CSNbbs

If I'm interpreting correctly, the folks in Mobile aren't interested in either the MAC or C-USA? Wow!

Good Luck!

Post regarding this article off the Troy board.

This article goes right along with one in Sunday's Mobile Register. The City of Mobile is going to put sky boxes in at Ladd, move the sidelines back, re-tool the restroom and concessions, expand the number of seats, invest in a new scoreboard and paint the stadium red, white and blue. This is too get ready for Jags football. This is already a much nicer stadium than Legion Field. This also helps The Senior Bowl and GMAC Bowl.

[South Alabama Jaguars will be the 10th Sun Belt football school]

The people of Mobile care about the CUSA and MAC, we just want a better facility. Look at the attendance numbers, bowl events and positive things MAC fans have said about Mobile. If we didn't support the MAC, this bowl wouldn't be here.


Here's that article about the upgrade:

http://www.al.com/sports/press-register/...xml&coll=3

epasnoopy Wrote:It's time that the MAC get serious and start having discussions with Indianapolis. We need to have a backup because two bowls for this conference is too few. We aren't bringing as many fans because these bowl games are not in our region and they conflict with work schedules.

Agree 100%.

I vote for Indy to create a bowl to be held say around Dec 20 - 22.

Hey, I've been there twice with BG, and had a good time, but would probably not go back in the next five years. There is only so much you can do with that venue, and I'm ready for some new scenery!

Don't make the assumption that the MAC (or CUSA) is completely out of the picture here yet or that these things are happening outside of the MAC's involvement.

Things are changing in the bowl landscape and with 68 bowl slots now being available, you are going to see fewer and fewer directly contracted slots for these bowls, especially as their current deals expire but this means more opportunities for the MAC.

The MAC -- from my talks with league officials today -- this will be on MAC Report Online sometime tomorrow -- I can tell you they are still very much onboard with the GMAC Bowl and are also very committed to maintaining a minimum of three postseason slots for its teams -- probably more with all of the bowls now available.

MobileBama Wrote:The people of Mobile care about the CUSA and MAC, we just want a better facility. Look at the attendance numbers, bowl events and positive things MAC fans have said about Mobile. If we didn't support the MAC, this bowl wouldn't be here.

Here's that article about the upgrade:

http://www.al.com/sports/press-register/...xml&coll=3

I hope we stay and GMAC officials change their mind. I've always wanted to go there with NIU. I've heard lots of good things about the atmosphere and people. It sounds like the GMAC officials want big name schools but the people there enjoy watching non-BCS football.

MobileBama, would you rather the game be moved back to December like it used to be or are people there happy with the January time slot?

I'd be sad to see the GMAC Bowl in Mobile go in a different direction from the MAC, but I guess we can't blame them if they do. MAC team attendance has been far from stellar most years. I wish that would change, because Mobile was a blast and great to Ohio fans, but it seems obvious that we(MAC & fans) haven't supported the GMAC Bowl as much as the GMAC Bowl has supported us.

One of the strange things that I don't understand is if they try to get a #9(I'm guessing here) SEC or ACC team. Is it going to be a situation where they contract with leagues that never have enough bowl eligible, and the MAC again becomes the regulars by other conference's nonqualifiers? (just like the Big 10/11 and the Motor City Bowl usually go)

ben

I was in Mobile for the Sun Belt Hoops Tourney this year. Talk about wonderful food!

And just 30 minutes from the beach (although it will be cold in January).

It's a no-brainer that the GMAC would look toward the Sun Belt with the Univ. of South Alabama entering the league in the near future.

I would assume, and have heard, about a new bowl in Boca, as well (Sun Belt). Once USA and Western Kentucky are full-fledged members, several more of our teams will be bowl eligible.

WKU starts true SBC play in 2009.

Flat Tire 2 Wrote:Everyone of these bowls want a BCS conference because they think they will get more fans to attend the games. Doesn't sound good and I bet Airport KC is on a suicide watch.

If the MAC lost the GMAC, the Truck Stop Bowl would likely be available at that point if the ACC pulls out. This would be WAC vs MAC.

KAjunRaider Wrote:I was in Mobile for the Sun Belt Hoops Tourney this year. Talk about wonderful food!

And just 30 minutes from the beach (although it will be cold in January).

It's a no-brainer that the GMAC would look toward the Sun Belt with the Univ. of South Alabama entering the league in the near future.

I would assume, and have heard, about a new bowl in Boca, as well (Sun Belt). Once USA and Western Kentucky are full-fledged members, several more of our teams will be bowl eligible.

WKU starts true SBC play in 2009.

Hold on a second.

The SBC if I recall has never produced 3 teams with 7 wins. The quality of football played in the conference is not yet very high.

I think it makes sense to start up a new Florida Bowl next season to give a second slot for the SBC. FAU/FIU would be very attractive there.

The only attractive school the SBC has for the GMAC at this time is Troy. MTSU/WKU/ASU are not close at all. ULM/ULL not so sure if they have any fans.

What I think makes sense is for the ACC to replace the MAC in Mobile with the MAC gaining the DC bowl full time. The ACC #8 would go to Mobile with #9 in Boise.

CUSA East would have the GMAC with SBC/LaTech as the backup. Even with a SBC team playing its home games there I think they'll stick with the more reputable conference. Play on the field is getting pretty even between SBC and CUSA but the CUSA programs have a lot more tradition.

