UCF got the match-up I wanted with Duke in the Military Bowl (link). A beatable 60+ ranked P5 team with a flashy 8-4 record, in-state storylines etc. I really hope ECU reportedly expressing interest in not going back to the Military Bowl didn't cause that. Even the ECU fans that went last year and got shafted I would bet would have rather played Duke there than Coastal in Alabama.UCF at 9-4 is the more attractive team so maybe that's all it was. If ECU wanted that matchup they should have won more at the end of the day.
Cincinnati got the other attractive option in this range for the AAC getting Louisville in Boston. That game is fine, but not one I would be terribly excited to play. They are 7-5 but probably one of the better 7-5 teams ranking 38th. It would have been a tough out. I think Louisville is generally not as well thought of in P5. Lesser respected opponent, lesser record, tougher team than that record would indicate isn't the match I think ECU needed.
If it had to be a G5, Coastal Carolina is basically the best option with an attractive 9-3 record. You can sell that to anyone flipping through the channels. They also are probably a little worse than their record would indicate ranking in the 60s and have just got smoked the last 2 weeks and lost their coach. This matchup should provide one of the easiest wins vs one of the most flash records the team could match up against. That's the combination I think you want if you couldn't get Duke with a similar record.
Look on the bright side, the team that beat ECU's 42-3 gets the prize of 6-6 Lousiana, in Louisiana.
Memphis also got a 6-6 Utah State in another dud of a matchup.
When you consider the other options I think ECU came up roses. It could have been way worse, and lots of programs go pretty screwed. No better program for it to happen than Houston. Boise State's another having to play a 7-5 North Texas in Texas. At least it's not Coastal in Myrtle Beach on their home turf. CCU can be fun for a couple weeks as kind of that semi regional rival. A fun battle of the Carolinas. Just don't lose to them and all is good.
