In non-BCS bowl watch action, UConn collapsed in the 2nd half while Pitt steamrolled USF to notch the final bowl eligible mark to 72 teams. While we all assume that CMU and their weak schedule will be sitting at home, the speculation now begins as who is the magical #2 that sits back.
We look at all of the other 6 bowl eligible teams in the MAC and guess where they are going.
NIU Huskies (12-1, MAC Champions)
Prediction: Pizza Bowl. I do believe they will be snubbed and finish right at #17 or possibly #18. The computers don't favor the MAC teams, and it appears NIU didn't jump enough (and didn't get enough help) to move into #16. Plus, voters now know Dave Doreen is out at NIU at head coach. 2 points away from a perfect season, 12 game winning streak, and NIU will probably play a weak team in Detroit. But who knows? Maybe they draw San Jose State, a team that lost to Stanford by only 3 to start their season!
Kent State (11-2, MAC East Champions)
Prediction: Potato Bowl. I have a hunch that the GoDaddy Bowl goes with a different team at #2, but we shall see. The MAC runners-up will still make a bowl, but with Detroit out of the running, anything else is just "meh". However, for a team that hasn't gone bowling since the 1970's, a bowl will be well welcomed!
Ball State (9-3, 2 wins over BCS teams)
Prediction: GoDaddy Bowl. Yep, the high flying Ball State team looks like they might get the GoDaddy bid. Not sure why, but they might have the better appeal. Plus, they put up offense and play in the MAC West, which helps with SOS. Remember, these are only predictions.
Toledo (9-3, beat Cincy and almost beat Arizona)
Prediction: Military Bowl. While the two losses to Ball St and NIU hurt, Toledo still has an impressive resume. They have a good offense and a decent defense. They should be fine enough to earn the new Military Bowl bid.
BGSU (8-4, 7-1 in their last 8 games + 9th in scoring defense)
Prediction: BBVA Compass. This would be vs an SEC team, and the Falcons have already faced one. In fact, they hung with the now #3 Florida Gators well in their first game of the season. Let's see what that defense can do against an SEC team.
Ohio (8-4, beat Penn State + started 7-0)
Prediction: Liberty Bowl. That's right, the Bobcats just sneak in ahead of Western Kentucky. They have a better win, a better schedule, play in a better conference, and have more attention than the Hilltoppers. Both teams are 2-6 in their 2nd half of the schedule, so neither gets a "momentum edge"