Tag: Mid-American Conference

Mid-American Conference Becomes Last FBS Conference to Resume Football

Every Football Bowl Subdivision conference will see action in 2020.

Every Football Bowl Subdivision conference will see action in 2020. On Friday, the Mid-American Conference’s 12 presidents voted unanimously to have football this season. Only six games will be played by each team in conference-only schedules. A championship game is set for Dec. 18 or 19.

The conference initially canceled its season, but its stance has changed just like every other conference that previously announced a season cancelation. This announcement came a day after the Pac-12 and Mountain West both announced that they would have football after all in 2020. The Big Ten also recently announced it will have a season. Also like with every other conference, daily testing will be implemented.

Conference commissioner Jon Steinbrecher released the following statement:

“I am pleased to inform our student-athletes, coaches, and fans, that the Mid-American Conference will resume the fall football season, Our decisions, in August and again today, have been guided by an overriding concern for the well-being of the student-athletes, institutions, and the community at large. Our medical advisory group, presidents, directors of athletics, and others, have worked hard to develop a plan that provides the opportunity for student athletes to compete. We will be diligent in monitoring the dynamic health environment across the Conference footprint and the country.”

Pac-12, Mountain West Will Have Football in 2020

It appears the demand for college football in 2020 has become too great.

It appears the demand for college football in 2020 has become too great. On Thursday, the Pac-12 announced it will play a seven-game conference schedule beginning Nov. 6. Soon after, the Mountain West announced a eight-game season that will begin the weekend of Oct. 24. That leaves the Mid-American Conference as the only Football Bowl Subdivision conference without a season, but a vote on what could be a six-game season is expected Friday.

All of that talk about keeping college football players safe during the COVID-19 pandemic officially was for naught. The conferences can discussing daily testing all they want, but it doesn’t change the fact that they’re going back on their word and have decided to chase the dollars after all. Pressure from players, parents and others didn’t help, but the conferences couldn’t or wouldn’t stand their ground. Any compassion and goodwill they’ve gained over the past couple of months is gone, and if you haven’t figured it out by now, they never had souls.

Power Five Conference Commissioners Meet Regarding Fall Football

It appears the 2020 college football season has reached a tipping point as far as playing in the fall.

It appears the 2020 college football season has reached a tipping point as far as playing in the fall. Sources have told ESPN that commissioners of the Power Five conferences had an emergency meeting Sunday. This comes as college athletics officials have expressed concerns about playing football and other fall sports during their typical time of year while COVID-19 remains a heavy presence. Should such an announcement come, it likely will be collaborative.

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick is credited in the report as saying the following regarding one issue with the season potentially moving to the spring:

“My view is if we change course, we better be able to articulate the reason for doing so to our student-athletes.”

With the Mid-American Conference already having postponed its fall sports season and major conference athletic directors and administrators talking both in-house and beyond, the announcement that our autumn Saturdays will be quiet this year seems inevitable. The good news is everyone involved seems more on board with playing in the spring than not at all. Of course, this is all uncharted territory for everybody, so who knows what’s going to happen seven months from now? All we know for sure is that if anyone thinks football can just happen as it always has right now, they’re only kidding themselves.

Power Five AD believes cancelation of fall football is ‘inevitable’

There is a strong possibility that college football will not be played this fall, according to CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd

There is a strong possibility that college football will not be played this fall, according to CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd. In fact, in the words of one Power Five athletic director, it is “inevitable” that the college gridiron will be empty come autumn.

Dodd offered the following quotes from two Power Five athletic directors.

“It’s not fair what we’re doing to our coaches and student-athletes,” one long-time Power Five AD said. “The sooner we can come to a finality, the better.”

“I think it’s inevitable [the season will not be played in the fall],” said another veteran Power Five AD.

Neither AD wished to be identified due to the sensitivity of the situation.

On Saturday, the Mid-American Conference became the first Football Bowl Subdivision league to cancel its season, a decision that came on the heels of the Power Five conferences’ decision to adopt a conference-only schedule. MAC programs rely on the financial compensation that games with Power Five schools provide for a large part of their yearly revenue.

“I’m of the opinion it’s when, not if [the 2020 season is canceled],” the first AD said. “[The MAC announcement] adds more momentum to the finish line. I think everyone’s medical group is now all telling them the same thing. We all keep having the same conversations.”

Rumors continued to swirl Saturday that the Pac-12 and Big Ten would indeed be the next FBS conferences to cancel their respective 2020 seasons.

Big Ten presidents met on Saturday, though a league source told CBS Sports not to expect an immediate announcement to cancel its season — the feeling being that the league wouldn’t alter its practice schedule and announce a cancellation on the same day.

The Big Ten on Saturday announced it was “indefinitely” delaying a move to Phase 3 of practice that would have allowed players to use pads. The Detroit Free Press reported that Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren is believed to prefer attempting to play a season in spring 2021.

Pac-12 presidents will meet in a regularly scheduled call on Tuesday. However, that timeline could change in “20 minutes” to organize a conference call if the situation continued to shift, according to one league official.