I just don't see the SBC with 3 full bowls for 9 teams by next season.

OUBOBCATJOHN Wrote:If the MAC lost the GMAC, the Truck Stop Bowl would likely be available at that point if the ACC pulls out. This would be WAC vs MAC.

OUBOBCATJOHN Wrote:If the MAC lost the GMAC, the Truck Stop Bowl would likely be available at that point if the ACC pulls out. This would be WAC vs MAC.

If the ACC pulls out of the Boise (which they wont) the MWC would get that slot considering geography and history. I hope the ACC sends #9 there because that would mean an at large would open up.

However it looks like they are doing everything they can to get their teams bowl eligible.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3394329

Liam9903 Wrote:The GMAC Bowl is still a genaric title sponsor game without a signature date and a matchup with teams from CUSA. Its not exactly irreplacable. The game was nothing before the MAC and it isn't exactly destined for greatness if it can add a SunBelt team. Lets at least try and keep some perspective here.

I have to agree.

If we end up trading the ACC with the GMAC for the DC bowl full time then I think we are making a good deal. I would much rather play Army/Navy/AFA in a bowl than CUSA as would the TV audience.

The International as I pointed out in another thread is sliding up to the Big East #4. This is straight from the mouth of a Big East associate commish. The MAC should put its #2 in Toronto up against a BCS conference foe.

1. Motor City
2. International
3. Congressional

That is a pretty good regional arrangement for the MAC.

BYUcoog Wrote:

OUBOBCATJOHN Wrote:If the MAC lost the GMAC, the Truck Stop Bowl would likely be available at that point if the ACC pulls out. This would be WAC vs MAC.

If the ACC pulls out of the Boise (which they wont) the MWC would get that slot considering geography and history. I hope the ACC sends #9 there because that would mean an at large would open up.

Exactly. I don't see the MAC trying to tie-in with Boise. If the MWC goes there that will give the WAC-MWC matchup tried for in Salt Lake City. Especially I don't see the MAC #2 going to Boise like Krocker Krapp has speculated. If anything the MAC #2 will head to Toronto to play the Big East.

The MAC has backed up with the Poinsettia. The MAC has a deal with the Congressional. Navy has a deal with both those bowls. There is a special arrangement between Army/Navy, the MAC, and the two bowl games.

Congressional (Army/Navy/AFA)
Poinsettia (Army/Navy), (AFA via MWC)

Navy does not want to play in the Congressional every single year. There is also the issue about Army needing a bowl if they ever became decent.

What if you could add say the Texas Bowl to the rotation? That would give the service academies another place to play. More importantly, the MAC could back that up too.

The MAC lineup would then be:

1. Motor City
2. International
3. Congressional
4. Poinsettia (backup)
5. Texas (backup)

That would be a market upgrade for the MAC with Houston instead of Mobile. It would give Army/Navy attractive bowls in Houston, San Diego, and DC.

epasnoopy Wrote:It's time that the MAC get serious and start having discussions with Indianapolis. We need to have a backup because two bowls for this conference is too few. We aren't bringing as many fans because these bowl games are not in our region and they conflict with work schedules.

I don't know how the GMAC thinks they will get the Southeastern Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference, or Big East. The only way it happens is if one of those conferences pulls out of a game they are in right now because neither of them has the ability to fill more spots. If one of those conferences does pull out then the MAC needs to be ready to have discussions with those bowls for the spots that open up. If we want to keep this game then whoever from the MAC is invited this year needs to step up and play a good game and win and actually bring some fans. I hope its us because i know we travel well but our team has to have a big turnaround this season to get to a bowl game.

he was just spouting off conf names.. they wont get the sec. Acc could be a possible.. with them leaving boise bowl. plus they dont play cusa anywhere.. BE is doubtful unless they drop cusa..and mac I don't see them wanting 2 games vs cusa or mac .

Quote:MobileBama, would you rather the game be moved back to December like it used to be or are people there happy with the January time slot?

I like the January time because it allows for fans to spend the weekend in Mobile and there's a lot more going on. The pep-rally / Mardi Gras parade being on a Saturday night brings a lot more locals out and it has a great party atmosphere. When it was played in December, there wasn't much going on downtown during the middle of the week.

But I've heard a lot of fans wanting it to move back to December. I wouldn't mind that at all if it were on a Saturday or Sunday.

Either way, I've had a blast with all the MAC teams that have come and even if the GMAC removes the MAC, I hope y'all will come down and visit our city and beaches.

BGSUalum1987 Wrote:I suspect anyone who has been to this bowl game will realize what a tragic loss this is for the MAC. I am every so thankful to have had the opportunity to attend this outstanding event twice and both times were incredibly memorable. I've been to the MCB - and it's great, it really is - but there is no comparison between the two as far as "bowl atmosphere."

+1

BGSUalum1987 Wrote:And MobileBama - it's also sad that our paths will likely not cross again. You are the best possible ambassador your city could have and I mark it as a privilege to have met you. Best of luck.

+1,000,000

BobcatFan Wrote:Once again the nearly complete lack of interest in MAC football - both nationally and within our own "fan" bases - is clearly apparent.

I have a -4 rating in part for saying just that. I guess its all in the wording.