MOAR CHAOS! 2 Navy wins = mass bowl paralysis!

Submitted by superstringer on

Yet more reason to laugh at the unique -- should I say ridiculous? -- nature of college football.  If Navy is in the running to be the top Group of 5 champion... look out, it creates a domino effect of who-goes-to-what bowl, and no one can know for a couple weeks!

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/18171618/navy-midshipme…

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OwenGoBlue

November 30th, 2016 at 5:14 PM ^

The PJ Fleck mob will be all over this but of course the Cotton Bowl would prefer Navy. Proven bowl travellers plus better ratings plus pretending to support the troops.

The Cotton Bowl organizers really can't do worse than Western in terms of filling their pockets. It's a nightmare to them. 

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OwenGoBlue

November 30th, 2016 at 5:43 PM ^

Perhaps (and that's not a given), but there aren't many of them. Even fewer still have Western as their #1 team; how many Western fans would prioritize the Michigan bowl game? 

The MAC also has a history of poor bowl attendance to contend with. 

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raleighwood

November 30th, 2016 at 5:51 PM ^

I'm a Western grad and can confirm that I'm MUCH more interested in Michigan's bowl scenario at this point.

I was talking to two WMU friends a couple of weeks ago (we're all in our early 50's) and one of them suggested going to the Cotton Bowl. The other guy and I were hedging to see where Michigan goes. In fact, he already has a flight and hotel for Tampa....just in case Michigan gets that far.

I'll be watching the Broncos on Friday night....but I'm much more emotionally invested in the Wolverines.

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rob f

November 30th, 2016 at 6:13 PM ^

by how many WMU fans and alums will travel if the Broncos go to the Cotton Bowl. I know it's hard to gauge from this piece of evidence, but apparently Ford Field had to open up additional upper bowl seats for Friday's MACionship game when demand yesterday got them very close to a sellout of the originally offered allotment of lower-bowl seats. I got this from a friend who has relatives in the Lions ticket department AND from another friend who has Lions season tickets; he contacted his Lions ticket rep who tipped him off yesterday morning right before the additional tickets were finally going to be offered on the ticket website. He ended up with 6 club seats on the 2nd level at the 40 yard line---and that's where I'll be seated Friday night!

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OwenGoBlue

November 30th, 2016 at 6:58 PM ^

Nice seats! I admittedly don't know how well Western will travel but neither does the bowl committee. But they do know Navy travels well and draws significant unique viewership. That's my point - not trying to throw a very deserving team or its fans under the bus on this.

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Billy Seamonster

November 30th, 2016 at 7:43 PM ^

I would compare this to the Final Four in Atlanta Michigan went to. I was there and there were A LOT of Witchita St fans (who you wouldn't say moves the needle). They were also really nice people. As long as WMU sells their seats, I doubt the Cotton Bowl coordinators care too much except obviously they want higher ratings. I'm not sure id watch Navy over WMU in it though.

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rob f

November 30th, 2016 at 11:23 PM ^

to the rule, though. The fact that WMU is undefeated and that PJ Fleck is not only high-energy but also THE hottest coaching prospect out there makes for a lot more interest among college football fans. Who won't want to see what all the commotion is all about? WMU plays a very entertaining kind of game, lots of offense and points. And WR Cory Davis is the real deal, too. I'm just not so sure their defense can hold up vs an above average Power 5 offense, though.

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Erik_in_Dayton

November 30th, 2016 at 5:48 PM ^

Does anyone know why the Army-Navy rivalry has become so one-sided?  Has it mostly been coaching?  I guess is that the emphasis on football and caliber of athletes available are pretty much equal between the programs.

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umbig11

November 30th, 2016 at 5:58 PM ^

War! It has been documented that Army has had a tougher time recruiting during this period. Navy has taken advantage of it and coaching is certainly a major factor. I will dig up the article for you and post it. Part iii talks about it a little bit. http://www.underdogdynasty.com/2015/8/19/9126763/why-army-has-struggled… http://www.underdogdynasty.com/2015/8/17/9091661/why-army-struggled-nav… http://www.underdogdynasty.com/2015/8/20/9126781/why-army-has-struggled…

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MGoCadet-Vicar…

November 30th, 2016 at 6:03 PM ^

It is easier to recruit at Navy for a few reasons. Not having to go into the Army after graduation is a big one. As a guy from my high school who went on to play at Navy told me when I told him I was going to West Point, "wow dude. People die in the Army." Annapolis is also a great town and the area loves the team, Highland Falls NY is a decidely not great town. Football players at Navy also have some perks like living in their own quarters, here the football players live in the barracks with the rest of us. The next biggest factor I think is coaching, Niumatalolo is better than anyone Army has had in a long time. And finally I think there is a self-perpetuating factor, if you're a good high school player interested in the academies, why not go to the one that has the most success if you can. That being said Go Army Beat Navy

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