re: Players may be FORCED to play in bowl games

UGA tried to convince players to not opt out in their bowl game against Texas a few years back after losing in the SECCG and thus missing the playoff. It didn't work out too well.

Since then Smart has basically told the team that they need to be all in to play in the bowl. If they're transferring or thinking about the draft, he encourages them to sit the bowl game out.

We haven't lost a bowl game since. The non-playoff post season appearances have had lots of opt outs, but they players that are on the field are all giving 100% effort, playing hard either to get draft position, or for playing time the following season.

I don't think UGA NIL deals will have a condition to play in a bowl game. Playoff? Perhaps. But not non-playoff bowls.

And with the playoff going up to 12 teams, who really cares if players sit out non-playoff bowl games?