SoS discussion: do we want WMU or NIU to win tonight?
November weeknight MACtion is in its last week and our two MAC opponents are playing each other. For academic reasons that probably will not matter at all (maybe bragging rights, if anything), what outcome is "best" for our SoS? A win by NIU makes them a 9-3 team with the potential to be 10-3 MAC champions. A WMU win gets them to 7-5 and then both teams will be reasonable bowl candidates.
November 23rd, 2021 at 9:53 AM ^
Doesn't matter. BEAT OHIO!!
But I will root for the in-state MAC school...
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:06 AM ^
You pretty much nailed it. I don't see any scenario where one of the MAC teams we played turning out to be MAC champions is going to matter that much. Any effect has already taken place, as both turned out to be pretty decent teams in their conferences.
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:42 AM ^
For us gambling degenerates, it does matter.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:10 PM ^
in-state MAC school over NIU led by former Sparty
November 23rd, 2021 at 2:04 PM ^
Sparty hate no matter where they go.
November 23rd, 2021 at 9:54 AM ^
Go Broncos
November 23rd, 2021 at 9:56 AM ^
As a Western grad I'm actually rooting for NIU so there's a possibility for the new AD to make changes to the football program. Lester has killed any momentum the program had from PJ Fleck.
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:57 AM ^
I'm tempted to do the same, Bronco football is stuck in mediocrity hell with Tim Lester as head coach.
November 23rd, 2021 at 9:56 AM ^
I don't think we're in a position where SOS is going to matter. Wining out to get to 12-1 will get Michigan into the playoff and any loss will likely keep them out, so may as well root for the in state school.
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:00 AM ^
I was about ask if a win against OSU would still give us a case if we lost the big ten championship game but the I remembered what kind of team we would have to have lost to in the B1G West and ? . Nevermind.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:17 PM ^
Wisconsin who is the presumed favorite to win the West is getting some love for turning it around.
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:01 AM ^
We have complete control of our destiny.
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:18 AM ^
I'm always in flavor of wining out.
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:43 AM ^
What's that taste like?
November 23rd, 2021 at 11:00 AM ^
Maize.
November 23rd, 2021 at 11:02 AM ^
It's often bitter, and disappoints. That's the nature of fandom.
November 23rd, 2021 at 9:56 AM ^
WMU, because my son is friends with a bunch of the coaching staff's kids!
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:03 AM ^
In terms of SoS, I'd say it's a push. It would be like asking about Rutgers/Maryland. Does it matter either way if you beat both? I think not.
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:04 AM ^
I’m thankful I don’t need to worry about any directional schools playing on a Tuesday. Beat Ohio!
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:04 AM ^
SoS doesn't matter at this point. Beating Ohio is all that matters, do it and Indy bound. Win in Indy and you're all but locked into the 2/3 playoff match up.
FUCK OHIO!
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:04 AM ^
I don't mean to be rude by I truly do not care at all.
November 23rd, 2021 at 11:03 AM ^
Then. . . especial thanks for taking the precious time to register your disinterest.
November 23rd, 2021 at 11:13 AM ^
Just doing my part
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:06 AM ^
NIU has already locked in a trip to the MAC Championship so I'm not sure how invested they'll be in this game.
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:19 AM ^
9 overtimes. Then Pick em
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:29 AM ^
Of course SOS doesn’t matter much at this point, but to answer your question as to which would actually help to improve our SOS, I’d imagine the answer would be to root for NIU.
Both are already bowl-eligible, and NIU has the possibility of making the MAC championship game, which gives them the potential for an extra W on their record that WMU cannot get.
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:40 AM ^
True, but the other side of that coin is that a 7-5 WMU could possibly get overlooked for a bowl berth despite being eligible (not likely, but possible). If both teams go bowling (and win), better than just one going.
Reading some of the responses here is amusing: I clearly stated this is all academic and not likely to matter at all, yet some are upset at the very subject. It's a Tuesday - what else is there to discuss about fir college football?
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:51 AM ^
I believe the MAC has 8 bowl tie-ins, and could at most have 8 teams with a 6-6 or better record, so WMU should be going to a bowl game regardless.
Accordingly, NIU winning is the proper answer, as it gives them a chance at an extra win in the championship game.
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:30 AM ^
I'm pulling for WMU because they're state of Michigan bros.
Fuck SOS. Win games and it doesn't matter.
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:39 AM ^
Go Huskies!!! The game doesn’t matter to us but as someone who has a lot of family members who went to NIU I hope they win.
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:43 AM ^
GO HURONS!!!!
November 23rd, 2021 at 11:02 AM ^
I think NIU winning would be more fun because they're the MAC's anti-Nebraska in which they barely beat everyone they play - they're 7-2 in 1-score games.
November 23rd, 2021 at 11:44 AM ^
Yeah I think Nebraska is a 7-4 team by post-game win expectancy -- whereas NIU has won four or five games where they were below 50% win expectancy, and a couple of those were *way* below 50
November 23rd, 2021 at 11:30 AM ^
Having grown up in Kalamazoo, I've gotta go with the Broncos.
November 23rd, 2021 at 11:35 AM ^
Like you said, it doesn't really matter. If Michigan wins on Saturday and then takes care of Wisconsin the following week, they're in. No ifs, ands or buts.
If they lose, they're out. All there really is to it. Whatever happens to NIU and WMU is pretty much irrelevant.
November 23rd, 2021 at 11:40 AM ^
Broncos all the way!
November 23rd, 2021 at 11:42 AM ^
I like Western and the Under
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:19 PM ^
Yeah at this point I think our SOS is irrelevant. If we win the Big Ten Title, we are in, otherwise we are not. I see no scenario where we get in with 2 losses.
If we were undefeated then there would possibly be a path with just one loss, but even then it would be tough.
November 23rd, 2021 at 1:52 PM ^
It doesn’t matter due to Michigan’s clear paths ahead, but i always kind of pull for Western.
November 23rd, 2021 at 2:00 PM ^
Chips should have beaten NILL. Blew two 17+ point leads. NILL winning out is cleaner.
November 23rd, 2021 at 6:41 PM ^
WMU in an upset win
November 23rd, 2021 at 6:55 PM ^
Michigan MAC team. Plus, my nephews went to Western.