Is the conference office working on this?

https://twitter.com/BryanDFischer/status...57408?s=20

I'm not sure if it's something the MAC works on, or if it's up to the individual schools to plan their own thing, similar to scheduling a regular OOC game.

I really believe WMU is done for the season and won't be pursuing options. This is assuming regional domed options like Indy and FF are out, and any game a MAC school arranges will be at another college's stadium down south requiring a charter flight and hotel. (No one's coming up north and playing outside in late December)

WMU plays Boise in Arizona, Dec. 31. Bowl game.

Other than an amusing Broncos vs. Broncos storyline, it's just as well we don't go.

I'm sure the teams like Buffalo and Ball St that have had special (if shortened) seasons want to keep playing, but most other folks are aware there's a spiking pandemic with 911 type death tolls every single day and they are happy to shut things down and try to stay healthy and look toward next season. Not a lot of fun for a 4-2 team playing a 4-3 team in an empty stadium preceded by a virtual parade somewhere in Alabama or New Mexico something.

(12-16-2020 05:05 AM)pono Wrote:  I'm sure the teams like Buffalo and Ball St that have had special (if shortened) seasons want to keep playing, but most other folks are aware there's a spiking pandemic with 911 type death tolls every single day and they are happy to shut things down and try to stay healthy and look toward next season. Not a lot of fun for a 4-2 team playing a 4-3 team in an empty stadium preceded by a virtual parade somewhere in Alabama or New Mexico something.

Have you asked the teams or is that just your opinion? The players and coaches enjoy the game and want to play more.

(12-16-2020 05:05 AM)pono Wrote:  I'm sure the teams like Buffalo and Ball St that have had special (if shortened) seasons want to keep playing, but most other folks are aware there's a spiking pandemic with 911 type death tolls every single day and they are happy to shut things down and try to stay healthy and look toward next season. Not a lot of fun for a 4-2 team playing a 4-3 team in an empty stadium preceded by a virtual parade somewhere in Alabama or New Mexico something.

When the AAC is going to send at least 7 teams and the Sun Belt/CUSA sends 4 or more to bowls, I think the general consensus is that a lot of FBS coaches/players would prefer to keep playing...
The MAC guaranteeing only 2 teams is shortsighted and makes us look more small time (6 game season) IMO ...

(12-16-2020 10:03 AM)FMRocket Wrote:  

(12-16-2020 05:05 AM)pono Wrote:  I'm sure the teams like Buffalo and Ball St that have had special (if shortened) seasons want to keep playing, but most other folks are aware there's a spiking pandemic with 911 type death tolls every single day and they are happy to shut things down and try to stay healthy and look toward next season. Not a lot of fun for a 4-2 team playing a 4-3 team in an empty stadium preceded by a virtual parade somewhere in Alabama or New Mexico something.

When the AAC is going to send at least 7 teams and the Sun Coast/CUSA sends 4 or more to bowls, I think the general consensus is that a lot of FBS coaches/players would prefer to keep playing...
The MAC guaranteeing only 2 teams is shortsighted and makes us look more small time (6 game season) IMO ...

I haven't been keeping track closely, but is the MAC dictating the "only division winners" thing?

I mean I fully understand if a school doesn't want to spend the $ (and fly kids around in a pandemic), but the decision should be up to the individual schools.

(12-16-2020 10:29 AM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  

(12-16-2020 10:03 AM)FMRocket Wrote:  

(12-16-2020 05:05 AM)pono Wrote:  I'm sure the teams like Buffalo and Ball St that have had special (if shortened) seasons want to keep playing, but most other folks are aware there's a spiking pandemic with 911 type death tolls every single day and they are happy to shut things down and try to stay healthy and look toward next season. Not a lot of fun for a 4-2 team playing a 4-3 team in an empty stadium preceded by a virtual parade somewhere in Alabama or New Mexico something.

When the AAC is going to send at least 7 teams and the Sun Coast/CUSA sends 4 or more to bowls, I think the general consensus is that a lot of FBS coaches/players would prefer to keep playing...
The MAC guaranteeing only 2 teams is shortsighted and makes us look more small time (6 game season) IMO ...

I haven't been keeping track closely, but is the MAC dictating the "only division winners" thing?

I mean I fully understand if a school doesn't want to spend the $ (and fly kids around in a pandemic), but the decision should be up to the individual schools.

I agree with the decision and do not think it's small-time. According to the MAC website:

"Buffalo and Ball State will represent the MAC in the postseason as the league was approved to play in two bowl games by the Conference’s Council of Presidents in October. The approved games are the Arizona Bowl (Thursday, Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. EST) and a to-be-determined ESPN Events Bowl Game. The Arizona Bowl will be televised nationally on CBS."

WMU will not be playing in the AZ Bowl... Not sure how that rumor even transpired knowing the MAC had only planned to send two bowl teams (division winners) ever since a decision that was made way back in October.

The MAC's decision to cancel the season and then jump back in November, coupled with our geographic isolation from nearly all bowl locations which likely influenced the MAC's decision to limit participation, has really allowed CUSA and Sun Belt to grab the G5 spotlights this year.

(12-16-2020 12:15 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  The MAC's decision to cancel the season and then jump back in November, coupled with our geographic isolation from nearly all bowl locations which likely influenced the MAC's decision to limit participation, has really allowed CUSA and Sun Belt to grab the G5 spotlights this year.

Totally agree.... However, I do feel as though Buffalo would beat every single G5 team listed in this weeks Top 25, including most P5 teams. This is a very sound team and they def. deserve more respect than the playoff committee and most of the nation are giving them. I also believe a couple of other teams such as Ohio, Miami (OH), or even Ball State could have made some noise both in and outside of the MAC this year had they been given the opportunity.

I imagine that this academic year was such a financial blood bath for MAC athletic departments that schools are happy to just send two teams to bowl games this year. Perhaps the conference normally provides support for sending more schools to bowl games (I'm speculating) but schools agreed before the season started that just two tie-ins would be appropriate given the circumstances. I don't think this makes us small time.

As far as geographic isolation to many bowl locations, the Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field did not do the MAC any favors by cancelling out...
With the conference office stipulating in October that only the two participants in the MCC would go bowling, it still gives the league a bad look ...
Hypothetically, what if a runner up team from either division ended up 5-1, they sit home, while other conferences are shopping around 4 to 7 teams (some with 7-5 or 6-6 records) for prospective bowls... Of course this may all be a moot point if more games get cancelled...

(12-16-2020 10:03 AM)FMRocket Wrote:  When the AAC is going to send at least 7 teams and the Sun Belt/CUSA sends 4 or more to bowls...

We are actually sending 7: WKU, UNT, LaTech, UTSA, and FAU have already accepted. Marshall and UAB yet to accept pending the result of the CUSA CCG.

I think the Belt is getting five: ULL, App, Coastal, GaSo, and GaSt

I wonder if the league can potentially break even if they only send two to bowl games and still have a small distribution to teams

(12-16-2020 12:15 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  The MAC's decision to cancel the season and then jump back in November, coupled with our geographic isolation from nearly all bowl locations which likely influenced the MAC's decision to limit participation, has really allowed CUSA and Sun Belt to grab the G5 spotlights this year.

Spot on post! That really sums it all up.