ArkStfan: I know that the UCLA fans felt that the SVB was "beneath" them, and few showed up last year, but did any of those games have a good (>25K) crowd? I would think the AirForce game would've done well. Also, some may laugh but I have always contended that underachieving BCS teams don't usually bring many fans to lower tier bowls, and I'd guess that most MAC schools will bring as many (or more) fans than the past BCS participants in this bowl game.

Back when we played our bowl game in Fresno (Cal Bowl), the FSU fans seemed pretty rabid to me. They have a nice stadium and fill it up pretty well, don't they?

Well, what has happened since then is Fresno got spoiled.

They once beat a lousy USC team once in the Freedom Bowl or something and it was like the biggest thing since sliced raisin bread. Last year they get a shot at UCLA in their own backyard and nobody goes. By nobody, I mean 17k total attendance or something.

Their real wish was to be part of the Mountain West and they now see themselves sliding back into the PCAA level. The Mountain West might have taken them were they not such a lawless program over the years.

You can draw your own comparisons, but I remember Marshall fans grumbling about having to play in another Motor City Bowl.

I think that Fresno will go to Boise simply because of that perception issue. They know beating a semi-lousy Syracuse (2-2 vs. ranked teams) will create a better perception than winning four hours from home against an 8-3 MAC school.

For their own fan base going to San Jose for the fifth time, and this time against a MAC school, looks a lot like playing 5 times in their own stadium against a MAC school in the California Bowl.

arkstfan Wrote:I think that Fresno will go to Boise simply because of that perception issue. They know beating a semi-lousy Syracuse (2-2 vs. ranked teams) will create a better perception than winning four hours from home against an 8-3 MAC school.

For their own fan base going to San Jose for the fifth time, and this time against a MAC school, looks a lot like playing 5 times in their own stadium against a MAC school in the California Bowl.

The SVB was initially held at Fresno's stadium. I'm pretty sure up to at least Michigan State's trip there.

I don't think so, HuskieDan......the SVB has always been in San Jose....the old Cal Bowl was in Fresno.

No its always been at San Jose's Stadium. Organizers have looked at moving to another facility in or around San Jose though.

IMHO the best thing that could happen concerning the svb is for BGSU to play Fresno, and in a close well played game. This would be the 5th or 6th time the two have played each other, and it would go a long way towards establishing a tradition that could have good long term effects, sort of a mini ND, USC kind of thing, with a possible home & home series, which would also really help their A-1 scheduling problem that all mid-majors are having, and will continue to have, only worse, when the NCAA allows 12 games every season.

I'm obviously biased, but all indications point to the loser of the MACC playing in the SVB, and if Fresno isn't there then this will likely be against Troy State.

I do not see why one of the MAC divisional champs should have to play there in those circumstances. Unless by some miracle Tulane beats Louisville, there will be a max of 57 bowl eligible teams (and that's only if Hawaii beats MSU), so the MACC loser will be bowling, so why wouldn't they get to wait and see what their options are with a MAC divisional runner-up like BG slated to go to the SVB? I realize that the bowls decide, but the MAC office should be doing its best to insure good bowl match-ups for our divisional champs.

MacLord Wrote:Their real wish was to be part of the Mountain West and they now see themselves sliding back into the PCAA level. The Mountain West might have taken them were they not such a lawless program over the years.

You can draw your own comparisons,

And I have.

:angel:

Tomznj Wrote:IMHO the best thing that could happen concerning the svb is for BGSU to play Fresno, and in a close well played game. This would be the 5th or 6th time the two have played each other, and it would go a long way towards establishing a tradition that could have good long term effects, sort of a mini ND, USC kind of thing, with a possible home & home series, which would also really help their A-1 scheduling problem that all mid-majors are having, and will continue to have, only worse, when the NCAA allows 12 games every season.

I was really excited about this idea, but I doubt it will happen.

Scha, you BG guys ought to be darned pleased with the way things turned out for the Falcons......it's quite conceivable that your bowl destination and opponent will be far better than awaits one of our divisional champs!

I'm happy for the Falcons, though, even if I wish we were perhaps headed back to Mobile!

ex Cincy Kid Wrote:I'm obviously biased, but all indications point to the loser of the MACC playing in the SVB, and if Fresno isn't there then this will likely be against Troy State.

I do not see why one of the MAC divisional champs should have to play there in those circumstances. Unless by some miracle Tulane beats Louisville, there will be a max of 57 bowl eligible teams (and that's only if Hawaii beats MSU), so the MACC loser will be bowling, so why wouldn't they get to wait and see what their options are with a MAC divisional runner-up like BG slated to go to the SVB? I realize that the bowls decide, but the MAC office should be doing its best to insure good bowl match-ups for our divisional champs.

Likely because the GMAC is still one of the first bowls, does have first pick, and wants to get their marketing and sales moving. The SVB certainly looked like a better alternative before Fresno started getting all huffy. The point someone made about Fresno playing anyone, anytime, anywhere....unless it's against another non-BCS school and could make them look lesser in anyone's eyes.

ex Cincy Kid Wrote:Scha, you BG guys ought to be darned pleased with the way things turned out for the Falcons......it's quite conceivable that your bowl destination and opponent will be far better than awaits one of our divisional champs! 

I'm happy for the Falcons, though, even if I wish we were perhaps headed back to Mobile!

I am very pleased. This worked out very, very well for us.

On the bright side for Northern Illinois and the MAC championship game loser: At least you'll get exciting new destinations. If we sink back to two tie ins, the memory of those trips could grow more special over time.

Also, if this Independence thing is true, NIU may be looking at a nice name-brand opponent. Also, I remain hopeful that the Silicon Valley Bowl can make a worth opponent happen for us. Somehow, they've got to be able to do better than Troy or Tulane.

Not sure what to say about Detroit. I didn't want to return, not this year, and Connecticut lacks a certain cachet.

That said, it's a good bowl -- the one bowl that stood by us when we weren't wanted anywhere else -- and a whole lot of MAC fans will get to see the game in person. It is worthy of our champion.