Ball State didn’t reach the six wins required for a bowl appearance, but the success of one of its conference rivals will benefit the Cardinals’ athletic department.
Western Michigan received a berth to play in the Cotton Bowl Sunday, just the second time a team from the Mid-American Conference has ever been chosen to play in a New Year’s Six bowl. The Broncos ran the table in the regular season and beat Ohio in the MAC championship game Friday to finish 13-0.
Ball State benefits because teams that make it to any bowl game earn a payout that is put into a pool that its respective conference can disperse among full members.