emu steve Wrote:Nick in Cleveland Wrote:From WMU Bronco Published Reports...
This would be a terrific game for both parties. Look for the MAC and Big Ten to continue to have more of these MAC/Big Ten games at NFL venues. Don't be surprised to see Ball State "host" Indiana or Purdue at the Indy Colts new stadium in the near future.
Two points:
1). It makes 100% sense for BSU to try for a game at Indy's new stadium.
2). I'll still continue to believe that someday the Indy city fathers will get the itch for a bowl game at that new stadium. I believe in time we'll lose the GMAC bowl and will want our 3 bowls to be in DET, TOR and INDY. The new D.C. bowl would be a possible 4th.
new stadiums beg to be used. They are good for the city (to have high profile events) and each game can bring in say 200 - 250K in fees to pay the debt service on the new stadium.
Indy is a close location.
We already have a bowl in the Midwest with the MCB though. If the MAC wants to bill itself as a national conference playing all the games in one area won't do that.
Also the focus should be on market size and who we are playing.
There is talk about losing the GMAC to the ACC. The MAC however wants to maintain 3 bowls minimum.
If this is the trade to be made
GMAC (ACC vs. CUSA)
Emerald (PAC-10 vs. MAC)
That would be a good deal for the MAC to play a BCS school in a major market like San Fransico. PAC-10 may not fill in some years so an occassional upper level WAC team would be in there as backup.
Then also looking at the Academy situation
Congressional (Navy 2008)
Texas (Navy 2008 or 2009)
Poinsettia (Navy 2009)
Navy would like the flexibility of playing at more than 1 location every year but they cannot by themselves hold down 3 bowls. That is where I think the MAC should step in as it is doing in the Congressional and has done before in the Poinsettia back Army/Navy up in those bowls.
1.BCS vs. ACC Champ (Miami, FL)^
2.Motor City vs. Big Ten (Detroit, MI)
3.International vs. Big East/Notre Dame (Toronto, ONT)
4.Emerald vs. PAC-10 (San Francisco, CA)
5.Congressional vs. Army/Navy/Air Force (Washington, DC)*
6.Texas vs. CUSA (Houston, TX)*
7.Poinsettia vs. Mountain West (San Diego, CA)*
^Played if MAC Champ ranked #16 or higher in BCS standings
*Backup agreements in the Service Academy bowl rotation
Detroit, MI
Toronto, ONT
Washington, DC
Miami, Fl
Houston, TX
San Diego, CA
San Fancisco, CA
That would be a nice distribution across the country. Good for recruiting outside the midwest. In a normal year the MAC would only have 4-5 of those games but options are nice.
C-DOA has more tie-ins but everything is in their backyard. Very boring setup I do say.