LATEST BOWL PROJECTIONS - ESPN

[appbio91]

Hoping this is the better projection

[asu66]

The only bowl I cannot attend is Mobile, however, if we get matched up against Ohio again in Montgomery, I doubt I would go to that again. That would kind of suck.

They didn't exactly overrun the city with fans last year. I could see Montgomery inviting us back but wouldn't think they'd be in a hurry to have Ohio back so soon.

Rather get NO, someway or somehow. Probably ain't happenin' this year.

[SpeedkingATL]

Toledo would be a great match up but the 23rd is far from ideal.

[asu66]

The only bowl I cannot attend is Mobile, however, if we get matched up against Ohio again in Montgomery, I doubt I would go to that again. That would kind of suck.

I realize assumptions are dangerous. Just assuming, however, that you're referencing the projections above, Miami U of Ohio is not Ohio U, but we've already been to Montgomery. Not much fun for App fans in going back there for any MAC/Ohio team.

http://www.miamiredhawks.com/sports/m-f ... -body.html

[sixtoes9134]

The only bowl I cannot attend is Mobile, however, if we get matched up against Ohio again in Montgomery, I doubt I would go to that again. That would kind of suck.

I realize assumptions are dangerous. Just assuming, however, that you're referencing the projections above, Miami U of Ohio is not Ohio U, but we've already been to Montgomery. Not much fun for App fans in going back there for any MAC/Ohio team.

http://www.miamiredhawks.com/sports/m-f ... -body.html

My mistake - I misread the initial post, thinking it read Ohio.

[bigdaddyg]

So we are basically going to go to the same bowl most every year (because of the geographical deal) and we will typically play some team from Ohio. Awesome

[appbio91]

So we are basically going to go to the same bowl most every year (because of the geographical deal) and we will typically play some team from Ohio. Awesome

I wish it were not so but it seems that way. Someone on here convinced me last year to stop looking at it as post season play. It is not about rewarding our team for a great season. We could end up in the same bowl at 6-6 after all. It is more about the experience- fan and team. So just go have fun. It worked for me last year.

[EastHallApp]

Why don't we wait and see what the actual pairings are. If we don't like them, then we can complain. The various projections change every week, no point getting worked up about them.

[bigdaddyg]

Maybe we should wait until the actual bowl pairings are announced to start whining about them?

I don't think we are whining. Most of it is cut and dried don't you think? We are very limited as far as destination and it makes little difference what our record is. It also appears that our potential opponents are limited as well. Just a bit of a downer

[EastHallApp]

Maybe we should wait until the actual bowl pairings are announced to start whining about them?

I don't think we are whining. Most of it is cut and dried don't you think? We are very limited as far as destination and it makes little difference what our record is. It also appears that our potential opponents are limited as well. Just a bit of a downer

Bad choice of words, I rewrote but too late.

The bowl tie-ins are what they are. They haven't changed since we joined the league, except that we've added some. There are at least four we could feasibly go to in a given year, so not the same one every year. Who cares if two teams are from the same state? If we drew Boise would people complain because we already played Idaho? I can see how people might get tired of it if we've been going to the same two bowls every year for the next decade, but considering we've been to exactly one bowl game ever, I'm just surprised people are already tired of it.

[mountaineeryosef]

Most prognosticators have Idaho slated for the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl in Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona on Dec. 30.

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

Maybe we should wait until the actual bowl pairings are announced to start whining about them?

I don't think we are whining. Most of it is cut and dried don't you think? We are very limited as far as destination and it makes little difference what our record is. It also appears that our potential opponents are limited as well. Just a bit of a downer

Bad choice of words, I rewrote but too late.

The bowl tie-ins are what they are. They haven't changed since we joined the league, except that we've added some. There are at least four we could feasibly go to in a given year, so not the same one every year. Who cares if two teams are from the same state? If we drew Boise would people complain because we already played Idaho? I can see how people might get tired of it if we've been going to the same two bowls every year for the next decade, but considering we've been to exactly one bowl game ever, I'm just surprised people are already tired of it.

For some, I think the expectation was that with bowl games comes opportunities to play other great schools. Playing a 6-6 team is not their idea of another great team. Nothing is finalized so as you mentioned we should just wait. Not saying I agree with those expectations, but that might explain some of the displeasure.

