MSU's bowl destination will be...

... the Insight Bowl on Dec. 31 in Tempe, Ariz. That's just a guess, but it does look like the most likely scenario.

Here's how it breaks down for the Big Ten bowls:
Rose: Ohio State
Capital One: Illinois
Outback: Wisconsin
Alamo: Michigan
Champs Sports: Penn State

    Then you have MSU, Indiana and Purdue all tied at 7-5 overall, 3-5 in the league. The Insight picks next, between those three. MSU bombed both of those teams. And while that does not compel the Insight to pick MSU, they are looking for the most competitive team available. More importantly, they're looking for the team that will bring the most fans and draw the best TV ratings.

    Hungry fan bases are always attractive. Considering that Purdue lost to MSU and IU, and has been to better bowls than this several times in recent years, I think you can rule out the Boilermakers. So I believe it comes down to MSU and Indiana.

    MSU's fans have not been able to travel to a bowl game since 2003. Indiana's haven't since the mid-90s. And there is obviously a human interest story in Bloomington, with the tragic passing over the summer of coach Terry Hoeppner.
    But Indiana football doesn't draw well at all, never really has, and MSU's rout of the Hoosiers might make the difference.

    Two things to keep in mind here: George Perles obviously desperately wants MSU to play in the Motor City Bowl in Detroit. No doubt, he'll be on the phone with the Insight guys. Side deals aren't technically allowed here ... but it's not like side deals have never been made between bowls before.
    Also, Illinois still has a chance to get a BCS at-large bid. If that happens, everyone moves up -- and MSU would be in play for the Champs Sports Bowl, Dec. 28 in Orlando. If Illinois moves up, I'd have to think MSU would be in either Florida or Arizona, with Purdue dropping to Detroit.

    We'll have plenty of time to speculate. This probably won't be decided until Dec. 2, the day the BCS bowls make their picks.

Comments

[Mat Millan]

How did MD get his team farther ahead than mine??!

I want my mommy, and some more mustache dye!

[bradford]

it would be great for the players to play in the insight bowl. but it sure would be a lot of fun packing ford field with green and white.

i wasnt aware that michigan fell all the way down to the alamo bowl. good stuff.

[ted bertrand]

I winter in Arizona and if MSU comes to Tempe to the insight bowl I and the wife will be there as well as the many Michigan State fans that are down here.

[nick saban]

Hats off to MSU. After losing to Louisiana Monroe today I must admit my failure. I am now 6-5 at Bama. MSU is 7-5 and every game has been close. There worst losses are to a pair of 6-6 major conference teams. I guess Dantonio is righting the ship.

[sumples]

Ok, I agree that the most likely scenario is an invitation to play in the Insight Bowl, but there is virtually NO chance of moving up because there is NO chance of Illinois getting a BCS At-Large bid. They are ranked 20th in the BCS standings behind teams like Va. Tech, USC, Florida, and Georgia. Also, KU and Mizzou play and the loser from that game would still get an at-large bid before Illinois. Not to mention USC and Oregon still being better teams. So, like I said, expect us to get an invitation to Tempe, but that doesn't mean MSU has to except it. It can still choose the MCB if it gets an invitation to both, and it will. Coach D and the University should not only reward the players, namely the seniors like Jehuu, SirDarean Adams, Baldwin, and Saint Dic, but also the family, and the loyal Spartan fans and pick the MCB. The atmosphere would be intoxicating at Ford Field, and it would give us a better opportunity to end the season on a winning note by beating the MAC champ and actually adding a piece of hardware to the trophy case, instead of going out west and playing a better team and possibly coming back with mothing but a suntan. We need to put another block up on the foundation, and I think Coach D knows that is what is best for this program. Let's see if the MSU athletic department and board of trustees is more concerned with building for the future with a bowl victory, or about $500,000, which is the payout difference, not to mention the cost effectiveness of traveling up the road rather than accross the country.

What does everyone else think?

[TDP]

What is wrong with everybody? Am I the only true spartan who thinks its an insult to have to play in the MCB?

I could care less if its only a 90 mile drive for the fans. If we want to attract recruits and really build this program, we need to play on national TV in a warm weather bowl against a quality team from a quality conference.

It would be one thing if the MAC Champ was good this year but Central Michigan is 6-5. Do you really take any pride in beating the 6-5 MAC Champ?

Playing in the MCB will only hurt Coach D's recruiting. When UM, OSU, and ND coaches can go into a recruits home and tell him that he can expect to play in major bowls for them (not for ND this year), you think they won't mention that the first bowl MSU has been to in 4 years was the MCB in Detroit of all places?

