One of the nice things about this bowl season is the number of games on ESPN (not ESPn2, U, etc.) but ESPN.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/sc...asontype/3

(12-05-2021 03:00 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  Malik Willis against our secondary…yikes.

Hopefully we score a ton.

It's likely to be one of two extremes. Willis has been less than stellar his last 3 games with poor reads and less than smart plays. The LU OL has been a problem with hurried throws leading to poor plays by Willis. As this is his last game, one can expect Willis to want to go out on a higher note than his last 3 losses. Expect him to be focused and for EMU to receive his best play. Or he continues to stumble and plays, for him, mediocre, which is still better than many QBs. He is fun and exciting to watch. When he is on he is exceptional.

This is wild. So 21st century.

https://twitter.com/stoolpresidente/stat...84646?s=20

(12-05-2021 02:49 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  

(12-05-2021 02:48 PM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(12-05-2021 02:44 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  

(12-05-2021 02:43 PM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  WMU vs. Nevada in the Quick Lane Bowl. Wonder if we are heading to Camellia?

I would guess, right? what other bowls are available?

Haven't seen anything on LendingTree or New Mexico, which both also have MAC tie-ins.

Brett McM. just confirmed lending tree

In the past we were able to buy tickets and donate them so that veterans could go to the game. I wonder if this could happen this year? Am going to buy 2 tickets but not go. To long a drive for me.

(12-05-2021 06:13 PM)emu steve Wrote:  This is wild. So 21st century.

https://twitter.com/stoolpresidente/stat...84646?s=20

I thought it was pretty cool. New bowl that will infuse some new blood and interest. Congrats to CMU. That will be a real good game against Boise. Will it be televised or streamed thru Barstool?

Detroit Free Press:

Eastern Michigan: Lending Tree Bowl

The Eagles, at 7-5, have one final shot at their first eight-win season since 1987 and also their first bowl win since then. They’ll head to Mobile, Alabama, to take on the Liberty Flames at 5:45 p.m. Dec. 18. ESPN will have the telecast.

EMU is returning to the postseason for the first time since 2019, when the Eagles lost in the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit. They’re led by wide receiver Hassan Beydoun, who caught 86 passes for 932 yards this season. The majority of those came from quarterback Ben Bryant, who completed 68.8% (256-for-372) of his attempts for 2,921 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The Eagles’ defense struggled at times this season, allowing 27.8 points (82nd among FBS teams), 231.3 yards passing (70th) and 197.2 yards rushing (113th). That’s bad news in this matchup with the Flames, led by offensive mind Hugh Freeze as head coach and quarterback Malik Willis.

Willis is considered one of the top NFL QB prospects this season, in an admittedly down year for QBs. He completed 61.6% (194-for-315) of his passes for 2,626 yards, 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 820 yards and 11 touchdowns on 189 carries over 12 games — that’s a 4.3-yard average. His dual-threat skills have made him appealing for NFL front offices — such as the Lions’ — looking for the next big thing under center.

The Flames fell to 7-5 this season, their fourth at the FBS level, after going 10-1 last year. They’re fifth in passing defense, with just 174.2 yards allowed through the air per game. (Though that may be artificially decreased by a regular-season finale in which they lost 31-16 to Army, which attempted just four passes – albeit for 102 yards and a touchdown.) The Flames also finished 49th in rushing defense, with 141.2 yards allowed per game, and 30th in points allowed (21.7).

Detroit Free Press:

Eastern Michigan: Lending Tree Bowl

The Eagles, at 7-5, have one final shot at their first eight-win season since 1987 and also their first bowl win since then. They’ll head to Mobile, Alabama, to take on the Liberty Flames at 5:45 p.m. Dec. 18. ESPN will have the telecast.

EMU is returning to the postseason for the first time since 2019, when the Eagles lost in the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit. They’re led by wide receiver Hassan Beydoun, who caught 86 passes for 932 yards this season. The majority of those came from quarterback Ben Bryant, who completed 68.8% (256-for-372) of his attempts for 2,921 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The Eagles’ defense struggled at times this season, allowing 27.8 points (82nd among FBS teams), 231.3 yards passing (70th) and 197.2 yards rushing (113th). That’s bad news in this matchup with the Flames, led by offensive mind Hugh Freeze as head coach and quarterback Malik Willis.

Willis is considered one of the top NFL QB prospects this season, in an admittedly down year for QBs. He completed 61.6% (194-for-315) of his passes for 2,626 yards, 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 820 yards and 11 touchdowns on 189 carries over 12 games — that’s a 4.3-yard average. His dual-threat skills have made him appealing for NFL front offices — such as the Lions’ — looking for the next big thing under center.

The Flames fell to 7-5 this season, their fourth at the FBS level, after going 10-1 last year. They’re fifth in passing defense, with just 174.2 yards allowed through the air per game. (Though that may be artificially decreased by a regular-season finale in which they lost 31-16 to Army, which attempted just four passes – albeit for 102 yards and a touchdown.) The Flames also finished 49th in rushing defense, with 141.2 yards allowed per game, and 30th in points allowed (21.7).

