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I feel like Toledo could win out, but NIU has had their number for some time and with BG you can throw out the records (much like WMU-CMU. I still think Toledo wins the west but I think they'll have some issues doing it.

(10-21-2014 07:33 PM)Ubish Wrote:  I feel like Toledo could win out, but NIU has had their number for some time and with BG you can throw out the records (much like WMU-CMU. I still think Toledo wins the west but I think they'll have some issues doing it.

Toledo's beatable. UMass, who they play has a Great Offense, just no D. Could give them troubles.

I don't think Toledo's consistent enough, as their QB isn't fantastic (but their running game is Great) -- so I think it'd be silly if one were to say they'd win out. Could happen, but I doubt it.

They're legitimately the favorite, but the wacky-MAC this year will prove it not to be an easy road for anyone.

I would not be even mildly surprised if Toledo lost 2 more games. I would be solidly Surprised if they won out.

Latest CBS Bowl projections have us in the BAHAMAS BABY!!!

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball...redictions

and so does ESPN (Well one of the two guys any way)

http://espn.go.com/college-football/bowls/projections

(10-21-2014 08:55 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 07:33 PM)Ubish Wrote:  I feel like Toledo could win out, but NIU has had their number for some time and with BG you can throw out the records (much like WMU-CMU. I still think Toledo wins the west but I think they'll have some issues doing it.

Toledo's beatable. UMass, who they play has a Great Offense, just no D. Could give them troubles. I don't think Toledo's consistent enough, as their QB isn't fantastic (but their running game is Great) -- so I think it'd be silly if one were to say they'd win out. Could happen, but I doubt it. They're legitimately the favorite, but the wacky-MAC this year will prove it not to be an easy road for anyone.
I would not be even mildly surprised if Toledo lost 2 more games. I would be solidly Surprised if they won out.

I think Toledo will run the table. If they lose to UMass, Kent State or EMU, any of those would be the MAC upset of the year. I agree with Ubish and Todd that BG and NIU will be tricky, but I would take Toledo in both games. They own that rivalry with BG, and since NIU has had their number recently, they'll be very motivated to beat them - and NIU hasn't yet looked like the MAC power they've been the last couple of years.

I do think MAC parity could come into play - I just think there's a better chance of seeing it in the MAC title game. There have been plenty of examples over the past decade of the favored team getting knocked off in Detroit...

Quote:Latest CBS Bowl projections have us in the BAHAMAS BABY!!!

Yeah, many have different setups. Way too early to tell where who will be at. One has Detroit opening up for a MAC team -- which, although possible, I think the ACC & B10 are going to have enough teams... unless a 7-5 MAC team trumps a 6-6 B1G/ACC. Even so, are there going to be *6* 7-5 MAC teams, instead of 5? I have my doubts with this conference parity, man.

Quote:I think Toledo will run the table.

I don't. And I don't think UMass beating Toledo would be the MAC upset of the year -- not to me. UMass is FAR better than their record indicates. They have an explosive offense, played a TOUGH OCC in which they Found ways to lose -- and we just throw it up to looking at their record. They are a sleeper team for ANY MAC team scrapping for a division title.

They're 2-2 in the MAC. Now, Toledo @NIU? NIU is going to want to prove themselves because their ego has taken a hit -- and Toledo *is* a beatable team. They're no powerhouse. But this year for the MAC, no, it wouldn't be a huge shocker IF they won out -- but it would be a Solid Surprise. UMass, @NIU, BGSU -- those aren't going to be easy games. The way the MAC is going, anything that's "yeah, that could happen, but I don't really see it" turns into "Oh, yeah, don't bet on it but that could definitely happen".

I quickly am going to volunteer as the "Assistant Kicking Tee Monitor" if we are going to the Bahammas Bowl.

We are going to win 7-8 games this year. I have no doubt after today that we are playing in a bowl game this season.

I think we'll win 9.

