(11-25-2017 11:19 PM)FriscoDawg Wrote:  If only 80 teams qualify, I think C-USA might get that 9th team in. I just don't see a way that all 10 C-USA teams make it in.

Reading through the scenarios:

If only FSU beats ULM next weekend: CUSA covers vacant SBC slot in Tuscon and hits 9 teams

If FSU and one of NMSU/ULL win: Tuscon is filled by NMSU/ULL winner and CUSA hits 8 teams

If All Three teams win: NMSU to Tuscon, ULL gets left out. CUSA hits 8 teams

If FSU loses: There's a lot of craziness down the line that probably comes down to which bowl gets left open as a result, and who their other primary tie in is with.

MAC has 4 tie ins...

Dollar General Bowl
Idaho Potato Bowl
Camelia Bowl
Bahamaa Bowl

Secondary with:
Quick Lane Bowl
Boca Raton

At large with Frisco

10-2 Toledo (West Champ)
7-5 Akron (East Champ)
8-4 CMU
8-4 NIU
8-4 Ohio
6-6 UB
6-6 WMU

With 79 teams already eligible, here's the 3 games with times on Saturday to determine if any more become eligible for the 78 bowl spots

(all times central)
11:00 am - FSU (5-6) host UL Monroe (4-7)
1:30 pm - UL Lafayette (5-6) at Appalachian St (7-4)
3:30 pm - New Mexico St (5-6) host South Alabama (4-7)

IMO FSU is about a 95% given to win. After their rivalry win last week at Florida along with the rumors that Jimbo might be leaving, FSU could be in for a letdown

Appalachian St is playing for a share of the Sun Belt championship so it's not like they are playing just to finish off the regular season. The Troy at Arkansas State winner will be the other co-champ but neither Troy/Ark St played App State

USA has been a roller coaster as they've given both Ark St and Troy their only conf losses but have gone 1-5 vs the rest of the Sun Belt

I want to see NMSU win. It will always be a struggle to win there, and a bowl would be a huge deal for their program.

Think FSU gets into trouble with ULM, but eventually wins.

App State rolls.

81 Eligible Teams. I think both 6-6 MAC teams get left out, in addition to one of UTSA or MTSU. Neither Buffalo or WMU will be as attractive to a bowl as the 43 C-USA schools that get picked, based almost solely on proximity.

(11-30-2017 10:44 AM)LaTechBanjo Wrote:  I want to see NMSU win. It will always be a struggle to win there, and a bowl would be a huge deal for their program.

Think FSU gets into trouble with ULM, but eventually wins.

App State rolls.

81 Eligible Teams. I think both 6-6 MAC teams get left out, in addition to one of UTSA or MTSU. Neither Buffalo or WMU will be as attractive to a bowl as the 43 C-USA schools that get picked, based almost solely on proximity.

Yeah, but I don't have confidence that our commish can out-bargain the MAC commish. I could see them getting WMU into Quick Lane or something like that.

Either way, MT will be left out over UTSA. Too many bowls that are closer to UTSA than MT. Six straight bowl eligible seasons, one bowl in the continental US! MT football baby!

(11-30-2017 10:44 AM)LaTechBanjo Wrote:  I want to see NMSU win. It will always be a struggle to win there, and a bowl would be a huge deal for their program.

Think FSU gets into trouble with ULM, but eventually wins.

App State rolls.

81 Eligible Teams. I think both 6-6 MAC teams get left out, in addition to one of UTSA or MTSU. Neither Buffalo or WMU will be as attractive to a bowl as the 43 C-USA schools that get picked, based almost solely on proximity.

There is speculation that NMSU "could" decline a bowl invite based on the location. The report says "If you stick us too far out east, then it becomes a financial issue with our fans," Carruthers told KTSM. "If you're obligated to buy X number of tickets and we can't sell them to our fans, then it would become a costly enterprise."

