Bowl games mean something

[Hawkfan_08*]

Yeah, it sucks to not make the playoffs. There are some players that opt out and of course transfer before the game.

It feels like there were fewer big teams that had players sit and these games have been pretty good.

I respect Vandy for finishing their season strong and keeping the team together. That's going to bode well to find their way in the SEC. They were really good in the 2nd half.

We were really good today and the offense did a great job. Proud of the Hawks.

Here's my argument on why post season bowl games should matter beyond pride to play for your school, signed contracts to play, being a part of a team, and you have a chance to play an equal caliber team to put stuff on film.

With the playoffs we are getting closer to the NFL. Both leagues invite 12 teams in the playoffs.

For the NFL, that equals 43.75% of the teams. Nearly half.

For the NCAA, that is only 8.8% of teams.

While it's true that only those 12 can win the title, I think we need to stop that the other games don't matter. Just over 50% make bowl games but obviously not all are equal.

If you take the top 23 bowl games, which I am being pretty liberal with, and including the playoffs, that means that only 42% of teams make those games which is still better than the NFL.

I just wish we (media and fans) would give a little more credit to these games.

 

[83Hawk]

Yeah, it sucks to not make the playoffs. There are some players that opt out and of course transfer before the game.

It feels like there were fewer big teams that had players sit and these games have been pretty good.

I respect Vandy for finishing their season strong and keeping the team together. That's going to bode well to find their way in the SEC. They were really good in the 2nd half.

We were really good today and the offense did a great job. Proud of the Hawks.

Here's my argument on why post season bowl games should matter beyond pride to play for your school, signed contracts to play, being a part of a team, and you have a chance to play an equal caliber team to put stuff on film.

With the playoffs we are getting closer to the NFL. Both leagues invite 12 teams in the playoffs.

For the NFL, that equals 43.75% of the teams. Nearly half.

For the NCAA, that is only 8.8% of teams.

While it's true that only those 12 can win the title, I think we need to stop that the other games don't matter. Just over 50% make bowl games but obviously not all are equal.

If you take the top 23 bowl games, which I am being pretty liberal with, and including the playoffs, that means that only 42% of teams make those games which is still better than the NFL.

I just wish we (media and fans) would give a little more credit to these games.

Agree!

A bowl game still means something to me!

 

[eyesofhawk]

Every game is huge

 

[Laker3588]

Every game is huge

Absolutely

 

[IowaCityLit]

Agree!

A bowl game still means something to me!

I don’t know. If you’re Northwestern do you feel amazing after beating Central Michigan in the whatever low level bowl they played in? Not really.

Depends on the bowl and the opponent.

 

[Hawkfan_08*]

I don’t know. If you’re Northwestern do you feel amazing after beating Central Michigan in the whatever low level bowl they played in? Not really.

Depends on the bowl and the opponent.

In my OP I said that not all bowls are the same. I would not count Minnesota, NW or probably Washington's wins in bowls that would be in that top 42%.

 

[NWHawk33]

Bowls do MEAN SOMETHING especially for programs like Iowa. Extra practices, development, one more game for us diehards without an NFL team in state. Those are all great things.

BUT I don't think in this day and age they should count. Play them, have a winner etc but it shouldn't count to a coach's record or anything. It's an exhibition and nothing more at this point.

 

[wilson reborn]

Bowl games mean you didn't make the playoffs.

 

[Hawkfan_08*]

Bowl games mean you didn't make the playoffs.

I addressed that. 8.8% of FBS teams make it. That is a pretty tough ask. I'm not saying we shouldn't expect to and shoot for the playoffs. I think there are still some top bowl games that you should be proud to play in.

 

[wilson reborn]

I addressed that. 8.8% of FBS teams make it. That is a pretty tough ask. I'm not saying we shouldn't expect to and shoot for the playoffs. I think there are still some top bowl games that you should be proud to play in.

It was a good win.

 

[trfhawk]

I don’t know. If you’re Northwestern do you feel amazing after beating Central Michigan in the whatever low level bowl they played in? Not really.

Depends on the bowl and the opponent.

Bet they feel better than Ohio State today. I know I do.

 

[trfhawk]

Bowls do MEAN SOMETHING especially for programs like Iowa. Extra practices, development, one more game for us diehards without an NFL team in state. Those are all great things.

BUT I don't think in this day and age they should count. Play them, have a winner etc but it shouldn't count to a coach's record or anything. It's an exhibition and nothing more at this point.

Then do not count the 3-4 "exhibition" games (3 in the Big 10 and 4 in the SEC) to start the season against totally out manned opponents. At least in the Bowl games you are paired with a comparable opponent.

We saw yesterday in the Iowa game what WAS good about college football and bowl games. 2 really good teams playing a game with virtually no opt outs. (1 for Vandy) The players were there because they wanted to be there for their teammates, fans, and THEIR SCHOOL, It is rare to see that in today's totally f'd up system. I can recall mid-level bowl games (Insight/Alamo bowls) that Iowa played in that drew 60,000 fans, I attended Outback and Cap.One games that were in packed stadiums against really good teams, (Florida/LSU) We have created a system now where players and coaches do not give a **** about their school or their teammates. Why should fans? Playoffs or bust is the prevailing attitude and it is not good for the college game.

And finally, however many teams they decide to have in the playoffs, do not include teams like James Madison and Tulane. All it does is give one of the other playoff teams a practice game.

 

[rchawk]

College football is my favorite sport. I like the bowl games. There are too many of them, not as much of a reward as they used to be, but if a city wants to pony up the cash that's okay too.

The playoffs haven't made bowls obsolete. Hell, in the old days the national title was decided by the outcome of perhaps two bowl games out of twenty. If you want to argue there are too many playoff games you may have a point.

 

[BioHawk2]

Since both teams managed to have their rosters essentially in tact this game had a bit more legitimacy than many of the other ones. It was a fun game and both teams came to play but in the grand scheme of things doesn't really mean a whole lot. It was exactly what bowl games are supposed to be.