WMU 13-0 Mac champs!!

[Scottish Punk]

I know most of you couldn't care less, but I love it. Western Michigan capped off their unbeaten season and won the MAC championship. They deserve to go to the Cotton Bowl.

Congrats to PJ Fleck and team. What a season!!! Row the boat!!!

Setting aside some space for Corey Davis cards. :)

[herdfan87]

Great for Western Michigan, as a Marshall fan, love to see the G-5/MAC schools do well. Hope they finish the season perfect

[rman112]

Watched some of the game tonight - a near feat in itself with Mack Brown commentating.

Been watching them a lot this year. A combo of their record, Corey Davis (who I'd love to see become a Titan), and lots of ESPN games.

[green4407]

It's a joke that a team can go undefeated the entire season and not have a chance to be the national champion.

[herdfan87]

Watched some of the game tonight - a near feat in itself with Mack Brown commentating.

Been watching them a lot this year. A combo of their record, Corey Davis (who I'd love to see become a Titan), and lots of ESPN games.

I never realized how annoying his voice was before tonight. Guess I didn't watch much ESPN football over the last couple years

[rman112]

I never realized how annoying his voice was before tonight. Guess I didn't watch much ESPN football over the last couple years

Lol.. dude was giving me a headache. Someone hire the man.

I feel for the WMU folk. Anyone catch Teddy Atlas calling one of their games a few weeks back?

[Big35Hurt]

It's a joke that a team can go undefeated the entire season and not have a chance to be the national champion.

Except that they play in a joke of a conference that took 4 losses to FCS teams. Sure they beat Northwestern and Illinois from the Big 10, but those teams were 5-4 and 2-7 in league play and Northwestern lost to an FCS team itself. There really isn't anything impressive about any of their wins. Great accomplishment to go undefeated but no way in hell should they be in the 4-team playoff.

[green4407]

Except that they play in a joke of a conference that took 4 losses to FCS teams. Sure they beat Northwestern and Illinois from the Big 10, but those teams were 5-4 and 2-7 in league play and Northwestern lost to an FCS team itself. There really isn't anything impressive about any of their wins. Great accomplishment to go undefeated but no way in hell should they be in the 4-team playoff.

I agree they don't belong in a 4 team playoff. There should be a 16 team playoff with the 10 conference champions and 6 at-large. This is football, not figure skating. The champion should be determined on the field, not by judges.

Or they should just split the 5 lower conferences from the 5 big ones since that's how it is in reality. None of those lower 5 have any chance of ever making the playoffs, no matter how they actually play on the field.

[Chaddie84]

I agree they don't belong in a 4 team playoff. There should be a 16 team playoff with the 10 conference champions and 6 at-large. This is football, not figure skating. The champion should be determined on the field, not by judges.

Or they should just split the 5 lower conferences from the 5 big ones since that's how it is in reality. None of those lower 5 have any chance of ever making the playoffs, no matter how they actually play on the field.

True.

I think they'll get there, but it will be baby steps. Probably an 8 team with the P5 champs and 3 at large first eventually to a 12 or 16 team. Until they open it up to more teams, I still believe FCS has the only real playoff at the Division I level. It eliminates so many "what ifs" when determining the top teams.

[Stifle]

As a WMU Grad and someone who has grown up their entire life in the Kalamazoo area, The last time a Western team had this hype was the Women's Volleyball team but for a men's team it was 40 years ago. I graduated in 88 when the team won its last MAC Championship and as big as that was it didn't compare to the Basketball team from 1976. That Basketball team that lost in the NCAA could compete as Champions ! This season has brought Kzoo to the forefront with positive experiences. In less than 2 years their was the Uber incident killing of many people, the first Earthquake in forever and a 212 car pileup that killed a man where a fireworks semi went ablaze. The team brought a good change to the community.
C. Davis isn't the next Randy Moss or Antonio Brown coming out of the MAC but he is as good as Greg Jennings ! Davis seems to make plays that are 8 yards go 20. As far as facing competition, Central Michigan beat Oklahoma State on the road a top 10 team and Western controlled CMU. I don't believe WMU can beat a top 5 or 6 team but if they were to play PSU, don't bet the farm on the Nittany Lions winning a Bowl game vs the Broncos.
WMU, Thank You for a great season !

[Big35Hurt]

I agree they don't belong in a 4 team playoff. There should be a 16 team playoff with the 10 conference champions and 6 at-large. This is football, not figure skating. The champion should be determined on the field, not by judges.

Or they should just split the 5 lower conferences from the 5 big ones since that's how it is in reality. None of those lower 5 have any chance of ever making the playoffs, no matter how they actually play on the field.

