(12-05-2021 02:50 PM)MidnightBlueGold Wrote:  So we've got:

Quick Lane: WMU vs. Nevada

The only way Tim Lester ever gets to coach in Detroit.

(12-05-2021 05:06 PM)NorthCoast Wrote:  

(12-05-2021 02:50 PM)MidnightBlueGold Wrote:  So we've got:

Quick Lane: WMU vs. Nevada

The only way Tim Lester ever gets to coach in Detroit.

Ohhhhh burn!!

(12-05-2021 02:50 PM)MidnightBlueGold Wrote:  So we've got:

Bahamas: Toledo vs. MTSU
Potato: Kent St. vs. Wyoming
Frisco: Miami vs. N Texas
Arizona: CMU vs. Boise St
Cure: NIU vs. Coastal Carolina
Quick Lane: WMU vs. Nevada
Mobile: EMU vs. Liberty
Camelia: Ball St. vs. Georgia St.

COVID year obviously aside, but is this our first bowl season without a single P5 (BCS) opponent? Not really a complaint, per se, a lot of peer G5s on that list as a measuring stick for us. But you can see the phasing out of P5 opponents over time.

Detroit ain't desirable as a location for the players, but I'm glad I get to go see it, and we don't deserve a "nice" trip anyhow given our MAC West season.

CMU has a nice locale and attractive opponent. But ugh... Barstool.com streaming with a game time that overlaps the 2 playoff semi-finals. About 12 people will fire up the laptop and watch that.

Kent State gets their turn on the cold Smurf Turf.

I think EMU did well. From what I understand, Mobile has been a great bowl host, warm-ish and Liberty is no stranger to some national press (in more ways than one).

Bahamas always a sweet trip for the players. But I remember a time when it was on Christmas Eve (or some weekend date) and it got respectable TV ratings. But Friday, 12/17, Noon is a bit rough for watchability. Few people are off work yet.

NIU vs. Coastal... It's got it all: Great location, prime-time evening TV with no other games, and a tough opponent that, while not P5, had shown up in the Top 25 the past couple of years.

Detroit and Lions organization made a mistake when they decided to get rid of Motor City Bowl and replace it with ACC vs. Big 10 matchup. MAC schools were getting the best attendances in that game and now here they are with no ACC or Big 10 representatives.

Good luck to all the MAC teams playing in bowls. Hopefully the results will be better than some prior years

CBS ranks 'em:

19. Cure Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. Northern Illinois
26. Quick Lane Bowl: Nevada vs. Western Michigan
- "(WMU is) like a roller coaster worth standing in line for. Just know that it could cause nausea."
29. Arizona Bowl: Boise State vs. Central Michigan
35. LendingTree Bowl: Eastern Michigan vs. Liberty
36. Bahamas Bowl: Middle Tennessee vs. Toledo
38. Camellia Bowl: Ball State vs. Georgia State
39. Frisco Classic Bowl: Miami (OH) vs. North Texas
- "Only in the MAC can you nearly win the conference and barely reach a bowl game. I love the MAC so much."
41. Potato Bowl: Kent State vs. Wyoming

https://www.cbssports.com/college-footba...ighlights/

(12-06-2021 04:21 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  41. Potato Bowl: Kent State vs. Wyoming

While I'm not endorsing outdoor activities in Boise in December, this isn't a bad bowl slot for Kent State. This is a bowl hungry program. Wyoming is a decent opponent. It's a decent matchup.

I definitely don't see how this could be ranked lower than the "Frisco Classic," which is a heck of a name for a game that did not exist a week ago.

(12-06-2021 05:19 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  

(12-06-2021 04:21 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  41. Potato Bowl: Kent State vs. Wyoming

While I'm not endorsing outdoor activities in Boise in December, this isn't a bad bowl slot for Kent State. This is a bowl hungry program. Wyoming is a decent opponent. It's a decent matchup.

I definitely don't see how this could be ranked lower than the "Frisco Classic," which is a heck of a name for a game that did not exist a week ago.

Wyoming started out the season hot then fizzled out quick. I could see Kent State winning, especially if they get that potent offense back on track.

(12-06-2021 05:19 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  

(12-06-2021 04:21 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  41. Potato Bowl: Kent State vs. Wyoming

While I'm not endorsing outdoor activities in Boise in December, this isn't a bad bowl slot for Kent State. This is a bowl hungry program. Wyoming is a decent opponent. It's a decent matchup.

I definitely don't see how this could be ranked lower than the "Frisco Classic," which is a heck of a name for a game that did not exist a week ago.

This bowl sucks; it always sucks. It’s the last bowl anyone wants to go to. How many MAC fans are going to pay $1,300+ for airfare plus other travel expenses (1-2 nights hotel and ground trans, etc.) to sit outside in Boise in sub-freezing weather. I realize a MAC school gets stuck here every year, and it was our turn to draw the short straw, but a bowl that fans can’t get to readily makes the thing kind of “meh.” Just another game on TV. It’s too bad. I had family stuff the day of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl two years ago and was looking forward to going to one finally. But those airfares are just absurd.

(12-06-2021 06:01 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  Wyoming started out the season hot then fizzled out quick. I could see Kent State winning, especially if they get that potent offense back on track.

