PHOTO: USA Today Sports
The Northern Illinois Huskies came into the MAC Championship Game looking for their second straight trip to a BCS game and Jordan Lynch was looking to strengthen his Heisman resume. Things didn't turn out like the Huskies pictured them.
The Bowling Green Falcons quickly seized control of this game right from the start. QB Matt Johnson led the Falcons to four first half TDs and a 31-13 half-time lead. BGSU had the best defense in the MAC this season and in this game they did a good job of bottling up Lynch and making NIU try beat them through the air. The second half was more of the same as Bowling Green withstood an early run by NIU and won going away 47-27. This was the first MAC Championship win since 1992 for the Falcons.
With NIU losing this game, it opens up an at-large spot in the BCS. A lot is still up in the air until Saturday's games are decided but this loss will help solidify Clemson and the loser of the Big Ten Championship Game and will open up a spot for someone like Baylor or Oregon.
With this win, Bowling Green will head to the GoDaddy.com Bowl where they will face Arkansas State (7-5, 5-2 in Sun Belt). NIU will likely head to the Little Caesars Bowl with their opponent being in doubt as the Big Ten will not be able to fill out all of their bowl slots.
Jordan Lynch had quietly inched his way into the Heisman conversation as the year went on and many, including this website, had him as the #2 contender to Jameis Winston headed into this game. After his performance tonight, Lynch has all but removed himself from the Heisman picture. The most he can hope for at this point is an invitation to the ceremony in Manhattan, which would still be a huge victory for him and NIU.
