Ask The AD

[orangeandbrown]

The Motor City Bowl was a great experience.

However, when you look at what surrounds bowl games in other cities (a vacation-like atmopshere, parades, etc), you don't have it in Detroit in December.

I think Big 10 teams are especially allergic to the idea, with MSU leading the pack. I've heard callers on talk radio say that they would rather turn down a bowl bid than play in MCB.

And, this is the first year since BG played there that a Big 10 team will be in the game.

It is exposure and post-season football, and remains a motivating goal for our players and the extra practices, as mentioned, are good.

[hammb]

The Motor City Bowl was a great experience.

However, when you look at what surrounds bowl games in other cities (a vacation-like atmopshere, parades, etc), you don't have it in Detroit in December.

I think Big 10 teams are especially allergic to the idea, with MSU leading the pack. I've heard callers on talk radio say that they would rather turn down a bowl bid than play in MCB.

And, this is the first year since BG played there that a Big 10 team will be in the game.

It is exposure and post-season football, and remains a motivating goal for our players and the extra practices, as mentioned, are good.

That pretty much sums up what I was trying to say.

I would definitely not turn down a bowl bid. The extra practice time has huge value going into the next year. I think there is some value to the exposure as well. My point was just that the bowls we would be playing in are not going to garner the large amounts of national attention.

In short, I think being able to tell recruits we were in a bowl game is far more valuable than the actual name of that bowl game in our instances.

[Falconboy]

The practices and recruiting edge are the big things for me with bowl games. You're right that nobody outside of die-hard MAC people will remember the results down the road.

Also, let's not forget the players. They put in an awful lot of hard work and sacrifice to play D1 football, and it's a great reward for them to go to a bowl game. I'm sure they won't miss Falconboy if he doesn't make the trip.

Your right , it would be a great reward for finishing out the season on a winning note for all those seniors who' haven't had much to hang their hats on over the last 2 years. I just don't see how it helps us lose money going to a bowl that would likely result in a blowout to the supposed 7th or 6th place B10 team or the like in some near meaningless bowl.

I thought the Athletic Dept. needs every dollar it can spare. How else will we supposedly build a new convo for BB or new ice surface for hockey or the various other things around that need upgrading.


Remember we only beat the absolute worst team in the B10 Minnesota by 1 or 2pts in OT at the start of our season when we were at full strength health wise. GB coached teams play their best football in season openers and then usually slowly but surely drop down into the abyss after injuries start piling up. Our record may not be as bad as the past 2 years at this time in the season, but I don't see how we'd be able to field a competitive team in mid or late Dec. with all the injuries piling up the way they have. We'd be lucky to have 1 defensive lineman left to play in a bowl game at the rate they're dropping to injury. Lady luck simply has not looked kindly on us this year.

Having said that, I'm definitely all for the players getting the reward of a bowl. I just wish it'd be under better circumstances. Thats just my take.

[1987alum]

I'm definitely all for the players getting the reward of a bowl. I just wish it'd be under better circumstances. Thats just my take.

I don't think anyone is going to disagree with that. We would ALL love for the Falcons to play in a big-money bowl game and thump a highly ranked opponent.

[FalconTurf]

This is simple. Go bowling and you shall recieve 15 additional practices to prepare your young players and recieve additional exposure. I would much rather struggle in a bowl in front of the recruits than point at two other teams and explain to them how our program could go there too.

Nobody can convince me that staying home during bowl season is better than putting your team on the field for a price. Get practice and get exposure any time you can.

[Schadenfreude]

The exposure is nice, but the Motor City Bowl is basically considered a national joke.

Unfairly, I think.

It's very well supported. Among the games that don't routinely bring in teams from the top six conferences, only the Liberty Bowl definitely has more fan support. And it's one of the best football stadiums in the country.

The Motor City Bowl is great -- best bowl arrangement the MAC has ever had. Some destinations have been more interesting; none have remotely compared to the level of fan support we get with this game.

People knock it because it's in Detroit.

Keep in mind, these are some of the same people who think it's stupid that the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland and who think flight was invented in North Carolina.

We shouldn't fall for that self loathing.

[Schadenfreude]

Those reasons GC mentioned about how any bowl we could qualify for would be a major money losing venture is reason enough not to want a bowl this year. Unless we're playing in the Motor City Bowl which can't happen unless we are able to win the East AND win the Mac Championship , we aren't gonna have enough fans that want to travel 500-600 mi. to see us get drilled by a far superior opponent. I just don't see the advantages of us getting a bowl this year. The extra 15 practices isn't enough for us to lose money on and look silly on national tv. Pardon my bluntness , but thats just the way I see it.

