I don't know the official answer, Scha, but I'd bet my bottom dollar that the GMAC would opt for BG, and love to invite them "sooner than later" (i.e. before the MACC). Miami will fall to the I Bowl (if they somehow beat the Chips) with CMU to the MCB. BSU will get the nod to the I Bowl if Miami loses.

Schadenfreude Wrote:Airport KC's blather notwithstanding, this is my question:

Is there a requirement that either the GMAC or the Motor City Bowl take Miami if they win the MAC title game?

In other words, do the MAC's agreements with bowl games allow for the MAC champion to fall to the International Bowl?

That's my question.

Obviously I am assuming as a BG fan you are questioning Miami because you think you can slide into the GMAC/MCB. Correct assumption or not that is what it sounds like from your post.

There is nothing that says specifically the bowls have to do anything except provide an opportunity for the MAC division winners.

I could see a situation where Buffalo declines an invite to the GMAC or MCB to play locally in the I-Bowl.

It would be nice if the MAC had a true #1 bowl game for its champion like the Independence Bowl.

MAC Champ (CMU)--> Independence
Bowling Green-->Motor City
Miami-->GMAC
Ball State-->International

This way CMU wouldn't as the MAC winner play a bowl game in the same stadium as the championship game and wouldn't be forced to go to Detroit for its bowl option every year. The MCB would still select a Michigan school or a UT/BG that doesn't win the MAC in most years.

exCincy Kid Wrote:I don't know the official answer, Scha, but I'd bet my bottom dollar that the GMAC would opt for BG, and love to invite them "sooner than later" (i.e. before the MACC). Miami will fall to the I Bowl (if they somehow beat the Chips) with CMU to the MCB. BSU will get the nod to the I Bowl if Miami loses.

Good stab, but you never seem to get these pairings correct, just like you tottally flubbed it on the Miami prediction over Ohio.

I'm sure the GMAC would rather have the MAC Champion who beat Bowling Green in the regular season over BGSU who didn't win anything. BG has 8 wins to Miami's 7 but they didn't beat anybody.

BG beat Minnesota, but Miami beat Syracuse which was probably a better win. Miami played more on ESPN with the Akron game and the MAC Championship so that is also going in Miami's favor. Attendance is a wash, both are about equal.

If BG had 10 wins with victories over top 10 Boston College and over Michigan State spending part of the year in the top 25 then I could see them getting the nod over Miami for the GMAC. With 8 wins and the best being over a 5-7 Buffalo team it just isn't enough.

exCincy Kid Wrote:I don't know the official answer, Scha, but I'd bet my bottom dollar that the GMAC would opt for BG, and love to invite them "sooner than later" (i.e. before the MACC).

I'm not so sure. And, whether a "sooner than later" invitation to Bowling Green is even possible depends on the answer to my question.

I was hoping to know how the bowl bids would play out today. Guess we'll have to wait.

Not sure if I "flubbed" the bowl possibilities or not, KC....I never said I had any insider info but suspected that the GMAC might like to get their pairings done early. It's only a guessimate of what I think the GMAC might do. If I'm wrong, much as you OU guys might like it, I don't plan on throwing myself over a bridge or anything. It's only a game you know.

exCincy Kid Wrote:If I'm wrong, much as you OU guys might like it, I don't plan on throwing myself over a bridge or anything. It's only a game you know.

Oh I agree, that is why I can't understand why our friend here from Bowling Green has to talk so rudely because I excluded his school from my hybrid conference. It just talk and a few letters to the athletic directors recommending action. That is all it is.

Schadenfreude Wrote:

Bobcat110 Wrote:I'd expect the GMAC to take CMU if CMU wins the MACC. Then BGSU to MCB and BALLs or Ohio to International Bowl.

No, no, no, no, no.

Central Michigan is damn near a lock for Detroit. The GMAC can be expected to pass on the Chips, out of respect for the Motor City Bowl.

Also, Ohio will not go bowling this year. No chance. Too many other 6-6 teams out there hoping for an opening.

Do you have a link regarding CMU having a lock to MCB? If I were GMAC bowl, I'd take CMU if they win the MACC. The GMAC should want the MAC Confernence Champion over a non-division winner. MCB would then take BGSU and Balls to Canada.

Mount Pleasant and Bowling Green are basically the same distance to Detroit (80 miles), so its not like the GMAC is leaving the MCB high and dry. I would think CMU fans would travel better to Mobile because its something different than playing in Detroit for the 4th time in 12 months. It'd actually feel like a bowl trip for CMU fans because the fine people in Mobile really enjoy hosting the event. Bowling Green's already tripped to Mobile and I think their fans would travel less than CMU fans down there, but BGSU fans would make the 1-1/2 drive north to Detroit.

Bobcat110 Wrote:Do you have a link regarding CMU having a lock to MCB?

I am the link.

The GMAC has generally let the Motor City take the team it wanted. Every year, with the exception of 2005, the Motor City has been able to take the team closer to Detroit.

One can argue Bowling Green and Central Michigan are about the same distance to Detroit, but it's no comparison. The Detroit area is full of Central Michigan grads. They will blow Bowling Green or any non Michigan MAC school away in terms of ticket sales. BG did a decent job selling tickets for the 2003 game. Toledo has done a good job when they've played in Detroit. But we can't really compete with the Michigan schools, which have grads all over the metro area.

And the GMAC isn't giving up much by passing on Central Michigan. In Mobile, the difference in ticket sales between CMU or the other possible MAC schools isn't going to be much. But, in the Motor City, it would be a huge difference. And the GMAC will respect that. Historically, they usually do.

In his post game comments, Gregg Brandon seemed to be lobbying for Detroit. I'll eat a bug if it works.

I think the MCB people might put more weight behind the "been there, done that" factor for CMU than most. I would definitley be concerned about bringing a team into the same non BCS bowl two years in a row.

Bobcat110 Wrote:

Schadenfreude Wrote:

Bobcat110 Wrote:I'd expect the GMAC to take CMU if CMU wins the MACC. Then BGSU to MCB and BALLs or Ohio to International Bowl.

No, no, no, no, no.

Central Michigan is damn near a lock for Detroit. The GMAC can be expected to pass on the Chips, out of respect for the Motor City Bowl.

Also, Ohio will not go bowling this year. No chance. Too many other 6-6 teams out there hoping for an opening.

Do you have a link regarding CMU having a lock to MCB? If I were GMAC bowl, I'd take CMU if they win the MACC. The GMAC should want the MAC Confernence Champion over a non-division winner. MCB would then take BGSU and Balls to Canada.

Mount Pleasant and Bowling Green are basically the same distance to Detroit (80 miles), so its not like the GMAC is leaving the MCB high and dry. I would think CMU fans would travel better to Mobile because its something different than playing in Detroit for the 4th time in 12 months. It'd actually feel like a bowl trip for CMU fans because the fine people in Mobile really enjoy hosting the event. Bowling Green's already tripped to Mobile and I think their fans would travel less than CMU fans down there, but BGSU fans would make the 1-1/2 drive north to Detroit.

If GMAC Bowl offers CMU, can CMU decline and then accept the Motor City Bowl? CMU will make a lot more money playing in the MCB.