Mineral Water Bowl Predictions?

[212 Degrees]

Re: Mineral Water Bowl Predictions?

Question regarding the D2 bowls... I believe the only bowl game actually affiliated with the NSIC is the Mineral Water Bowl, correct? In theory then, could the other D2 bowls that don't have conference tie-ins (like the MWB stating team 2 is 'at-large') select an NSIC team to play? I wholeheartedly realize a bowl is going to want fans and with the the other D2 bowl games being in TX or Arkansas that it would be highly unlikely. Just curious to see if they could invite a NSIC team, or if the conference has a rule disallowing it.

Relatedly, what would it take for a northern/midwest D2 bowl game to exist? NSIC vs GLIAC/GLVC? Would the sponsorship, fan support, etc. exist? Fargodome, Superiordome, US Bank, UNIdome, Edward Jones Dome, I don't know. Just thinking aloud here... Don't want or expect .500 teams to routinely make bowl games in D2 like FBS but the opportunity for a team and fans to get an extra game would be appealing to me as a former player and now fan. Seeing an additional NSIC team in a bowl game would be fun.

Actually I think it could and would work, if it was a "fun event" and reward for the participating teams. If it could be tied in to some other area event (or events) and hosted in an area with various entertainment options, then it definitely wouldn't be looked at as a drag and consolation punishment. But again, it has to be done right and take place in the right location. Also, for this area, a game inside is a must.

If a bowl has all of those 3, any group/sponsor with a basic marketing background, could make that work. (IMO).

[Armo Wood]

Re: Mineral Water Bowl Predictions?

You or anybody else know the reason why?

It has something to do with the Corsicana Bowl announcement on Oct. 5th regarding highest ranked non-PO teams from the MIAA & LSC teams meeting up in their bowl game. Many of us just figured that the MIAA would continue to be affiliated with the MWB. That assumption turned out to be wrong.

You can see the entire thread posts, here: https://twitter.com/ArmoFB/status/1054834358396248064

[Casual_Observer]

Re: Mineral Water Bowl Predictions?

It would also depend on the team that was invited. I think an up and coming team would be really excited to go. But a team that makes the playoffs often might be disappointed on their season and turn the invitation down. I'm not 100% sure but I think team players might vote on whether then want to go.

Coaches like the games because they can get a lot more practices in- but depending where and when the games are played players may or may not get excited. Maybe if the game was inside that time of year it would be more appealing. I doubt if in any case there would be much of a crowd. I loved to play football and would vote yes but maybe after an 11 game season some might not.

MSU players wished they had a vote when we went to the Kanza bowl. We all hated that game, 2 extra weeks for practice in the cold...then travel to Topeka, Kansas for a very cold game. D2 bowls are only good for the coaches, players are ready to be done if they don't make the playoffs.

[sabre]

Re: Mineral Water Bowl Predictions?

not sure if SMSU runs the table and finishes at 7-4 if they could get there. Probably too many things need to happen.

If it somehow happens and they get the bid, I will go for sure. what a great tijme

good grief...in the 4 wins by SMSU, those 4 teams have a combined record of 6-26! Not one of those teams is close to .500 and they got beat by a 2-6 Wayne St. At some point you have to actually beat someone to get respect, SMSU is just plain awful against good teams.

[SW_Mustang]

Re: Mineral Water Bowl Predictions?

Question regarding the D2 bowls... I believe the only bowl game actually affiliated with the NSIC is the Mineral Water Bowl, correct? In theory then, could the other D2 bowls that don't have conference tie-ins (like the MWB stating team 2 is 'at-large') select an NSIC team to play? I wholeheartedly realize a bowl is going to want fans and with the the other D2 bowl games being in TX or Arkansas that it would be highly unlikely. Just curious to see if they could invite a NSIC team, or if the conference has a rule disallowing it.

Relatedly, what would it take for a northern/midwest D2 bowl game to exist? NSIC vs GLIAC/GLVC? Would the sponsorship, fan support, etc. exist? Fargodome, Superiordome, US Bank, UNIdome, Edward Jones Dome, I don't know. Just thinking aloud here... Don't want or expect .500 teams to routinely make bowl games in D2 like FBS but the opportunity for a team and fans to get an extra game would be appealing to me as a former player and now fan. Seeing an additional NSIC team in a bowl game would be fun.

I guess my biggest concern is attendance. Is 2,000-3,000 enough to support a yearly bowl game at an indoor venue?

It's a legitimate question - I really don't know.

[laker]

Re: Mineral Water Bowl Predictions?

I guess my biggest concern is attendance. Is 2,000-3,000 enough to support a yearly bowl game at an indoor venue?

Probably not. People aren't very excited about non-playoff games that time of the year. How many fans who aren't from the two schools would show up? How many fans from the two schools even show up?

[SW_Mustang]

Re: Mineral Water Bowl Predictions?

Probably not. People aren't very excited about non-playoff games that time of the year. How many fans who aren't from the two schools would show up? How many fans from the two schools even show up?

If we're being realistic, not a lot from either group, IMO. I think the bulk of the NSIC schools are too small, and we're way too far away from any potential opponents to bus a big group of fans.

