The talking heads have been doing a lot of analysis as to which teams are worthy of being in the playoffs, deciding what the rest of the Top 25 teams looks like, and allocating which teams should be playing each other in the remaining bowl games. All of this talk has brought one question up to the surface.
If you’re not in the playoffs, or in a New Years Day 6 bowl, is everything else just an “exhibition?” Have bowl games lost their luster?
A lot of people have been weighing in on this topic on social media. Here is a sampling of some of the comments I’ve been seeing:
- I am thoroughly entertained by bowl games so I don’t mind having a lot of them but 5-7 teams getting in is a joke (and even 6-6 teams for that matter). But for a school like Notre Dame (or Michigan or Texas or Florida State) anything other than NY6 games is kind of just an exhibition.
- The BCS was way better.
- Yes. Way too many. I can only watch the top 3. It’s become ridiculous.
- If you’re not 1-4, nobody really cares anymore.
- Yes and no. The bottom third of the games is simply too much. Overall the bowl system has lost its luster. I’d like to see it limited to 25-30 bowls, not the current 39. That would make it special again.
- We will see how many players sit out of non CFP games. Last year we had some big names sit out due to injury or fear of injury.
- I still like them. But players are now not wanting to play, afraid of getting hurt and hurt their draft position. I watch ND and New Years games.
- Yes, but it allows each school to practice 16 more times.
- Bowl games are a joke and have been for years. The “Top”, lmao, 64 teams qualify.
- Yes, they mean zero outside your program.
- To the fans, yes. To the players & coaches, NO! I completely agree w/ Herbstreit. I watched Boise St win the MWC Championship (a minor conference) in the 4th quarter and they could not have been more excited or proud! And they are excited for the Vegas Bowl! Because it fulfills a dream for each player, to play in a college football bowl game. It isn’t about us, it’s about the kids & THEIR experience.
- I love bowl games. So tired of the negative bull$h!t from alleged ND fans. So tired of it. I am so proud of what our boys did this season.
- Still about the $ though!!!
- No, I still enjoy the bowl games. Means a lot during the holiday. Go Irish! First time for the citrus bowl for us☘️
- No, I don’t usually watch the 4 playoff teams… unless I care about the team…. I’ll watch the Championship game…. I’ll watch ND in the Citrus… and, as it’s a New Year’s day bowl… works for me.
- Never enough football!
- I don’t think so….I think it’s the experience of possibly playing a team that normally wouldn’t be on your schedule.
- I enjoy bowl games. The season is so short as it is. I can’t believe people complain about prolonging the end.
- My opinion, not for the fans. For the players I feel like they are worried about injury, and not really focused. Had someone mention the other day, bowl games being the first game of the season (from the year prior). Sounds crazy but it made a lot of sense at the time.
- Yes. I miss the imperfection of the New Year’s day bowl games where you had to watch at least 3 or 4 key games in determining who would be named National Champs. Currently everything else is just playing with yourself for giggles…
- As long as it’s college I don’t think they can implement a true system to get this right… the BCS was almost superior to what we have now hate to say it.
- I don’t think they’ve lost their luster at all. The extra practice time benefits all involved with the program. Emphasis was taken off bowl games as we’ve gone from a pseudo-playoff (BCS) to what we have now BUT they still have plenty of appeal.
- I completely understand if players want to skip a non-big 6 bowl, if they have a chance to be drafted on the first day. Where the bowls may fall apart is when all the players who may get drafted decide to skip.
- These programs are big time now paying big time coaches big time money people!… their universities their state’s their fans expect and demand championships! Or it’s considered a bust… I appreciate what my team has accomplished am I disappointed! ? …well yeah
- Since I’ve boycotted the NFL and their sponsors since the beginning of the 2016 season (has nothing to do with the political not-standing for the Anthem), I have enjoyed college football games in any form.
- Too many bowls, spread out over too many days … with too much attention going to the playoff (blame ESPN) … which the final game is so far past Jan 1. I’m already back into work mode to care about paying attention. I miss when Jan 1 was loaded so if one game was bad, you had 3 others to choose from on at the same time. That being said, I do enjoy having games on for almost 2 weeks even if I’m not watching them closely. I flip between them and Hallmark Christmas flicks – hahaha.
- No, they mean a ton to the kids playing. I can see many never, ever played anything at a semi decent level from most these comments. It’s a reward for the kids… something, they don’t forget.
- Yes… The excessive bowl games are beginning to become like participation trophies.
- NEVER enough college football. As soon as the playoff games are announced, it’s “OK, who is playing who?” Some great match ups lined up. As for some of the “minor games?” It’s still football and being in bowl pools makes every game count.
I, myself, love bowl season; and am not complaining one bit about all of the games. But I can see the flip side, that if you’re not in the playoffs or a NY6 bowl game, that playing in the post season may seem meaningless; and the risks of injury may seem too great to offset the possible rewards.
What do you think? Are there too many bowl games? Should the playoffs be expanded to include more teams? Was the BCS better than the current iteration of the College Football Playoff?
Please, leave a comment, and let me know what you think!
Cheers & GO IRISH!
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John Francis Murphy
I will only watch ND because they are lucky enough to play on New Year’s Day.I am always interested in cotton,fiesta,Rose,sugar,orange bowl games!
Mick
I love college football so the more games the better! No one is saying that the generic named bowl on Dec 16th at 4PM is as prestigious as the NY6 but it is still football and for some of these players it will be the last time they ever play. To all those complaining, just think what February is like when only the Professional Bowlers Tour and Rodeo’s are on….. and I am not a huge fan of basketball, and the hockey season is waaaaay too long…
JD
I love them and love how many of them there are. More CFB = I’m happy.