Northern Illinois, which plays in the lower-level Mid-American Conference, has become the least likely school — and one of the more controversial — to crash the BCS party.
The Huskies (12-1) will face Florida State (11-2) in the Jan. 1 Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium.
NIU is the first team to play in a BCS bowl that isn’t undefeated and comes from a conference that doesn’t have an automatic berth.
“It’s been a crazy weekend here at Northern Illinois,” new head coach Rod Carey said.
Crazy in every way. Carey was named the Huskies’ head coach Sunday minutes before he learned his team would be in the Orange Bowl. He replaces Dave Doeren, who was hired by N.C. State on Saturday. Carey was the offensive coordinator under Doeren the last two years.
“Things happen for a reason and here we are,” Carey said.
Northern Illinois, which won the MAC championship with a 44-37 double-overtime victory over Kent State on Friday, is 15th in the final BCS standings.
NIU was guaranteed a spot because it finished in the top 16; was the highest-ranked team from a non-automatic qualifying conference; and finished ahead of at least one champion from an automatic-qualifying conference (Wisconsin from the Big Ten and Louisville from the Big East).
The big loser is Oklahoma, who at No. 11 in the BCS standings would have played Florida in the Sugar Bowl had NIU not received an automatic invitation. Instead, Oklahoma is relegated to the Cotton Bowl to play Texas A&M.
Other teams ahead of NIU in the BCS standings and not in a BCS bowl include Georgia, LSU, Texas A&M, South Carolina, Oregon State and Clemson.
“It’s a great story,” said Orange Bowl CEO Eric Poms. “Those kinds of matchups bring out theatrics.”
Both coaches readying for the Orange Bowl downplayed the negative reaction toward the Huskies being in the game.
“Everybody gets an opinion and every opinion deserves its time,” Carey said. “All I know is we are really excited to be in this game. … It’s the biggest game on the biggest stage and it’s earned.”
Said FSU coach Jimbo Fisher: “You don’t get into this game unless you are a good football team. They are obviously a good football team. They belong in this game.”
The Huskies won 12 straight after dropping their opener at Iowa, a team that finished 4-8. No. 25 Kent State is the lone ranked team NIU defeated this season.
NIU joins Utah (twice), Boise State (twice), Hawaii and TCU as programs from non-AQ conferences to play in BCS bowls since the 2004 season. Each of those teams entered its bowl game undefeated.
Florida State is the ACC champion for the first time since 2005 after defeating Georgia Tech, 21-15, in the conference title game Saturday. The Seminoles, No. 12 in the BCS standings, are appearing in their 31st consecutive bowl, the longest streak in the nation.
The Orange Bowl undoubtedly will be one of the least sexy BCS bowls under the current format with Northern Illinois the lowest-profile team to play in the classic since Santa Clara in 1950. Santa Clara, in Northern California, discontinued its program in 1992.
Northern Illinois is led by electrifying quarterback Jordan Lynch, who has received Heisman Trophy mention. Lynch is third in the nation in total offense with 364.08 yards per game.
Lynch is the nation’s No. 4 rusher (top quarterback) and is 25th in passing efficiency.
“When you’re in the MAC every kid in this conference plays with a chip on his shoulder because he was told by the Big 10 or the big schools they weren’t good enough,” Carey said.
Florida State earned the ACC’s automatic bid by surviving the title game against 6-7 Georgia Tech.
FSU limited the Yellow Jackets’ spread-option offense to three field goals through the first 3 ½ quarters before Georgia Tech scored its lone touchdown of the game to pull to within 21-15.
Sophomore cornerback Karlos Williams sealed the win with his first career interception with one minute remaining.
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