Bowl games

Unfortunately- for me- bowl games outside of the playoff don’t mean anything in the way they used to. Hell- there are only 2 games on New Year’s Day anymore.

I guess for underclassmen it means more practice or whatever- but it’s barely a reward anymore in the way becoming “bowl eligible” used to mean.

Now, I’m not on the chamber of some mid sized city that likes the $20 M in tourism- I’m only speaking as a fan.


I say no. Bowls are sort of obsolete in so many ways from having prestige or meaning. They mainly are the last grasp of what a season was before the long offseason.

Unfortunately- I miss the old days of college football. Even if it was rigged or had no clear winner- at least an 8-4 or 9-3 season didn’t feel like a total disappointment.

A bowl game is nothing special.

Couldn’t ever figure out why people pointed to his bowl record. Just another game added on to his record.

They’ve never mattered to me though.

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Unfortunately- I miss the old days of college football. Even if it was rigged or had no clear winner- at least an 8-4 or 9-3 season didn’t feel like a total disappointment.

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I too prefer the "old days". Different and unique matchups - tho the conference tie-ins could make some repeats...

Between having so many and the emphasis on the playoffs, my interest has waned.

and as an UGA friend said, if more players keep opting out, so will the fans..

just my $0.02

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I’m asking should the win or loss matter for judging a season or coaching staff

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Double edged sword- they don’t matter, kids opt out- but dammit you better be competitive.

If we lose and end up with 7 losses versus 7 wins- yes- it will matter. It will be the difference in more misery versus a less bitter taste. In time it won’t matter- but it will until “better days come.”

For me, I think the answer is subjective and depends on the individual season.

LRB1967 - How you feeling, baw? Any updates - everything okay? Sorry if I missed an update somewhere. Been thinking about you and wondering how you were doing. Hope all is better / well.

Thanks so much for asking! Flu is slacking up a bit. Fever is down. I have been getting some new meds for the blood clots but am not sure if they have started working yet. I am deeply grateful for all of the thoughts and prayers from our Auburn baws. I hope that each family represented on the Auburn Board is richly blessed this holiday season. War Eagle!

Does my 9 holes of golf after work matter?
It’s not a major championship, but anyone who competes at any sport wants to do their best.

The bowl games matter to a competitor. Everything a man of character does matters.

I agree it’s different than the good ole days, but at the Camellia Bowl I attended a few years ago it looked like every coach and player for Georgia Southern and Eastern Michigan gave their all. I’m glad they played that “meaningless” game. Tyler Bass kicked a 50 yard FG to end the first half. As time was running out Georgia Southern converted a 4th and 13 to set up a game winning FG by Bass.

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I’m asking should the win or loss matter for judging a season or coaching staff

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Not anymore.

With regards to Gus, the opting out for players didn't really become a major issue until his last few seasons. I remember when he played OU in the Sugar bowl and OU had a couple RBs opt out and it was a big story. I remember Bob Stoops saying he thought they were pranking him when they told him they were gonna start training for the pro day/combine to improve their stock. It wasn't a widespread trend until maybe 2017 or 2018. It had happened here and there, but it really started to quickly become a trend the last 3 years of Gus' tenure at Auburn.

On the other hand, you could argue with the opting out trend being so prevalent, that bowl games should be where a coaching staff should really earn their money. If you put together a good plan without some of your better players and can go out and win, that's a good job by the staff. I guess it depends on how you want to look at it.

BOWL GAMES MATTER

The entire system is structured to support the bowl game system. It's another trip where the kids see the city for a week instead of in and out for a forth, like the regular season. all game. I've seen teams fly to Hawaii and back in one day ......

Bowl Game is a reward for hard work. A benefit for the staff in bonuses and a last look at the team before the break.

Yes it matters. Look at Gus' crumby bowl record at AU. It colored our perception of his coaching ability.