I love the Stangs, but I'm not getting on a plane to Marquette, Michigan - especially that close to finals week.

[NSU4LIFE]

Re: Mineral Water Bowl Predictions?

good grief...in the 4 wins by SMSU, those 4 teams have a combined record of 6-26! Not one of those teams is close to .500 and they got beat by a 2-6 Wayne St. At some point you have to actually beat someone to get respect, SMSU is just plain awful against good teams.

Regardless, if they did go 7-4 and end up being the top team in conference (by record) they would get the invite. No SOS factor for the bowl. I'm sure you knew all this and were just making your own point.

I personally love bowl games and bowl season. Not everything has to be a championship. If you are a fan and enjoy watching, they should be fun and entertaining. I feel sorry for any kid that doesnt care about getting one extra chance to put on gear and compete with teammates one last time. City league softball and hoops will never replace competing in college or HS athletics.

Certainly get that more bowls probably wouldn't work for D2 due to travel for fans. That said, I think Sioux Falls could pull off an MIAA/NSIC bowl game. While it may not be a huge moneymaker, I'd bet Midco would cover it which would lead to a decent revenue stream. Probably won't happen but certainly potential there. Augie or USF probably wouldn't mind getting people (especially if it ended up being their team) to one of their campuses unless they host at Howard Wood or one of the HS's

[vikingfaithful]

Re: Mineral Water Bowl Predictions?

[QUOTE=NSU4LIFE;2295916]Regardless, if they did go 7-4 and end up being the top team in conference (by record) they would get the invite. No SOS factor for the bowl. I'm sure you knew all this and were just making your own point.

I personally love bowl games and bowl season. Not everything has to be a championship. If you are a fan and enjoy watching, they should be fun and entertaining. I feel sorry for any kid that doesnt care about getting one extra chance to put on gear and compete with teammates one last time. City league softball and hoops will never replace competing in college or HS athletics.

Certainly get that more bowls probably wouldn't work for D2 due to travel for fans. That said, I think Sioux Falls could pull off an MIAA/NSIC bowl game. While it may not be a huge moneymaker, I'd bet Midco would cover it which would lead to a decent revenue stream. Probably won't happen but certainly potential there. Augie or USF probably wouldn't mind getting people (especially if it ended up being their team) to one of their campuses unless they host at Howard Wood or one of the HS's[/QU


A bowl game in South Dakota for a NSIC/MIAA matchup would need to be in the Dakota Dome to be successful with someone like Midco sponsoring it. Mid November would be dicey weather wise in SD.

[Otis Day]

Re: Mineral Water Bowl Predictions?

Regardless, if they did go 7-4 and end up being the top team in conference (by record) they would get the invite. No SOS factor for the bowl. I'm sure you knew all this and were just making your own point.

I personally love bowl games and bowl season. Not everything has to be a championship. If you are a fan and enjoy watching, they should be fun and entertaining. I feel sorry for any kid that doesnt care about getting one extra chance to put on gear and compete with teammates one last time. City league softball and hoops will never replace competing in college or HS athletics.

Certainly get that more bowls probably wouldn't work for D2 due to travel for fans. That said, I think Sioux Falls could pull off an MIAA/NSIC bowl game. While it may not be a huge moneymaker, I'd bet Midco would cover it which would lead to a decent revenue stream. Probably won't happen but certainly potential there. Augie or USF probably wouldn't mind getting people (especially if it ended up being their team) to one of their campuses unless they host at Howard Wood or one of the HS's

Well said 4Life. This is kinda my line of thinking regarding adding an additional bowl game. Maybe it's me getting older and wiser, or maybe it's supporting for a perennial cellar dweller like Vanderbilt in addition to a championship program like the Coo that has slightly reset my expectations and enjoyment of college football. I think a few years ago I read here on the board that Henderson State voted as a team to turn down a bowl invite, similar to what Casual Observer mentioned with Midwestern State. I whole heartedly understand having higher expectations as a program but for the seniors, I can't imagine willingly turning down another chance to a play a college football game. To each their own...

Sioux Falls would be a solid place for a bowl game if they had an indoor venue. The Sioux Falls Sun Conference Bowl??? Driving distance for fans within the footprint (convenience) vs. destination city (reasons to go outside of the game). Up here, you're not likely to get both. Verm isn't exactly where people wanna be in early December. Fargo would be about the right sized city with an indoor stadium, but then you're in the thick of the FCS playoffs and local support would be minimal. The Twin Cities might be your best bet. The new United FC stadium perhaps? Not sure how warm that will be. The Vikings new practice facility would be perfect sized, albeit outside, and a pretty cool opportunity to play at in my opinion. Not sure if there's any D3 bowls or if that could be a unique angle. Highest rated MIAC team to miss the playoffs against some other D3 conference. Pair the games as a combined D2/D3 bowl.

Again, just thinking aloud on all this. The logistics and fan demographics make this extremely unlikely but I was just looking to drum up some conversation and see how others felt about it.