USA Today has an article on Winners and Losers. Winner include the Group of Five. G5 schools nationally ranked in the CFP poll include Cincy, BYU, Houston, Louisiana, and San Diego State. Texas-San Antonio just missed.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/rankings

(12-06-2021 10:14 AM)emu steve Wrote:  USA Today has an article on Winners and Losers. Winner include the Group of Five. G5 schools nationally ranked in the CFP poll include Cincy, BYU, Houston, Louisiana, and San Diego State. Texas-San Antonio just missed.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/rankings

I had a conversation with some buddies on Saturday about how some parity seems to be hitting college football in light of Cincy's inclusion in the playoffs and that the Transfer Portal likely has much to do with that. It will be interesting to see how many more P5 players sitting on the bench will realize they have a legitimate chance to play at a G5 school if they make that leap.

(12-06-2021 10:36 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(12-06-2021 10:14 AM)emu steve Wrote:  USA Today has an article on Winners and Losers. Winner include the Group of Five. G5 schools nationally ranked in the CFP poll include Cincy, BYU, Houston, Louisiana, and San Diego State. Texas-San Antonio just missed.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/rankings

I had a conversation with some buddies on Saturday about how some parity seems to be hitting college football in light of Cincy's inclusion in the playoffs and that the Transfer Portal likely has much to do with that. It will be interesting to see how many more P5 players sitting on the bench will realize they have a legitimate chance to play at a G5 school if they make that leap.

I predict: Wild, wild west. I can see a lot of movement BOTH ways.

We got lucky in '21, we gained more than we lost. Will we continue to be as lucky?

"Live by the sword, die by the sword." Transfers can work both ways.... Lucky one year, unlucky the next.

I don't see transfers as something INHERITENTLY favoring (or unfavoring) us.

(12-06-2021 11:04 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(12-06-2021 10:36 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(12-06-2021 10:14 AM)emu steve Wrote:  USA Today has an article on Winners and Losers. Winner include the Group of Five. G5 schools nationally ranked in the CFP poll include Cincy, BYU, Houston, Louisiana, and San Diego State. Texas-San Antonio just missed.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/rankings

I had a conversation with some buddies on Saturday about how some parity seems to be hitting college football in light of Cincy's inclusion in the playoffs and that the Transfer Portal likely has much to do with that. It will be interesting to see how many more P5 players sitting on the bench will realize they have a legitimate chance to play at a G5 school if they make that leap.

I predict: Wild, wild west. I can see a lot of movement BOTH ways.

We got lucky in '21, we gained more than we lost. Will we continue to be as lucky?

"Live by the sword, die by the sword." Transfers can work both ways.... Lucky one year, unlucky the next.

I don't see transfers as something INHERITENTLY favoring (or unfavoring) us.

I strongly disagree. Working the transfer portal is just a new element of recruitment - just like snagging JUCO kids, high school seniors, or grad transfers. If a coach is a good evaluater of talent and creates a culture that players want to be part of - then he will be successful.

(12-06-2021 12:00 PM)dansplaining Wrote:  

(12-06-2021 11:04 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(12-06-2021 10:36 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(12-06-2021 10:14 AM)emu steve Wrote:  USA Today has an article on Winners and Losers. Winner include the Group of Five. G5 schools nationally ranked in the CFP poll include Cincy, BYU, Houston, Louisiana, and San Diego State. Texas-San Antonio just missed.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/rankings

I had a conversation with some buddies on Saturday about how some parity seems to be hitting college football in light of Cincy's inclusion in the playoffs and that the Transfer Portal likely has much to do with that. It will be interesting to see how many more P5 players sitting on the bench will realize they have a legitimate chance to play at a G5 school if they make that leap.

I predict: Wild, wild west. I can see a lot of movement BOTH ways.

We got lucky in '21, we gained more than we lost. Will we continue to be as lucky?

"Live by the sword, die by the sword." Transfers can work both ways.... Lucky one year, unlucky the next.

I don't see transfers as something INHERITENTLY favoring (or unfavoring) us.

I strongly disagree. Working the transfer portal is just a new element of recruitment - just like snagging JUCO kids, high school seniors, or grad transfers. If a coach is a good evaluater of talent and creates a culture that players want to be part of - then he will be successful.

I strongly disagree with you.

I know people for whom success goes to their head. Tell them "you are really good" and they say, "time to go for a job with more pay, more..."

A lot of players will say if I can be all-MAC I can play B1G ball. Why not?

Athletes are notorious for wanting to be at the highest prestige school they can find. As soon as a FB player is offered by Alabama, most other schools can kiss him goodbye.

The idea of weighing many factors for the near, midterm and long term is not something 17 - 22 year olds do well. It takes years, maybe decades for people to get their heads screwed on straight. How many 30 year olds actively fund a 401k even a few percent of their pay?