I think 16 teams is too many, but would be happy with 8. In an 8-team playoff, I think it would be hard to leave them out of there somewhere.

Are there any examples of a mid-major team since 1998 that would be a good candidate for a 4-team playoff if it existed starting back in 1998 (when the BCS started)?

[preakness]

16 teams means some 3 loss teams make it and even some four loss SEC teams will argue they deserve it in certain years

way too many teams with 16

[preakness]

NW and Illinois wins mean ZERO
both teams are embarrassing this year

still cool to see Western Mich go undefeated
I enjoy watching that conference
Go Jordan Lynch!!

[scotthenrichs]

It's a joke that a team can go undefeated the entire season and not have a chance to be the national champion.

It's ok, PSU or Wisconsin will destroy them in the Cotton Bowl.

[cadillac540]

It's a joke that a team can go undefeated the entire season and not have a chance to be the national champion.

The joke is going to be watching them get hammered by a legitimate team.

[quackhead]

Congrats!! WMU alumni Terry Crews approves :)!


http://i.imgur.com/RtIw5az.gif

[coachnip13]

Or they should just split the 5 lower conferences from the 5 big ones since that's how it is in reality. None of those lower 5 have any chance of ever making the playoffs, no matter how they actually play on the field.

This just isn't true. If Houston ran the table they would be #2 right now. But, unlike Western Michigan, they gave themselves a chance by playing Oklahoma and Louisville.

South Florida is probably kicking themselves over their 2017 schedule. They will be loaded next year, but their OOC schedule consists of San Jose State, Stony Brook, Illinois, and Massachusetts. They eliminate themselves from day one.

[green4407]

I think 16 teams is too many, but would be happy with 8. In an 8-team playoff, I think it would be hard to leave them out of there somewhere.

Are there any examples of a mid-major team since 1998 that would be a good candidate for a 4-team playoff if it existed starting back in 1998 (when the BCS started)?

#4 Utah in 2004 - undefeated and beat #20 Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl
#9 Boise State in 2006 - undefeated and beat #7 Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl
#6 Boise State in 2009 - undefeated and beat #4 TCU in the Fiesta Bowl
#4 TCU in 2009 - undefeated until they lost to undefeated #6 Boise State
#6 Utah in 2008 - undefeated and beat #4 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl
#3 TCU in 2010 - undefeated and beat #5 Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl

Here's the most obvious ones.

[Big35Hurt]

#4 Utah in 2004 - undefeated and beat #20 Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl
#9 Boise State in 2006 - undefeated and beat #7 Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl
#6 Boise State in 2009 - undefeated and beat #4 TCU in the Fiesta Bowl
#4 TCU in 2009 - undefeated until they lost to undefeated #6 Boise State
#6 Utah in 2008 - undefeated and beat #4 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl
#3 TCU in 2010 - undefeated and beat #5 Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl

Here's the most obvious ones.

Nice research. I thought of 2006 Boise State after I posted the question. Many of the others I had forgotten about, butit does make you wonder if they would have been in the playoffs had the 4-team format been in place those years.

[Stifle]

I remember when BYU beat Michigan in I believe 84 in a Bowl game to win the National Championship. PSU wouldn't destroy WMU. Wisconsin would be a tougher matchup for Western Michigan. Oklahoma State was beat by a much weaker CMU team and the Cowboys may be in ranked 8th after this week. If the Playoff's were to be doubled to 8 teams then it would be tough to leave WMU out.

[Scottish Punk]

As a WMU Grad and someone who has grown up their entire life in the Kalamazoo area, The last time a Western team had this hype was the Women's Volleyball team but for a men's team it was 40 years ago. I graduated in 88 when the team won its last MAC Championship and as big as that was it didn't compare to the Basketball team from 1976. That Basketball team that lost in the NCAA could compete as Champions ! This season has brought Kzoo to the forefront with positive experiences. In less than 2 years their was the Uber incident killing of many people, the first Earthquake in forever and a 212 car pileup that killed a man where a fireworks semi went ablaze. The team brought a good change to the community.
C. Davis isn't the next Randy Moss or Antonio Brown coming out of the MAC but he is as good as Greg Jennings ! Davis seems to make plays that are 8 yards go 20. As far as facing competition, Central Michigan beat Oklahoma State on the road a top 10 team and Western controlled CMU. I don't believe WMU can beat a top 5 or 6 team but if they were to play PSU, don't bet the farm on the Nittany Lions winning a Bowl game vs the Broncos.
WMU, Thank You for a great season !

Shout out from a fellow alum!! Graduated in 96. Football team wasn't very good, but the hockey was. They played all the big boys in the CCHA and held their own. I don't think anybody who is logical would think WMU deserves a shot at a Natty, they are still a big fish in a little pond. I don't expect much in the Cotton Bowl, everything from here is gravy. WMU needs to keep the game competitive and build off of this great season and keep momentum going.

