I see a chance for a bowl game out west simply from the fact that Ohio's hasn't played a game out west under Frank. The MAC champ I believe is scheduled to play in Detroit and would do so against a Big Ten team. Big Ten with 12 teams should be able to fill the contract in Detroit. We won't have any real insight on this until the division race is decided.
The MAC Champ is not necessarily heading to Detroit to play in the Little Caesar's Bowl. I believe that you are correct in that this is the LCPB's year to have first choice in the MAC, however it doesn't mean that they can't choose the loser in the MAC Championship game. They'll go with the MAC team that will bring in the most money for the bowl.