(11-17-2010 07:56 PM)NIU8110 Wrote:  

(11-17-2010 06:47 PM)niubrad00 Wrote:  

(11-17-2010 12:09 AM)Kevin S Wrote:  If NIU wins out there is a 90% chance that we are going to the LCB. First and foremost, NIU will be nationally ranked. Secondly, Little Caesar’s has over 30 pizza shops in the Chicagoland area, not including Rockford. It would be a great marketing opportunity for them in the Northern Illinois market. Also, Doubletree Suites and the Motor City Casino Hotel are sponsors and may not be really hyped on Toledo because their fans can easily drive to and from the game. Also the numerous other businesses that sponsor the bowl would want fans to stay and spend money in the greater Detroit area. I personally think that the LCB Bowl Committee would be crazy to not take NIU if they won out. Like it or not, I think this is where NIU is probably going.

If we are invited, I also think that we should be gracious. There may be a time in the future when we do not have a year like this and would want the LCB Bowl to think highly of us and consider us on the top of their list for MAC invitees.

These are all valid points. However, when it gets to the 11th hour I'm not sure it will work out that way. IF a 6-6 Sun Belt team ends up in the LCB AND there's an opportunity for a bowl matchup in a warmer climate against a decent BCS team, I really don't think the MAC would "punish" the conference champion and let the MAC leftovers have a better matchup. If they really wouldn't want Toledo because of their proximity, Temple and/or Miami would accommodate their needs.

The LCB wont see it as a punishment. They want the best team that will travel and stay regardless.

I didn't say the LCB would see it as punishment, but the MAC and NIU would. The MAC can work with the LCB and other bowls to protect the best interests of everyone.

One possible positive to the LCB Bowl would be possible free advertising and media exposure for NIU. This would be the first bowl that NIU went to that the sponsor has a huge presence in Chicago and the Northern Illinois area. If Little Caesars were to put the LCB Bowl and an NIU logo on their menus and TV advertising in the Chicagoland area, it would be a huge positive. I hope NIU's Marketing Department would get on this. If it really worked out, it could possibly lead to them sponsoring Huskie Athletics.

(11-16-2010 11:02 PM)dbrs54 Wrote:  Playing ND would b so cool, prob never get to play them otherwise and a good opprtunity to beat them!

If we beat ND in the bowl game, they would be forced to schedule us in the near future, maybe a one and one with a game at Soldier Field. Their alumni wouldn't allow NIU, or any Chicago area team, to beat them in a bowl with no chance at revenge.

(11-17-2010 08:23 AM)Ookla Wrote:  In reality very few schools make money on bowls. The only ones that make money are the teams that play in the BCS bowls where payouts are 15-20 million. Schools lose money buy buying the tickets they are required to buy and then not being to sell them to their fans. You also need to figure in getting the band to the sight, and staying at the site for the required amount of days. While NIU would save money by not having to fly but the LCB is also the lowest paying bowl.

The LCB Bowl was at the Glass Bowl yesterday watching our game against Bowling Green. Why come if you arent going to pick the MAC Champion when you get first pick? I read into the article a bit by his visit to us and what he says abour our fans traveling. Probably why UT got GMAC bowl several years ago over more deserving schools, IMO, but the guy says that all things being equal they would pick the MACC.......but?????

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art.../311189974

Could be they would take a ranked NIU team but if Ohio/Miami win the MACC they would rather take Toledo?

(11-18-2010 09:59 AM)armour248 Wrote:  Could be they would take a ranked NIU team but if Ohio/Miami win the MACC they would rather take Toledo?

I bet that is the case. If you guys win out they want NIU for sure. But if you dont, then they would rather have Toledo over those other schools. I looked at the historical attendance for Motor City Bowl and when Toledo played the attendence was at its highest. I dont know how well Ohio, Miami or Temple would travel? I would think not that well?

(11-18-2010 09:11 AM)tampabayrocketfan Wrote:  

(11-17-2010 08:23 AM)Ookla Wrote:  In reality very few schools make money on bowls. The only ones that make money are the teams that play in the BCS bowls where payouts are 15-20 million. Schools lose money buy buying the tickets they are required to buy and then not being to sell them to their fans. You also need to figure in getting the band to the sight, and staying at the site for the required amount of days. While NIU would save money by not having to fly but the LCB is also the lowest paying bowl.

Why come if you arent going to pick the MAC Champion when you get first pick?
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art.../311189974

Bowl reps travel to watch season end games all the times. All it means is there is a possibility the team they go watch could play in their bowl. That being said, I think Toledo makes the most sense for the LCB because of their proximity. I doubt you'd get a significant number of more NIU fans to travel to Detroit for a bowl then any other location.

(11-18-2010 10:24 AM)Field Turf Wrote:  

(11-18-2010 09:11 AM)tampabayrocketfan Wrote:  

(11-17-2010 08:23 AM)Ookla Wrote:  In reality very few schools make money on bowls. The only ones that make money are the teams that play in the BCS bowls where payouts are 15-20 million. Schools lose money buy buying the tickets they are required to buy and then not being to sell them to their fans. You also need to figure in getting the band to the sight, and staying at the site for the required amount of days. While NIU would save money by not having to fly but the LCB is also the lowest paying bowl.