[coachnip13]

I remember when BYU beat Michigan in I believe 84 in a Bowl game to win the National Championship. PSU wouldn't destroy WMU. Wisconsin would be a tougher matchup for Western Michigan. Oklahoma State was beat by a much weaker CMU team and the Cowboys may be in ranked 8th after this week. If the Playoff's were to be doubled to 8 teams then it would be tough to leave WMU out.

BYU cracked the top ten in September of 1984. September. They were ranked #1 going into the bowl game. BYU didn't show up out of nowhere to upset someone. They have absolutely nothing in common with Western Michigan's season.

[Soxrule111]

Love seeing the success (From DeKalb, NIU was a blast for like 2009-2011 or w/e)

I do think they deserve a shot at the championship in a Playoff scenario, but I don't see them as a Top 4 team RIGHT NOW....
Now, if they win there bowl game, and go 12-0 next season, I do believe they will be in the Top 4 and be in the playoffs. Same as Boise state, it took a few years, but once you get up there, and don't loose you deserve to be in the talk. But, were talking about a team going pretty much 25-0 in 2 years, very hard to do in any conference.

[coachnip13]

I do think they deserve a shot at the championship in a Playoff scenario, but I don't see them as a Top 4 team RIGHT NOW....
Now, if they win there bowl game, and go 12-0 next season, I do believe they will be in the Top 4 and be in the playoffs. Same as Boise state, it took a few years, but once you get up there, and don't loose you deserve to be in the talk. But, were talking about a team going pretty much 25-0 in 2 years, very hard to do in any conference.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. This year was the perfect storm of senior/ junior leadership combined with a horrendous schedule. It all came together for this one season.

[Stifle]

Coachnip13, The 1984 BYU team wasn't much different than the 2016 WMU team. 1. Both teams were Unranked to begin the season. 2. BYU never played a team remotely close to ending the season in the top 25 let alone top 20, ( Pitt was 3/7 in rankings to start the season 1st game vs BYU and ended season 3-7-1, Michigan was 6-5 unranked when facing BYU in the Holiday Bowl "San Diego"). BYU played 3 teams that ended the season with winning records ( Air Force 8-4, Hawaii 7-4 as the two best teams. Wikipedia the two teams and to say BYU is a National Champion while WMU isn't even considered in the same class ? ? ? ? ? BYU didn't have a far superior schedule if superior at all. Pitt was no different than Northwestern while Michigan lost Jim Harbaugh roughly a few games into the season and were rudderless with their backups. WMU will play a ranked team that will finish ranked and if the Broncos win than the debate is even more legit. I'm definitely not suggesting as I have remarked in earlier comments that WMU is a top 5 team but to not suggest that they could compete with a top 7-10 is unjust.

[MFaulkCollector]

It's a joke that a team can go undefeated the entire season and not have a chance to be the national champion.

If you go back a few years Boise State had two teams in particular that could have won a 4 team playoff and those teams were rated in the AP and Coaches Top 5. Utah in 05 was as good as anyone in the country, and their final AP rating of 3 reflected that

Each year is different; most non power 5 teams have no business being included in such a discussion. This Western Michigan team does not belong in the conversation..... but teams like 05 Utah, multiple Boise State teams were every bit as good as the top notch power conference teams for one or two games.

For teams like this to be recognized they need one or two top 25 wins out of conference and another team or two in the conference needs to be really strong or beat quality power 5 conference teams

This particular year that was not the case with this team

[mrveggieman]

I happy for WMU but it sucks that they have no chance for the title. This is one of the many reasons why I refuse to watch bowl games. They are nothing more than post season pre-season games.

[browning51]

FYI. I am already planning the Corey Davis Super Collection. keep me in mind...

[cadillac540]

This is one of the many reasons why I refuse to watch bowl games.

They may change the whole format because you refuse to watch.

[quackhead]

https://twitter.com/TheTalkCBS/status/807366658536837121 (https://twitter.com/TheTalkCBS/status/807366658536837121)

:)!

[37Jetson]

Another famous Western Michigan Alumnus Approves

http://www.tshirtsonscreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/homeimprovement8x04westernmichiganuniversityshirt.png

http://images.gawker.com/hp0wpfohtjupmgwhwntc/original.jpg

I am also a Western Michigan Alumnus, but do not feel that the Broncos played a tough enough schedule to be in the BCS Playoffs.

[quackhead]

If he was still here, John Saunders would approve as well (RIP) :(

http://img.comc.com/ebay/73203b51-1469-4f35-9893-4115ef02abc0.jpg