At the same time though a Board of Regents member had this say:
Board of Regents Chair Debra Hicks was openly supportive of the Aggies accepting an invitation from any bowl game.
"As far as costs, we would take a look at it and we have asked the athletic directors to come and let us know what we would be looking at but the bid in itself, we would be delighted to have that and we are definitely interested in playing in one after a very dry period of time," Hicks told the Sun-News.

article from 11/17/17
http://www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports/c...875986001/

(11-30-2017 11:32 AM)usm99 Wrote:  

(11-30-2017 10:44 AM)LaTechBanjo Wrote:  I want to see NMSU win. It will always be a struggle to win there, and a bowl would be a huge deal for their program.

Think FSU gets into trouble with ULM, but eventually wins.

App State rolls.

81 Eligible Teams. I think both 6-6 MAC teams get left out, in addition to one of UTSA or MTSU. Neither Buffalo or WMU will be as attractive to a bowl as the 43 C-USA schools that get picked, based almost solely on proximity.

There is speculation that NMSU "could" decline a bowl invite based on the location. The report says "If you stick us too far out east, then it becomes a financial issue with our fans," Carruthers told KTSM. "If you're obligated to buy X number of tickets and we can't sell them to our fans, then it would become a costly enterprise."

At the same time though a Board of Regents member had this say:
Board of Regents Chair Debra Hicks was openly supportive of the Aggies accepting an invitation from any bowl game.
"As far as costs, we would take a look at it and we have asked the athletic directors to come and let us know what we would be looking at but the bid in itself, we would be delighted to have that and we are definitely interested in playing in one after a very dry period of time," Hicks told the Sun-News.

article from 11/17/17
http://www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports/c...875986001/

Looks like they've only played in the Sun Bowl and the last time was 1960. If their fans aren't willing to travel for their first bowl game in almost 60 years, they need to drop to FCS.

(11-30-2017 11:32 AM)usm99 Wrote:  

(11-30-2017 10:44 AM)LaTechBanjo Wrote:  I want to see NMSU win. It will always be a struggle to win there, and a bowl would be a huge deal for their program.

Think FSU gets into trouble with ULM, but eventually wins.

App State rolls.

81 Eligible Teams. I think both 6-6 MAC teams get left out, in addition to one of UTSA or MTSU. Neither Buffalo or WMU will be as attractive to a bowl as the 43 C-USA schools that get picked, based almost solely on proximity.

There is speculation that NMSU "could" decline a bowl invite based on the location. The report says "If you stick us too far out east, then it becomes a financial issue with our fans," Carruthers told KTSM. "If you're obligated to buy X number of tickets and we can't sell them to our fans, then it would become a costly enterprise."

At the same time though a Board of Regents member had this say:
Board of Regents Chair Debra Hicks was openly supportive of the Aggies accepting an invitation from any bowl game.
"As far as costs, we would take a look at it and we have asked the athletic directors to come and let us know what we would be looking at but the bid in itself, we would be delighted to have that and we are definitely interested in playing in one after a very dry period of time," Hicks told the Sun-News.

article from 11/17/17
http://www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports/c...875986001/

The talk I've seen from the bowl oracles basically seems to say that they're a lock for the Arizona Bowl if they get eligible.

(11-30-2017 10:10 AM)usm99 Wrote:  With 79 teams already eligible, here's the 3 games with times on Saturday to determine if any more become eligible for the 78 bowl spots

(all times central)
11:00 am - FSU (5-6) host UL Monroe (4-7)
1:30 pm - UL Lafayette (5-6) at Appalachian St (7-4)
3:30 pm - New Mexico St (5-6) host South Alabama (4-7)

IMO FSU is about a 95% given to win. After their rivalry win last week at Florida along with the rumors that Jimbo might be leaving, FSU could be in for a letdown

Appalachian St is playing for a share of the Sun Belt championship so it's not like they are playing just to finish off the regular season. The Troy at Arkansas State winner will be the other co-champ but neither Troy/Ark St played App State

USA has been a roller coaster as they've given both Ark St and Troy their only conf losses but have gone 1-5 vs the rest of the Sun Belt

FSU up 28-10 to start 4th so unless ULM makes a miracle comeback FSU will be #80

(12-02-2017 02:19 PM)usm99 Wrote:  

(11-30-2017 10:10 AM)usm99 Wrote:  With 79 teams already eligible, here's the 3 games with times on Saturday to determine if any more become eligible for the 78 bowl spots

