We are all CMU fans in the MAC Championship Game

[BGSU33]

If CMU (7-5) beats Miami (6-6), that would be another positive in our favor for a bowl bid because it would make Miami ineligible for a bowl itself. GO CMU! Bring on the Fat Punter!

[VDub26Falcon]

We have the best overall record in the MAC...we're going to a bowl even if Miami wins...but I wouldn't root for those preppy bastards if my life depended on it.

[Bleeding Orange]

33, seriously. I understand the origin of your neurosis, but for the love of God we are going to a bowl game already. I mean no offense by this, but your paranoia over our chances of going to a bowl game or not are getting close to being embarassing. We're going. Enough said. Enjoy the ride.

GO FALCONS!!!

[BGDrew]

And honestly, I'd much rather head to Toronto than Mobile. How many teams in our conference can say they've played at each MAC bowl? Here's the pro's of us getting the IB bid:

- Better exposure in Canada (Game will be broadcast on TSN).
- Less payout money ($750,000) spent on travel costs = more money for playing in game.
- Possibly better attendance due to proximity and day of game.
- Guaranteed perfect 72 degree weather while watching the game.
- A chance to beat another BCS conference team (Big East).
- Hockey Hall of Fame is right down the street from the Rogers' Centre
- Molson and Labatt: Enough said.

It's only a 5 hour drive for those of you traveling from Cleveland.

[Dr. Reality]

And how is the passport problem solved????? That is, I believe a passport is required to travel in Canada. That being t he case, the attendance at such a game could be challenged. What am I missing here??? And what does the Hockey-All-of Fame have to do with it?

[BGDrew]

And how is the passport problem solved????? That is, I believe a passport is required to travel in Canada. That being t he case, the attendance at such a game could be challenged. What am I missing here??? And what does the Hockey-All-of Fame have to do with it?

A passport is only required if you are flying into Canada. If you need to fly and don't have a passport, just fly into Buffalo and rent a car.

As far as the Hockey Hall? It's the friggin' HoF. Lord Stanley's cup, "Rocket" Richard, etc. Toronto would be a great trip to make. The only downside is that their dollar is worth more than ours right now.

[Rightupinthere]

Two things: if you're traveling by car, you don't need a passport yet. If you're flying, I believe you need a passport. Unknown if by train.

Secondly, I am pulling for Miami to win. Why? Because I Miami win give the MAC an opportunity to play in FOUR bowls and not just THREE. Why is this important? More money, more exposure, and more practice time for those squads. This indirectly impacts BG in a positive way.

If Miami loses, BSU takes their place and we only have three bowl eligible.


This is all assuming the NCAA hold tight to their rules and doesn't allow a waiver for Miami if they lose.

[JoeFalcon]

Secondly, I am pulling for Miami to win. Why? Because I Miami win give the MAC an opportunity to play in FOUR bowls and not just THREE. Why is this important? More money, more exposure, and more practice time for those squads. This indirectly impacts BG in a positive way.

All of this is true.

However, as a selfish fan, I don't want other MAC schools getting the exposure of a bowl bid to help their recruiting and I don't want them getting the extra practices to get their players better and pose a greater threat to BG next year.

They can sit and watch while BG gets the exposure and reaps the rewards of extra practices.

[BGDrew]

If there's any team we should be cheering for, it's Hawai'i. If they make a BCS bowl we (the MAC) get some free money.

[BGSU33]

33, seriously. I understand the origin of your neurosis, but for the love of God we are going to a bowl game already. I mean no offense by this, but your paranoia over our chances of going to a bowl game or not are getting close to being embarassing. We're going. Enough said. Enjoy the ride.

GO FALCONS!!!

I’ll thrown the no offense post right back at you then, because unless you are a bowl representative, I’m going to be nervous until we get one. That’s just me, it’s not going to change. Do I feel like should get a bowl bid? Yes. Do I think we have earned one? Yes. Do I hope we get one? Yes. Do we have one locked up? No. Until we do, I’ll be concerned. If my concern is “close to being embarrassing,” then good. I’ve seen too many things happen to BG and MAC teams over the last 15 years in football and basketball not to be worried.

[BGDrew]

I’ll thrown the no offense post right back at you then, because unless you are a bowl representative, I’m going to be nervous until we get one. That’s just me, it’s not going to change. Do I feel like should get a bowl bid? Yes. Do I think we have earned one? Yes. Do I hope we get one? Yes. Do we have one locked up? No. Until we do, I’ll be concerned. If my concern is “close to being embarrassing,” then good. I’ve seen too many things happen to BG and MAC teams over the last 15 years in football and basketball not to be worried.

A bowl bid has been clinched according to our athletic department. That's all the information I need.

Let's not forget that bowl representative's usually consult with the MAC first then offer. You have to believe that Chryst wants to put the team with the most wins in a bowl. Here's my "Swami" prediction:

MCB: C. Mich - Guaranteed attendance and interest in the game.
GMAC: Miami (if they beat CMU) - Technically the GMAC gets the first pick. GMAC does have history with Miami as Big Ben took the RedSkinHawks to Mobile his Junior season. If Miami loses, I'd say this bid would then go to Ball State because of the GMAC's committee's interest in high scoring teams (Toledo, UTEP, BG, Mempis, etc.)
IB: BGSU - Easy commute for fans around this area. Very possible to have good attendance.
4th Bowl (PapaJohns.com, etc.): Ball State (if Miami wins) - Ball State gets the short end of the stick compared to BG because 8 > 7.

[Flipper]

We're a better pick than BSU because we have a better record, a win over a BCS school, higher average attendance (I think) and fairly recent history of traveling well to two different bowls.

Ball State as Nate Davis....Nate's a nice player, but I don't get the sense that the masses are demanding another chance to see him play.

We're in...the Cardinals are wishing and hoping

[Schadenfreude]

And how is the passport problem solved?????

By getting a passport.

You won't be able to get it done in time for the International Bowl. Thankfully, you won't need it if you drive to Toronto. Just make sure you and everyone coming with you has a drivers license and birth certificate with them.

But everyone should have a passport.

So get a passport.

[FalconKing]

Needing a passport to drive to Canada has been delayed up till June 29th, 2009 (no actual date is currently set). The original implementation was going to be Jan 1st, 2008 though. Congress set it back because of the huge backlog with passports. Having said that, it appears the backlog is over. I applied for my passport in October and received it in ~3 weeks without applying for a rush delivery.

If you have more than one notorized copy of your birth certificate, it may be a good idea to apply for your passport now. I say this because you actually have to send your birth certificate with the request and you wouldn't have it available if it did not come back in time. While you don't NEED your passport, it will certainly make things easier on you.

[Falcon Fanatic]

And what does the Hockey-All-of Fame have to do with it?

Bowling Green is mentioned in the HHoF in several places. There is an OLD Falcon jeresey hanging in there too...at least there was one when we went there. Seeing THE Cup with BG player's names on it is SOOOOO freakin' awesome!!! It's a very cool place to visit and the building it is in is very historic. If BG goes to the International Bowl, then I highly recommend the Hockey HoF as a sightseeing stop while up there!!!