By Woodrow Carroll
There are 134 FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) teams at the present time, seeking gridiron glory. Collegiate glory in the form of a National Championship that went the way of the Michigan Wolverines last season.
Twelve regular-season games are the usual number of scheduled contests for the FBS teams who make up the elite of college football. Then, conference championship contests and bowl games next come into play at the conclusion of the regular season for those who qualify.
One team, the Oregon Ducks, who are now in the Big Ten Conference, concluded the schedule unscathed going 12-0. Understandably, Oregon’s unblemished record has the team on top of the various polls and made Oregon one of the favorites to capture the National Championship.
Going undefeated takes some doing for sure. And, apparently, so does failing to win a single game. Meet the Kent State Golden Flashes who ended up 0-12 in 2024! Kent State was the lone FBS program not to record a victory at some point this season.
Kent State, a MAC member just like Northern Illinois, was roughed up in non-league play by Pitt, Tennessee, and Penn State. That was bad enough! What really hurt was the Golden Flashes, 23-17, home loss to St. Francis (Penn.), an FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) school. FBS teams usually schedule FCS teams expecting a victory.
So, let’s beat up on Kent State!
Not only is St. Francis a FCS team, the Red Flash from Loretto, Penn. finished with a 4-7 final record. While taking on mostly other FCS schools, St. Francis did go up against another MAC team in Eastern Michigan along the way and lost 36-0.
After beating Notre Dame, the Northern Illinois Huskies were viewed as the team to beat in the MAC. Instead, the Northern Illinois Huskies struggled going 7-5 and only 4-4 in MAC action.
Back in 2011, Northern Illinois overcame a 20-0 halftime deficit to beat Ohio, 23-20 in the MAC Championship game. Northern Illinois’ first MAC championship was the start of good times for the Huskies who now have a total of five MAC Championships to their credit. As for the Ohio Bobcats, prior to last Saturday Ohio was 0-5 in MAC championship contests. But now, the Bobcats are now 1-5 in MAC championship games after defeating Miami (Ohio)!
After falling behind 3-0 to Miami (Ohio) in last Saturday’s MAC Championship Game at Ford Field in Detroit, the Bobcats roared backed to register a 38-3 victory and claim the MAC championship.
Seven teams from the MAC including Northern Illinois were bowl eligible and all will be in action this postseason. Northern Illinois finds itself in a familiar place against a familiar foe for its bowl assignment.
Northern Illinois (7-5) will face Fresno State (6-6) in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Monday, Dec. 23, in Boise, Idaho. It marks the second meeting of the schools at Albertsons Stadium home to the Boise State Broncos. Northern Illinois beat the Bulldogs, 40-17, back in 2010 when the game was called the Humanitarian Bowl.
Albertsons Stadium is well known for its playing surface. Albertsons is a grocery chain with blue being the chain’s primary color. The blue playing surface at the stadium is well known around the world. Smurf Turf anybody?! Both the playing surface and the football success of the Boise State Broncos football program have brought recognition to the Boise State program.
Fresno State and Boise State are both members of the Mountain West Conference.
Despite the North Illinois letdown that followed the victory at Notre Dame, a victory over Fresno State would leave the Northern Illinois Huskies with a final record of 8-5 overall give them back-to-back bowl victories. Northern Illinois beat Arkansas State in the 2023 Camilla Bowl.