What if Western Michigan is bypassed?

[wncapp78]

Is there any scenario we might end up playing Western Michigan?
https://www.facebook.com/ESPN/posts/1449755335071218

[Saint3333]

If WMU wins it shouldn't matter, 13-0, two big ten wins (yes neither were good), and no conference team played with two TDs of them all year.

Look for WMU to run up the score if they get the chance.

[EastHallApp]

If WMU wins it shouldn't matter, 13-0, two big ten wins (yes neither were good), and no conference team played with two TDs of them all year.

Look for WMU to run up the score if they get the chance.

Maybe, but it sounds like it will matter. If the CFP were planning on picking them over Navy, why would they already be planning to delay the rankings if Navy wins?

It's certainly possible we could play WMU. Simplest way would be to catch them in Mobile or (less likely) Montgomery. Theoretically we could play them in a non-tie-in bowl, but I'm not sure I see them going to all this trouble to get out of their primary tie-ins just to play someone from the Sun Belt.

[wncapp78]

If WMU wins, gets by-passed for NY6 game, wouldn't NO Bowl pick them? And if so, who of the (assumed) Tri Champs from SB?

[Saint3333]

The NO bowl has SBC/CUSA ties, DG and Camellia SBC/MAC ties. If WMU doesn't get Cotton they'all go to DG and I think Troy is going DG no matter what happens Saturday.

[EastHallApp]

The NO bowl has SBC/CUSA ties, DG and Camellia SBC/MAC ties. If WMU doesn't get Cotton they'all go to DG and I think Troy is going DG no matter what happens Saturday.

Don't know if you've seen the other thread(s) but reportedly WMU/ESPN are in negotiations to try and get them somewhere besides the MAC tie-ins if they don't get the Cotton Bowl.

[AppSt94]

This could get ugly in terms of attendance to games.

[hotrod2001]

I'd think being ranked #13 and being undefeated would trump whatever Navy is able to accomplish.

[EastHallApp]

I'd think being ranked #13 and being undefeated would trump whatever Navy is able to accomplish.

Remember, the only rankings that matter are the CFP, and they have been consistently lower on WMU than the AP/coaches polls. WMU is #17 in that one, just two spots ahead of Navy.

And also remember: This is the CFP we're talking about. If at all possible, they're going to pick the team that will bring more TV viewers. I have to think logistical nightmare aside, they see Navy as a more compelling TV draw (and gate draw) than Western Michigan.

[hotrod2001]

I'd think being ranked #13 and being undefeated would trump whatever Navy is able to accomplish.

Remember, the only rankings that matter are the CFP, and they have been consistently lower on WMU than the AP/coaches polls. WMU is #17 in that one, just two spots ahead of Navy.

And also remember: This is the CFP we're talking about. If at all possible, they're going to pick the team that will bring more TV viewers. I have to think logistical nightmare aside, they see Navy as a more compelling TV draw (and gate draw) than Western Michigan.

Maybe, part of me thinks TV only cares about Navy when it comes to the Army Navy game. Heck, they didn't even bother to give Keenan Reynolds a look for the Heisman.

[Goapps15]

I'd think being ranked #13 and being undefeated would trump whatever Navy is able to accomplish.

Remember, the only rankings that matter are the CFP, and they have been consistently lower on WMU than the AP/coaches polls. WMU is #17 in that one, just two spots ahead of Navy.

And also remember: This is the CFP we're talking about. If at all possible, they're going to pick the team that will bring more TV viewers. I have to think logistical nightmare aside, they see Navy as a more compelling TV draw (and gate draw) than Western Michigan.

The committee is desperately trying to avoid another Northern Illinois scenario. They got hammered by FSU and Doeren had already left for NC State. The last thing they want is a blowout with an interim staff. Fair or not it is part of it.

[WVAPPeer]

"Don't know if you've seen the other thread(s) but reportedly WMU/ESPN are in negotiations to try and get them somewhere besides the MAC tie-ins if they don't get the Cotton Bowl."

HERE IT IS AGAIN ---

From CBS sports ---
If Western Michigan isn't selected for the automatic berth in the Cotton Bowl, negotiations are ongoing that would make the Broncos available to potentially half of the 34 remaining bowls below the New Year's Six level.

An undefeated Western Michigan is viewed as such a good story with hot coach P.J. Fleck that it could possibly be placed in a bowl beyond the Mid-American Conference's seven bowl partners.

The possibilities include 12 bowls owned and operated by ESPN Events. Two of those bowls -- Bahamas and Famous Idaho Potato -- are already MAC partners. The Bahamas Bowl has already agreed to terms with Eastern Michigan and Old Dominion.

The ESPN-run bowl possibilities for Western Michigan include the Armed Forces, Birmingham, Boca Raton, Camellia, Celebration, Hawaii, Heart of Dallas, Las Vegas, New Mexico and St. Petersburg.

A source told CBS Sports that talks are ongoing regarding that wide array of bowls to arrange the best matchup and time slot for the Broncos if they end the season undefeated.

There is concern within the MAC that an undefeated Western Michigan will be beaten out by a would-be 10-2 Navy for the Cotton Bowl berth, which automatically goes to the highest-ranked Group of Five conference champion.