I wanna see our best teams play in bowls that have legitimate shots of beating our bowl opponents so that being on tv actually helps us and so that a greater majority of fans will actually want to travel a ways to see the game.

I disagree, and may God have mercy on your soul.

Look I have a longer memory than some you and I've also seen the record books.

I remember when Bowling Green went 9-2 in 1994. They were just a handful of votes away from the Top 25 until Central Michigan beat 'em at the end. And that was it. No poll. No bowl. Good night.

I remember 2001. We went 8-3. No bowl.

And, heck, that wasn't the worst of it.

Toledo went 10-1 not too long ago -- 2000, if memory serves -- and had to sit home as Marshall played in Detroit for the fourth straight year, at 6-5. Because Detroit was all the MAC had.

Miami went 8-2-1 in 1995. They went 1-1-1 against teams that finished in the final Top 25. They beat the Big Ten champion (Northwestern) that year. But no bowl. We only had one.

And heck, that wasn't even the worst of it.

From 1976-80, no MAC teams went to bowl games. The Tangerine (now known as the Florida Citrus) had dumped the MAC and the Cal Bowl hadn't been set up yet. Central Michigan went 10-0-1 in 1979. No bowl, because the MAC didn't have one.

So, look, I'm not about to feel any shame because Bowling Green might get a bowl game this year with a 8-4 or 7-5 record. No sir.

In fact, I would take great pleasure in going to Mobile or Toronto and waving at the TV cameras as Notre Dame fans are forced to watch Bowling Green play East Carolina or Rutgers or whoever on national TV.

After all, is there any program that has been less deserving of more bowl games than Notre Dame?

In fact, when you think of why the NCAA requires teams to have six or seven wins before they can earn a bowl invite, isn't obvious Notre Dame is who they had in mind?

If it wasn't for the NCAA, isn't it obvious that a bowl game in Shreveport or Albuquerque would be inviting Notre Dame right now as I write this?

No sir. I want a bowl game. I don't care how we get it. I plan to enjoy it.

[Schadenfreude]

I audited UC's financial statements the year they went to the Humanitarian Bowl (back when UC was in C-USA). They took a financial bath on that one.

They bribed their way in.

If memory serves, they went way beyond an insane ticket guarantee and agreed to play two or three basketball games in Boise for the privilege of playing in that football game.

I hate UC.

[hammb]

The exposure is nice, but the Motor City Bowl is basically considered a national joke.

Unfairly, I think.

Oh, I agree. I think it's a good game, it always gets a good turnout, and I had a blast when we played up there. None of that changes the national perception though.

Case in point: Today on 1470 they had their weekly interview with Ron Musselman. He was joking around about the MCB saying how much he (sarcastically) missed going up there for that game from when he was covering Toledo. This is the Toledo (1470) and former Toledo (Musselman) media ripping on their local bowl arrangement.

Now I know that 1470 are a bunch of Big 10 homer pricks, but the fact remains it really sucks when even the local media is ripping on the game. The national perception is no better.

[redskins4ever]

I'll add Miami's 10-1 season in 1998, and no bowl game. That hurt!

[Falconfreak90]

I'll add Miami's 10-1 season in 1998, and no bowl game. That hurt!

And BG's 9-3 year in 2002 with huge wins over Mizzou and Kansas.

[Falconfreak90]

Those reasons GC mentioned about how any bowl we could qualify for would be a major money losing venture is reason enough not to want a bowl this year. Unless we're playing in the Motor City Bowl which can't happen unless we are able to win the East AND win the Mac Championship , we aren't gonna have enough fans that want to travel 500-600 mi. to see us get drilled by a far superior opponent. I just don't see the advantages of us getting a bowl this year. The extra 15 practices isn't enough for us to lose money on and look silly on national tv. Pardon my bluntness , but thats just the way I see it.

I wanna see our best teams play in bowls that have legitimate shots of beating our bowl opponents so that being on tv actually helps us and so that a greater majority of fans will actually want to travel a ways to see the game.

I disagree, and may God have mercy on your soul.

Look I have a longer memory than some you and I've also seen the record books.

I remember when Bowling Green went 9-2 in 1994. They were just a handful of votes away from the Top 25 until Central Michigan beat 'em at the end. And that was it. No poll. No bowl. Good night.

I remember 2001. We went 8-3. No bowl.

And, heck, that wasn't the worst of it.

