Western Michigan

[ZuluWarrior]

I am truly happy for WMU and want them in the Cotton Bowl. I think its great that GameDay went to K-Zoo too! I've always felt that Urban, had he stuck around and possibly Clawson could have gotten us there too - and kudos to Western for paying Fleck $800K.

BUT - do they have to have the absolute worst looking uniforms in all of college football?? Granted, there colors are harder to make cool than ours, but DAMN their uniforms are horrid!

[Falconfreak90]

Agree about WMU 110%...happy for them cuz 13-0 is damn hard to do. They should get serious consideration for the NYD Bowl.

[Schadenfreude]

BUT - do they have to have the absolute worst looking uniforms in all of college football?? Granted, there colors are harder to make cool than ours, but DAMN their uniforms are horrid!

The Boat Rowers showed tonight why Bowling Green should never wear grey, either. It looks bad with brown.

Let's hope Temple wins today and locks the Cotton Bowl up for Western Michigan and the MAC.

[Flipper]

Yep...never thought I'd be rooting for Temple...the Bill Cosby thing alone...but today will be different

[unfalconbelievable]

Agree about WMU 110%...happy for them cuz 13-0 is damn hard to do. They should get serious consideration for the NYD Bowl.

Now that western got their NYD bowl. We now can look at this realistically that an undefeated MAC team is equal to a 3 to 4 loss power conference team. That's in the eyes of the committee is putting the MAC. Not that this is a surprise to any of us. Also consider the non-power five losses that had to happen in last few weeks to give western a chance. Houston had to lose along with Boise who both previously had losses. Navy nearly squeaked in as a two loss team in the last week but got tripped up again. I think if Navy had won Western may not have gone to a NYD game.

Why spend so much money on a sport you have little if any chance at a national level even if you go undefeated. Start spending money on sports you actually have a legitimate shot at. Frustrating as a MAC fan.

[Schadenfreude]

Why spend so much money on a sport you have little if any chance at a national level even if you go undefeated.

Because this is football and Bowling Green is in Ohio. We have as much tradition in this sport as just about any we play except maybe hockey or women's basketball.

I don't share this negativity at all. You can dwell on the fact that Western Michigan almost didn't get this Cotton Bowl berth. I'll point to the fact that they did, and this is the second MAC school in five seasons to do it.

Put simply: This is the most equity we've ever had. Ten years ago, it was basically impossible for a MAC team to get a shot at a New Year's Day Bowl, no matter what it did on the field. It was just as true ten years ago as it was in Doyt Perry's day. So this is progress. Big time. Western Michigan, the No. 12 AP team, is getting a legit chance to play their way deep into the Top 10, territory no MAC school has ever gone before.

Is this four-team so-called "playoff" unfair? Yeah. It's garbage, hardly worthy of the name. Just ask any Penn State or Michigan fan today.

At some point, though, reform will happen again. This current system will make enough enemies that the playoff will be expanded. Whenever that happens, we will have another chance to potentially get even closer to equity -- meaning, doing it the way it is done at every other level of college football, and give all conference champions a shot at a national title in a true playoff.

In the meantime: Let's keep playing football. The Falcons stunk in 2016, but but, overall, we have one of the best football programs in the MAC. We aren't that far away from competing again for MAC championships; Ohio only beat us by a score or two, after all. Let's get back to playing in Detroit, and then see how far we can take this thing.

In a few years, it could be our Falcons in the Cotton Bowl, trying to play our way into the Top 10. It could happen. Just look at Western Michigan or Northern Illinois.

[apollo]

Why spend so much money on a sport you have little if any chance at a national level even if you go undefeated.

Because this is football and Bowling Green is in Ohio. We have as much tradition in this sport as just about any we play except maybe hockey or women's basketball.

You forgot baseball

[jpfalcon09]

Why spend so much money on a sport you have little if any chance at a national level even if you go undefeated.

Because this is football and Bowling Green is in Ohio. We have as much tradition in this sport as just about any we play except maybe hockey or women's basketball.

I don't share this negativity at all. You can dwell on the fact that Western Michigan almost didn't get this Cotton Bowl berth. I'll point to the fact that they did, and this is the second MAC school in five seasons to do it.

