The bowl picture
Thoughts on the still-muddled bowl picture for the Terps:
It's symptomatic of Atlantic Coast Conference parity that the Terps were near a berth in the ACC title game several weeks ago -- and now they await word on a POSSIBLE spot in the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho.
With all those ACC teams bunched up in the standings, it sure was easy to drop from near the top to near the bottom in the course of a few games (and by "games," I mean "losses"). The Humanitarian Bowl gets the eighth pick of ACC teams.
Here's the deal: The Terps aren't the Humanitarian Bowl's first choice. First choice would be Ball State, and why not? How many bowl games have the opportunity to pit undefeated teams? A Boise State-Ball State matchup would look mighty good to the Humanitarian Bowl folks, so long as Ball State remains undefeated by winning the Mid-American Conference title game on Friday night.
But Boise State-Ball State is far from a done deal. Ball State is bound to have concerns about playing on Boise State's home field. And Boise State has some interest in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego. If Boise State bows out, by the way, then it's likely Nevada would take its place ... and possibly play Maryland.
And what happens to the Terps if Ball State ends up playing in Boise? Maryland then likely gets an at-large bid to another game. It could well be the Motor City Bowl in Detroit. At this point, the Terps will take what they can get. They need a dance partner.
By the way, Navy still needs an opponent for the EagleBank Bowl on Dec. 20 at Washington's RFK Stadium. The Terps aren't a candidate because the game conflicts with final exams. Late word is that N.C. State, with a 6-6 conference mark, won't be coming to Washington either, and will have to seek an at-large bid. The Wolfpack is the odd school out --- the 10th ACC team in a conference with nine bowl tie-ins.
So who does that leave to play Navy? Well, Wake Forest already played Navy once this season. Navy says there's stipulation with the bowl that the Midshipmen would not play a team they had faced already. Could that be waived? We'll see.
Comments
The Terps blew their opportunity for a big-time bowl game...no doubt. But the fact that among all the .500 type ACC teams, one that actually beat I believe at least 4 ranked teams during the season is down to the 8th pick among bowls is a prime example of the ridiculousness of the current bowl system.
Posted by: ryan | December 3, 2008 8:52 AM
Finishing season losing 3 of last 4 (even if two of those losses are to the ACC division champions) didn't help any. Bowls like the trend line going up at year end rather than a weak finish. Terps were 6-2 with 4 to go...ahhh, what could have been....
Posted by: TerpsFan | December 3, 2008 11:39 AM
Doesn't matter if MD finished 5-3. Clemson is going to the Gator Bowl over FSU and the loser of the conference Championship game. It's all about money.
Posted by: Doug | December 3, 2008 12:55 PM
How can MD be the 8th team when they beat Clemson and WF? They should be no less than 7th with their overall record and no less than 6th with their ACC record.. Which bowl does the 7th rated ACC school go to?
Posted by: Rich the Terp | December 3, 2008 1:00 PM
So if the Humanitarian Bowl as a tie-in with the ACC, how can Boise State play against Ball State. Is the tie-in more a guideline then a rule?
Or are the Terps just being shoved down the "Roady?"
Posted by: Furzyweb | December 3, 2008 1:59 PM
I absolutely see the Humanitarian Bowl trying to get Ball St vs. Boise St. Two unbeaten teams is a great matchup for a lower level bowl game and quite frankly, probably makes it more enticing for the players to be up against another unbeaten. A 12-0 team is not going to be too excited about playing a 7-5 team. If the Ball St. thing works out, the bowl would have to work with the ACC to find another bowl for the ACC team (presumbably Maryland) to play in. That's the only way the ACC would let the tie-in go.
Personally, I hate all these bowl tie-ins. If we have to have the BCS for the time being to match up 1 vs. 2 in a mythical championship game until rational thinking leads to a playoff so be it. But after 1 vs. 2 it would be great if it was like the old days when AD's and coaches would get on the phone and work deals with the various bowls. It's boring knowing you'll always see an SEC, or a Big East team, etc. in one of the lesser bowls. Having it wide open could provide plenty of matchups that you normally wouldn't see. Yes, there are some historical bowl matchups, i.e. the Rose Bowl, but for the most part it was "let's make a deal". I miss those days.
And finally, if the Terps do go to Boise, seriously think about going if you can. I travel there often for work and granted, it can get darn cold but it's a very cool city with lots of neat things to do.
Posted by: WesternMDTerp | December 3, 2008 4:25 PM
Jeff, how is it Maryland's not an option for the DC Bowl but other ACC schools are? As long as you're on a semester schedule (I'm assuming all are), exam week is the same time give or take a few days. Besides, academic considerations never stopped the basketball team.
Posted by: cjterps98 | December 3, 2008 8:33 PM
cjterps, I'm not sure thats a fair comment on acedemics. Maryland's National ranking has risen considerably since John Toll's administration in the 80's.
US News and World report rankings for ACC schools (pulled from combined Public & Private University list)
Duke 8th
Virginia 23rd
Wake 28th
UNC 30th
BC 34th
GT 35th
Miami 51st
Maryland 53rd
Clemson 61st
Va Tech 71st
NC State 83rd
FL State 102nd
Now after looking at this list, which school has won the ACC football crown 12 of last 17 years?
You guessed it FSU!!!
Who won their first ACC game in 4 or 5 years this season...the Dukies!!
It might be a coincidence but at least in football do you see a correlation?
Posted by: Terpsfan | December 4, 2008 8:45 AM
cjterps - actually, the basketball team does take a break in their schedule to allow for finals. They have a ten day break between games on 12/12 and 12/22. The women's team doesn't have any games between 12/9 and 12/21. Exam weeks can easily vary by a week or more from school to school, depending in part on when their semester starts.
Posted by: Jack | December 4, 2008 12:53 PM
Maybe things would be different if Maryland could've beated Middle TN ST
Posted by: jason c in south florida | December 6, 2008 7:56 PM