(10-25-2014 05:03 PM)ChuckNorris Wrote:  We are going to win 7-8 games this year. I have no doubt after today that we are playing in a bowl game this season.

I like your realistic and thoughtful prediction. I don't think 7-5 gets us an invite though.

(10-25-2014 05:12 PM)ghost bronco Wrote:  

(10-25-2014 05:03 PM)ChuckNorris Wrote:  We are going to win 7-8 games this year. I have no doubt after today that we are playing in a bowl game this season.

I like your realistic and thoughtful prediction. I don't think 7-5 gets us an invite though.

That all depends on where the open spots are. I think its sort of a backwards bidding wars where bowl eligible schools commit to taking the pay out in useless tickets. At that point it becomes about donors stepping up to send the team. If that new Detroit bowl has a spot I think we're attractive at 7-5.

(10-25-2014 05:12 PM)ghost bronco Wrote:  

(10-25-2014 05:03 PM)ChuckNorris Wrote:  We are going to win 7-8 games this year. I have no doubt after today that we are playing in a bowl game this season.

I like your realistic and thoughtful prediction. I don't think 7-5 gets us an invite though.

The MAC has 5 Bowl tie-ins this year (plus three more as a backup conference). Hard to see how we could go 7-5 and finish 6th in the MAC. Just saying 7-5 likely puts us in a bowl game.

(10-21-2014 11:27 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:Latest CBS Bowl projections have us in the BAHAMAS BABY!!!

Yeah, many have different setups. Way too early to tell where who will be at. One has Detroit opening up for a MAC team -- which, although possible, I think the ACC & B10 are going to have enough teams... unless a 7-5 MAC team trumps a 6-6 B1G/ACC. Even so, are there going to be *6* 7-5 MAC teams, instead of 5? I have my doubts with this conference parity, man.

Yeah, I agree it is all wild speculation at this point. I just really really want to go to the Bahamas.

I'm rooting for some kind of craziness to get us to the Belk Bowl. I'm just sick that I haven't been able to get to a game this year and I'm not going to the Bahamas either.

Quote:Yeah, I agree it is all wild speculation at this point. I just really really want to go to the Bahamas.

Oh, come awn. Detroit, Bahamas -- tomatoe, tomato -- right?

Here's the thing. I BELIEVE (I will correct myself in here tho) that a MAC team will need to be 7-5 to *guarantee* themselves a bowl-spot (even though many 6-6s will still go). The secondary fill-ins, I believe, will trump you if you're 6-6 and they're 7-5. Maybe that's to the bowl admin's decision, if you're already the primary candidate - I dunno. Just as we could trump a 6-6 ACC team for a Detroit Bowl when we're 7-5, I think a 7-5 other-conference team associated with one of our primary bowls could trump a 6-6 MAC team going to it.

BUT, I think there's going to be so many 6-6 teams though anyway when it comes to these lower-end bowls -- there wouldn't be that much trumping anyway. I'm going to read up on this to try and verify. Could be wrong. Maybe it merely Allows a bowl to choose a secondary 7-5 over a primary 6-6 under those conditions, I dunno.

I think if it is true, I think WMU would want to trump a 6-6 B1G or ACC team for the Detroit Bowl. Many bowls will cost a college money, where we'd make a profit with such cheap travel expenses + good crowd. Especially if WE play NW in Detroit. :)

Bowl invitations are not based on wins alone.

It's what the team brings to the field in terms of football excitement.

Western qualifies as a story and as a team with some great hi-lite film in the form of Franklin, Davis, Braverman, Terrell, and an emerging defense.

If Western wins 7 games, they have a very good chance of going to a bowl. 6 wins would probably not earn a bid.

Quote:If Western wins 7 games, they have a very good chance of going to a bowl. 6 wins would probably not earn a bid.

The MAC has 5 bowl bids.