Put simply: This is the most equity we've ever had. Ten years ago, it was basically impossible for a MAC team to get a shot at a New Year's Day Bowl, no matter what it did on the field. It was just as true ten years ago as it was in Doyt Perry's day. So this is progress. Big time. Western Michigan, the No. 12 AP team, is getting a legit chance to play their way deep into the Top 10, territory no MAC school has ever gone before.

Is this four-team so-called "playoff" unfair? Yeah. It's garbage, hardly worthy of the name. Just ask any Penn State or Michigan fan today.

At some point, though, reform will happen again. This current system will make enough enemies that the playoff will be expanded. Whenever that happens, we will have another chance to potentially get even closer to equity -- meaning, doing it the way it is done at every other level of college football, and give all conference champions a shot at a national title in a true playoff.

In the meantime: Let's keep playing football. The Falcons stunk in 2016, but but, overall, we have one of the best football programs in the MAC. We aren't that far away from competing again for MAC championships; Ohio only beat us by a score or two, after all. Let's get back to playing in Detroit, and then see how far we can take this thing.

In a few years, it could be our Falcons in the Cotton Bowl, trying to play our way into the Top 10. It could happen. Just look at Western Michigan or Northern Illinois.

The playoff sucks, simple as that. The powers that be couldn't wait to do away with all the computer rankings that in their mind overvalued smaller schools with elite records. Now you have a system where the same 8-10 schools that control the purse strings will compete for a paltry four spots. In the end, it'll be the death of college football unless all FBS schools have a fair shot to be included. Fans will eventually get turned off at seeing the same matchups year after year, much like the NFL is experiencing.

As I mentioned on my Twitter account, move to four P5 and four G5 conferences. Play nine conference games, the winner of each division goes to a championship game for an automatic playoff berth. Eight team playoff, it's fair to all schools (assuming Notre Dame joins a conference) and roll with it. If not, then the 90% of schools who will never have a chance at winning at national championship might as well do away with their programs.

[Lord_Byron]

. . . The playoff sucks, simple as that. The powers that be couldn't wait to do away with all the computer rankings that in their mind overvalued smaller schools with elite records. Now you have a system where the same 8-10 schools that control the purse strings will compete for a paltry four spots. In the end, it'll be the death of college football unless all FBS schools have a fair shot to be included. Fans will eventually get turned off at seeing the same matchups year after year, much like the NFL is experiencing.

As I mentioned on my Twitter account, move to four P5 and four G5 conferences. Play nine conference games, the winner of each division goes to a championship game for an automatic playoff berth. Eight team playoff, it's fair to all schools (assuming Notre Dame joins a conference) and roll with it. If not, then the 90% of schools who will never have a chance at winning at national championship might as well do away with their programs.

Valid points. The counterpoint is that for 100+ years there was not a championship and college football survived just fine. Why does everything need to be fair? A few select teams controlled everything back then, just as now.

The discussions and arguments after the season only added to the spice. For example, in 1973, Joe Paterno was so pissed off going undefeated and finishing 5th, he declared "The Paterno Poll" and gave his team rings.

Bottom line is that many people like to be entertained. Having controversy around selections and the ensuing discussion is dramatic and entertaining. I don't think arguing the 9th and 10th teams out would be nearly as fun . .

[hammb]

. . . The playoff sucks, simple as that. The powers that be couldn't wait to do away with all the computer rankings that in their mind overvalued smaller schools with elite records. Now you have a system where the same 8-10 schools that control the purse strings will compete for a paltry four spots. In the end, it'll be the death of college football unless all FBS schools have a fair shot to be included. Fans will eventually get turned off at seeing the same matchups year after year, much like the NFL is experiencing.

As I mentioned on my Twitter account, move to four P5 and four G5 conferences. Play nine conference games, the winner of each division goes to a championship game for an automatic playoff berth. Eight team playoff, it's fair to all schools (assuming Notre Dame joins a conference) and roll with it. If not, then the 90% of schools who will never have a chance at winning at national championship might as well do away with their programs.

Valid points. The counterpoint is that for 100+ years there was not a championship and college football survived just fine. Why does everything need to be fair? A few select teams controlled everything back then, just as now.

The discussions and arguments after the season only added to the spice. For example, in 1973, Joe Paterno was so pissed off going undefeated and finishing 5th, he declared "The Paterno Poll" and gave his team rings.

