Do bowl games matter anymore?

[Cy4All]

Due to the transfer portal and opt outs the teams trotted out onto the field for bowl games are not the teams that earned that bowl game. For example look at Iowa. Due to transfers and 1 injury they will be sending out a QB that is either a rs freshman or a true freshman, neither of which have taken a single snap in a live college football game, will be with out key contributors at rb and wr in Gavin Williams, Arland Bruce, and Keagan Johnson. This doesn't even talk about opt outs.

I understand some of the opt outs being worried about injuries but at what point do we start to worry about that? Should they also opt out of conference championship games since they don't really mean anything? How about the last game of the regular season? Is it because there are so many bowls now, the kids just don't care, or something I just don't get? Does an expanded CFP give them more reason to finish the season out?

 

[ISUTex]

No. Not really. Might as well scrap them and just give every program a winter practice season in December.

 

[Jer]

They matter as much now as they ever have - technically nothing but still fun. I think people get too caught up in how much they matter rather than just enjoying that we basically get an extra 2-3 weeks of football. I hate all sports outside of CBB, CFB, and NFL so the longer CFB lasts, the happier I am.

 

[Dr.bannedman]

not at all

 

[Pope]

Unfortunately, bowl games are turning into exhibition games. It's all about the playoffs.

 

[loyalsons4evertrue]

Not really but I still like them and they're fun. The extra practice is always good and the fan comraderie is always fun too

 

[Marcelason78]

That Ky-hok clash will be huge.

 

[cyfanatic13]

It’s a nice reward for a team and something fun and different. And nice for the fans to have a little extra football. Nothing like betting the farm on the over on New Mexico St vs Bowling Green and getting irrationally upset when it doesn’t hit

 

[Al_4_State]

Define "matter".

Bowl games never really mattered other than a handful of them. It seems like players care less than they used to, and I don't fully understand that. If nothing other than the playoffs matter, then why aren't NFL players on teams with more than 2 losses bowing out as soon as their team is eliminated from playoff contention? I don't mean that rhetorically. If _______ Bowl doesn't matter, then why does playing for a 3-4 loss team matter? I think this is eventually where the game is going - players quitting halfway through the season.

But I do think the bowls still matter for guys who aren't going pro after that season. It's more development, and more reps against a different opponent that can make you concentrate on different parts of your own team. And any fan that isn't entertained by them is someone I don't understand. Who wants less football?

 

[snowcraig2.0]

Yes they matter. By the 'bowl games don't matter' logic, once a team can't win their conference they might as well stop playing games.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Never really did beyond the games affecting the championship. Just a terrible system to decide the best sport in the world. So glad the playoff is expanding.

 

[CycloneErik]

Unfortunately, bowl games are turning into exhibition games. It's all about the playoffs.

They were something else?

 

[ClonesFTW]

$$$ Always matters

 

[BigJCy]

As others have said Matter?...No

Do I still enjoy watching them?...Yes

Especially around the Holidays if you are fortunate enough to have some time off or if you work from home their nice to have on in the background as you do other things.

 

[CyJack13]

No, once the playoffs expand they should only be for group of five schools. No power five conference should participate in bowl games when there are 12 playoff spots available.

 

[3TrueFans]

Matter to who? To me? No. To some of the players? For sure. For coaches who get massive bonuses for reaching them? Oh hell yeah.

 

[awd4cy]

They used to, but definitely don’t anymore. Used to watch tons of bowl games. Now I might tune into 1 or 2 of them. Many others still love them though.

 

[madguy30]

Unfortunately, bowl games are turning into exhibition games. It's all about the playoffs.

When weren't they?

 

[Pope]

They were something else?

Yes they were. There was a time when the bowl games factored heavily into who was declared the national champion. That's no longer the case.

 

[KnappShack]

Is there cash involved?

Then it's another way to feed the machine. They matter for programming and cash only