re: Sugar Bowl importance

The bowls are all in decline, due to the "win or bust" mentality. Case in point- look at Florida's indifference to last year's Sugar; even moreso, look at LSU's fans' open hostility to the Peach.

Mindset- if you aren't playing for #1, it isn't worthwhile. Result- there are well over 100 major programs; there is no way to even come close to a truly fair matchup in a playoff.

Clemson currently is in consideration for a shot at the BCS, and would have been in a 4 game playoff had that started this season, and they run the table. Louisville likely is left out in that same scenario; they're behind the SEC (Bama), Pac 12 (Oregon), ACC (Clemson), B1G (Ohio St). Yet, Louisville smoked Florida in the Sugar last year, and Clemson managed a miracle 1 pt win over LSU in the Peach (which is why they started so high in the rankings). And that doesn't even address Baylor and the mega-offense they have, and likely also will be left on the outside looking in. Message- unless you're predetermined, don't bother.

Why pay big money to go to a bowl to see a team that has been told to not bother? Why continue to invest millions to host irrelevant bowls people won't attend?