Sounds like Wyoming has all their top RBs and their top WR out today, should help in Ohio pursuit to give the MAC a winning bowl record.

(12-29-2022 07:23 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(12-29-2022 08:24 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(12-28-2022 07:45 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(12-28-2022 08:07 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(12-27-2022 05:32 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  Good to see Quian Williams finish his career on a winning note. Buffalo brings the MAC to 3-2, which quite easily could have been 5-0. Other than our 14-point win the other four games had a cumulative point differential of that same 14 points!

I can't remember when the MAC had a similar performance, normally only Frank Solich wins bowl games, and the conference gets blown out in many contests like we did last year vs Liberty. Much better performance this year.

Yeah, I was really happy for Q as well!

Another entertaining game yesterday. I wasn't really impressed with either year, some sloppy play and bad throws, but a it was a fun game to watch. As you pointed out Jerry, this is one of the better bowl season performances for the MAC! We we are 3-2 but could easily be 4-1 if not 5-0. Also, other than our game, every game have been very competitive and entertaining which is really what you want out of a bowl game.

The MAC will wrap it up with Ohio play Wyoming at 4:30 on Friday. Ohio had a 9-3 regular season while Wyoming was 7-5. Ohio is a 1.5 favorite, however I know Rourke was hurt and missed the end of the regular season and MAC title game and I assume won't play Friday? With him I would really like Ohio's chances, without him they still have a good chance to win but should be a good one!

Honestly SD, Ohio was the best team in the MAC this year. QB is the most important position in today's football game, and they lost Rourke, who by the way, was the MAC offensive POY. With Rourke they easily beat Toledo and Wyoming as well, but of course, injuries are part of the game.

I would posit that the most disappointing performance for the MAC this season was displayed by Toledo, even in a win. I don't think, and correct me if I am wrong, but did ANY interim coach win a bowl game this season? Toledo got Liberty who lost to the same NMSU team that barely beat BGSU by 35 freaking points with Hugh Freeze. Then they "drilled" Liberty and their interim coach by just TWO points!

Toledo is the gold standard of the MAC, they always have the best attendance and players as evidenced by the All-MAC selections. They are what we all want to be.

I'm not going to dog Austin Smith, he is our future and has acquitted himself well. Yet I still wonder what Taylor Powell does against the Rockets. Just me, wondering.

I agree with all these points, Jerry. I wasn't too impressed with the way Toledo played in the MAC title game.

To your point about the interim coach; Wisconsin did win but they had a weird situation. Jim Leonard is the interim coach, but he had been in place for half the season, plus the new coach (Fickell) was there kind of coaching in the bowl game...but to your larger point yeah those teams don't seem to be playing well.

I knew someone would catch me on the "interim coach" issue, and yes you are correct about Leonard as you are a sharp guy. I was, of course, referring to those teams like Liberty who lost their coach just prior to the bowl game. Then again, one could also point out the Fenway Bowl where BOTH coaches were leading their teams for the very first time, one interim did indeed have to win.

I kinda think I am just an old geezer that suddenly realized how close EMU was to a MAC title this year and am obsessively whining about it. Toledo was not very good, they lost their last two conference games, beat Ohio without the best player in the MAC and eked out a win vs Liberty without their head coach. Never mind me, I still think we missed a huge opportunity this year.

Toledo's QB starter had ankle and shoulder injuries. The back up had a broken hand. Two starting OTs and Center went out with injuries the beginning of the season. That's why a productive DT was moved to starting Center.

(12-30-2022 09:11 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(12-30-2022 08:29 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(12-29-2022 07:23 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(12-29-2022 08:24 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(12-28-2022 07:45 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  Honestly SD, Ohio was the best team in the MAC this year. QB is the most important position in today's football game, and they lost Rourke, who by the way, was the MAC offensive POY. With Rourke they easily beat Toledo and Wyoming as well, but of course, injuries are part of the game.

I would posit that the most disappointing performance for the MAC this season was displayed by Toledo, even in a win. I don't think, and correct me if I am wrong, but did ANY interim coach win a bowl game this season? Toledo got Liberty who lost to the same NMSU team that barely beat BGSU by 35 freaking points with Hugh Freeze. Then they "drilled" Liberty and their interim coach by just TWO points!

Toledo is the gold standard of the MAC, they always have the best attendance and players as evidenced by the All-MAC selections. They are what we all want to be.

I'm not going to dog Austin Smith, he is our future and has acquitted himself well. Yet I still wonder what Taylor Powell does against the Rockets. Just me, wondering.

I agree with all these points, Jerry. I wasn't too impressed with the way Toledo played in the MAC title game.

To your point about the interim coach; Wisconsin did win but they had a weird situation. Jim Leonard is the interim coach, but he had been in place for half the season, plus the new coach (Fickell) was there kind of coaching in the bowl game...but to your larger point yeah those teams don't seem to be playing well.

I knew someone would catch me on the "interim coach" issue, and yes you are correct about Leonard as you are a sharp guy. I was, of course, referring to those teams like Liberty who lost their coach just prior to the bowl game. Then again, one could also point out the Fenway Bowl where BOTH coaches were leading their teams for the very first time, one interim did indeed have to win.

