And if I'm a bowl game trying to decide between us and Toledo or Northern, I would not pick us simply due to attendance.
Actually, attendance won't change that much regardless of the team. Each year due to the MCB garnering more attention and the MAC gaining more attention nationally, the numbers have increased. Toledo in 2002 had attendance of 45,000. The next year with BG, the attendance jumped to a record setting 51,000. Last year the number was slightly up to 52,000. BG will bring in as many fans as UT or NIU. Omar is still a huge draw. The folks in the Detroit area would be much more excited about going to see this dreadlock wearing quarterback with all the national hype instead of Bruce, because they just saw Bruce last year. Yes, our own fans count, but the bowls also want to market to the locals. While things may be quiet about Omar, there are still plenty of folks that want to see him in action. Our own fans will support due to such close proximity. NIU did not pull in as much support to their bowl game last year as we did at GMAC. Their tv rating was lower (.6 to GMAC 2.1) and the attendance was lower (21,500 to 29,500). Although these numbers will also reflect the opposing team, our offense and Omar put the locals in the seats.
GO BG!!!



