Bowl deals renewed

[The Real SamC]

https://conferenceusa.com/documents/2020/5/28//C_USA_Bowl_Lineup_2020_25_Release.pdf?id=14990

Seven slots from among 15 bowls on a rotating basis.

Say what you want, but MU seems like a natural for Myrtle Beach as much as possible.

 

[johns1124]

Say what you want, but MU seems like a natural for Myrtle Beach as much as possible.

Why? To play some MAC team?

 

[Herdmeister]

Why? To play some MAC team?

In CUSA, that is about as good as it gets

 

[19MU88]

In CUSA, that is about as good as it gets

except we've been playing AAC teams of late. when was the last MAC team? 2014 and even then we had some fans telling us that was the way to go vs playing a Big 10 team.

 

[MichiganHerd]

Only 7 bowl slots for C-USA? That's not many, when you take into account what I've read (on this forum) that there's going to be 48 teams in the conference in a couple months.

 

[rammer101]

welp..48 teams-7divisions =7 bowls

maybe we can get in the new Pencil and Paper Bowl in Alaska

 

[HerditAllBefore]

Shocked that Bahama bowl are still happening with pandemic(not sure if you have heard about it) traveling and cost cutting measures seems crazy. Myrtle Beach and Fenway Bowls sound cool while keeping fan favorite Boca and New Orleans. I figured some of these random bowls would also disappear. Question if we merge with Sunbelt are we also eligible for their bowl games ?

 

[Herdmeister]

Shocked that Bahama bowl are still happening with pandemic(not sure if you have heard about it) traveling and cost cutting measures seems crazy. Myrtle Beach and Fenway Bowls sound cool while keeping fan favorite Boca and New Orleans. I figured some of these random bowls would also disappear. Question if we merge with Sunbelt are we also eligible for their bowl games ?

I would think that if we merge, the east would become SB and the west would become CUSA. No idea how they would split them up

 

[johns1124]

except we've been playing AAC teams of late. when was the last MAC team? 2014 and even then we had some fans telling us that was the way to go vs playing a Big 10 team.

If I remember right most were pissed off. The only intrigue about that match up was a battle of conference Champs. If I remember right it did pull a good
number on TV though.

 

[Herdmeister]

If I remember right most were pissed off. The only intrigue about that match up was a battle of conference Champs. If I remember right it did pull a good
number on TV though.

It did get good ratings. They were the highest rated team we could play

 

[johns1124]

It did get good ratings. They were the highest rated team we could play

Jesus, here we go grandpa....

New Mexico Bowl
Utah State Aggies (9–4)
UTEP Miners (7–5)

Bahamas Bowl
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7–5)
Central Michigan Chippewas (7–5)

Hawaii Bowl
Rice Owls (7–5)
Fresno State Bulldogs (6–7)

Heart of Dallas Bowl
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (8–5)
Illinois Fighting Illini (6–6)

There are a few in there that would have been a good match up. Utah St. was in the talk about a access bowl, Illinois was no slouch. There were
a couple of games that would have been a better match up then NIU. MU v Utah St would have been nice.

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

Myrtle Beach? Might as well play someone at Laidley Field. Pretty much the same.

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

Why? To play some MAC team?

Bwahaha some are mad MU would play a MAC school in a bowl but seem fine with going back to the MAC conference entirely.

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

Myrtle Beach? Might as well play someone at Laidley Field. Pretty much the same.

Yet everyone seems to talk up Coastal Carolina.

 

[2.0]

Shocked that Bahama bowl are still happening with pandemic(not sure if you have heard about it) traveling and cost cutting measures seems crazy. Myrtle Beach and Fenway Bowls sound cool while keeping fan favorite Boca and New Orleans. I figured some of these random bowls would also disappear. Question if we merge with Sunbelt are we also eligible for their bowl games ?

You think travel because of a virus will be that much more expensive. Yall really out here thinking this virus is clearing bank accounts.

 

[HerditAllBefore]

Short answer Yes. Just surprised that the future of a unpopular and lame bowl like the Bahamas getting renewed early especially since we still don’t know the economic fallout of the virus. Colleges on top of being subsidized by states that now lost millions in tax revenue will also have lost on students returning to schools. Tv money/ cord cutting down. We can’t fly to El Paso but we can go to an island. Yes companies will pass cost to clients. A hiatus is kind of what I expected. Hoping for better special tie ins to bowls.

 

[oldeherd]

Myrtle Beach? Might as well play someone at Laidley Field. Pretty much the same.