I kinda think I am just an old geezer that suddenly realized how close EMU was to a MAC title this year and am obsessively whining about it. Toledo was not very good, they lost their last two conference games, beat Ohio without the best player in the MAC and eked out a win vs Liberty without their head coach. Never mind me, I still think we missed a huge opportunity this year.

100%. I'm still kind of riding the high of our bowl win and great recruiting class, but after that wears off I think I'll always look back at this season and it'll be hard not to think about what could have been.

The memories of this year as a prelude will just sweeten the Eagles' undefeated 2023 season.

I'll to that!

(12-30-2022 09:13 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  Sounds like Wyoming has all their top RBs and their top WR out today, should help in Ohio pursuit to give the MAC a winning bowl record.

Sounds like another game to take the under.

(12-30-2022 08:29 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(12-29-2022 07:23 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(12-29-2022 08:24 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(12-28-2022 07:45 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(12-28-2022 08:07 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  Yeah, I was really happy for Q as well!

Another entertaining game yesterday. I wasn't really impressed with either year, some sloppy play and bad throws, but a it was a fun game to watch. As you pointed out Jerry, this is one of the better bowl season performances for the MAC! We we are 3-2 but could easily be 4-1 if not 5-0. Also, other than our game, every game have been very competitive and entertaining which is really what you want out of a bowl game.

The MAC will wrap it up with Ohio play Wyoming at 4:30 on Friday. Ohio had a 9-3 regular season while Wyoming was 7-5. Ohio is a 1.5 favorite, however I know Rourke was hurt and missed the end of the regular season and MAC title game and I assume won't play Friday? With him I would really like Ohio's chances, without him they still have a good chance to win but should be a good one!

Honestly SD, Ohio was the best team in the MAC this year. QB is the most important position in today's football game, and they lost Rourke, who by the way, was the MAC offensive POY. With Rourke they easily beat Toledo and Wyoming as well, but of course, injuries are part of the game.

I would posit that the most disappointing performance for the MAC this season was displayed by Toledo, even in a win. I don't think, and correct me if I am wrong, but did ANY interim coach win a bowl game this season? Toledo got Liberty who lost to the same NMSU team that barely beat BGSU by 35 freaking points with Hugh Freeze. Then they "drilled" Liberty and their interim coach by just TWO points!

Toledo is the gold standard of the MAC, they always have the best attendance and players as evidenced by the All-MAC selections. They are what we all want to be.

I'm not going to dog Austin Smith, he is our future and has acquitted himself well. Yet I still wonder what Taylor Powell does against the Rockets. Just me, wondering.

I agree with all these points, Jerry. I wasn't too impressed with the way Toledo played in the MAC title game.

To your point about the interim coach; Wisconsin did win but they had a weird situation. Jim Leonard is the interim coach, but he had been in place for half the season, plus the new coach (Fickell) was there kind of coaching in the bowl game...but to your larger point yeah those teams don't seem to be playing well.

I knew someone would catch me on the "interim coach" issue, and yes you are correct about Leonard as you are a sharp guy. I was, of course, referring to those teams like Liberty who lost their coach just prior to the bowl game. Then again, one could also point out the Fenway Bowl where BOTH coaches were leading their teams for the very first time, one interim did indeed have to win.

I kinda think I am just an old geezer that suddenly realized how close EMU was to a MAC title this year and am obsessively whining about it. Toledo was not very good, they lost their last two conference games, beat Ohio without the best player in the MAC and eked out a win vs Liberty without their head coach. Never mind me, I still think we missed a huge opportunity this year.

100%. I'm still kind of riding the high of our bowl win and great recruiting class, but after that wears off I think I'll always look back at this season and it'll be hard not to think about what could have been.

They dont make t-shirts about 'what could have been'

Ohio won the Arizona Bowl in a thrilling OT finish 30-27. With the win, the MAC finishes bowl season with a record of 4-2. If Tulane loses to USC in the Cotton Bowl, that would be the most wins of any G5 conference this bowl season. Not bad!

(12-30-2022 10:02 AM)dansplaining Wrote:  

(12-30-2022 08:29 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(12-29-2022 07:23 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(12-29-2022 08:24 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(12-28-2022 07:45 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  Honestly SD, Ohio was the best team in the MAC this year. QB is the most important position in today's football game, and they lost Rourke, who by the way, was the MAC offensive POY. With Rourke they easily beat Toledo and Wyoming as well, but of course, injuries are part of the game.

I would posit that the most disappointing performance for the MAC this season was displayed by Toledo, even in a win. I don't think, and correct me if I am wrong, but did ANY interim coach win a bowl game this season? Toledo got Liberty who lost to the same NMSU team that barely beat BGSU by 35 freaking points with Hugh Freeze. Then they "drilled" Liberty and their interim coach by just TWO points!

Toledo is the gold standard of the MAC, they always have the best attendance and players as evidenced by the All-MAC selections. They are what we all want to be.

