LATEST BOWL PROJECTIONS - ESPN

[EastHallApp]

I think we're a well-above-average G5 team (I ranked us #5 at the end of last year, and just outside the top 10 so far this year) and a roughly average FBS. Which, again, is pretty impressive for year 3.

[Goapps15]

Honestly the biggest issue most have with Montgomery is how bad the Mac is. It's arguably top to bottom been worse than the Sun Belt. Mobile would give you at least Toledo.

Another issue is the name of the opponent. It also doesn't help that Ohio (we played last year). Miami (OH) was 0-6 at one point this year. Eastern Michigan doesn't bring more than 5000 fans to home games. Central Michigan could be 6-6 too.

When you play these games vs similar conferences you want to matchup with good teams. That being said I'll be there regardless. Just some points to make on Montgomery.

[appgrad95&97]

This season was set up for us. IF we had won the Tennessee game AND the Miami game AND didn't blow it against Troy, we would be the top ranked G5 team on our way to a New Year's Day bowl. That didn't happen. We're not that good. We're also not too good to go back to Montgomery. Let's be honest about how this season played out and where we are. Bowl game bitches!

[wncapp78]

I weighed in, with my personal preference Montgomery. But I've been around long enough to remember 1975 and our near miss of a bowl after beating South Carolina, East Carolina and Wake Forest (and attended all three of those games). After waiting almost 40 years for our next bowl, its any bowl any where anytime, and I'll be there.

[EastHallApp]

I'd prefer not to play a 6-6 team too, so I get that. But really, if our bowl opponent isn't a) ranked, b) P5, or c) a G5 with some kind of name recognition or rivalry significance (e.g., Marshall or ECU), I mainly just want to play whoever we have the best chance to beat.

Ultimately it's not going to make a difference whether we beat Miami (OH) or Toledo or Southern Miss or Tulsa. The important thing is that we get that trophy for the case.

[bigdaddyg]

For what it's worth we are one of 44 FBS teams currently with at least 7 wins. Above average!

[Appalachman]

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.co ... ty-waiver/
POor Idaho!

[EastHallApp]

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.co ... ty-waiver/
POor Idaho!

Why poor Idaho? They'll be going to the Arizona Bowl regardless.

[diehardapp18]

I honestly think we are going to the Cure Bowl

My preciction:

Nola: Troy/Arkansas State
Mobile: Troy/Arkansas State
Arizona: Idaho
Montgomery: sobama
Cure: Us

Would leave us playing probably UCF or Tulsa.... I'd be fine with this....

[SayYesToTheRock]

My vote is for the Cure Bowl.

National coverage isn't as important to me. What I want is to beat an opponent people have actually heard of. UCF and Tulsa would be great matchups.

[diehardapp18]

My vote is for the Cure Bowl.

National coverage isn't as important to me. What I want is to beat an opponent people have actually heard of. UCF and Tulsa would be great matchups.

I'd prefer UCF. I honestly think Tulsa would beat us pretty good. They've only lost three games all year... all three to top 25 teams. Lost to Houston and Navy by a combined 10 points. And they've been hitting their stride recently, they're very good. But of course, if you play them and beat them that is easily our biggest win since joining the FBS. I think they'll end up somewhere else though. UCF to the Cure just makes too much sense, and they'll probably end up 6-6

[hapapp]

I would think that the waiver would still put them behind any teams who gain bowl eligibility on the field of play. If true, could Montgomery chose them over us?

[appst89]

I would think that the waiver would still put them behind any teams who gain bowl eligibility on the field of play. If true, could Montgomery chose them over us?

Pretty sure that waiver puts them on a level plane with teams who earned it on the field. I don't believe it is the same as the waiver for 5-7 teams.

[hapapp]

Of course, win their last two and it's a moot point.

[Gonzo]

I'm all in on Orlando. I can't go if it's on the 23rd, AAC opponent > MAC opponent, and Orlando > Mobile destination wise.

[bigdaddyg]

Bowl opponent is almost a no win situation. If we get a "name" opponent who is 6-6 or 7-5 and beats us it looks bad. If we get one of those teams and beat them some folks say it's because they were down. I would rather get a Tulsa. Gotta beat the man!

[EastHallApp]

My vote is for the Cure Bowl.

National coverage isn't as important to me. What I want is to beat an opponent people have actually heard of. UCF and Tulsa would be great matchups.

I'd prefer UCF. I honestly think Tulsa would beat us pretty good. They've only lost three games all year... all three to top 25 teams. Lost to Houston and Navy by a combined 10 points. And they've been hitting their stride recently, they're very good. But of course, if you play them and beat them that is easily our biggest win since joining the FBS. I think they'll end up somewhere else though. UCF to the Cure just makes too much sense, and they'll probably end up 6-6

For one thing, we shouldn't assume that the Cure will actually feature an AAC opponent. Remember last year Ga. State played a 5-7 San Jose State team. AAC will probably fall one short of filling all its tie-ins this year, though perhaps UCF would go to the Cure Bowl since it's local for them. (I don't particularly fancy playing a de facto road game for our bowl.)

I also think you guys might be overestimating the name recognition of UCF and especially Tulsa a bit. They're a good team, but I don't think beating them would be any more impressive than blowing out GS last year or ULL the year before.

Bottom line is, unless we somehow draw Western Michigan, none of the teams we play are going to move the needle nationally. It would be nice to get a win against the AAC since that's the only G5 conference we haven't played/beaten, but don't expect anyone outside our fan base to stand up and take notice if it happens, especially with no ESPN coverage to hype it.

[WVAPPeer]

Nationally, playing Western Michigan would be a big game and Toledo has a good team - Honestly, anyone else we could play/may play/likely play just will not create any interest whatsoever outside of our fan base --- Toledo and WM play this week and the winner would go to the championship game the best I can figure - it is between Ohio U and Miami U on the other side --- other than those 4 there is nothing else of any interest in the MAC and most fans could care less once we get past WM and possibly Toledo --- I see nothing in AAC possibilities that would generate any interest - Tulsa is good and should have beaten VT in last years bowl but no one thinks of Tulsa as a good football school --- We are where we are, I think, beyond WM, I am hoping for an ESPN game in a place where more of our fans will have a chance to go against a team that has a decent record ---

[JTApps1]

I honestly think we are going to the Cure Bowl

My preciction:

Nola: Troy/Arkansas State
Mobile: Troy/Arkansas State
Arizona: Idaho
Montgomery: sobama
Cure: Us

Would leave us playing probably UCF or Tulsa.... I'd be fine with this....

If USA gets their 6th win I think you are right on track, and I'd be perfectly happy with that this year looking at who the MAC may put in Montgomery. With WMU in line for the Cotton Bowl we're likely looking at Miami, CMU, or EMU there. I'll take UCF or Tulsa all day in that scenario.

[appbio91]

Hoping for another Troy loss at GaSo and ULL to step up and take out stAte. Unlikely, but still holding out. This would open up some more possibilities. Really don't want Orlando. Mobile or Montgomery assuming NO is out.