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‘Inevitable’: Power 5 ADs say 2020 college football season won’t be played

The 2020 college football season is likely to be canceled.

The 2020 college football season seems on the brink of not happening and, per CBS Sports Dennis Dodd, some athletic directors at Power 5 schools are saying that it is more than likely not going to be played.

Per Dodd:

“It’s not fair what we’re doing to our coaches and student-athletes,” one long-time Power Five AD said. “The sooner we can come to a finality, the better.”

“I think it’s inevitable [the season will not be played in the fall],” said another veteran Power Five AD.

Neither AD wished to be identified due to the sensitivity of the situation.

On Saturday, the Mid-American Conference became the first FBS conference to cancel its season, a decision that seemed inevitable after the power 5 conferences decided to go to a conference-only schedule. The MAC programs are dependent on the pay games with Power 5 schools for a large part of its yearly revenue.

“I’m of the opinion it’s when, not if [the 2020 season is canceled],” the first AD said. “[The MAC announcement] adds more momentum to the finish line. I think everyone’s medical group is now all telling them the same thing. We all keep having the same conversations.”

Rumors continued to swirl Saturday that the Pac-12 and Big Ten would indeed be the next FBS conferences to cancel their respective 2020 seasons.

Big Ten presidents met on Saturday, though a league source told CBS Sports not to expect an immediate announcement to cancel its season — the feeling being that the league wouldn’t alter its practice schedule and announce a cancellation on the same day.

The Big Ten on Saturday announced it was “indefinitely” delaying a move to Phase 3 of practice that would have allowed players to use pads. The Detroit Free Press reported that Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren is believed to prefer attempting to play a season in spring 2021.

Pac-12 presidents will meet in a regularly scheduled call on Tuesday. However, that timeline could change in “20 minutes” to organize a conference call if the situation continued to shift, according to one league official.

MAC players issues statement after cancellation of 2020 football season

The Mid-American Conference announced it cancelled its season on Saturday.

On Saturday, the Mid-American Conference decided to cancel its 2020 college football per advice from medical advisors.

The players of the MAC issued a statement later on Saturday on the decision.

“While we are disappointed by the loss of our fall competitive seasons, we applaud our leaders for prioritizing our health and safety,” the statement read. “Moving forward we want to make sure this does not equate to the loss of eligibility for our athletes. As the spring approaches we call on Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher to use the coming months to develop uniformed protocols and guidelines to avoid a similar scenario for our spring athletes. #MACUNITED #SPRINGINTOMACTION”

The MAC became the first FBS conference to cancel its season, a decision that became likely after the Power 5 conferences decided to go to a conference-only schedule, meaning many of the schools would miss out on huge pay days.

Report: MAC becomes first FBS conference to cancel college football 2020

The Mid-American Conference is the first to cancel college football 2020 due to the pandemic.

The Mid-American Conference canceled its football season this fall because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report.

The decision was first reported by Brett McMurphy of Stadium.com.

Per Stadium.com: 

The MAC reached its decision Saturday morning in a vote by the league’s presidents, sources said. The conference presidents initially met Thursday to finalize the league’s scheduling format. However, Northern Illinois president Lisa Freeman, a former research scientist at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, indicated her school would not play this fall because of the health and safety concerns, sources said.

“The league didn’t like the look of NIU going out on their own and not playing,” said a source, explaining the MAC’s non-vote on Thursday.

The Huskies have made a league-record eight MAC title game appearances and won four of the last nine MAC titles. After the league didn’t reach a decision Thursday, it voted Saturday not to play this fall, sources said.

The MAC is comprised of Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan — along with Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Kent State, Miami (Ohio), Northern Illinois, Ohio, and Toledo.

Western Michigan was scheduled to play Notre Dame in South Bend Sept. 19.

What Revamped 2020 Season Could Mean for Notre Dame’s Independence

With all the talk about college football teams only playing conference games for a shortened 2020, Notre Dame is back at the forefront.

With all the talk about college football teams only playing conference games for a shortened 2020, Notre Dame is back at the forefront. The Irish and their fans take a lot of pride in the program’s independence, and if you asked most people who align themselves with the program, they wouldn’t have it any other way. After all, why would they ever admit that Michigan was right to deny them admission into the Big Ten?

But as Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated points out, the COVID-19 pandemic will create new issues and reignite old ones, namely whether the Irish should bite the bullet and join a conference. Although Notre Dame is not the only independent Football Bowl Subdivision program, it’s the only one regularly discussed as a College Football Playoff contender. To other fans, it’s not fair that their team has to devote most of its schedule to the same opponents every year while the Irish can play whoever they want and still get a seat at the head table if the committee deems them worthy.

The best solution for the Irish would be for the FBS to adopt the “conference-only, plus-one” model that athletic director Jack Swarbrick has talked about. That would almost certainly ensure that Notre Dame plays the same number of games as everyone else. Besides, everyone and their grandmother knows any game involving the Irish means greater exposure for their opponents.

