First of all, let me state that I am saddened by the current state of affairs as it pertains to bowl games. I enjoyed the buildup, anticipation, and pageantry of the events for the vast majority of my life.
It was 3 hours of free publicity for the teams and their league, a nice day out for fans who can make it, and an event for the players. It was a nice capstone, a last hurrah, for the guys who get reps but will be going pro in something other than playing football. It was an opportunity for coaches to get to know some of their "next guys up."
Unfortunately, the current bowl scene is the logical result of, first, the transfer portal, then the college football playoff. To some extent, NIL is also an issue, but that goes both ways. NIL can incentivize playing in a bowl game.
The Covid year of 2020 just added accelerant to the flame. The breadth and depth of opt-outs made the bowl season impossible. I remember when we had to withdraw our own participation in 2021 for lack of players.
But I think to the years of playing in the Pinstripe Bowl in particular. It's freezing cold, we're 7-5, and clearly the vast majority of the players just didn't want to be there at all. In retrospect, we shouldn't have bothered.
K-State, Iowa State, and ND have now opted out of this year's games. I'm undecided as to whether I agree with it, but I do understand it. The dudes going to the NFL almost certainly won't play, for injury risk. The dudes portaling are leaving. Lame duck staffs are better off inking their next job.
I'm one of those people who really enjoyed "the most wonderful time of the year" watching the bowl games. But there's no pretending that it's what it used to be.
I don't know how to "fix it," and I'm not sure it can be. Sad, but I've accepted it.