Why come if you arent going to pick the MAC Champion when you get first pick?
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art.../311189974

Bowl reps travel to watch season end games all the times. All it means is there is a possibility the team they go watch could play in their bowl. That being said, I think Toledo makes the most sense for the LCB because of their proximity. I doubt you'd get a significant number of more NIU fans to travel to Detroit for a bowl then any other location.

This game is the day after christmas. It's going to be hard for any team's fans to travel well enough to fill it. Add to the fact that there could be a possibility of playing a bad opponent, and Toledo is a natural choice for the MCB:
- They're the closest bowl eligible team from the MAC
- There'd probably be a more even match-up with Toledo then a possibly ranked NIU team (assuming UL Monroe gets invited).

Yeah the MCB will have first choice this year, but I think a moron would know that it's better for a bowl to fill up than it is to host better football teams and play in an empty stadium. If Ford Field was a smaller venue, or if the LCB was on a different day then maybe we have a different situation. Right now, I'd be shocked if NIU was selected.

(11-18-2010 12:32 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(11-16-2010 11:02 PM)dbrs54 Wrote:  Playing ND would b so cool, prob never get to play them otherwise and a good opprtunity to beat them!

If we beat ND in the bowl game, they would be forced to schedule us in the near future, maybe a one and one with a game at Soldier Field. Their alumni wouldn't allow NIU, or any Chicago area team, to beat them in a bowl with no chance at revenge.

This is my impression of a Notre Dame fan.

You know, I have this feeling that in this year of 2010-2011, NIU is the absolutely LAST team Notre Dame will want to play. I'd rather get spanked 54-6 by some BCS team than lose 21-20 to NIU, because

• They are local midwest.
• They have little national recognition, and
• They don't have a large fan base
• But they are a better team.

So why on earth would ND want NIU? They're running strong, and in many ways they are least desirable / highest ranked non-AQ team to play because of the above list....

Army would at least be a household name brand to compete against. I like it. We have played one another previously. No way in the arrogant land of TD Jesus do I see ND agreeing to play NIU in a bowl game.

It's a huge step down for Irish imagine.

(11-17-2010 02:39 PM)17Huskies Wrote:  But has it happened in any previous years where the MAC has made sure their best team had a stronger opponent?

When Ball State played Tulsa, that was considered a shootout matchup that had people excited. Turns out Ball State had other ideas and spent the game weeping in the rain about having pissed away the MAC Championship to Buffalo three weeks earlier.

If we're going to read into that Blade article, I think it's possible the Pizza Bowl will take us if we win out and win the conference title since we'd be a top 25 (maybe top 20) team by then, and it'd be hard to pass up on a top 20 conference champion with the first pick. However, if we don't win out and/or don't win conference, I think Toledo is probably the backup plan.

Are we sure even though Toledo is much closer that they would bring more fans this year to Detroit than NIU?

If it's the day after Christmas, I bet they would.

(11-18-2010 06:31 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  If it's the day after Christmas, I bet they would.

I think it would break down like this:

- For a very unappealing opponent, Toledo might outdraw us.

- Big 10 opponent, NIU fans easily outnumber Toledo fans.

(11-18-2010 06:34 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(11-18-2010 06:31 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  If it's the day after Christmas, I bet they would.

I think it would break down like this:

- For a very unappealing opponent, Toledo might outdraw us.

- Big 10 opponent, NIU fans easily outnumber Toledo fans.

I will disagree. I don't think NIU would outdraw Toledo for a bowl game in Detroit. Our fan base is not that vast and loyal that we would outdraw Toledo in their backyard. My gosh, our home attendance was less than impressive this year, so all of a sudden folks are going to jump on the Huskie bandwagon and spend the day after Christmas in Detroit?

.

NIU would not beat out UT for attendance in any bowl game. Our fan base is larger and goes deep for decades.

(11-18-2010 09:32 PM)tampabayrocketfan Wrote:  NIU would not beat out UT for attendance in any bowl game. Our fan base is larger and goes deep for decades.

Slow your roll there sonny. I will give you the LCB due to it being so close. There is no way Toledo brings as many fans as NIU to the West coast for our bowl games a few years back.

(11-18-2010 09:32 PM)tampabayrocketfan Wrote:  NIU would not beat out UT for attendance in any bowl game. Our fan base is larger and goes deep for decades.

If by fanbase are you referring to the same 4 or 5 guys that wear those stupid masks and wigs? That they kept showing during the ut NIU game? you guys travel as well as any other MAC school ****** compared to BCS programs

(11-18-2010 09:32 PM)tampabayrocketfan Wrote:  NIU would not beat out UT for attendance in any bowl game. Our fan base is larger and goes deep for decades.

funny, but terribly wrong.