On the stats, it's two teams with similar overall power rankings, Kent State with a strong offense than defense, Wyoming with a stronger defense than offense.

I just wish it was played when I was off work.

(12-06-2021 06:03 PM)axeme Wrote:  

(12-06-2021 05:19 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  

(12-06-2021 04:21 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  41. Potato Bowl: Kent State vs. Wyoming

While I'm not endorsing outdoor activities in Boise in December, this isn't a bad bowl slot for Kent State. This is a bowl hungry program. Wyoming is a decent opponent. It's a decent matchup.

I definitely don't see how this could be ranked lower than the "Frisco Classic," which is a heck of a name for a game that did not exist a week ago.

This bowl sucks; it always sucks. It’s the last bowl anyone wants to go to. How many MAC fans are going to pay $1,300+ for airfare plus other travel expenses (1-2 nights hotel and ground trans, etc.) to sit outside in Boise in sub-freezing weather. I realize a MAC school gets stuck here every year, and it was our turn to draw the short straw, but a bowl that fans can’t get to readily makes the thing kind of “meh.” Just another game on TV. It’s too bad. I had family stuff the day of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl two years ago and was looking forward to going to one finally. But those airfares are just absurd.

Yea. If you can go it is a beautiful city with picturesque scenery. But its not cheap, its cold, and the MWC twam has 10x to 40x said MAC teams crowd.

Playing ranked USU was cool in 2012. Toledo was ranked for a portion of the year and kind of ended on a down note... But at least it was a power 5 environment. Sell out crowd while endzone was under construction. If our nation leading tackler doesnt get hurt on the opening kickoff and Fluellen is healthy we fair better. It was 14-6 mid way thru the 4th and then 70 yd TD after 70 yd put us away bad.

(12-06-2021 06:03 PM)axeme Wrote:  This bowl sucks; it always sucks. It’s the last bowl anyone wants to go to. How many MAC fans are going to pay $1,300+ for airfare plus other travel expenses (1-2 nights hotel and ground trans, etc.) to sit outside in Boise in sub-freezing weather.

I declined the opportunity to fly out there in 2009. I get it.

One could probably cut that airfare in half or more by flying into Salt Lake City, Portland, or Seattle and driving to the game. Of course, that's still a *lot* of effort to sit outside in frigid weather that makes November #MACtion seem balmy.

Ugh. That 2009 game still hurts to think about.

Miami is due for the Potato Bowl at some point, but alas it'll need to wait a year.

Boise is supposedly a cute area with great skiing, and I'm sure it's gorgeous in the summer. But man, I wish we had another Rust Belt domed stadium bowl in a city like Indianapolis or St. Louis instead.

(12-06-2021 09:27 PM)Love and Honor Wrote:  Miami is due for the Potato Bowl at some point, but alas it'll need to wait a year.

Boise is supposedly a cute area with great skiing, and I'm sure it's gorgeous in the summer. But man, I wish we had another Rust Belt domed stadium bowl in a city like Indianapolis or St. Louis instead.

Indianapolis would be an awesome bowl destination! Very nice downtown and right in the heart of MAC country. The NCAA Hall of Champions Museum would be a must-see for all fans making a trip out of it.

(12-06-2021 06:03 PM)axeme Wrote:  This bowl sucks; it always sucks. It’s the last bowl anyone wants to go to. How many MAC fans are going to pay $1,300+ for airfare plus other travel expenses (1-2 nights hotel and ground trans, etc.) to sit outside in Boise in sub-freezing weather.

Me. But not paying that. Got an Amtrak Credit Card (Spend 1,000 in 90 days and not change spending habits) and basically got a bunch of points for free rides. Did the same with a hotel credit card. Find some cheap game ticket online and then just paying for food. Travel hacks.

You know one of Coach Lewis's favorite phrases. Practice repitition becomes game day reality! Are you prepared?

St. Louis would love to get a bowl in the former Edward Jones Dome, which sits vacant these days mostly except for the occasional concert. The city is on the upswing and would embrace it. Call it the Arch Bowl or the "F Stan Kroenke (Rams owner) Bowl" lol

With the C-USA adding some FCS call ups I wouldn't be surprised if another 1-2 bowl games get added. Indianapolis is probably the most appealing if this region of the country gets a bowl added because of the dome. I suppose St. Louis is in the Midwest, but it's still quite a far ways away.

Another less likely possibility is that once the Hall of Fame Village is complete they might try for a bowl game.

Bring back the International Bowl! Toronto is an amazing city and it was well attended.

(12-07-2021 09:09 AM)kreed5120 Wrote:  With the C-USA adding some FCS call ups I wouldn't be surprised if another 1-2 bowl games get added. Indianapolis is probably the most appealing if this region of the country gets a bowl added because of the dome. I suppose St. Louis is in the Midwest, but it's still quite a far ways away.

Another less likely possibility is that once the Hall of Fame Village is complete they might try for a bowl game.

Only if they can winterize the spectator stands. I have no idea how to do it. When it gets cold and snowy I come indoors.

Don't some race tracks have winterized stands with glass enclosures?