A couple of weeks ago, I posted this idea, but didn't get much response. Thought it may make even more sense now that potential opponents are narrowed down. But, if CMU fans had the choice, would you choose:
A) A MCB matchup on Dec. 26th versus Middle Tennessee State, or
B) A International Bowl matchup on January 6th versus either Cincinnati or Univ. of So. Florida?
Since it seems like the two bowls are closely linked by the same committee members, I thought there may be an opportunity for the MAC to negotiate a little between the two bowls. Why not let the International bowl get CMU? Then the GMAC gets Ohio and WMU to the MCB.
I think it has a lot of benefits. CMU already gets to play on Ford Field for the MACC, so their fans get a change of scenery to an inaugural bowl versus a BCS conference team. It's rewarding CMU fans with a road trip opportunity to a world class city for winning the MAC West. I think it's a more enticing matchup for the MAC #1 or #2 team to face off against the Big East #4. The MCB still gets to showcase a Michigan team by going with WMU, which should draw fans well. Finally, the payout is the same regardless of which bowl selected, so the only financial gain would probably be reduced travel expenses and maybe more tickets sold.
For me, I'd greatly prefer Toronto/Big East over MCB/MTSU.
But... MCB/MTSU is much, much better than a MAC Incest Bowl.
Makes no difference to me. When you have not been to a bowl game in forever, it is a little cheesy to be picky. No matter the opponent I want to see the Chippewas win the game and to represent the MAC well.
chipfan Wrote:Makes no difference to me. When you have not been to a bowl game in forever, it is a little cheesy to be picky. No matter the opponent I want to see the Chippewas win the game and to represent the MAC well.
yeah i agree about not wanting to be picky after not being in a bowl for so long. still, my heart is set on either the GMAC or the MCB. i have a terrible dislike for the city of Toronto so it would be my PERSONAL preference for us not to go there. it sounds like WMU is going there anyway, fortunately.
USF would be a true test. I'd like to see the MAC play them and succeed.
I would think that CMU vs CUSA, Ohio vs MTSU, and WMU vs the BE would give the MACthe best chance to win all three of those bowls. TCU/NIU is gonna be a toughone for NIU. TCU is a good team and no MAC team has beaten a team as good as TCU all year.
OUBOBCATJOHN Wrote:I would think that CMU vs CUSA, Ohio vs MTSU, and WMU vs the BE would give the MACthe best chance to win all three of those bowls. TCU/NIU is gonna be a toughone for NIU. TCU is a good team and no MAC team has beaten a team as good as TCU all year.
TCU will not intimidate us one bit. It should be a good game and hopefully a W for the MAC.
http://www.mlive.com/sports/sanews/index...xml&coll=9
http://www.mlive.com/sports/grpress/inde...xml&coll=6
Congrats CMU. Just saw these two different writers kind of agreeing with this topic and helping explain why CMU to Toronto and WMU to MCB might have been better. I know that the bowls must make money to exist, and I don't mean to knock MTSU, but I would prefer the MAC champion be provided a quality BCS type opponent. The #1 MAC versus the #2 Sun Belt just seems less appealing than the #1 MAC versus #4 Big East. Guess it's why I thought it made sense to send CMU to the International Bowl.
I wonder how many of the people who think the MCB sucks have actually been to Detroit. I've gone to the MCB 4 times and think it's a great time. As for MTSU, I wouldn't mind if Toledo played them in the regular season or in a bowl. I was one of the fans who would have preferred adding them and WKU to the MAC for all sports over Temple for f-ball only.
In all honesty, I wish the columnists -- and for that matter a few CMU fans -- would stop the b----ing and moaning about facing (probably) MTSU. It's just providing the Blue Raiders with lockerroom material and helping no one else. Besides, MAC fans denigrating the Sun Belt is just a tad hypocritical, dontcha think? We spend a lot of time wailing about lack of respect from the BCS fans and media, and then we, what? Slam on the Sun Belt.
Seems to me that this would be an opportunity for CMU to prove to the country that the MAC is the stronger conference. Which I believe we are. We just don't need to be jerks about it. OK, stepping down now from the :soapbox:
The only reason I can see for playing in the I-Bowl would be that it would be a different venue for our fans and a change of pace for the players. However, it's not like downtown Detroit is a ghost-town anymore, and playing at Ford field seems to get us jacked.
Hi all. I am not going to predict anything. What I will say is that I think that the mac will do very well in all the games we are going to play in. Our conference, as always, is underrated and we will bite everyone in the as no matter who we play.
Quote:In all honesty, I wish the columnists -- and for that matter a few CMU fans -- would stop the b----ing and moaning about facing (probably) MTSU. It's just providing the Blue Raiders with lockerroom material and helping no one else.
I was thinking the same thing after I read two different columns in local newspapers about how CMU was getting a screw-job in the matchup. If anyone on the MTSU coaching staff got a whiff of those articles, I could see them emailing those to the team.
Anyhow, about the bowl matchups... it's all fun and should be taken for what it is: a chance to play again after the season's over against an unfamiliar OOC foe on the tube. Those complaining about not having the opportunity to beat a BCS opponent tend to forget that we each get between 2-4 chances per year to do just that during the regular season. Those aren't bowls, of course, but the opportunity to make some waves against the "big boys" is always there on an annual basis. I considered my trip to Tallahassee as sort of pseudo-bowl game for the Broncos in itself.
Go Broncos, Chips, Huskies and Bobcats!
I'm glad CMU is just going to a bowl game.
I don't care who we play. Its been since 1994 since Central's been bowling, so I'm just happy that the Chippewas are going.
I'm glad its the MCB over the International/GMAC Bowl though. Makes it a quick drive down & back to the game for me from the Metro Detroit suburbs.
While MTSU certainly wouldn't be my first choice, we certainly can't be picky. I think they will provide a good match-up, but will not draw much interest from casual Detroit Area fans. (like a Big 11 or Big East team would)
If we had 2 or 3 MAC titles under our belts in recent years, than we would have a right to complain about the match up.
With Kelly going to Cincy...a CMU/Cincy matchup in Toronto would have had another dimension.
That (CMU-Cincy) would have been a no-win situation for both teams.