[212 Degrees]

Re: Mineral Water Bowl Predictions?

good grief...in the 4 wins by SMSU, those 4 teams have a combined record of 6-26! Not one of those teams is close to .500 and they got beat by a 2-6 Wayne St. At some point you have to actually beat someone to get respect, SMSU is just plain awful against good teams.

Unfortunately, you're right. Although, I can say that about St. Cloud, with the exception of the win against the Coo, a few weeks back. But besides that win, who else is noteworthy?

[SW_Mustang]

Re: Mineral Water Bowl Predictions?

Well said 4Life. This is kinda my line of thinking regarding adding an additional bowl game. Maybe it's me getting older and wiser, or maybe it's supporting for a perennial cellar dweller like Vanderbilt in addition to a championship program like the Coo that has slightly reset my expectations and enjoyment of college football. I think a few years ago I read here on the board that Henderson State voted as a team to turn down a bowl invite, similar to what Casual Observer mentioned with Midwestern State. I whole heartedly understand having higher expectations as a program but for the seniors, I can't imagine willingly turning down another chance to a play a college football game. To each their own...

Sioux Falls would be a solid place for a bowl game if they had an indoor venue. The Sioux Falls Sun Conference Bowl??? Driving distance for fans within the footprint (convenience) vs. destination city (reasons to go outside of the game). Up here, you're not likely to get both. Verm isn't exactly where people wanna be in early December. Fargo would be about the right sized city with an indoor stadium, but then you're in the thick of the FCS playoffs and local support would be minimal. The Twin Cities might be your best bet. The new United FC stadium perhaps? Not sure how warm that will be. The Vikings new practice facility would be perfect sized, albeit outside, and a pretty cool opportunity to play at in my opinion. Not sure if there's any D3 bowls or if that could be a unique angle. Highest rated MIAC team to miss the playoffs against some other D3 conference. Pair the games as a combined D2/D3 bowl.

Again, just thinking aloud on all this. The logistics and fan demographics make this extremely unlikely but I was just looking to drum up some conversation and see how others felt about it.

It's certainly a fun idea to think about.

A festival might work. Package FCS/D2/D3 together - maybe host an all-star game or a JUCO bowl game too? All one weekend at one venue in a city big enough that people would travel too. Get a TV station like Midco in there to broadcast it, name each game in the festival and sell individual sponsorships for them... It's just a bunch of my random thoughts.

[WSUWarriorFan]

Re: Mineral Water Bowl Predictions?

Well said 4Life. This is kinda my line of thinking regarding adding an additional bowl game. Maybe it's me getting older and wiser, or maybe it's supporting for a perennial cellar dweller like Vanderbilt in addition to a championship program like the Coo that has slightly reset my expectations and enjoyment of college football. I think a few years ago I read here on the board that Henderson State voted as a team to turn down a bowl invite, similar to what Casual Observer mentioned with Midwestern State. I whole heartedly understand having higher expectations as a program but for the seniors, I can't imagine willingly turning down another chance to a play a college football game. To each their own...

Sioux Falls would be a solid place for a bowl game if they had an indoor venue. The Sioux Falls Sun Conference Bowl??? Driving distance for fans within the footprint (convenience) vs. destination city (reasons to go outside of the game). Up here, you're not likely to get both. Verm isn't exactly where people wanna be in early December. Fargo would be about the right sized city with an indoor stadium, but then you're in the thick of the FCS playoffs and local support would be minimal. The Twin Cities might be your best bet. The new United FC stadium perhaps? Not sure how warm that will be. The Vikings new practice facility would be perfect sized, albeit outside, and a pretty cool opportunity to play at in my opinion. Not sure if there's any D3 bowls or if that could be a unique angle. Highest rated MIAC team to miss the playoffs against some other D3 conference. Pair the games as a combined D2/D3 bowl.

Again, just thinking aloud on all this. The logistics and fan demographics make this extremely unlikely but I was just looking to drum up some conversation and see how others felt about it.

"The Sioux Falls Sun Conference Bowl, presented by Winona State" I can see it now. I'd be willing to toss in $5 to get this started

[Umdfan35]

Re: Mineral Water Bowl Predictions?

It's certainly a fun idea to think about.

A festival might work. Package FCS/D2/D3 together - maybe host an all-star game or a JUCO bowl game too? All one weekend at one venue in a city big enough that people would travel too. Get a TV station like Midco in there to broadcast it, name each game in the festival and sell individual sponsorships for them... It's just a bunch of my random thoughts.

Why not make the playoffs, and have your fun at that game. FBS only have 4 teams in the current playoff system that why so many bowl games every other division has an expanded playoff field.

[SW_Mustang]

Re: Mineral Water Bowl Predictions?

Why not make the playoffs, and have your fun at that game. FBS only have 4 teams in the current playoff system that why so many bowl games every other division has an expanded playoff field.

Duluth missed the playoffs in 2015, but they won the Mineral Water Bowl. Are you willing to give up that victory? It was important enough for them to participate, so...

The way I see it, D2 bowl games are meant to reward up-and-coming programs by giving them a taste of postseason action. It also rewards the seniors by giving them one last game. We don't need a bunch of them, but a handful aren't going to dilute the product any. I was just giving my opinion on how it would have to work if it happened in the geographical area I am familiar with.