[wncapp78]

Montgomery is a very drivable trip for Boone, CLT and points west. I enjoyed the attention we received. The Stadium was ok, (needed many more concessions and beer stands). And as stated, it is on ESPN in prime time. The network carrying the Cure is not on many cable systems.

[appgrad95&97]

Maybe we should accept that we are an average FBS team. At this point going to a bowl game, any bowl game, is a BIG DEAL.

[bigdaddyg]

Maybe we should accept that we are an average FBS team. At this point going to a bowl game, any bowl game, is a BIG DEAL.

Average? Wouldn't an average team be closer to 6-6? I don't mean that as literal but if we finish up 9-3 and we were 11-2 last year I don't see that as average. The downer part is that we could probably go 7-5 and the bowl is the same. As mentioned we have probably 4 possible landing spots but not really. Geography plays a part.

[EastHallApp]

Maybe we should accept that we are an average FBS team. At this point going to a bowl game, any bowl game, is a BIG DEAL.

I think going to a bowl game in our third FBS season - let alone our second (and first time eligible) - is indeed a big deal. If you'd have told me in March 2013 that our first three seasons would be 7-5, 11-2 and potentially 9-3, I'd have thought you were crazy. At the same time, with success comes higher expectations. We all want to see the program keep growing, which is fine.

I think the big issue is that a lot of fans are still coming to understand how the bowl system - specifically tie-ins - works. Most of the frustration I see comes when fans realize that unless we make the NY6, we're going to one of the same few games every year and playing another G5 team. People seemed to think that if we go 12-0 we play on New Year's, and if we go 6-6 we play in one of the smallest bowls, but if we go 10-2 then we play somewhere in the middle. And unfortunately that middle tier just isn't an option for the Sun Belt right now.

Good news is, just since we joined, the Sun Belt has gone from two bowls to five. So these things aren't static over time. And if the league improves, so will its bowl tie-ins. Just have to be a little patient.

[EastHallApp]

I'd add that being an "average" FBS team by this stage is also a pretty awesome accomplishment. That means we've surpassed essentially half of FBS in just a couple years, despite most of those teams having been at this level for decades and having more resources than us. That's pretty incredible when you think about it.

[appgrad95&97]

Maybe we should accept that we are an average FBS team. At this point going to a bowl game, any bowl game, is a BIG DEAL.

Average? Wouldn't an average team be closer to 6-6? I don't mean that as literal but if we finish up 9-3 and we were 11-2 last year I don't see that as average. The downer part is that we could probably go 7-5 and the bowl is the same. As mentioned we have probably 4 possible landing spots but not really. Geography plays a part.

Chances are good that South Carolina will go 6-6, I cannot find more than four wins on there schedule. If you're honest can you? Average. ESPN's FPI has us 61; we're average.

[appgrad95&97]

I'd add that being an "average" FBS team by this stage is also a pretty awesome accomplishment. That means we've surpassed essentially half of FBS in just a couple years, despite most of those teams having been at this level for decades and having more resources than us. That's pretty incredible when you think about it.

That's the point I'm trying to make. We need to stay in our lane and not act like we're that much better than we are at this stage.

[bigdaddyg]

Maybe we should accept that we are an average FBS team. At this point going to a bowl game, any bowl game, is a BIG DEAL.

Average? Wouldn't an average team be closer to 6-6? I don't mean that as literal but if we finish up 9-3 and we were 11-2 last year I don't see that as average. The downer part is that we could probably go 7-5 and the bowl is the same. As mentioned we have probably 4 possible landing spots but not really. Geography plays a part.

Chances are good that South Carolina will go 6-6, I cannot find more than four wins on there schedule. If you're honest can you? Average. ESPN's FPI has us 61; we're average.

So since one of the many rankings has us at 61 and that puts roughly halfway among the entire slate of FBS teams we are average? If that's the case #64 is exactly in the middle? If so we would be slightly above average. Other rankings have is in the 50's or maybe high 40's. All perception in my opinion. I am realistic and don't think we are a top 25 by any means but I would say we are an above average G5 program which is right in our lane.