The next step after grumpy is ex-fan. At some point you might as well just watch the NFL.I choose Grumpy . . .
Bowl Games Thread
BillyBob1
- Champaign
Definitely an earthquake kind of game!
DReq
Always Illini
- Central Illinois
I am wondering if the Bowl sponsors and organizers not involved in the playoff will start drafting the contracts to require players to participate if not injured or to require the schools to pay back some of the payout based on the talent that doesn't show for the game. I have no idea how those agreements are put together but the ratings have to suffer with a large number of no-shows and that hurts the TV revenue. It seems unsustainable to think they will continue to pay out the same dollars for a lower draw and lower revenues because players decide they don't want to play. I can see players deciding they don't want to get hurt but to some extent insurance can soften that blow. Someone will have to devise a scheme to keep the ratings/revenues up somehow.
And maybe reduce the number of bowl games by 60-70%. Of course, maybe the 12 team playoff system will take care of that . . . at least until college football is absorbed into the NFL
Ratings must be horrible. I've spent zero minutes watching bowl games. No reason to watch. College football is dead as we know it... which means it's dead. Can't really justify watching regular season if there is no chance of it leading to a meaningful conclusion.
Which means they will increase the playoff teams to 16 and increase bowls that mean something.
Until bowls pay players to play they will opt out if they could play in the NFL. Even if you gave each team 1 million for them to split some players would still opt out
Bowls are dead. There is no point games mean nothing
Zero interest here since they’re not the same teams that earned the bowls.
Or be like our PSU fan friends who opted out of going to the bowl. Looks like they had the right idea.
And I doubt they’ll be going to another bowl soon. I know we won’t go to a bowl when Illinois qualifies next.
In overtime.
The 32 team playoff will probably be the answer to what seems to be the dying bowl games. Obviously not that many will be competitive, but the current system is not sustainable for businesses to throw as much money as they are at it. Could be chaotic with as many players sitting out as has become the custom.
It's really too bad. The bowl experience benefits/rewards all team members. It will be something they all will remember.
Illinir1
- Camdenton, MO
We attended our Reliaquest Bowl in Tampa last January and, while we were thrilled to be in a January 2nd bowl game, we felt cheated that the team on the field wasn't the same as the one we supported in Champaign all year. While players sitting out bowl games has been happening for the past few years, it was our first experience going through that with Illinois Football (due unfortunately to our lack of bowl games during the time period). I definitely would/will have a decision to make about attending any near future Illinois Football bowl games. Any future bowl trips could only be undertaken with the mindset of a) it's just an exhibition game b) I'm going to support the rest of the team. And weigh a bowl trip value decision against "I could take a better/longer vacation at the same, or lower, cost".
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
FSU defense was a joke - after they talked of all their opt outs, made it even worse.
60 years ago today in Pasadena: Illinois 17, Washington 7. Jim Grabowski MVP with 125 yards rushing, Dick Butkus with a fumble recovery and an interception.
So, no matter what, the Illini have won the Rose Bowl in my lifetime.
So, no matter what, the Illini have won the Rose Bowl in my lifetime.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Not mine, sadly. I wasn't to be born for another 13.7 years.
Bo Nix is playing in the Fiesta Bowl right now and unless I missed something, I'm pretty sure Penix is playing in the CFP Semifinal at the Sugar Bowl.
Edit: Bo Nix did start in today’s bowl game, so it’s 2 of the 4 finalists.
Quite a few empty seats at the Fiesta Bowl. Guess I can't be too surprised when one of the teams playing is a Group of Six private school that I'm guessing doesn't have a big traveling party or a huge alumni fanbase to draw from.
Yep! Nix’s involvement in the Fiesta Bowl was a pleasant surprise, bringing the number of Heisman finalists playing in bowl games to 2 of 4.
That was just two years before I arrived on campus. My senior year Illinois went winless and had the worst season/long score differential in Illinois history. Lost to Michigan 57-0. I have the program to that game framed and hanging as a testament to the team’s and students’ loyalty.
I’m not seeing an overwhelming amount of green in the stadium.
Wasn't that really the case when the bowls kept expanding to the point where there are 42 games/84 teams? With all due respect to the Idaho Potato Bowl and the Pop Tarts Bowl....there are probably only 8 of the 42 bowls that are really affected by these opt outs.
The creation of they playoffs really took the steam out of the entire bowl system. Let's face it, if Ohio State had beaten Michigan....Harrison Jr is playing and McCord wouldn't have transferred(yet). If Florida State made it, they wouldn't have lost those players.
The elite programs have gone playoffs or bust. The vast majority of the bowl season is what it's always been.....games that about 75% of the country doesn't care about. The ones that do are, 1)fans of the program, 2)Vegas, 3)sports bars and 4)those who don't leave the house very often.
Until the sponsors deem the games dead, all 42 will be on TV with the system very much alive.