I'm not going to dog Austin Smith, he is our future and has acquitted himself well. Yet I still wonder what Taylor Powell does against the Rockets. Just me, wondering.

I agree with all these points, Jerry. I wasn't too impressed with the way Toledo played in the MAC title game.

To your point about the interim coach; Wisconsin did win but they had a weird situation. Jim Leonard is the interim coach, but he had been in place for half the season, plus the new coach (Fickell) was there kind of coaching in the bowl game...but to your larger point yeah those teams don't seem to be playing well.

I knew someone would catch me on the "interim coach" issue, and yes you are correct about Leonard as you are a sharp guy. I was, of course, referring to those teams like Liberty who lost their coach just prior to the bowl game. Then again, one could also point out the Fenway Bowl where BOTH coaches were leading their teams for the very first time, one interim did indeed have to win.

I kinda think I am just an old geezer that suddenly realized how close EMU was to a MAC title this year and am obsessively whining about it. Toledo was not very good, they lost their last two conference games, beat Ohio without the best player in the MAC and eked out a win vs Liberty without their head coach. Never mind me, I still think we missed a huge opportunity this year.

100%. I'm still kind of riding the high of our bowl win and great recruiting class, but after that wears off I think I'll always look back at this season and it'll be hard not to think about what could have been.

They dont make t-shirts about 'what could have been'

And I ordered a potato bowl t-shirt and they sent the wrong design.

EMU, the ONLY Michigan school to win a bowl game this season. Does that sound weird or what?

With losses in the Big Ten and PAC-12 today, the MAC has won the Bowl Challenge Cup! Just the second overall since it was created in 2002. The MAC previously won it in 2011-12, but it was shared with C-USA.

(01-02-2023 05:21 PM)knagy17 Wrote:  With losses in the Big Ten and PAC-12 today, the MAC has won the Bowl Challenge Cup! Just the second overall since it was created in 2002. The MAC previously won it in 2011-12, but it was shared with C-USA.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022%E2%80...bowl_games

Indeed the Rose Bowl and the CFP NC game are not enough to derail the Mighty MAC.

(01-02-2023 05:21 PM)knagy17 Wrote:  With losses in the Big Ten and PAC-12 today, the MAC has won the Bowl Challenge Cup! Just the second overall since it was created in 2002. The MAC previously won it in 2011-12, but it was shared with C-USA.

Very impressive for sure knagy! One might posit that this is an unusual year as the MAC did not play any P5 teams. Given the propensity of such players on those teams to sit out the bowl games, I would reject that idea.

It was the poorest conference in FBS competing full strength against full strength G5 opponents with the possible exception of Liberty. Correct me if I am wrong, please.

This site gave grades to every conference for their bowl performance, as well as a grade for each school in the conference:

Quote:MAC Bowl Grade: A-
MAC Straight Up: 4-2
MAC Against The Spread: 5-1

Take that bowl season and serve it up hot.

The MAC champion Toledo struggled, but got by Liberty. The runner-up Ohio pushed past Wyoming, Buffalo stunned Georgia Southern and it’s great offense, and Eastern Michigan rocked a decent San Jose State team. Okay, so Bowling Green should’ve beaten New Mexico State and didn’t, but Miami University came within one yard of beating UAB.

Quote:Eastern Michigan Bowl Grade: A
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Prediction: San Jose State 27, Eastern Michigan 23
Line: San Jose State -3.5, o/u: 54
Final Score: Eastern Michigan 41, San Jose State 27

The Eagles had to travel into Mountain West country to deal with a San Jose State team looking to close strong. Instead of sputtering along, it got through a rough start with 33 straight points as the team reversed the momentum on a two-point conversion return. San Jose State never had a shot from there. The program that’s still getting used to bowl games come up with its second post-season win ever.

https://collegefootballnews.com/2023/01/...022-2023/7

(01-13-2023 07:16 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  This site gave grades to every conference for their bowl performance, as well as a grade for each school in the conference:

Quote:MAC Bowl Grade: A-
MAC Straight Up: 4-2
MAC Against The Spread: 5-1

Take that bowl season and serve it up hot.

The MAC champion Toledo struggled, but got by Liberty. The runner-up Ohio pushed past Wyoming, Buffalo stunned Georgia Southern and it’s great offense, and Eastern Michigan rocked a decent San Jose State team. Okay, so Bowling Green should’ve beaten New Mexico State and didn’t, but Miami University came within one yard of beating UAB.

Quote:Eastern Michigan Bowl Grade: A
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Prediction: San Jose State 27, Eastern Michigan 23
Line: San Jose State -3.5, o/u: 54
Final Score: Eastern Michigan 41, San Jose State 27

The Eagles had to travel into Mountain West country to deal with a San Jose State team looking to close strong. Instead of sputtering along, it got through a rough start with 33 straight points as the team reversed the momentum on a two-point conversion return. San Jose State never had a shot from there. The program that’s still getting used to bowl games come up with its second post-season win ever.

https://collegefootballnews.com/2023/01/...022-2023/7

Beautiful!