I hope like hell we end up at the Insight Bowl or anywhere else west of Detroit. I know Perles wants MSU bad but it will harm our reputation in the long run.

Congrats on a great year Coach D, players, and staff!

[TDP]

What is wrong with everybody? Am I the only true spartan who thinks its an insult to have to play in the MCB?

I could care less if its only a 90 mile drive for the fans. If we want to attract recruits and really build this program, we need to play on national TV in a warm weather bowl against a quality team from a quality conference.

It would be one thing if the MAC Champ was good this year but Central Michigan is 6-5. Do you really take any pride in beating the 6-5 MAC Champ?

Playing in the MCB will only hurt Coach D's recruiting. When UM, OSU, and ND coaches can go into a recruits home and tell him that he can expect to play in major bowls for them (not for ND this year), you think they won't mention that the first bowl MSU has been to in 4 years was the MCB in Detroit of all places?

I hope like hell we end up at the Insight Bowl or anywhere else west of Detroit. I know Perles wants MSU bad but it will harm our reputation in the long run.

Congrats on a great year Coach D, players, and staff!

[markv]

I kindly disagree with sumples. I think that the MAC is strong enough that their rep won't be that much weaker than a 7th place Big 12 team. But people will THINK the MAC team is a pushover. Win or lose, we will appear stronger if we play another major conference in a warm weather bowl game.

Hard to imagine Illinois getting a BCS at-large, but not that hard to imagine OSU still getting into the championship game, bumping Illinois into the Rose and us into the Champsports. There are plenty of tough games left to knock down the 3 of the 4 remaining teams who will be ahead of OSU in tomorrow's BCS standings. OSU vs. LSU, or OSU vs. the Big 12 winner? Not an unlikely scenario.

[John Rhodes]

Winning certainly quells all criticism. As always. Now everyone wants to be on the congrats bandwagon.
Three weeks ago everyone swore this was the same old spartans and only the fans who understand football knew this to be untrue. The team lost to the top teams but which team did not? The guy they hired this time is the right guy to lead them further. If Nick Saban says so, it must be so.

[msumick]

I agree with TDP. Either go to Arizona or if at all possible, Florida. That is a reward, not going to Detroit. I think MD will leave it up to his players and to them it will be a no-brainer. I live in Florida, which would be great for me, but we may just have to go to Arizona.

[Heavy D]

I too agree with TDP. I would love to go to Ford Field on my birthday & cheer on my Spartans, however it's hard to recruit good players by saying "Come to MSU and you'll get to play in the Motor City Bowl.”

[Michael Motta]

It looks like ol' George might have himself in another conflict of interest position. For those few who don't know, in addition to his being a big shot with the Motor City Bowl, Perles is on the Board of Trustees. And for the more (the young) who may not know, Perles was AD and head football coach for awhile during his major conflict of interest period.

If George wants to put MSU ahead of his involvement with the Motor City Bowl, then he won't meddle in any way other than a manner that's positive for MSU. It's unfortunate that he's even in this position.

When I voted for George and some Green Party gal for the Trustees election, I have to admit that the Motor City Bowl was the last thing on my mind. George, please don't make me wish I had only voted for the young Greens gal.

[stu]

The Vally of the Sun is a great destination! If we get an invite to Tempe, we need to accept it! I do not want to live in any pathetic world where my team declines a bowl game because they are afraid to lose the game! If any of you can make the trip to AZ, take it!!! You will not be disapointed with the hospitality! Oh- and don't forget your clubs!

[spartan fan]

Amazing! Just a few weeks ago were were all saying SOS, me included. What is the best accomplishment of this first season is indeed the apparent turn-around in player attitude when faced with adversity. Versus PSU were were down 17 and came storming back with grit, determination, and toughness. That fact...that this team didn't fold, didn't quit, that forms part of the foundation moving forward. It is truly about CHARACTER. Seems that part of MD's job has been accomplished.

Now we are bickering about which bowl is best to attend. The bowl represents the frosting on the cake. I respect the opinion from the others about recruiting, etc. But frankly this team deserves the MOST credit for the WAY they fought back. Motor City...Insight...who cares. One brick in the foundation to restore MSU to football RESPECTABILITY has been laid. Thanks MD, your detractors will be silenced for awhile, myself included. Enjoy the victory, the extra practice time, the shot in the arm in the recruiting wars. You are 7-5, first year with a chance to go 8-5...4 more than last year. With Lloyd Carr looking like he's stepping down, ND in a tailspin, a sweep of Indiana, we should be able to get the attention of a few more solid recruits..kids like Greg Jones. Another brick in the wall.