(all times central)
11:00 am - FSU (5-6) host UL Monroe (4-7)
1:30 pm - UL Lafayette (5-6) at Appalachian St (7-4)
3:30 pm - New Mexico St (5-6) host South Alabama (4-7)

IMO FSU is about a 95% given to win. After their rivalry win last week at Florida along with the rumors that Jimbo might be leaving, FSU could be in for a letdown

Appalachian St is playing for a share of the Sun Belt championship so it's not like they are playing just to finish off the regular season. The Troy at Arkansas State winner will be the other co-champ but neither Troy/Ark St played App State

USA has been a roller coaster as they've given both Ark St and Troy their only conf losses but have gone 1-5 vs the rest of the Sun Belt

FSU up 28-10 to start 4th so unless ULM makes a miracle comeback FSU will be #80

42-10

(12-02-2017 02:50 PM)Saint Greg Wrote:  

(12-02-2017 02:19 PM)usm99 Wrote:  

(11-30-2017 10:10 AM)usm99 Wrote:  With 79 teams already eligible, here's the 3 games with times on Saturday to determine if any more become eligible for the 78 bowl spots

(all times central)
11:00 am - FSU (5-6) host UL Monroe (4-7)
1:30 pm - UL Lafayette (5-6) at Appalachian St (7-4)
3:30 pm - New Mexico St (5-6) host South Alabama (4-7)

IMO FSU is about a 95% given to win. After their rivalry win last week at Florida along with the rumors that Jimbo might be leaving, FSU could be in for a letdown

Appalachian St is playing for a share of the Sun Belt championship so it's not like they are playing just to finish off the regular season. The Troy at Arkansas State winner will be the other co-champ but neither Troy/Ark St played App State

USA has been a roller coaster as they've given both Ark St and Troy their only conf losses but have gone 1-5 vs the rest of the Sun Belt

FSU up 28-10 to start 4th so unless ULM makes a miracle comeback FSU will be #80

42-10

UL Lafayette losing 28-10 at the half so hopefully that continues the 2nd half

(12-02-2017 03:53 PM)usm99 Wrote:  

(12-02-2017 02:50 PM)Saint Greg Wrote:  

(12-02-2017 02:19 PM)usm99 Wrote:  

(11-30-2017 10:10 AM)usm99 Wrote:  With 79 teams already eligible, here's the 3 games with times on Saturday to determine if any more become eligible for the 78 bowl spots

(all times central)
11:00 am - FSU (5-6) host UL Monroe (4-7)
1:30 pm - UL Lafayette (5-6) at Appalachian St (7-4)
3:30 pm - New Mexico St (5-6) host South Alabama (4-7)

IMO FSU is about a 95% given to win. After their rivalry win last week at Florida along with the rumors that Jimbo might be leaving, FSU could be in for a letdown

Appalachian St is playing for a share of the Sun Belt championship so it's not like they are playing just to finish off the regular season. The Troy at Arkansas State winner will be the other co-champ but neither Troy/Ark St played App State

USA has been a roller coaster as they've given both Ark St and Troy their only conf losses but have gone 1-5 vs the rest of the Sun Belt

FSU up 28-10 to start 4th so unless ULM makes a miracle comeback FSU will be #80

42-10

UL Lafayette losing 28-10 at the half so hopefully that continues the 2nd half

I'm sure it will

(12-02-2017 03:56 PM)Saint Greg Wrote:  

(12-02-2017 03:53 PM)usm99 Wrote:  

(12-02-2017 02:50 PM)Saint Greg Wrote:  

(12-02-2017 02:19 PM)usm99 Wrote:  

(11-30-2017 10:10 AM)usm99 Wrote:  With 79 teams already eligible, here's the 3 games with times on Saturday to determine if any more become eligible for the 78 bowl spots

(all times central)
11:00 am - FSU (5-6) host UL Monroe (4-7)
1:30 pm - UL Lafayette (5-6) at Appalachian St (7-4)
3:30 pm - New Mexico St (5-6) host South Alabama (4-7)

