What's up with the MAC? and other links

UMass made the game much more interesting than it should have been. I know that after the game many were wondering after what have sort of Pandora’s Box have we opened by making New England DIAA teams a regular fixture on our schedule. The logic behind the scheduling made more sense to me last week, but I’ve moved on and decided to focus on another new portion of our schedule -- the annual MAC game.

BC doesn’t have much history with the MAC. Prior to the TOB era, BC had only played two MAC teams (Northern Illinois in 1971 and Ohio in 1966). Starting in 2002, BC has played at least one MAC team annually and played two in 2002 and 2006. The rationale has been that the MAC provided 2 for 1 series or the preferred one off home game and helped BC solidify recruiting in the Midwest. I never bought the recruiting stuff. BC recruited the Midwest for decades without playing MAC teams. The extra home game made sense. The unspoken explanation is that these games should be record-padding BC wins. It doesn’t always work that way. Ball State gave us a serious scare to start the 2004 season and Central Michigan nearly beat us last year. So why does BC keep playing these games? As much as I want to point the finger at TOB, Gene has signed us up for a game at Kent State next year. Ultimately I think money is a big factor, but the wins are probably more important. Wins help rankings and general perception. Not the way I’d like to go about things, but another sad fact of life of college football. I'll have a Bowling Green guest blogger Wednesday to tell us more about our latest MAC opponent.

Redshirting vs playing
True freshman Dan Mulrooney saw the field this week. The Connecticut DB anticipated redshirting, but injuries and his ability got him on the field early. Some fans are concerned about burning a redshirt year on a role player. I am not concerned. In general, I believe that if a player is good enough, get him on the field. Redshirting can help when the position has a steep learning curve from the high school level (QBs and offensive lineman). However, contributing early is a very good indicator. If a guy can get on the field as a true freshman, especially on a veteran team like this year’s team, we may have a player for the next few years.

More information is coming out in the Cherilus Tribble bar fight. The guy claiming Gos hurt him is now facing charges. Hopefully this will lead to our players exoneration.