rumors in cent fla is champs and big 10 are near a deal... big 12 and champs went their own ways. champs will pay close to 2 mil next year.... thus they will out bid motor city for big 10 #5. logical pick up for motor city would be BE #4 or #5. they still need a bowl or 2, and it would be an ok fit for north east teams.

Let's not get our hopes up for a 3rd bowl bid this season people. While we are certainly very deserving - it's not going to happen this year. Hopefully next year we can get the Toronto Bowl up and going but that is a longshot too. Also, expect some sort of Big Ten - Big East partnership for the Motor City Bowl sometime soon. We will likely not get the #5 Big Ten team that is speculated on this board and when moving to a 12-game schedule, a #7 Big Ten team may be available more often. This season, expect the #4 or #5 Big East team to participate if the Big Ten does not have enough bowl eligible teams or if two Big Ten teams earn BCS bids.

Here are Rick's coments on this subject last month.

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Nick Gerogosian: Alright, the bowl landscape seems to be ever changing, from changes in the BCS, to changes in bowl partners and conference affiliates. The MAC has done very well with our two bowl partners, the GMAC Bowl and Motor City Bowl, but how are we doing at landing a 3rd bowl? Reading about several conferences jumping ship and forming new alliances with other bowls, where does the MAC fit in with this? Geographically, we are certainly at a disadvantage, since there is only one bowl in our footprint (Detroit/MCB). Are there any updates on the possibility of “the Toronto Bowl?

Vandelay Wrote:when moving to a 12-game schedule, a #7 Big Ten team may be available more often.

Everyone is saying this. But when goes back to the NCAA News and looks, they specifically say that a winning record will be a must to get into a bowl game, at least as the rules read now.

The Big Ten has a better chance of producing a team for the Motor City this year, in my estimation.

Sch.... its hard to say what the NCAA will decide on records.. last time if conf had tie in a 6-6 team could go. they may require a 7-5 to go this time .... with 6-6 only if no 7-5 is available. one thing to remember is change to allow a 1aa win every year... If you are a big conf team that is usually on the bubble... u can count on them having a homee 1aa game every year from now on to help them reach 7-5

Nick--
First, do you know what secondary contracts with Bowls are currently in place for the MAC? Also, do you think the MAC will sign some additional secondary contracts beginning next season?

Second, do you know anything more about what is going on with the Motor City Bowl? Throughout all of the current changes I have heard absolutely nothing from the MCB. With the successful attendance, you would think they could move up a bit in terms of larger payouts, selecting higher finishing teams, maybe organizing events like parades or whatever. Does everybody seem to be happy with the date and the TV and other media coverage?

Third, can you spell out specifically why the MAC is having trouble improving its Bowl situation. It certainly doesn't appear to be the number and quality of teams. I'm getting tired of hearing fans and officials of conferences like C-USA talking about how they may eventually end up with 6 or 7 Bowls in the next couple of years.

So, what are the problems with the MAC and Bowls? Is it money--are other conferences putting up money in some way? Can geography be all that important?--it doesn't seem to be hurting the Big 10 and the Big East is holding on pretty well. Is it attendance? Our attendance hasn't been all that bad has it? And attendance from other conferences has sometimes been pretty poor. In terms of national rankings, the MAC has certainly distinguished itself over the 3 years.

The latest news (July 16), is that the Big 10 appears to be pulling out of the Music City Bowl. Also, even though their selections from the SEC and the Big 12 are dropping a place or two, the Independence Bowl appears determined to hold on to these two conferences. And, a Houston newspaper article says the Big 12 appears to be dropping the Houston Bowl.

All these changes are mind boggling and yet nothing appears to be happening with the MAC.

I just don't understand with all the other success that the MAC has had why the Bowl situation is such a hard nut to crack.

Finally, I have felt all along that a Bowl in Indianapolis would be the best possibility. I'm not sure what kept that from happening. Is the possibility of a Hoosier Bowl completely gone?

I'm sure you can see my frustration about this. I would appreciate it if you could respond to the questions I've raised.

Even though the Mortor City Bowl, and the GMAC Bowl have had good attendance. The poor regular season attendance, and the poor attendance at the other Bowls must play into this in some way.