Bottom line is that many people like to be entertained. Having controversy around selections and the ensuing discussion is dramatic and entertaining. I don't think arguing the 9th and 10th teams out would be nearly as fun . .

The only thing I dislike about it is that the current CFP, like the BCS before it, was made for the sole purpose of creating more money for college football and funneling that money directly into the biggest programs that already make the most money.

The result, and we've seen it quite clearly, is that the total money of college football has gone way up, but our revenues have not come close to going up at the same rate. Our expenses, however, keep going up in order to "compete" in Division 1 football.

As you said, the powers that be of college football have ALWAYS excluded us. I've never advocated for anything other than a 16 team tournament that lets every conference champ compete. It will never happen because nobody but us actually wants it. The bulk of college football fans LOVE the current setup, and think it would only be improved by going to 8 and letting 4 more of the "already haves" into it. They want nothing to do with rewarding WMU for their perfect regular season.

I honestly don't care what bullshit system the big boys use to determine their champ. I don't even care if they HAVE a champ. Until they create a system where teams EARN their way to that playoff (as opposed to a closed door meeting to decide who's worthy), it's all bullshit to me either way. I just hate how much money is being made off college football, running expenses up to insane levels, and we are NOT getting a piece of that increased revenue pie. Or rather, our piece isn't nearly large enough to justify our increased expenditures.

On a purely entertainment level? I hope to see Dabo kick Urban's ass.

[Flipper]

Why we invest so much effort and energy in getting people who clearly don't want to accept us as equals to accept us as equals is beyond me. I could see if it was something important like voting rights or educatrional opportunity or freedom of expression...but it's college football. An adjunct to a college education...allegedly.....

I don't care if OSU views us as being on the same celestial plane or Michigan accepts us as part of their club....that club is driven by greed at the expense ethics and in many cases..basic human dignity (you raped somebody? oh well..what's your 40 time?. You have a concussion? suck it up buttercup)

That club sucks

[hammb]

I don't want anything to do with their "win at all costs to make the most money imaginable" club. The club does suck.

I DO want an opportunity to beat them on the field. Even if it would be for 1 playoff victory every 50 years, I would like the opportunity to show them you can NOT be a part of that club and still beat them on the field, where it matters.

I also dislike very much that the existence of said club, and the insane amount of money that clubs' dues have become, makes it nearly impossible to continue playing the sport if you're NOT a part of that club.

[Redwingtom]

As the MACC wore on...was I the only one who started sorta hoping for Ohio to actually pull off the upset?

Would have been a nice moment for the maligned East anyway.

[BowlingGreen80]

As the MACC wore on...was I the only one who started sorta hoping for Ohio to actually pull off the upset?

Would have been a nice moment for the maligned East anyway.

I went to the game. It was 45,000 but it felt like much more at Ford Field for what I believe to be the highest attendance between two MAC teams. Such a wonderful atmosphere and in the closing minutes it was amazing to hear roughly 40K screaming ROW THE BOAT when the win was secured. Some people were actually emotional.

I'm not a WMU fan by any means but you could not help root for them to win and get a chance to play in Cotton Bowl. It was infectious. I actually felt bad for Ohio in some ways because not even outsiders to conference wanted them to sniff that title. It was so good for our conference to have this much exposure and Western Michigan being a major college football storyline this fall.

It would be really nice to have another MAC school to make another undefeated run next season to keep the MAC on the radar.

[Redwingtom]

As the MACC wore on...was I the only one who started sorta hoping for Ohio to actually pull off the upset?

Would have been a nice moment for the maligned East anyway.

I went to the game. It was 45,000 but it felt like much more at Ford Field for what I believe to be the highest attendance between two MAC teams. Such a wonderful atmosphere and in the closing minutes it was amazing to hear roughly 40K screaming ROW THE BOAT when the win was secured. Some people were actually emotional.

I'm not a WMU fan by any means but you could not help root for them to win and get a chance to play in Cotton Bowl. It was infectious. I actually felt bad for Ohio in some ways because not even outsiders to conference wanted them to sniff that title. It was so good for our conference to have this much exposure and Western Michigan being a major college football storyline this fall.

It would be really nice to have another MAC school, other than Toledo, to make another undefeated run next season to keep the MAC on the radar.

FIFY.