Main article: 2006 Central Michigan Chippewas football team
Central Michigan finished the regular season with an overall record of 8–4 and a 7–1 mark in conference play. While the Chippewas faced three Power Five teams, they dropped all three contests including a 17–41 loss at #10 Michigan. After finishing first in the MAC West division, they squared off against MAC East champion Ohio. Playing in Ford Field, Central Michigan won 31–10 to secure the MAC championship and a berth to the Motor City Bowl. This marked the first time since the bowl's inception in 1997 that an in-state team participated.[2] This was also Central Michigan's third Division I-A bowl game having previously lost the 1994 Las Vegas Bowl and the 1990 California Raisin Bowl.
Shortly after securing the conference title, head coach Brian Kelly was announced as head coach of Cincinnati.[3] He choose not to coach Central Michigan in the bowl game and offensive coordinator Jeff Quinn was named interim head coach.
Main article: 2006 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team
Middle Tennessee State compiled a 6–6 regular season record going 6–1 in Sun Belt Conference play. They squared off against four Power Five teams losing all including ranked opponents #17 Oklahoma and #8 Louisville.
Entering the final game of the regular season against Troy, Middle Tennessee State was undefeated in conference play while Troy had one loss. With just over two minutes remaining, Middle Tennessee lead Troy 20-7. However, Troy staged a dramatic comeback, scoring a touchdown, recovering an onside kick, and scoring again with just 15 seconds remaining. A final Hail Mary attempt by the Blue Raiders was unsuccessful, resulting in a 21–20 loss. As a result, Middle Tennessee State was forced to share the Sun Belt championship with Troy.[4]
