[Goose]

I chuckle at claims that CMac not playing will not damage our bowl chances. He's a once in a generation player (aren't we lucky to have had three of those the past 8 years?!?) Love is a good player, but it's a steep drop off from CMac to Love.

I agree that having a 100% committed CMac playing would make it more likely we would win the Sun Bowl. I am not equally convinced that a not 100% committed CMac playing with an eye to not getting hurt would make it more likely. When you game plan for CMac and get CMac Lite, it may not work well. You may feel differently about this. For me, if he is not 100% in, we probably are better off with him out. Possibly he felt that way also.
Also, my point has always been that while our odds of winning have decreased with his absence, they don't decrease by a "large" amount. That said, we can still lose in either situation. I am sure that if we do lose, CMac will get some heat.

[Goose]

I chuckle at claims that CMac not playing will not damage our bowl chances. He's a once in a generation player (aren't we lucky to have had three of those the past 8 years?!?) Love is a good player, but it's a steep drop off from CMac to Love.

I agree that having a 100% committed CMac playing would make it more likely we would win the Sun Bowl. I am not equally convinced that a not 100% committed CMac playing with an eye to not getting hurt would make it more likely. When you game plan for CMac and get CMac Lite, it may not work well. You may feel differently about this. For me, if he is not 100% in, we probably are better off with him out. Possibly he felt that way also.
Also, my point has always been that while our odds of winning have decreased with his absence, they don't decrease by a "large" amount. That said, we can still lose in either situation. I am sure that if we do lose, CMac will get some heat.