Don't be surprised GMAC bowl goes with B-E or ACC. it's not about better records or better team, it's about money.

I'll answer these questions to the best of my ability based off of conversations with several people in the know.

Also, the MAC is quite solid with the GMAC Bowl right now. In fact, look for the WAC possibility/option to drop sometime soon.



Nick--
First, do you know what secondary contracts with Bowls are currently in place for the MAC? Also, do you think the MAC will sign some additional secondary contracts beginning next season? THERE MAY BE BUT NONE OF THAT INFO IS EVER STATED TO ME UNTIL AFTER THE FACT.

Second, do you know anything more about what is going on with the Motor City Bowl? Throughout all of the current changes I have heard absolutely nothing from the MCB. With the successful attendance, you would think they could move up a bit in terms of larger payouts, selecting higher finishing teams, maybe organizing events like parades or whatever. Does everybody seem to be happy with the date and the TV and other media coverage? THE MOTOR CITY BOWL IS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL AND PROFITABLE "SECOND-TIER" BOWLS OUT THERE. THERE IS ALWAYS TALK OF RAISING THE DOLLAR FIGURE AND GETTING A HIGHER PROFILE TEAM FROM EITHER THE BIG TEN OR SOMEWHERE, BUT NOTHING HAS EVER FINALIZED. I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED THAT WITHIN THE NEXT THREE YEARS THE MCB INCREASES IT'S PAYOUT.

Third, can you spell out specifically why the MAC is having trouble improving its Bowl situation. It certainly doesn't appear to be the number and quality of teams. I'm getting tired of hearing fans and officials of conferences like C-USA talking about how they may eventually end up with 6 or 7 Bowls in the next couple of years. C-USA DID A GREAT JOB YEARS AGO USING BASKETBALL MONEY TO BUY FOOTBALL BOWLS AND TO TRY TO RAISE THE STATURE OF THEIR LEAGUE ON THE FOOTBALL SIDE. THEIR OVERALL BOWL RECORD SINCE INCEPTION IS QUITE POOR BUT SCHOOLS LIKE LOUISVILLE, MEMPHIS, TCU AND EAST CAROLINA TRAVELED QUITE WELL. GEOGRAPHICALLY THEY ARE AT A HUGE ADVANTAGE OVER THE MAC AND WAC FOR BOWL OPPORTUNITIES IN THEIR OWN BACK YARD. THE MAC MUST DO BETTER WITH ATTENDANCE AND EVERYONE IS LOOKING AT THAT WHEN THE BOWLS ARE BEING ACQUIRED. THE MAC IS CERTAINLY MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BUT MORE WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE. LET'S NOT FORGET PEOPLE THAT JUST A FEW SHORT YEARS AGO WE ONLY HAD ONE BOWL BID AND LAST SEASON WE ENDED UP WITH FIVE. THERE IS A PRETTY SOLID CHANCE WE COULD HAVE THREE NEXT YEAR - THAT IS PROGRESS PEOPLE. MAYBE SLOW, BUT AT LEAST WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

So, what are the problems with the MAC and Bowls? Is it money--are other conferences putting up money in some way? Can geography be all that important?--it doesn't seem to be hurting the Big 10 and the Big East is holding on pretty well. Is it attendance? Our attendance hasn't been all that bad has it? And attendance from other conferences has sometimes been pretty poor. In terms of national rankings, the MAC has certainly distinguished itself over the 3 years. ATTENDANCE, PERCEPTION AND MONEY. VERY FEW SCHOOLS WANT TO LOSE TO A MAC PROGRAM ON A NEUTRAL FIELD. SO FROM THEIR PROSPECTIVE THE BEST BET IS NOT TO PLAY US AT ALL.

The latest news (July 16), is that the Big 10 appears to be pulling out of the Music City Bowl. Also, even though their selections from the SEC and the Big 12 are dropping a place or two, the Independence Bowl appears determined to hold on to these two conferences. And, a Houston newspaper article says the Big 12 appears to be dropping the Houston Bowl. I ONLY KNOW WHAT IS PUBLICALLY STATED IN NEWSPAPERS LIKE EVERYONE HERE, WHICH DOESN'T ADD UP TO MUCH.

