we at a stage that would make bowls drool to have us.
So my question for you is what do you think stAte would get in attendance if they went to the Potato Bowl?

(12-06-2014 05:13 AM)Highhouse Wrote:  

(12-03-2014 01:14 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(12-03-2014 01:00 PM)Photodan Wrote:  

(12-03-2014 12:15 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  I actually wonder if GoDaddy would be willing to trade #1 MAC pick for a CUSA pick to get UAB for final game in the state so more of their families can travel to see the game in person.

That may actually get the GoDaddy to sell out AND give them a higher TV rating than normal.

That game was pretty well sold out when Toledo last played...

It was for our game with NIU as well. Its just that we out numbered NIU fans like 10-1.

I'd be perfectly happy if Go daddy took Toledo. Would be a fun matchup for both sets of fans.

Chief, I always considered our football programs as somewhat mirror images by the way we both tried to go big time in the 80's. Boise State did it the right way, we did it the wrong way and it took15 years to climb out of that mess
With that being said, our fan base is relatively new compared to other programs and we do not travel well. It does get better every year but by no means are we at a stage that would make bowls drool to have us.
So my question for you is what do you think stAte would get in attendance if they went to the Potato Bowl?

I'm not chief but I will give you my thoughts. I totally agree. If the old Detroit bowl was still around, it would be a great showing if we got 2500 to 3000. Same for a trip to Boise. stAte travels well because the bowls are all relatively close. Most of the fans drive in for the weekend and only miss a day of work. It is much harder and more expensive for MAC teams to attend.

I don't care who stAte plays in the GoDaddy. We stay at the beach leading up to the game and it's fun to run into fans from the MAC schools and talk about the game.

Here's the issue with Toledo going to the GoDaddy Bowl.... they play stAte next year during the regular season. Personally I'd rather pass on that matchup even though I think we could run the ball all day on stAte.

(12-06-2014 01:31 PM)utpotts Wrote:  Here's the issue with Toledo going to the GoDaddy Bowl.... they play stAte next year during the regular season. Personally I'd rather pass on that matchup even though I think we could run the ball all day on stAte.

Just beat the piss out of stAte. They helped block us from a football only with the Sun Belt while trying to leave the Sun Belt as soon as possible.

I think GoDaddy gets their pick of the available schools, then the other four bowls have to play match-ups, and I think that unless (1) Boise State is upset and (2) dark horse NIU is picked for the Access Bowl, GoDaddy's pick is likely to be NIU.

(12-06-2014 07:59 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(12-06-2014 01:31 PM)utpotts Wrote:  Here's the issue with Toledo going to the GoDaddy Bowl.... they play stAte next year during the regular season. Personally I'd rather pass on that matchup even though I think we could run the ball all day on stAte.

Just beat the piss out of stAte. They helped block us from a football only with the Sun Belt while trying to leave the Sun Belt as soon as possible.

The entire Sun Belt blocked you guys. We just led the charge. No desire to go to Amherst, and our basketball program is non existent so getting a home and home with UMass does us no good outside of give us two more guaranteed losses.

No offense

We're not trying to get into CUSA.

(12-06-2014 01:31 PM)utpotts Wrote:  Here's the issue with Toledo going to the GoDaddy Bowl.... they play stAte next year during the regular season. Personally I'd rather pass on that matchup even though I think we could run the ball all day on stAte.

Eh...I just don't want to play Bowling Green. They just don't have the name value down here that a Toledo or NIU do.

(12-06-2014 05:13 AM)Highhouse Wrote:  

(12-03-2014 01:14 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(12-03-2014 01:00 PM)Photodan Wrote:  

(12-03-2014 12:15 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  I actually wonder if GoDaddy would be willing to trade #1 MAC pick for a CUSA pick to get UAB for final game in the state so more of their families can travel to see the game in person.

That may actually get the GoDaddy to sell out AND give them a higher TV rating than normal.

That game was pretty well sold out when Toledo last played...

It was for our game with NIU as well. Its just that we out numbered NIU fans like 10-1.

I'd be perfectly happy if Go daddy took Toledo. Would be a fun matchup for both sets of fans.

Chief, I always considered our football programs as somewhat mirror images by the way we both tried to go big time in the 80's. Boise State did it the right way, we did it the wrong way and it took15 years to climb out of that mess
With that being said, our fan base is relatively new compared to other programs and we do not travel well. It does get better every year but by no means are we at a stage that would make bowls drool to have us.
So my question for you is what do you think stAte would get in attendance if they went to the Potato Bowl?

What would probably happen? We'd sell about 4K tickets through our ticket office, and travel about 2K. Then Boise fans would show up out of curious interest because we gave them their last coach.

