Ohio, Central Mich. accept bids
Posted November 22nd, 2006 by mrasor
Football
Nothing's official yet, but Ohio will attend the GMAC Bowl and Central Michigan is headed to the Motor City Bowl — regardless of the MAC Championship's outcome.
As for Akron's hopes, here's the scoop. The new NCAA policy states that bowl with an at-large bid may not overlook a 7-5 (or better) team to take a 6-6 team. The rule is supposed to protect mid-majors from getting screwed.
However, the International Bowl has a MAC bid, not an at-large bid. Therefore, the bowl is allowed to overlook, say, a 7-5 Western Michigan team and instead invite Akron, who likely will bring more fans.
Will this happen? Probably not. The teams' records is important. You might also throw Kent State and Northern Illinois into the frey. Both teams also could move to 7-5 with wins against inferior opponents this weekend.
My main point is this: Friday's game could, COULD, mean something.
November 22nd, 2006 at 4:53 pm
You know, it would be nice, but probably undeserved, for the Zips to go to a Bowl game just because of fan support. Whether 10,000 would trek up to Canada after this season is debatable. Really, either KSU or N. Illinois would be more interesting, with the Flashes' amazing comeback story, and NI's nation-leading running back.
November 22nd, 2006 at 5:22 pm
Can't argue there.
November 23rd, 2006 at 8:34 am
Are passports going to be an issue travelling to and from the International Bowl? If so, I'd be shocked if Akron took 10K to Toronto. I doubt any UA students have valid passports. Besides, most fringe fans have had the air taken out of their Zips balloons by the disappointing football season. Only us hardcore die-hards are left for this year.
November 23rd, 2006 at 10:05 am
From my understanding, the government delayed the passport thing for Canada another year. If that's untrue, it certainly will be difficult to travel well to Toronto.
You said a lot of the fans fell off. Do you remember the last two home games of last season? Hardly anyone showed up. I think you can always count on the bandwagoners.
November 23rd, 2006 at 5:15 pm
The passports only come into play when flying. if you are driving, you don't need one until 2008 or something stupid like that. Because you know … terrorists can't get counterfit passports and attack from canada.