Minnesota players are boycotting all team activities in protest of 10 players being suspended, some connected to a sexual assault case. But with only 11 days left before the bowl games, one of the sides to this story is whether the Golden Gopher players will boycott their bowl game, as well.
If Minnesota boycotts the Holiday Bowl, NIU could step in against Washington State
There’s a potential backup plan.
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
If they do, a quick contingency plan would have to be put in place. And it may involve Northern Illinois, according to ESPN.
NIU’s AD seems confident the Huskies could pull it off.
College football has already run out of 6-6 teams, which means 5-7 teams with high Academic Progress Rate scores are next in line, per NCAA rules. Two 5-7 squads (Mississippi State and North Texas) made bowl games this year, and Northern Illinois would be the third. Ironically, Minnesota was very high near the top of the APR standings in the most recent cycle, but finished well within bowl eligibility, at 8-4.
The Huskies are only next in the pecking order because Texas has reportedly said it’ll pass on the postseason. The Longhorns have a 971 APR score, just higher than the Huskies at 970.
So, thanks to Texas, Northern Illinois has a shot to go bowling after all.
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