Our administration has actually done pretty well preaching to our fans the "Even if you don't plan on going to the game, just buy a ticket anyway to support us"

Its not that I blame you guys for not traveling. Its an awful trip. But we're relatively new to the bowl scene ourselves, so a lot of our fans would do anything in their power to find a flight to Boise if we played there just because its a bowl. I think we're more confused by the people who blatantly will not travel to Mobile rather than those who simply cant afford it.

(12-06-2014 09:15 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  Eh...I just don't want to play Bowling Green. They just don't have the name value down here that a Toledo or NIU do.

I reckon you got your wish there once favored NIU snatched the win from the jaws of victory on Friday ... seems like everyone now expects NIU to be playing in Mobile after New Year's Day.

Not a consensus on anything else but the most common pick for Toledo is Idaho.

(12-06-2014 09:19 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(12-06-2014 05:13 AM)Highhouse Wrote:  

(12-03-2014 01:14 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(12-03-2014 01:00 PM)Photodan Wrote:  

(12-03-2014 12:15 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  I actually wonder if GoDaddy would be willing to trade #1 MAC pick for a CUSA pick to get UAB for final game in the state so more of their families can travel to see the game in person.

That may actually get the GoDaddy to sell out AND give them a higher TV rating than normal.

That game was pretty well sold out when Toledo last played...

It was for our game with NIU as well. Its just that we out numbered NIU fans like 10-1.

I'd be perfectly happy if Go daddy took Toledo. Would be a fun matchup for both sets of fans.

Chief, I always considered our football programs as somewhat mirror images by the way we both tried to go big time in the 80's. Boise State did it the right way, we did it the wrong way and it took15 years to climb out of that mess
With that being said, our fan base is relatively new compared to other programs and we do not travel well. It does get better every year but by no means are we at a stage that would make bowls drool to have us.
So my question for you is what do you think stAte would get in attendance if they went to the Potato Bowl?

What would probably happen? We'd sell about 4K tickets through our ticket office, and travel about 2K. Then Boise fans would show up out of curious interest because we gave them their last coach.

Our administration has actually done pretty well preaching to our fans the "Even if you don't plan on going to the game, just buy a ticket anyway to support us"

Its not that I blame you guys for not traveling. Its an awful trip. But we're relatively new to the bowl scene ourselves, so a lot of our fans would do anything in their power to find a flight to Boise if we played there just because its a bowl. I think we're more confused by the people who blatantly will not travel to Mobile rather than those who simply cant afford it.

Ticket sales are the bottom line for bowl committee, not a bad policy to advertise. We didn't start winning until 2003 so people from those classes haven't made the money yet to afford mobile homes and travel to away games and bowls.
Back when I went to NIU was when they decided to go big time. They played a brutal road record against top 20 teams to get the guaranteed money and then get massacred and then play home games against no name teams like stAte- just kidding, had to throw that jab.
On top of that, it was also the steroid era of college football and football players were beating up half of the student body at parties. They were not a popular vibe on campus. Hell, there were usually 5 times as many people that would tailgate outside the stadium than actually walked in. On top of that, we will always be the fifth banana in the Chicago market when it comes to football. Bears, Notre Dame, U of I , Northwestern & us. We are closer to Chicago than that overrated team from South Bend, but they get all the press.
I'm not making excuses, but it it's what it is. We are heading in the right direction. We got the some great homes games coming up(check out our future schedules, our OOC games are tough but at least they should draw well at home). Plus our stadium will get expanded to 45K in the next couple of years. So hopefully we will expand our fan base and travel better.

As much as I would like to see us in a bigger bowl, I have heard nothing but rave reviews from the people that did go to the GoDaddy last time. Maybe less is more in this case.

(12-07-2014 05:41 AM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(12-06-2014 09:15 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  Eh...I just don't want to play Bowling Green. They just don't have the name value down here that a Toledo or NIU do.

I reckon you got your wish there once favored NIU snatched the win from the jaws of victory on Friday ... seems like everyone now expects NIU to be playing in Mobile after New Year's Day.

Not a consensus on anything else but the most common pick for Toledo is Idaho.

Like to see Toledo vs Marshall in Boca,

My guess.

Marshall gets to pick their bowl out of the CUSA bowls. They will almost certainly pick Boca because they are big on recruiting Florida (otherwise they pick Dallas for Big 10 opponent).

If Marshall goes to Boca, ESPN and NIU will lobby for Mobile to release NIU to create a champion-champion match-up.

GoDaddy will look hard at two schools.

BGSU as east division champions and Toledo since the Rockets only league loss was NIU.

There will be two parties nudging for Toledo.
1. The MAC office. If the game ends up being an exciting fun game, that becomes a point in favor of the AState game at Toledo next year being on something other than ESPN3.
2. Toledo's AD gets another marketing angle to sell next year's game to the casual fan.