NIU: 6-2 [@BSU, Toledo, @Ohio, @WMU] --> 8-4
Toledo: 5-3 [@Kent, @NIU, BGSU, @EMU] --> 8-4/7-5
WMU: 5-3 [@Miami, EMU, @CMU, NIU] --> 8-4/7-5
BGSU: 5-3 [@Akron, Kent, @Toledo, BSU] --> 7-5
CMU: 5-4 [@EMU, Miami, WMU] --> 7-5/6-6 (no Rawls)
------------
Akron 4-4 [BGSU, @Buffalo, UMass, Kent] --> 7-5/6-6
Ohio 4-5 [Buffalo, NIU, @Miami] --> 6-6/5-7
BSU 3-5 [NIU, @UMass, EMU, @BGSU] --> 6-6/5-7
Buffalo 3-5 [@Ohio, Akron, Kent, @Mass] --> 5-7/4-8


If WMU (or any MAC team) gets 7 wins they *ARE* going to a bowl. GuaranSheed. The ONLY way would be 6 7+ win teams in the MAC, with one being denied. Even then, a 7W team could possibly trump a 6-6 P5 team elsewhere.

If WMU (or any MAC team) gets 6 wins they MAY go to a bowl. Depends on how many 6-6 overflows we have. Remember, other conferences have tons of bowls, too. So for the MAC to possibly get trumped out of their primary bowl, would require some 7-5 team elsewhere who was Left Out (and even That might not be enough; still checking on that). But I don't think this year there'll be any 7-5 teams Left Out who wouldn't be facing a conference opponent (two of our bowls face Sun Belt; two face CUSA). A 6-6 Purdue or NW wouldn't knock any 6-6 MAC team out of any of the 5 MAC bowls. Not allowed.

We'll probably have a 6th, 7th team @6-6 -- who probably won't go... while another 6-6 team (being accepted by the MAC-primary bowls) or two who will. There's no shortage bowls this year. If there was, THEN I'd be more agreeing with ya. :)

(10-25-2014 06:25 PM)bostonbronco Wrote:  Bowl invitations are not based on wins alone.

It's what the team brings to the field in terms of football excitement.

Western qualifies as a story and as a team with some great hi-lite film in the form of Franklin, Davis, Braverman, Terrell, and an emerging defense.

If Western wins 7 games, they have a very good chance of going to a bowl. 6 wins would probably not earn a bid.

Nailed it.

(10-25-2014 06:25 PM)bostonbronco Wrote:  Bowl invitations are not based on wins alone. It's what the team brings to the field in terms of football excitement. Western qualifies as a story and as a team with some great hi-lite film in the form of Franklin, Davis, Braverman, Terrell, and an emerging defense.

I agree, Boston. Considering the distance between MAC country and the locations of our five bowl tie-ins, any MAC team will basically be a push/non-factor when it comes to bringing traveling fans. That said - assuming we can keep this up - I would think our storyline is more compelling than any other in the MAC to prospective bowls, with the possible exception of the MAC champion (assuming that isn't us).

Quote:If Western wins 7 games, they have a very good chance of going to a bowl.

We WILL go to a bowl -- guaranSheed. We got 5 bowls guaranSheed, and we can't be trumped by anyone @7-5. Plus, with another bowl opening being a possibility, another MAC team @7-5 could go to another one. 6-6? Maybe. There's a lot of bowls around -- all depends. If we're 6-6 and the 5th best team in the MAC (maybe tied with someone else) -- and we're chosen to go to one of our bowls, given our bowls are lower-tier -- I don't think there'd be many 7-5 teams out there to trump us for it. A 6-6 SEC team couldn't.

If we go 2-2 the rest of the way, we are Definitely Bowling.

If we go 1-3 the rest of the way, we COULD go bowling, but would need some luck (tons o fellow 6-6ers in our conference & elsewhere).

Didn't Toledo get rejected last season from a bowl even though they were 7-5? Why?

Also, I don't think ANY 6-6 team should go to a bowl. You have a chance of a losing record 6-7.