If they keep this up, it’s gonna be a thing. All three Michigan MAC schools will play in bowl games for just the third time in their history. And for the second time ever, all five Division I football teams in the state will go bowling.
The three MAC schools all went to bowls in 2016, and all five schools made it in the 2019 season.
Central Michigan has the most bowl appearances of the MAC trio at 12, and also the most wins at three. Western Michigan has 10 appearances and one win in 2015, while Eastern has played in five bowls with one win back in 1987.
The MAC schools have now made history just by showing up together. Can they sweeten the deal with a sweep of their opponents?
Update: Well, no, they can’t. Eastern Michigan dropped its bowl game opener on Dec. 18 against Liberty, losing the Lending Tree Bowl 56-20.
However, WMU picked up the slack while playing across the state, winning the Quick Lane Bowl on Monday at Ford Field, topping Nevada 52-24.
Can CMU give the Michigan MAC schools a winning record this bowl season?
Editor’s note: For betting information on non-Michigan MAC bowl games, check out our overall #MACtion odds page.
How to watch: Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
- What: Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
- Who: Central Michigan Chippewas (8-4, 6-2 MAC) vs. Washington State Cougars (7-5, 5-3 MWC)
- When: Noon ET, Friday
- Where: Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, Texas
- TV: CBS (Announcers: TBD
- Radio: CMU Sports Radio Network
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl Odds: Central Michigan vs. Washington State
Central hunts for first bowl win since 2012
The Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl has been canceled for the season, as Boise State backed out because of a COVID-19 outbreak.
That was Central’s opponent and for a bit there, there was a question as to whether the Chippewas would play in a bowl game.
However, CMU is stepping in against Washington State in the Sun Bowl instead.
This will be a bigger payout for the Chippewas and a chance to play on network TV on New Year’s Eve for all the world to see.
In Central’s last bowl outing, San Diego State hammered the Chippewas 48-11 in the 2019 New Mexico Bowl. The Chips last saw bowl success with a 24-21 win over Western Kentucky in the 2012 Little Caesars Bowl. They have the best bowl record of the Michigan MAC schools at 3-9.
Central rebounded from a one-point, late October loss to Northern Illinois by winning out in its last four contests.
The final four-game sweep included a 42-30 win over Western on Nov. 3 and a 31-10 triumph over Eastern to end the season and snag the Michigan MAC trophy.
Central Michigan’s offense gains about 417.3 yards per game. The Broncos’ defense gives up 365.8 yards a game, but is ranked 12th in points allowed with an average of 19.
Washington State will have to deal with the nation’s leading rusher in Lew Nichols III and a Central ground attack that gains about 180.7 yards a game.
Washington State favored by a touchdown
Michigan sportsbooks are giving the edge to Washington State, with the Cougars laying 7 points.
