Temple could try to get to D.C. the long way

Is Temple headed to the Eagle Bank Bowl through Toronto?
It’s not a straight shot down I-95, but the long way could be the only way for Temple to get what to many of its fans is the more preferable bowl venue.
Right now, it looks as if the only way Temple gets a slot in the Eagle Bank Bowl in Washington, D.C. is if the Owls take Army’s slot.
That leaves them holding the bag without a bowl if Army pulls off the improbable upset of Navy on Dec. 12 _ one week after bowl bids are officially extended.
After 30 years of going without a bowl bid, Temple is just not willing to take that chance so that’s why many are speculating that the Owls will be going to Canada to take the MAC’s spot in the International Bowl.
There is a roundabout way of getting to D.C., though.
Something tells me it makes a whole lot of sense for Temple athletic director Bill Bradshaw to be working on a three-way deal with either Northern Illinois or Bowling Green, getting one of those seven-win teams to accept the risk for a nine-win team.
Bradshaw is getting on a conference call with Mid-American honchos today at 3:30 p.m.
The subject on the table is bowl scenarios.
Bradshaw (to either Northern Illinois or Bowling Green): “Work with us, here.”
NIU/BG: “How?”
“One of you go to Toronto if Navy wins (lead-pipe cinch) and we go to D.C. However, if Navy loses, one of you is out and we’ll go to Toronto. Who wants in on this with us?”
It’s a win/win for everbody because Navy isn’t losing, folks.
Temple gets an attractive foe, possibly East Carolina in a best-case scenario, and brings a large fan base to D.C.
Northern Illinois or Bowling Green gets the shorter trip to Canada and assumes only a slight risk.
When the bids are announced, they’ll be announced on an either/or basis.
If Bradshaw pulls this off, he’s a genius.
We’ll see.
Let the dialing begin.

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7 thoughts on “Temple could try to get to D.C. the long way

  1. Sorry but I think you are deluding yourself. Army is not as bad as you let on and Navy is not as good as folks take them for. The downside of this deal way overshadows the upside. Upside: Save 1 hour driving if you're BG or 15$ flying if you're NIU.The international bowl is *slightly* closer to Bowling Green7.5 hours from BG to DC6 hours from BG to Toronto (plus you need to cross an international Border)And NIU is flying either way (its about the same price to either location) The Down Side: Besides the fact that the payoff for the IBowl is based mostly on ticket sales (Buffalo is the only MAC team ever to do very well selling tickets to the I-Bowl) you run the risk, however minimal you think it is, of going to no Bowl at all.Army could very well beat navy (I give them a 1/10 shot). Any AD who took that 'deal' and ended up without a Bowl because Army pulls an upset would be looking for a new job.As a Temple fan put on an NIU or Bowling Green hat, would you want the Owl's to risk no Bowl this year to make another MAC team happy?

  2. Hmm.Navy beats Rice, 63-13.Beats NDArmy:Almost loses to VMI (2-9 in FCS play).If Army gets to within 21 points (let alone wins), it's a HUGE upset.I would take the risk if I was Temple, let alone NIU or BG.But I'm a gambler. I don't think BB is …

  3. How much better is the IBowl (for Bowling Green, than DC?

  4. If Army loses to Navy, their spot goes to the C-USA (Marshall) by contract. The at-large spot in the Eagle Bank Bowl is the ACC's, which has only 7 BE teams for 9 spots. The musical chairs game for MAC-bound bowl teams (and, yes, all five WILL get a bowl), involves the three spots guaranteed to the MAC in Detroit, Mobile and Toronto, plus an at-large spot in the Eagle Bank Bowl and an at-large spot in the Humanitarian Bowl (likely against Idado). Idaho already beat NIU during the regular season, so it makes sense to send BGSU to that game. GMAC has first pick of the MAC teams; so it will probably take CMU. That leaves spots in Detroit, Toronto and DC for Ohio, Temple and NIU. By the way, the at-large spots in Detroit (unfilled by the Big Ten) and Mobile (unfilled by the ACC) will go to a Sun Belt team (Troy or MTSU) and one of th remaining 6-6 teams (UCLA, ND, UL Monroe, UL Lafayette). Of course, if Hawaii beats Wisconsin, they'll get the Hawaii Bowl and a WAC team (probably Nevada or Fresno) would take the final remaining at-large spot in Detroit or Mobile.

  5. much better. Karl Smith wants to leave the country and this is his perfect opportunity. Plus, Freddie Barnes setting the record on ESPN2 would be good for him.As far as the Army bid going to CUSA, then why did Bradshaw say on the radio that Temple would have to have Army lose in order to get invited to D.C.? It's my understanding that could be an at-large vs. an at-large, so no MAC teams could be involved.

  6. I think I understand what Mark is saying. The MAC (Be it Temple/NIU/BG) could take the At Large we know about (left Vacant by the ACC) and they would potentially face either Army or Marshall.Under This scenario the MAC At Larges are going to get into a bowl (because they are all 7-5 and their is are at least one or two 6-6's making a Bowl). The only thing that need be secured is a guarantee that the MAC gets the ACC's open spot (which is a sure thing with a 9-3 team like Temple Versus an almost for certain with a 7-5 team like NIU/BG).

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