"We continue to believe Western Michigan controls their destiny," MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said.

The Broncos (12-0) are currently the highest-ranked Group of Five team. Its advantage over Navy, the next highest-ranked such team, shrank in Tuesday's College Football Playoff Rankings.

[hotrod2001]

I'd think being ranked #13 and being undefeated would trump whatever Navy is able to accomplish.

Remember, the only rankings that matter are the CFP, and they have been consistently lower on WMU than the AP/coaches polls. WMU is #17 in that one, just two spots ahead of Navy.

And also remember: This is the CFP we're talking about. If at all possible, they're going to pick the team that will bring more TV viewers. I have to think logistical nightmare aside, they see Navy as a more compelling TV draw (and gate draw) than Western Michigan.

The committee is desperately trying to avoid another Northern Illinois scenario. They got hammered by FSU and Doeren had already left for NC State. The last thing they want is a blowout with an interim staff. Fair or not it is part of it.

Yeah well the bowl committee could match up two power-5 schools and still have a blowout as much as they could have a classic regardless. If NIU's coach left them at the alter like Brian Kelly did with Cincinnati with their slaughter at the hands of Florida you can't really fault the players for that. On the other hand the Oklahoma / Boise State and Houston / Florida State games were pretty good games where the underdogs prevailed. Just look at the Notre Dame / Alabama championship game, ND looked like a Sunbelt team agasint the Tide.

[Goapps15]

I'd think being ranked #13 and being undefeated would trump whatever Navy is able to accomplish.

Remember, the only rankings that matter are the CFP, and they have been consistently lower on WMU than the AP/coaches polls. WMU is #17 in that one, just two spots ahead of Navy.

And also remember: This is the CFP we're talking about. If at all possible, they're going to pick the team that will bring more TV viewers. I have to think logistical nightmare aside, they see Navy as a more compelling TV draw (and gate draw) than Western Michigan.

The committee is desperately trying to avoid another Northern Illinois scenario. They got hammered by FSU and Doeren had already left for NC State. The last thing they want is a blowout with an interim staff. Fair or not it is part of it.

Yeah well the bowl committee could match up two power-5 schools and still have a blowout as much as they could have a classic regardless. If NIU's coach left them at the alter like Brian Kelly did with Cincinnati with their slaughter at the hands of Florida you can't really fault the players for that. On the other hand the Oklahoma / Boise State and Houston / Florida State games were pretty good games where the underdogs prevailed. Just look at the Notre Dame / Alabama championship game, ND looked like a Sunbelt team agasint the Tide.

Hotrod,

I agree with you 1000% I'm just telling you how they see it. They would be smart to put the loser in the Armed Forces Bowl. That is the bowl Navy will go to if they don't get in. Just strike a deal with WMU if they don't get the Access Bowl Slot since it is an espn sponsored bowl per WV above.

One other problem WMU is faces is the MAC has been hot garbage this year. 2 good teams and the rest have left alot to be desired.

[WVAPPeer]

Personally, and I have nothing against WMU, I would love to see Navy get the bid - those guys play for the true love of the game and love of their academy - few ever go pro and then it is after a period in the service - I always try to watch Army-Navy even though it hasn't been real competitive for some time -it is a game where every player on both teams gives everything they have --- And yes, my dad served in the Navy in the Mediterranean in WWII so I am "biased" ---

[eggers76]

I'm going to the Army-Navy game this year in Baltimore. I'm really looking forward to the game and all the pre-game pagentry.

[Saint3333]

That isn't how this works (or should work). We don't need to set a precedent that a name program like Navy gets in over an undefeated G5 program because of their tradition. The most deserving team that year gets the slot and going undefeated should get that slot vs. a team with two G5 loses.

Imagine the uproar here is App had WMU's resume and we got passed over for Navy.

[EastHallApp]

That isn't how this works (or should work). We don't need to set a precedent that a name program like Navy gets in over an undefeated G5 program because of their tradition. The most deserving team that year gets the slot and going undefeated should get that slot vs. a team with two G5 loses.

Imagine the uproar here is App had WMU's resume and we got passed over for Navy.

Not saying it's right, but I do think that's probably how it works. We all understand that money plays a big role in every other aspect of bowl selections; why should we expect it will be different here?

Been calling it for a while in my G5 Top 10 column: You could tell from the time the first CFP rankings came out that they weren't high on WMU and were looking to position another G5 team to get the bid. At first it was Boise, but now that they're eliminated, they've moved Navy in position to pass them at the last minute.

As far as precedent: Remember, the CFP was all set to take a 2-loss Boise team over an undefeated Marshall a couple years ago, before Marshall lost their regular season finale and made it easier for them.

[WVAPPeer]

Just like I told you last year Saint - APP wasn't going to the NY6 even if we had been 12-0 --- just not going to happen to "lowest tier" (not my words nor my thinking) G5 conference ---

[WVAPPeer]

I think Navy might be the better team - they beat Houston when they were ranked #6 in the nation, they beat Memphis and they beat Notre Dame right after ND beat Miami (the U not the Ohio) - WMU has beaten bottom feeder Illinois, GaSo which isn't much this year, a 6-6 Northwestern team and NC Central ---