Everything they’ve accomplished all season has led as much as this sport: The [insert sponsor] Bowl. These groups labored all season lengthy in order that they might get six wins and the chance to play within the postseason. At least that’s what bowl video games are purported to be: The end result of the season. But if something they’re only a preview for the next one.
Their significance has been diminishing for some time. When there was simply the BCS title sport, there was nonetheless loads of status in taking part in in a bowl sport. Only two groups make it, so there wasn’t any disgrace in not being a type of two. With the addition of the College Football Playoff, they’ve develop into much less necessary. There are 4 complete playoff spots. What do you imply you didn’t make it? New Year’s Six bowl video games have more and more felt like comfort prizes for groups that have been thiiiiiiiis shut to creating the playoff however simply missed it.
Now with the CFP increasing to 12 groups, they very could possibly be on the best way out. Starting within the 2024 season, how is anybody purported to muster sufficient vitality to care concerning the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl when there are 11 playoff video games?
Everything is working towards Bowl Mania. Players who know they’re going to get drafted choose out so that they don’t danger harm. Most teaching change choices are made earlier than the “postseason” for some bizarre cause. Players can enter the switch portal earlier than their bowl video games for some even weirder cause. Hell, Notre Dame’s beginning QB was one of many gamers to do this.
I’m not advocating towards gamers opting out or transferring. They ought to do no matter they need, but it surely’s loopy that gamers are allowed to enter the switch portal earlier than what is meant to be the largest sport of their season. The proven fact that it opens earlier than bowl video games occur simply speaks to their irrelevance.
A crew that performs in a bowl sport might probably be unrecognizable from the one which performed of their remaining regular-season sport just a few weeks earlier. Bowl video games aren’t a lot a postseason sport as they’re a “let’s see what we have for next year” sport.
Take Florida for instance. Anthony Richardson was the beginning quarterback for the Gators each sport this season, however has opted out in anticipation of the NFL draft. Jack Miller III, a freshman (though he was at Ohio State for 2 seasons) who hasn’t performed in a sport for the Gators will begin in his place. Again, to Miller that is in all probability method much less of a postseason sport and extra an audition for the beginning spot subsequent season. Florida will even be fielding a crew the place 17 gamers have already entered the switch portal.
Wisconsin fired its head coach, Paul Chryst, midseason and employed Luke Fickell, however interim coach, Jim Leonhard, remains to be in cost for his or her bowl sport. It feels fairly weird that Leonhard goes to teach this sport whereas his already-selected alternative lurks over his shoulder just like the grim reaper. Great motivation. If you’re allowed to rent a brand new head coach between the common season and postseason, then why can’t they coach?
Some have speculated that with the file variety of transfers, this could possibly be the worst bowl season ever. They may be proper, however even then, I’m not making an attempt to argue that it’s not price watching. Bad school soccer remains to be far more favorable than sitting round and ready for the solar to set at 4:45.
There are literally some nice matchups. UTSA and Troy are being rewarded for successful their conferences, successful 11 video games, and being nationally ranked, by taking part in one another in the present day — the primary day of video games. I’m being a little bit sarcastic, but it surely actually is a reward to play as quickly as attainable and get to go residence for Christmas. USC, which has the Heisman winner who’s nonetheless a 12 months away from being draft eligible, and was one win away from the playoff, get Tulane. For Tulane, who gained two video games final 12 months, this must be like their Super Bowl. Is USC going to have the ability to stand up for a Group of Five opponent after narrowly lacking out on the nationwide semiremaining?
Despite the extra promising matchups, it’s exhausting to see bowl video games as a legit postseason when it’s a bunch of quarterbacks who didn’t make a begin all season throwing to backup receivers as a result of the starters are transferring, whereas getting play calls from a coach who’s already been changed.