BALL STATE CARDINALS
12-0, 8-0 MACWith Wednesday's announcement that Ball State University would not play Boise State in the Humanitarian Bowl, it looks like the chances of the Cardinals playing in a high-profile bowl have disappeared. Athletics director Tom Collins said Ball State is committed to the MAC's three affiliated bowls - the Motor City Bowl, International Bowl and GMAC Bowl. Ken Hoffman, who is the director of the Motor City Bowl, which has the first selection of MAC teams among the three bowls, said the Motor City Bowl would love to have the Cardinals. Ball State has to be released by the BCS before it can announce its bowl destination, but don't expect to see the Cardinals playing in one of the five BCS bowls.
Prediction: Motor City Bowl vs. North Carolina State
BUFFALO BULLS
7-5, 5-3 MACIt appears Buffalo will play in its first bowl game this season - 50 years after it turned down its only bowl invitation in 102 years. In 1958 Buffalo declined an invitation to play Florida State in the Tangerine Bowl, because the Orlando High School Athletic Association would not allow its two black players to compete in the game. The Bulls are now the champions of the MAC East and playing Ball State for the conference championship. Win or lose, Buffalo is likely heading to one of the three bowls affiliated with the MAC. A trip north of the border to Toronto, which is not far from Buffalo, is a strong possibility.
Prediction: International Bowl vs. Connecticut
CENTRAL MICHIGAN
8-4, 6-2 MACAfter winning the MAC the past two seasons and playing in the Motor City Bowl, it looks like the Chippewas will leave Michigan for their postseason game this season. Although Western Michigan beat Central Michigan and has a better record, the Chippewas are an intriguing team for one of the MAC's three bowls. Two of their four losses came to ranked teams, including a loss to then-No. 2 Georgia. Central Michigan is led by quarterback Dan LeFevour, who along with former Texas quarterback Vince Young, is one of two players in NCAA history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in the same season.
Prediction: GMAC Bowl vs. East Carolina
WESTERN MICHIGAN
9-3, 6-2 MACEven though Western Michigan only finished behind Ball State in the MAC West, it might not be enough for the Broncos to earn a spot in one of the MAC's three bowls. The bowls are not required to take teams based on their records, meaning Western Michigan could be bypassed for a team it beat earlier this season, Central Michigan. Things are not bleak for the Broncos, though, as their nine wins will likely get them an invitation to another bowl game. Louisiana Tech has already accepted an invitation to the Independence Bowl and could be a potential opponent for the Broncos.
Prediction: Independence Bowl vs. Louisiana Tech
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
6-6,5-3 MACAt 6-6, Northern Illinois will not get one of the MAC's three automatic bowl invitations because bowls are obligated to take teams with winning records first. The Huskies still have the possibility of playing in a bowl game through an at-large invitation, which is created when conferences cannot provide enough teams for their affiliated bowls. Five of their six losses this season have come to teams with winning records - the other was to 5-7 Tennessee. FoxSports.com has projected Northern Illinois to play in the Hawaii Bowl ,but most national outlets do not think the Huskies will make a bowl.
Prediction: No bowl game
BOWLING GREEN
6-6, 4-4 MACDespite leading Bowling Green to a 44-30 overall record, a 31-17 MAC record and three bowl games in his six years with the team, Gregg Brandon will not return to the Falcons after he was fired by the university last week. His former team is still bowl eligible but could have a hard time getting an invitation to a postseason game with its .500 record. Bowling Green started the year with a win against then-No. 25 Pittsburgh but only finished 4-4 in MAC play. The Falcons' record in a conference that has had its toughness questioned nationally will likely prevent them from playing again this season.
Prediction: No bowl game
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