The BT season seems to be breaking so well as far as the MCB is concerned.
It appears 9 teams are in the running for a bowl bid.
Big thing is that IL and IU appear to be on their way to a bowl game.
With a little luck only one BT team will make the BCS.
I wouldn't mind seeing say IL (or even Iowa) and Ball State (remember that BSU is 2 points from an undefeated season).
Big Ten Standings
TEAM CONF. W-L OVERALL W-L
Illinois 2-0 4-1
Michigan 2-0 3-2
Purdue 1-0 5-0
Ohio State 1-0 4-0
Wisconsin 1-0 4-0
Indiana 1-1 4-1
Michigan State 0-0 4-0
Minnesota 0-1 1-3
Penn State 0-2 3-2
Iowa 0-2 2-3
Northwestern 0-2 2-3
I know the MCB would love to have MSU, but I can see them getting Indiana or Illinois.
I would love to see UM get an invite. Even though they would never accept it, it sure would be fun to watch.
Will Ford Field even be open this year since there will be no State security (MHP) as they are broke and the state has shut down? How will this affect the bowl?
Mich turns down Motor city bowl would be absolute disgrace.
BSU plays both I-EWE and Ill. this year, so if "we" do make a bowl, I don't know how interested the bowl committee would be in having a replay of a season game.
You are right. I forgot about BSU playing IL.
Time for the "Let's make a deal" with MCB, BT, etc.
Iowa would work but a lot of bowls covet Iowa as they travel so well.
The MCB will get whatever Big Ten team falls to that spot and love it since there are so many BigTen fans in SE Michigan who will come to watch any of those teams. I would look for Iowa, Illinois, or even Purdue against a WMU, BG, or Ball State. Would make for a good match up and good gate. Michigan MAC plus Big Ten would come close to selling out in advance.
As a Ball St. fan if we do make it to the Motor City Bowl I would love to get Iowa to have a chance to make up for the 59-0 blowout a few years ago.
templefootballfan Wrote:Mich turns down Motor city bowl would be absolute disgrace.
If selected UM is contractually obligated to play - there is no way around it. The Big 10 would ensure they show up.
There is NO WAY Michigan would fall to the MCB. Remember, the bowls aren't necessarily picked by order of finish in the Big Ten. Michigan is MUCH to attractive of an option to other bowls to drop all the way to the MCB even at 7-5. However, I think Michigan will end up with 8 or 9 wins.
I hadn't thought about the potential "problem" with Ball State playing either Illinois or Indiana. They would be the most likely opponents at this point. I would imagine in that scenario that BSU would go down to Mobile and BGSU (or whoever from the East) will play in the MCB.
MrG Wrote:Will Ford Field even be open this year since there will be no State security (MHP) as they are broke and the state has shut down? How will this affect the bowl?
There is no MHP. It's the Michigan State Police. And I doubt they have any role to play with Ford Field, which was built in part by county and city dollars.
IULurker Wrote:templefootballfan Wrote:Mich turns down Motor city bowl would be absolute disgrace.
If selected UM is contractually obligated to play - there is no way around it. The Big 10 would ensure they show up.
I believe there are many loopholes to be had.
Michigan would not slip to the 7th selection in the Big Ten bowl line up as long as they are bowl eligable.
Michigan will NEVER play in the MCB, period
Possible scenario for Michigan in MCB would be this. Let's say 6 Big 10 teams finish with at least 7 wins and Michigan is 5-6 going into the Ohio State game as a 10 point or more underdog. Would the Alamo Bowl want to wait an extra week to sell tickets to see if Michigan qualified or just take a Penn State/Michigan State type early.
Then Michigan wins to get bowl eligible and the other Big 10 teams that haven't previously qualified are no better than 6-6
At least one of the three bottom level BigTen bowls would wait to get Michigan. If the choice is 7-5 Indiana ( sorry I'm not buying Penn State sliping that far either unless they are also 5-6 going into the last week) and an extra week to sell tickets or waiting on UofM. Bowls will wait. $$$
The way things are going, I would venture to say that Indiana, Penn State and Michigan State probably have the best shots at being in the MCB this year. The Nittany Lions are already 0-2 in conference play, Indiana 1-1 and MSU 0-1. I think if Sparty makes it, the game will be close if not be a sellout. Either way, I too think the BT will cover all of their allotted bowl requirements this year.
Penn State at 7-5 would get snatched up by the Insight or Champs Sports Bowl before a 7 or 8 win Indiana, Purdue, or Illinois. I'm not sure a 6-6 team is able to recieve a bowl bid until the other confrence members with overall winning records have per the new rule enacted last year.
Liam9903 Wrote:Penn State at 7-5 would get snatched up by the Insight or Champs Sports Bowl before a 7 or 8 win Indiana, Purdue, or Illinois. I'm not sure a 6-6 team is able to recieve a bowl bid until the other confrence members with overall winning records have per the new rule enacted last year.
Excellent point.
If UofM, e.g., goes 6 - 6 they'd have to be the last team selected after the 7 win teams.
And a 6 - 6 UofM team could only go to a bowl which the BT is contracted unless there are no 7 win teams available (any conference).
For example, a 7 - 5 MAC team has preference over a 6 - 6 BT team for an open bowl that say SEC, Pac-10, etc. can't fill.
Redwingtom Wrote:Michigan will NEVER play in the MCB, period
I've been told the same about MSU.
I would really like to see Iowa. I don't think Purdue will drop that low, but there are a lot of games to be played still.