IMO FSU is about a 95% given to win. After their rivalry win last week at Florida along with the rumors that Jimbo might be leaving, FSU could be in for a letdown

Appalachian St is playing for a share of the Sun Belt championship so it's not like they are playing just to finish off the regular season. The Troy at Arkansas State winner will be the other co-champ but neither Troy/Ark St played App State

USA has been a roller coaster as they've given both Ark St and Troy their only conf losses but have gone 1-5 vs the rest of the Sun Belt

FSU up 28-10 to start 4th so unless ULM makes a miracle comeback FSU will be #80

42-10

UL Lafayette losing 28-10 at the half so hopefully that continues the 2nd half

I'm sure it will

Correction....Appy St scored again just before the half and actually up 35-10 at the half

UL Lafayette can now be scratched off. Getting drubbed at Appalachian St 63-14 with around 3 minutes left in game.

Don’t think it’ll matter due to SunBelt secondary agreements but Georgia St (now 6-5) was upset at home today by Idaho who was 3-8 coming into the game. The SunBelt now at best will have 3 teams with 7+ wins while having Georgia St with 6. Should NMSU beat South Alabama they would reach 6 wins. USA up 7-6 about 6 minutes into 2Q

(11-30-2017 10:10 AM)usm99 Wrote:  With 79 teams already eligible, here's the 3 games with times on Saturday to determine if any more become eligible for the 78 bowl spots

(all times central)
11:00 am - FSU (5-6) host UL Monroe (4-7)
1:30 pm - UL Lafayette (5-6) at Appalachian St (7-4)
3:30 pm - New Mexico St (5-6) host South Alabama (4-7)

IMO FSU is about a 95% given to win. After their rivalry win last week at Florida along with the rumors that Jimbo might be leaving, FSU could be in for a letdown

Appalachian St is playing for a share of the Sun Belt championship so it's not like they are playing just to finish off the regular season. The Troy at Arkansas State winner will be the other co-champ but neither Troy/Ark St played App State

USA has been a roller coaster as they've given both Ark St and Troy their only conf losses but have gone 1-5 vs the rest of the Sun Belt

11:00 am - FSU (5-6) host UL Monroe (4-7) — FSU won (#80)
1:30 pm - UL Lafayette (5-6) at Appalachian St (7-4) — UL Lafayette lost
3:30 pm - New Mexico St (5-6) host South Alabama (4-7) — NMSU leads 13-7 at the half

At this point I feel like 1 CUSA team will be left out along with 1 MAC team. Should NMSU win it will turn into a free for all of sorts. Not knowing the full secondary agreements it could be a 2nd CUSA team but hopefully not. Let the back door deals begin though

Brett McMurphy is reporting that Utah will be in the HOD Bowl vs ?

Why are the TV commentators calling USA the "Jag-wires"?

South Alabama leading 17-16 with 4:15 left in game. A NMSU loss would all but guarantee 9 CUSA teams would go bowling as little chance both teams left out would be CUSA

NMSU ball on short 30 with 2:34 left

Edit: NMSU ball around the 10 with about 50 seconds left so unless they choke they will win and go bowling.

NMSU gets the win to make the final bowl tally 81 teams.

Forgot about this but this is the last year of FBS for Idaho as they are dropping to FCS while New Mexico St is going Independent “joining” Notre Dame, BYU, Army and UMass.

As for NMSU’s bowl opportunities it’s been discussed and according to this it’s pretty cut and dry as this was posted again after their win today:

As for where New Mexico State will wind up, the best guess -- and the team's only hope for postseason life -- is the Arizona Bowl. According to NBC 9 out of El Paso, the Aggies "can't afford" any of the four other Sun Belt bowls due to a number of factors, including financial constraints and travel distance for fans. Should NMSU be placed elsewhere, it will have to decline the bid.

And this from ESPN:
More than likely, the Aggies (6-6, 4-4) will play in the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl in Tucson, Arizona, on Dec. 29. NMSU chancellor and president Garrey Carruthers indicated on Nov. 16 that it was possibly the only Sun Belt bowl bid the athletic department could afford to accept, and Arizona Bowl executive director Alan Young told the Las Cruces Sun-News he would be happy to host them .