Forde breaks down the Irish’s current 2020 schedule and what every game’s fate could be. Navy and the six ACC opponents should be safe, as should the Shamrock Series game with Wisconsin and the one involving Western Michigan of the Mid-American Conference. Arkansas also is scheduled to play in South Bend, but would an SEC team want to play its only nonconference game on the road? Meanwhile, the Pac-12 has discussed its teams only playing within the conference, which could spell trouble for the annual games against Stanford and USC.

Whatever happens, Notre Dame’s football independence might be more contentious than ever. But even the most ardent Irish haters have to admit that without them, the overall college football brand would suffer greatly. Plus, it’s unlikely the university will have wanted to give away scholarships for nothing, even if it decided to honor them without the reason these particular students came to South Bend. The only thing to do is set up an abbreviated schedule in way that gives independent programs the same number of games as everyone else.

It’s really simple:  If there’s no Notre Dame, there’s no college football. Period.

Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl: Buffalo vs. Charlotte odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl between the Buffalo Bulls and Charlotte 49ers, with betting odds, picks, tips and best bets.

The Buffalo Bulls (7-5, 5-3 MAC East) and Charlotte 49ers (7-5, 5-3 C-USA) square off in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl at 2 p.m. ET Friday. We analyze the Buffalo-Charlotte odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Buffalo vs. Charlotte: Three things you need to know

1. The Bulls head to the Bahamas for the fourth bowl appearance in school history, and they’re still looking for their first win. They lost the International Bowl in 2008, they were dropped in the Idaho Potato Bowl in 2013 and they were dumped by Troy 42-32 in the Dollar General Bowl last season.

2. The 49ers will be making their first-ever trip to the postseason. They enter play on a five-game win streak, going 4-1 against the spread during the span.

3. Charlotte hit the Under in three of their final four games, as the defense stepped up by allowing 19.0 points per game during the impressive span.

College football season is almost over! Place your bets on this game, or others, at BetMGM now. Place your bets and win, win, win!

Buffalo vs. Charlotte: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Buffalo 36, Charlotte 32

Moneyline (ML)

Buffalo (-239) is a very risky play for a plethora of reasons. One, this is a lot of scratch to lay on a smallish return. Two, Buffalo is 0-3 all-time in bowl games, and three, Charlotte (+195) enters on a five-game win streak. If anyone is worth a play, it’s the 49ers on a small-unit flyer.

Against the Spread (ATS)

CHARLOTTE (+6.5, -110) would be a slam-dunk play if this were at a touchdown or more. If you buy a point up to Charlotte (+7.5, -150), I’d go even heavier on the play. In fact, it’s rather attractive to grab another point and go Charlotte (+8.5, -162) for just a little more risk. Either of those should give you a little more insurance and comfort.

Over/Under (O/U)

This game has featured the winning team notching at least 35 points in four of the previous five installments, with the losing team managing at least 20 points in four of those games. As such, the OVER 51.5 (-110) is an attractive play. Neither of these teams has appeared in this bowl.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Western Michigan at Northern Illinois odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Western Michigan Broncos at Northern Illinois Huskies college football matchup, with NCAA football betting odds, picks and best bets

The Western Michigan Broncos (7-4, 5-2 Mid-American Conference West) will battle the Northern Illinois Huskies (4-7, 3-4) Tuesday night at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Ill. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Western Michigan-Northern Illinois odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Western Michigan at Northern Illinois: Three things you need to know

1. Western Michigan is tied atop the MAC West with Central Michigan. A victory Tuesday will clinch a spot in the conference championship game thanks to a 31-15 win against CMU back on Sept. 28.

2. Northern Illinois cannot become eligible for the postseason even with an upset win, so it will have to serve as its bowl game. Expect NIU to bring a lot of fight in its swan song for the 2019 season.

3. The Broncos have struggled over the years against the number against the Huskies, going just 5-16-1 ATS in the past 22 meetings, and 2-9 ATS in the past 11 trips to DeKalb.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Western Michigan at Northern Illinois: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 6:25 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Western Michigan 35, Northern Illinois 30

Moneyline (ML)

The moneyline for Western Michigan (-295) isn’t worth playing, as it is too expensive, and Northern Illinois (+230) is too risky of a play.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Roll with NORTHERN ILLINOIS (+7.5, –115) catching seven and the hook. While the Huskies really have nothing to play for but pride, they’ll give the Broncos all they can handle. They always do.

Western Michigan (-7.5, -106) has managed a dismal 1-4 SU/ATS mark in five road games this season, and they needed overtime last time out at Ohio Nov. 12 to pick up that only win and cover, 37-34.

New to sports betting? Every $1.15 wagered that Northern Illinois will win or not lose by 8 or points will profit $1.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER (51.5, –110) is the play, as Western Michigan’s offense is on fire. It’s 16th in the nation with 467.2 total yards per game, and 21st in rushing yards per game (217.2). It’s also 16th in the country with 36.0 points per game, while ranking a dismal 93rd in total yards allowed (429.5), 83rd in passing yards allowed (240.4) and 94th in rushing yards allowed (189.2).

NIU is just so-so on offense, and it offers just mild resistance defensively. The Over looks good for this mid-week MACtion.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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