Toledo went 10-1 not too long ago -- 2000, if memory serves -- and had to sit home as Marshall played in Detroit for the fourth straight year, at 6-5. Because Detroit was all the MAC had.

Miami went 8-2-1 in 1995. They went 1-1-1 against teams that finished in the final Top 25. They beat the Big Ten champion (Northwestern) that year. But no bowl. We only had one.

And heck, that wasn't even the worst of it.

From 1976-80, no MAC teams went to bowl games. The Tangerine (now known as the Florida Citrus) had dumped the MAC and the Cal Bowl hadn't been set up yet. Central Michigan went 10-0-1 in 1979. No bowl, because the MAC didn't have one.

So, look, I'm not about to feel any shame because Bowling Green might get a bowl game this year with a 8-4 or 7-5 record. No sir.

In fact, I would take great pleasure in going to Mobile or Toronto and waving at the TV cameras as Notre Dame fans are forced to watch Bowling Green play East Carolina or Rutgers or whoever on national TV.

After all, is there any program that has been less deserving of more bowl games than Notre Dame?

In fact, when you think of why the NCAA requires teams to have six or seven wins before they can earn a bowl invite, isn't obvious Notre Dame is who they had in mind?

If it wasn't for the NCAA, isn't it obvious that a bowl game in Shreveport or Albuquerque would be inviting Notre Dame right now as I write this?

No sir. I want a bowl game. I don't care how we get it. I plan to enjoy it.

SF,
Nice response. Sums up the way I feel. I don't care it BG gets a bowl in Detroit, Mobile, Toronto or the Arctic Circle for that matter. A bowl game is another game on the sked and the obvious advantages make it worth it.
I want a bowl game for Christmas. Mobile would be more difficult for our family to make but I would do everything in my power to make it happen. Detroit and Toronto are no brainers.

GO FALCONS

[NWLB]

I have been to two Motor City Bowls. I enjoyed both, and BG wasn't in either of them. I wouldn't be caught dead anyplace near the location before or after the game. But it was a great time, even if I had to cheer for Marshall. The second game was against BYU. And make your own jokes, but the Mormon missionaries, in suites and ties, who were at the game, had a very fine time as well.

As games go, the MCB is exceptionally well run. The game itself is consistently well attended. It has a legitimate and positive economic impact on the area. Indeed, I'm sure there are a lot of bowl games which should be as well run as what the MCB people do.

Bowl games are either for-profit events, or more typically, designed to promote an area, and by way of sponsorship, a product. They are not god-given entitlements. If you get to a bowl game, its a nod to you teams ability to attract attention, bring fans, etc. Even if a team will prove a sacrificial goat to some snubbed major conference team, being in the game is typically a reward. Unless you are UC, and bribe your way into most of your bowl games.

The MAC is lucky, and I mean very very lucky to have even three bowl bids. In truth, the MAC doesn't travel well enough to draw much beyond the few games it has now. The Cal Bowl couldn't survive beyond 1991. The Las Vegas Bowl never truly wanted the MAC, got NCAA waviers to stiff teams the normal $750k for expenses, and dumped the conference as soon as it could. The MCB has aspired from its first year, to move beyond the MAC, and if it ever can, it will.

In the late 90s and into the past, there were a fraction of the bowls we have now. Cable TV wasn't the power it has become. Not every bowl could even get onto TV, and even when it did, it wasn't always the best outlet. Some games, like the much vaunted Tangerine Bowl, dumped the MAC as soon as they could get somebody else. Some schools like Toledo, basically created faux bowl games to showcase their own program.

Some MAC teams were highly regarded, and got ranked. It happens, then as now, when you are really good. That has never been in question. But the MAC was not always well regarded, and teams like those of BGSU in the 90s, suffered due to that.

In that era, BGSU had a 1 in 9 chance of a bowl, predicated on winning the conference. Now it has a 1 in 5 chance, with twice as many teams fighting for one of three possible bids. And those bids are only considered locks, due to the mathematical odds against somebody better being out there. And really its more like 1 in 7 odds, since the MAC title winner is really the only true lock at this point.

So, no, I wouldn't compare now to then as some do. I don't think the comparisons work as intended.

Things are better than they were, in that there are more bowl chances, but in a league twice its old size, that advantage is stunted a bit. And its good to play in a bowl for the extra practice, a bit of recruiting fodder, and if you don't utterly suck, TV exposure.

But the leagues position is far from as sturdy as some think. These bowl games are not nearly as much a given as some think. And the day could come where the MAC is a 14 team conference with 1 or 2 bowl bids. Odds of that remain slim, but lets not go crazy thinking they don't exist.