CSNbbs

This a direct quote from a top MAC official to me earlier this week:

"Yes, we could be in only one bowl, but why isn't anyone talking about the fact we could also be in three?"

(Answer: Given all that has happened over the years, one can't blame us for being insecure. Still, a worthy point.)

This confirms, though, that the MAC isn't absolutely guaranteed two bowls -- contrary to the way I and some others were interpreting articles and news releases issued this week.



Deep fry this sucker!

<small>[ July 27, 2002, 09:58 AM: Message edited by: RochesterFalcon ]</small>

If you really want to get technical, the Big 10 isn't guaranteed a spot in the Motor City Bowl. They have to have a 7th bowl elgible team. With a 12 game season this year it is very likely that they would, but you don't know that for sure.

Point being, there are slight possibilities all over the place. Heck, we could even have a MAC team make a BCS bowl for that matter!

I would be very surprised if the MAC didn't get at least two teams and perhaps even three teams in bowls this year.

The MCB's preference is a MAC West team. This leaves Marshall with its legit Heisman Trophy candidate to play in the GMAC or Silicon Valley Bowl. Remember also, this team comes in ranked as high as 14th. If the Herd beats Virginia Tech and runs the table, they could very well get a BCS bowl bid.

I also like Miami's chances with Ben Rothlesberger at the helm. I just think the RedHawks with their great tradition might appeal to Mike Gottfried in Mobile.

This should be a great year for MAC Football. Certainly the increased media attention will help the conference's exposure.

FIRE UP CHIPS! <img border="0" alt="[Cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/cheers.gif" />

The third bowl will only happen under one condition; if and only if none of the eastern WAC schools are bowl elgible (SMU,LaTech,Rice,Tulsa), then the MAC will place a team in the Mobile, and if no BCS schools are availible for either the H-Bowl or the SVB, then the MAC will receive a third bowl.

Otherwise, an eastern WAC school will be playing in the Mobile, and the best availible MAC school will show up in the Silicon or Humanitarian. This is the most likely scenario for next season.

Looking forward to 2003, the Ft.Worth Bowl will include the best availible selection from the WAC, CUSA, and the MAC. The MAC will probably be able to place a team in this bowl every year because its likely that either the WAC won't have a 5th bowl elgibile team to offer, or CUSA won't have a 6th bowl team.

Unfortunetly, I dont see the MAC bowl picture becoming much brighter in the future. Maybe we'll play in 3-5 bowls a year, mostly being against marginal (6-5) bowl teams.

Possibly, access to the BCS or the National Championship will become easier for a MAC school. The required ranking for an automatic BCS bid might be lowered from 6 to 12. A playoff may be installed, allowing for a MAC National Championship opportunity. But until that happens, the top prize for a MAC school will be a rag-tag bowl.

KC