All these changes are mind boggling and yet nothing appears to be happening with the MAC. WE ARE DOING OK - HAVE FAITH IN 'CHRYST & COMPANY.' PROGRESS IS SLOW, BUT STILL, THE SUN BELT HAS JUST ONE BOWL BID AND THE WAC IS DOWN TO TWO. WE HAVE A REAL SHOT AT THREE NEXT YEAR AND CONSIDERING OUR LOUSY GEOGRAPHY DURING THE WINTER "BOWL" MONTHS - THAT AIN'T BAD.

I just don't understand with all the other success that the MAC has had why the Bowl situation is such a hard nut to crack. SEE ABOVE

Finally, I have felt all along that a Bowl in Indianapolis would be the best possibility. I'm not sure what kept that from happening. Is the possibility of a Hoosier Bowl completely gone? NO CHANCE AT ALL - WRONG PEOPLE IN CHARGE AND LITTLE LOCAL SUPPORT (BOWL SPONSOR). IN FACT, THE SAME PEOPLE WHO TRIED TO GET THIS GOING ARE THE ONES WHO ARE WORKING ON THE TORONTO BOWL. EXPECT SOME CHANGES THERE BEHIND THE SCENESE ASAP.

I'm sure you can see my frustration about this. I would appreciate it if you could respond to the questions I've raised. I GET FRUSTRATED TOO WHEN LEAGUES OF EQUAL TALENT HAVE FIVE BOWL BIDS AND WE HAVE JUST TWO. IN THE NEAR FUTURE THAT WILL LIKELY BECOME 5-3 WHICH IS GETTING CLOSER. ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS AND BACK IN THE LATE 1990s WE WERE NO WHERE CLOSE TO THE EXPOSURE AND RESPECT WE HAVE TODAY. ONE STEP AT A TIME PEOPLE - ONE STEP AT A TIME.

Supposedly CUSA is very close to aquiring the Houston bowl, pushing our bowl count to 6.

I'd suspect the MAC will find a 3rd soon. Lots of shuffling going on.

Schadenfreude Wrote:

Cat's_Claw Wrote:

Schadenfreude Wrote:

goodknightfl Wrote:big 10 #5 to champs bowl in orlando vs ACC.  The BE has ... bcs... gator/sun combo, charlotte.  MT said they will have 5 tie ins when its all done.

Link?

It was reported on a <a href='http://www.ncaabbs.com/forums/bigeast/invision/index.php?act=ST&f=22&t=7480' target='_blank'>West Virginia</a> radio, here's the post:

I don't see anything about the Big Ten lining up its No. 5 team with the Champs Bowl.

The talk going around has been the Big Ten scooping up the Champs Bowl now that the Sun Bowl is gone. The original deal had the Big 12 and Big East sharing the Gator and Champs Bowl, then the Sun Bowl came into the equation so it was assumed that if the Sun Bowl took the partnership that the Champs Bowl would replace the Sun Bowl in the Big Ten pecking order. The Big Ten had interest in a Florida bowl, that's why they were looking into the Gator Bowl for awhile.

Nick--Thank you for your response to my questions.

I guess what the MAC will have to focus on is improving its status primarily through performance on the field.

This coming season appears to offer an excellent opportunity to do that with several teams having out of conference games against nationally recognized opponents, and several of these games will be on national/regional TV.

I think the MAC has made breakthroughs in TV and other media exposure, quality performances by several teams, national rankings, and recruiting.

I hope Bowl contracts will eventually join this list of successes.

While I'm at it, I'll comment on that other nagging issue-- attendance. Given the quality, success, exciting style of play, and rankings of several MAC teams over the last 3 years, it is hard to believe that there has not been a significant upswell of fan support and attendance. The team that appears to be making the most headway here is Northern Illinois.

I guess that along with Bowls, significant improvement in fan support and attendance will be slow and depend on:

1-improvements in facilities and game day events creating a fun atmosphere for fans

2-continued, impressive success by at least 3-4 teams

3-continued TV and other media exposure which will improve the image of the MAC, especially in our own backyard. This "backyard blindness" is especially frustrating.

I hoping for a MAC team next season to do a repeat or near repeat of the "Utah bombshell" of last season. The ultimate would be to see a MAC team appear in and win a BCS Bowl and to have a marquee player be a Heisman finalist.

GO MAC!!