Hey, Laidley, now called UC Stadium just recently got a new rug/carpet, I believe, and holds about 19,000 fans, which should be more than enough for another "Who Dat" bowl.

Then you have the attraction of the area in Charleston in and around the stadium plus the scenic State Capitol grounds and the picturesque Kanawha River.

Compare ALL that versus the Myrtle Beach Bowl which is actually played on the Coastal campus in Conway. Meaning you have to drive some if you want to see the Ocean, be at the beach, etc.

 

[BleedsGreen33]

Bowl outrage is the best! Like somehow these are slights compared to our previous bowl ties. I don't know what our fans expect. In our entire bowl history we've played a P5 team twice. Ole Miss and Maryland.

5 CUSA
3 AAC
2 MAC
2 MWC
1 SBC
1 SEC
1 ACC

 

[Herdmeister]

Jesus, here we go grandpa....

New Mexico Bowl
Utah State Aggies (9–4)
UTEP Miners (7–5)

Bahamas Bowl
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7–5)
Central Michigan Chippewas (7–5)

Hawaii Bowl
Rice Owls (7–5)
Fresno State Bulldogs (6–7)

Heart of Dallas Bowl
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (8–5)
Illinois Fighting Illini (6–6)

There are a few in there that would have been a good match up. Utah St. was in the talk about a access bowl, Illinois was no slouch. There were
a couple of games that would have been a better match up then NIU. MU v Utah St would have been nice.

NIU with an 11-2 record and 7 game winning streak was getting top 25 votes

 

[johns1124]

NIU with an 11-2 record and 7 game winning streak was getting top 25 votes

No they weren't.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_NCAA_Division_I_FBS_football_rankings

At no time were they ever close to being in the Top 25. The whole year with our record of 13-1, the highest we ever achieved is 18th.
Only reason they were 11-2 was against a lighter then air schedule:


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Northern_Illinois_Huskies_football_team

The toughest team they played was Arkansas, and lost; not that ours was much better but, we didn't lose to directional Michigan in the process.

 

[Herdmeister]

No they weren't.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_NCAA_Division_I_FBS_football_rankings
The week heading into the bowl, they were getting top 25 votes.
Not that it matters. They were the best team we could have played and we played the game in the best location we could have. I'm sure you, like the rest of us, had a GREAT time in Boca Raton. Wonderful weather, super team hotel and picturesque stadium overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It was the best bowl trip I have had and many will agree with me.
If you didn't enjoy that trip then you don't enjoy bowl games
At no time were they ever close to being in the Top 25. The whole year with our record of 13-1, the highest we ever achieved is 18th.
Only reason they were 11-2 was against a lighter then air schedule:


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Northern_Illinois_Huskies_football_team

The toughest team they played was Arkansas, and lost; not that ours was much better but, we didn't lose to directional Michigan in the process.

 

[Chris McLaughlin]

No they weren't.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_NCAA_Division_I_FBS_football_rankings

At no time were they ever close to being in the Top 25. The whole year with our record of 13-1, the highest we ever achieved is 18th.
Only reason they were 11-2 was against a lighter then air schedule:


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Northern_Illinois_Huskies_football_team

The toughest team they played was Arkansas, and lost; not that ours was much better but, we didn't lose to directional Michigan in the process.

NIU absolutely received top 25 votes in 2014. In fact, going in to our bowl game with them they were "ranked" 30th and we were 28th: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/polls/amway-coaches-poll/2014-2015/2014-12-07/

On 11/30 they received 15 votes to our 22: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/polls/amway-coaches-poll/2014-2015/2014-11-30/

You know who was NOT receiving top 25 votes when bowl match-ups were decided? Utah State and Illinois.

 

[Herdmeister]

NIU absolutely received top 25 votes in 2014. In fact, going in to our bowl game with them they were "ranked" 30th and we were 28th: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/nca...olls/amway-coaches-poll/2014-2015/2014-11-30/

You know who was NOT receiving top 25 votes when bowl match-ups were decided? Utah State and Illinois.

Thank you!

 

[cottrell75]

Myrtle Beach? Might as well play someone at Laidley Field. Pretty much the same.

Over the past 5 years we have approximately TWO men’s conference championship in any men’s sports(soccer and basketball). Coastal has 3 in soccer, 3 in baseball(with a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP). They are still building their football program and are headed in the right direction, have access to more D1 talent than most C-USA schools given their footprint. It’s an easy drive and a vacation destination for like 98% of WV. They’d be a solid conference member for us.

