Florida Atlantic vs Central Michigan in MC Bowl

2008 Motor City Bowl

Florida Atlantic vs. Central Michigan

The MAC gave the nation a nice ride with Ball State, but there were several other teams that had pretty good records, one being Central Michigan. Their reward is the post season, and a game near home against one of 200 different Florida teams in Division I…

(just kidding, there are only 149 division I teams in Florida)

This bowl game matches up a team from the Sun Belt vs. a team from the MAC, and on paper, this really looks like a tough game for Florida Atlantic. But for sake of argument, let’s look at the resumes of both teams:

As mentioned, the Sun Belt gives Florida Atlantic to this bowl. Consider that in the FBS (Division I), there are 11 conferences and 4 independent teams. Of those conferences, the Sun Belt is almost nationally known as the least of the FBS conferences. If there was a second weakest, it would be a nice debate between Conference USA and the MAC.

And from this Sun Belt Conference comes a 6-6 team, Florida Atlantic Owls. The started out the year against then #11 Texas, losing big (52-10). But that was to be expected.

Their first win of the season came against UAB, which is a decent win for this team against a Conference USA team. But the next four games would be quite brutal…

A shutout to Michigan State, 17-0, then a big loss to Minnesota 37-3 before a third away game loss in as many weeks to Middle Tennessee State 14-13.

Things were not looking good for the Owls, now 1-4, and all losses away. It seemed that what they needed was some “home cooking”. But that was not to be, losing to Troy at home 30-17. Now at 1-5, the season for the Florida Atlantic Owls looked bleak. Already two games down in conference, only one win, what was there left to play for?

But this is a team with resolve, and showed that in the next game…and several after that.

Turning things around, the next win was on the road, beating Western Kentucky 24-20, then beating Louisiana-Monroe 29-28. The winning continued with a victory over North Texas 46-13, and against Louisiana-Lafayette 40-29. All of a sudden things were turning around for the Owls, and were now 5-5 with 2 games remaining.

They would split games, losing to Arkansas State before winning in overtime against Florida International 57-50. But it was enough, they were going bowling. Six teams on the schedule will be in bowls, and the Owls went 1-5 against them.

So what of Central Michigan?

An 8-4 team out of the MAC, this team faced many tough challenges throughout the season. A win against Eastern Illinois started the season as expected until they ran into then #2 ranked Georgia, losing 56-17.

Two away games were split as the Chippewas won against Ohio 31-28, but turned around and lost to the Big 10 foe Purdue 35-25. With a record of 2-2, they were doing fine, as whispers around the conference began to swell about Ball State….

But Central Michigan would then go on an incredible SIX game winning streak, dispatching every team in their way, regardless of what conference they came out of.

Buffalo fell to the Chippewas 27-25 as did Temple (Owls…interesting…) 24-14. The winning continued as Central bests Western Michigan 38-28 and raising their record to 5-2, and starting to get a little attention as well.

Three away games added to the greatness of this team, beating on the road, Toledo by one point, Big 10 foe Indiana by 3, and Northern Illinois in overtime by 3 points. It had all set up a HUGE game at home, with ranked Ball State (and conference rival) coming to their house.

But alas, it was not in the Chippewas’ favor, losing 31-24, and then losing the final game of the year to Eastern Michigan 56-52. Half of the season was faced playing teams that would eventually go to a bowl, so just as Florida Atlantic, they are battle tested.

But who is in favor? It kinda seems obvious.

Remind me where they are playing again…Detroit? As in MICHIGAN?

Central Michigan may be considered the 4th best team in the MAC, following Buffalo, Ball State and Western Michigan. Florida Atlantic was the fourth in a weaker conference, this could be a blow out. The Chippewas have seen owls before, and beat them before, this could be a repeat…but then again, that’s why they PLAY the game.