Ball State declined to face Boise State

[HMFFL]

A few days after Ball State finished the regular season with a 12-0 record, folks around the Mid-American Conference began referring to the Cardinals as one of the best teams in league history.

Hogwash.

Elite programs don’t cower in corners when faced with a challenge, which is exactly what Ball State did Wednesday when it declined an invitation to play Boise State in the Humanitarian Bowl.

The game would’ve been one of most intriguing matchups of the postseason. Both 12-0, the Broncos and Cardinals are the only two undefeated teams in college football that won’t be playing in a BCS Bowl.

Yes, the Humanitarian Bowl is played on the Broncos’ home field in Boise, but that shouldn’t matter. The stadium would’ve been packed, television ratings would’ve been huge. Win or lose, the Cardinals would’ve received a level of exposure their program has never known.

Unfortunately, though, the game will never happen.

The Cardinals were too scared.

In some ways it wasn’t difficult to understand Ball State’s position. Coach Brady Hoke had plenty of legitimate reasons for wanting to steer clear of the Humanitarian Bowl.

Link

[KingInExile]

I read about this earlier today. Pretty weak excuses from Ball State IMO. It's hard enough for non-BCS conferences to get any respect as it is. But slacking off on an opportunity to play another undefeated team in a bowl game with weak excuses makes that disrespect look justified.

[J-Mezzy]

LOL

Let's see if Jason Whitlock will defend his boys

[HMFFL]

Ball State can't hide from a "L" against Buffalo.

[UrbanLegendMD]

It doesn't matter now that they lost to Bufallo and their handsome coach.

[hermes]

would have been a cool game, too bad they lost anyway