 

[muthed]

Over the past 5 years we have approximately TWO men’s conference championship in any men’s sports(soccer and basketball). Coastal has 3 in soccer, 3 in baseball(with a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP). They are still building their football program and are headed in the right direction, have access to more D1 talent than most C-USA schools given their footprint. It’s an easy drive and a vacation destination for like 98% of WV. They’d be a solid conference member for us.

Myrtle Beach in a December bowl game is not Myrtle Beach in July. Besides, it's in Conway, not MB.

 

[beefcake0520]

NIU absolutely received top 25 votes in 2014. In fact, going in to our bowl game with them they were "ranked" 30th and we were 28th: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/polls/amway-coaches-poll/2014-2015/2014-12-07/

On 11/30 they received 15 votes to our 22: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/polls/amway-coaches-poll/2014-2015/2014-11-30/

You know who was NOT receiving top 25 votes when bowl match-ups were decided? Utah State and Illinois.

Not to mention NIU beat Northwestern that year as well. Northwestern finished 5-7 but played a murderers row, even with that they managed to beat Penn State, Ranked Wisconsin, and Ranked ND.

 

[cottrell75]

Myrtle Beach in a December bowl game is not Myrtle Beach in July. Besides, it's in Conway, not MB.

It’s like 10-15 minutes from the Grand Strand. I’m in Conway most Friday nights during football season. Agreed it’s not the same as summer time, but it still offers more “touristy” stuff compared to at least half of the bowls out there.

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

Over the past 5 years we have approximately TWO men’s conference championship in any men’s sports(soccer and basketball). Coastal has 3 in soccer, 3 in baseball(with a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP). They are still building their football program and are headed in the right direction, have access to more D1 talent than most C-USA schools given their footprint. It’s an easy drive and a vacation destination for like 98% of WV. They’d be a solid conference member for us.

They may be growing and have potential, but we heard that with ODU and Charlotte as well. Another subject for another day. I just don't consider a bowl game in a small stadium in Conway, SC to be much of a reward for a solid season. Same as the Bahamas Bowl. Both seem almost like punishment for all the hard work and efforts the teams puts in. jmho.

 

[johns1124]

You know who was NOT receiving top 25 votes when bowl match-ups were decided? Utah State and Illinois.

Not at that juncture no. Early on, if you remember right, BSU,ECU,CSU, with Utah State were all vying for an access spot. MU was never really in the mix until ECU lost in Nov to Temple and they melted down. You are not giving the Aggies the respect that year. They lost to CSU leading to a battle with Boise for the MTN West (west) conference. Remember that is what drove most Herdfans nuts, we had three teams all from the same conference MTW with a higher probablity of getting the access bowl all with one or more losses. Based on the perception that the MTW was a far superior conference.

 

[The Real SamC]

IMHO, the long shadow of the 100% correct decision about playing a crappy 6-6 Illinois team in a meaningless minor bowl vis playing a much better team in a much better place, continues to haunt this fan base, long after Louisiana Tech fans have forgotten the easy victory it had in that forgettable, and forgotten minor bowl.

Many above have pointed out the real contradiction in looking down on various other G5 members as bowl opponents, while at the same time daydreaming about fictional re-mixes of the conferences that feature the same teams. Plus I-AA James Madison, who has not applied.

The other G5 members have released their bowl deals too. All are about the same, including THE AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!! 's. Blunt fact is that in any real, or future imaginary G5 conference 13-0 = access bowl. Anything else = minor bowl. If that is not for you, then Marshall sports are not for you, find something else.

 

[Chris McLaughlin]

Not at that juncture no. Early on, if you remember right, BSU,ECU,CSU, with Utah State were all vying for an access spot. MU was never really in the mix until ECU lost in Nov to Temple and they melted down. You are not giving the Aggies the respect that year. They lost to CSU leading to a battle with Boise for the MTN West (west) conference. Remember that is what drove most Herdfans nuts, we had three teams all from the same conference MTW with a higher probablity of getting the access bowl all with one or more losses. Based on the perception that the MTW was a far superior conference.

Utah State was good that year but they had three losses by the middle of October and were never ranked in the BCS top 25 and never received a single vote in the coaches poll (https://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/polls/amway-coaches-poll/2014-2015 & https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2014-polls.html).

Colorado State was also very good (and actually did appear in the coaches top 25) but they were never a concern because there was zero chance they'd even win their own division in the MWC. A week two loss to Boise all but insured that.

ECU was ranked in the BCS once (the first week it came out). The very next week they lost to Temple (you actually got that right) and were never heard from again.

THREE weeks passed by without a single G5 team being ranked in the BCS Top 25 until 11/30, when we were 24 and Boise was 23.

