MAC Bowls...Disappointing Result

It was a great season in the MAC.  The team had a much higher number of wins against BCS teams, put 7 teams into Bowl Games and one into a BCS game, both records for the conference.  The conference race was very competitive...so, I suspect that most fans will view the bowl results with disappointment.

Certainly, the MAC lost to some good teams, but at the same time, you'd like to think you would be better than 2-5, which is what they were.

And that's the problem with getting attention.  Expectations are raised and then the challenges multiply.  When you are the MAC, you are always one step from the little kid's table.  In fact, the MAC was an underdog in all 7 games, which seemed like a slight until it didn't.

In case you forgot, here are the games.

Utah State 41, Toledo 15
UCF 38, Ball State 17
CMU 24, WKU 21
San Jose State 29, BGSU 20
OU 45, ULM 14
Florida State 31, NIU 10
Ark. State 17, Kent 13

A few notes.

• Obviously, the MAC ended up with one only BCS matchup--the Orange Bowl, where I felt NIU put up a credible performance, if unsuccessful.
• Often the bowl season ends up as a MAC-Sun Belt showdown.  If so, then the MAC won it, 2-1.
• The MAC did lost both of its matchups with WAC teams--a conference that is now dead.
• Three of the 7 losses were by 21 or more.  Only one loss was a one-score defeat.
• You win 2 and CMU is one of them??  Thank god for WKU.
• OU showed that they might have been a very good team when healthy

2012 was still a great ride in MAC land, just with a disappointing finish.  Let's hope that the next year shows a continuation of the progress and increased bowl success.