Bowl games are now more like the preseason than the postseason

Everything they did all season led up to this game: The [insert sponsor] Dish. These teams worked all season long so they could get six wins and the chance to play in the post-season. At least that’s what bowling games are supposed to be: the culmination of the season. But if anything, it’s just a preview of what follows.

Its importance wanes for a while. When there was only a BCS title game, there was still a lot of prestige in play in the bowl game. Only two teams have ever made it, so there was no shame in not being one of those two. With the addition of the letter CProfessor Ffootball pLayoffs, they’re becoming less important. There are four full cut-off points. What do you mean you didn’t do that? The six New Year’s Cup matches increasingly looked like consolation prizes for teams who were about to make the playoffs but just missed out.

Now with CFP Expanding to 12 teams, they may be on their way out. Starting with the 2024 season, how is anyone supposed to muster enough energy to take care of the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl when there are 11 playoff games to go?

Everything works against Bowl Mania. Players who know they will be recruited withdraw so as not to risk injury. Most change decisions in training are made before the “post-season” for some strange reason. Players can access the Transfer Portal prior to their bowl matches For some more exotic reasons. Hell, Notre Dame’s starting QB was one of the guys to do it.

I am not advocating against players who choose to drop out or move on. They should do what they want, but it’s crazy that players are allowed into the transfer gate before what is supposed to be the biggest game of their season. The fact that it was opened before bowl games took place only indicates its inappropriateness.

The team that plays in a bowl game is likely to be indistinguishable from the team that played in the final game Normal-Season game a few weeks ago. Bowl games are less a post-season game than a “let’s see what we have for next year” game.

Take Florida, for example. Anthony Richardson has been the Gators’ starting quarterback every game this season, but opted out in anticipation of the NFL Draft. In his place would be Jack Miller III, a freshman (although he had been at Ohio State for two seasons) who had not played in a game for the Gators. Again, for Miller, this will likely be less of a postseason game and more of a starting spot test next season. Florida will also be a team where 17 players already I entered the transportation portal.

Wisconsin fired its head coach, Paul Crest, mid-season and hired Luke Fickel, but interim coach, Jim LeonardStill in charge of the bowl game. It’s odd that Leonard would coach this game while his chosen replacement already lies on his shoulder like a grim reaper. Great motivation. If you’re allowed to hire a new head coach between the regular season and the postseason, why can’t they coach?

Some predicted that with a record number of transfers, this could be the worst season ever. They might be right, but even then, I’m not trying to argue that it isn’t worth watching. Bad college football is still far better than sitting around and waiting for the sun to go down at 4:45.

There are really some great matches out there. UTSA and Troy are rewarded for winning their respective conferences, winning 11 games, nationally ranked, By playing with each other today – The first day of the games. I’m a little sarcastic, but it’s really rewarding for playing ASAP and being home for Christmas. USC, which He has a Heisman winner who still has one year to be draft-eligible, And it was one win away from the playoff get Tulane. For Tulane, who won two games last year, this should be like the Super Bowl. Will USC be able to wake up to a Group of Five opponent after narrowly missing out on the National Semifinals?Final?

Despite the promising matchups, it’s hard to see bowl games as a legitimate postseason game when a bunch of quarterbacks who haven’t started all season are being sent to backup receivers because starters transfer, while playing Calls from a coach who has already been replaced.