A loss to New Mexico in the regular season finale dropped them from the ranks, though the Bulldogs were still invited to the California Bowl once again.
The Cardinals lost only one conference game (to Toledo), while not losing to every other MAC opponent, with a 33-14 win over Ohio in the regular season finale avoiding a three-way tie and clinching it outright for Ball State.
This was Fresno State's fourth bowl win in eight years.
[1] Ball State wouldn't make a bowl appearance again until 1993 when they won the MAC title.
As for Fresno State, they won the Big West Conference two years later in their final season with the conference, which gave them the right to play in the California Bowl once again, which turned out to be the last held, which they lost.