CONGRATS, MSU FOOTBALL TEAM.

Now I am certainly looking forward to next year.

[DBlogger]

So who will they play in the Insight bowl?

[charlevoixspartan]

Hey Michigan Man, where are you now? Oh, that's right, you just got beat up by your big brother Ohio State! The sorry thing is that scUM is only one game better than MSU in the standings. Mike Hart ran his mouth yesterday much better than he ran the ball and now looks foolish. Anyway, we need to take the Insight Bowl if it is there and Perles, being a trustee knows that and will be proud to let it happen. Great job the coaching staff has done this season, changing the culture and winning and losing with class (Take note of that UM!). Good luck and Go Green!!!

[Chris]

I really don't want to do anything for George Perles. Remember, he left the program that went on probation for four years. I don't think he should be allowed on campus.

[Bill]

Looking ahead to the Insight Bowl.

The Insight bowl pits Big Ten #6 with Big 12 #6. The Big 12 still has a couple of games left, It perhaps be Oklahoma State and Texas A&M who are both 6-5 with one game remaining. Nerbraska and K-State are 5-6 and could go with one more W.

If two Big 12 teams (say Kansas and Oklahoma) both get named to BCS bowls, everyone moves up a slot. In that case the Big 12 might come up short and the Bowl would have to pull in an at-large team

[Bill]

Charlevoix.---- basketball season is here!!!

I think you will find Michigan Man will won't be quite so visible for the next four months.

[Fred]

Hey Mike Hart -- MSU may be your little brother, but Ohio State is your abusive stepfather!

[David]

Sumples: you concede defeat too easily, and unnecessarily. Who says whoever they play @ the INSIGHT Bowl will automatically be better than State? Could State be overmatched? Sure, it could happen. However, I'd much rather take that risk than opting to go to the MCB. There are already jokes out there about the Motor City Bowl being the "goal" for the MSU football team each year. The INSIGHT Bowl would give them a chance to tell recruits "Never mind that - we went to someplace warm!" If it's the MCB or nothing, I'll take the MCB. If it's the MCB or any other Bowl game, I'd take the any other Bowl game.

DSR

[West Coast Steve]

On Tuesday ESPN had the Insight Big 12 particpant as Oklahoma State or Texas A&M. If we are able to stay right in the game with OSU, Wiscy and um, and beat PSU, IU and PU, then we should be well matched and maybe slightly advantaged versus either Big 12 opponent.

And, having beaten IU & PU decisively, we should be first in line for AZ. Not to mention the Spartan alum base in the West is huge...maybe 30,000+ just in CA.

As with PSU, I think the outcome would come down to team discipline and who is hot that night. Looking at our progress and the long-term picture, I'm happy as clams that MSU has gone from nowhere to even a sure bid for Motown. But, the Insight Bowl is the sexier match no question. Don't the recruits we want (the mechanism for taking our program to where ILL and Wiscy are today, and then on to OSU and you-know-who status) feel a lot better about MSU with a broader-appeal game in AZ? This is pure sun-worship season... those are the marketing rules in winter.

MAC and Big 10 #7 in Motown is good progress (congrats, Dantonio, staff and team!), but not nearly as sexy as the Insight Bowl to the recruits in MI, OH, PA, an IL or to MSU alumni for that matter. Tempe is where we belong in December.

[gogreen]

I agree, Tempe or nothing in my book. Bowl game are meant to be to travel and a reward for the players and fans for a great season. Traveling to Detroit does NOT do that. If Detroit is your only bowl then I say turn it down, it is an insult.....it does nothing for recruiting and if you lose it kills the program even further.......we deserve to go to Tempe and if Perles screws it up then we should leave him with an empty stadium in Detroit!!

[Gabriel]

Folks, not be picky but the game is not in Tempe, it's played downtown Phoenix at Chase Field (Where it get's really really LOUD!!) I'll be their!

[go green]

The bottom line is the fact that the team will get: More exposure, more PRACTICE TIME, and a reward for a LONG TENUOUS DRY SPELL. What a "problem" it is for the fans to bicker over WHICH bowl that MSU might be invited to. The best scenario I envisioned last summer was 8-4 and more realitically, 5-7. Hats off to the coaching staff for maximinzing the potential of a group of kids that really had been cursed over the past few years. Have they turned the corner! I hope so, but we will see next year when the new season evolves. Go State!