We then proceeded to vomit on ourselves against WKU and never returned to the rankings. Meanwhile Boise won out and ended up #20 before being selected to play Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl.

Not a single G5 team entered the BCS top 25 (Boise stayed in it) after we lost to WKU.

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

Not at that juncture no. Early on, if you remember right, BSU,ECU,CSU, with Utah State were all vying for an access spot. MU was never really in the mix until ECU lost in Nov to Temple and they melted down. You are not giving the Aggies the respect that year. They lost to CSU leading to a battle with Boise for the MTN West (west) conference. Remember that is what drove most Herdfans nuts, we had three teams all from the same conference MTW with a higher probablity of getting the access bowl all with one or more losses. Based on the perception that the MTW was a far superior conference.

You're slowly losing this argument.

 

[johns1124]

You're slowly losing this argument.

How so?

The original comment from meister was that was the best game we could have came up with that year. It had the most interest because of two conference champs going at it. The out come surprised no one though, basically; it was over mid-way through the 2nd if I remember right. I personally, thought that a Utah St. match up would have been good that year. If I remember right, most on this board were dying for a P5 (BCS) game and were pissed when it didn't happen. I personally, was upset that we played 3 MAC teams in the same year. So you are saying you were happy that we played NIU and the MAC 2014 post season?

BTW, I never said any of our possible foes were ranked. The whole argument was, if that was the best match up.

 

[riflearm2]

It’s like 10-15 minutes from the Grand Strand.

No chance in hell. You could get every green light at the tons of traffic lights on that route, have absolutely no traffic, and you still aren't getting there in 10-15 minutes. At best, with no traffic lights, it's taking you twice as long as your 10 minute estimate.

With normal stops for traffic lights and traffic, it's taking you 25-30 minutes.

Not to mention NIU beat Northwestern that year as well. Northwestern finished 5-7 but played a murderers row, even with that they managed to beat Penn State, Ranked Wisconsin, and Ranked ND.

Outside of Boise and now UCF, beating somebody who beat a P5 is not the same as directly beating a P5. Illinois was the best option for Marshall to play in a bowl game for numerous reasons.

 

[mubaseballking]

Doesn't Marshall have larger Alumni Chapters in several Florida cities and Dallas? If so, it makes more sense for a bowl game in one of those cities instead of going to Myrtle Beach. There's also an Alumni Chapter in Gulfport MS, which is close to Mobile. Why not go for that bowl if you can?

 

[Herdmeister]

Doesn't Marshall have larger Alumni Chapters in several Florida cities and Dallas? If so, it makes more sense for a bowl game in one of those cities instead of going to Myrtle Beach. There's also an Alumni Chapter in Gulfport MS, which is close to Mobile. Why not go for that bowl if you can?

I enjoyed the Mobile trips. Stayed in casino hotels in Biloxi. I remember they had a nice parade a day or two before the game and nice beach activities. Unlike some bowl venues we have been to, the people there knew there was a game in town.

 

[mubaseballking]

I enjoyed the Mobile trips. Stayed in casino hotels in Biloxi. I remember they had a nice parade a day or two before the game and nice beach activities. Unlike some bowl venues we have been to, the people there knew there was a game in town.

I've asked a handful of fans about their favorite bowl trips. All of them mentioned the trips to Mobile and the trip to Annapolis. As I mentioned before, I'd rather see the team go to Mobile, Tampa, or Dallas-Fort Worth for the game, provided the coaches work their recruiting contacts in those areas.

 

[elginherd]

Doesn't Marshall have larger Alumni Chapters in several Florida cities and Dallas? If so, it makes more sense for a bowl game in one of those cities instead of going to Myrtle Beach. There's also an Alumni Chapter in Gulfport MS, which is close to Mobile. Why not go for that bowl if you can?

There are a fairly large number of Marshall people & Huntington-area natives (refugees?) who have settled in the Grand Strand area.

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

There are a fairly large number of Marshall people & Huntington-area natives (refugees?) who have settled in the Grand Strand area.

Speaking of MB, whats up with all the violence and shootings down there in the last month? I've read a few reports that it's gangs and then groups from out of town coming in to fight locals. Do I need my 9mm on the beach? WOW!

 

[oldeherd]

Speaking of MB, whats up with all the violence and shootings down there in the last month? I've read a few reports that it's gangs and then groups from out of town coming in to fight locals. Do I need my 9mm on the beach? WOW!

The 9mm might be a good idea, Twolf, especially if those folks are in MB for another "peaceful" Defund the Police gathering!!