re: How can they fix the bowls?

I don't think there is a way to fix it. However, I would move the minimum number of wins to 8 and cut the number of bowls from 43 to 25. This wouldn't fix opt outs, but you would hopefully get better match ups.

The other option is within a NIL contract putting a stipulation that the player barring injury must complete the season, including post season games.