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re: Suddenly SEC homers say bowl games are meaningless
Posted on 12/30/25 at 11:01 pm to Shocco
Posted on 12/30/25 at 11:01 pm to Shocco
quote:
Only play-off games actually mean anything in the big scope. Any bowl games outside playoffs is just teams in transition for next year.
This is not limited to non-playoff games.
Bowl games feature teams with rosters already in transition for the next year.
Playoff games feature teams with coaching staffs already in transition for the next year.
Neither is indicative of the teams as they are/were during the regular season.
The entire postseason is currently broken.
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Posted on 12/30/25 at 11:09 pm to Tdubs7
They basically are now. Not meaningless but with opt outs and transfer portal and nil non playoff bowls are nothing like pre 2020
Posted on 12/30/25 at 11:43 pm to Tdubs7
Bowl games have been becoming more and more meaningless for a long time, especially with the advent of the CFB playoffs. With the expansion to 12 teams, they are really pointless, because all the best teams are in the playoffs, and those outside the playoffs are mid-tier, or bubble teams at best. With more spots available for a championship run, that has become the ultimate goal. If you don't make it, what else is left?
Posted on 12/31/25 at 1:08 am to Tdubs7
The narrative changed when players started opting out and they shifted to a playoff and snowballed with the expansion of the playoff. Why do you think NO PLAYERS opt out of the CFP games? Why do you think they opt out of major NON CFP games. Because even players think only the playoff games matter. A huge portion of players have checked out if they are not in the playoffs. The culture and priorities of current college football players is completely different than it was 10-15 years ago.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 1:26 am to PeleofAnalytics
What happened to the superior depth of SEC teams? Shouldn't this show more now?
Posted on 12/31/25 at 1:32 am to Tdubs7
quote:
The narrative here changed when the SEC lost its dominance over the last few years.
Hmm if only there was some other explanation, some major change or shift in the sport that happened over the last few years that could perhaps provide another possible reason
Can’t seem to think of one though
This post was edited on 12/31/25 at 1:33 am
Posted on 12/31/25 at 6:41 am to Tdubs7
quote:
Suddenly SEC homers say bowl games are meaningles
Anything outside of the CFP they are meaningless. Considering opt outs, portal losses, the layoff between the regular season and the bowls, they are hardly a measure of anything.
LSU sucked this year but even so, they played without six defensive starters vs Houston, while the Cougars had no opt outs and played with their full roster.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 6:43 am to Tdubs7
When opt outs became as prevalent yes bowl games became meaningless.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 6:49 am to labamafan
Opt outs will soon come to the playoffs as well. If you are a sure fire high pick with millions on the line eventually someone will be smart enough not to risk it - unless they have a contract where they lose their NIL but that’s not the case currently.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 7:01 am to Lexis Dad
quote:
all of the bowls outside of the playoff(NY6) bowls are meaningless.
I don't agree. These non-playoff games are the representation of your 2026 team. The practices leading up to the bowl game this year are auditions for positions starting in spring if I were the head coach.
IMO these games are inded meaningful. I also wouldn't be playing anyone portal bound. If a player is moving on to the NFL, I'd allow him to play if he so desired, but portal guys would need to stay home.
I'd probably make some exceptions if a player went to portal but doesn't go to another team. It would depend on the player and potential game contribution. If they don't go to another team, they should clearly know that they're standing on a trap door and I'm holding the release mechanisim.sim.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 9:44 am to D3Fan
I had a couple questions in there about why players NEVER opt out of CFP games and opt out of the biggest non CFP bowls? Why not answer that instead of going on a tangent about depth. If players really cared about non CFP games, why do so many opt out of them and never the other? Pretty simple question. It’s almost as if today’s players just don’t care.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 9:56 am to Tdubs7
quote:
Suddenly SEC homers say bowl games are meaningless
That is crazy. Obviously, Bowl Games still mean something. That's why people are driving up ticket prices so high to go watch them.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 10:14 am to Tdubs7
Since when is Indiana so cultured and metropolitan? ??
Posted on 12/31/25 at 10:23 am to Tdubs7
quote:
Suddenly
Posted on 12/31/25 at 10:29 am to Victor R Franko
quote:
I'd probably make some exceptions if a player went to portal but doesn't go to another team. It would depend on the player and potential game contribution
Well will the non playoff games the players have only declared intention to enter the portal, so they are not even in the portal yet and thus can’t say they are going to any other specific team. Many of those declared for the portal are auditioning for spots, especially on those teams with new coaches. Also many of those that declared for the portal will be returning to their teams
It’s a crappy situation all around and it’s clear that the powers that be in cfb have just been winging it for years with limited foresight. Not that it matters to them as long as that TV money is rolling is, that’s what they try to base all their decisions around
Posted on 12/31/25 at 10:29 am to Tdubs7
Theres entirely too many opt outs for a lot of these teams in non playoff bowls to guage anything. LSU was playing with third string players the other night. I think Vandy will be playing with most of their starters against Iowa.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 10:32 am to Tdubs7
The Alamo or the music City bowl can mean whatever you want it to mean, really. Multiple players on all teams are sitting out and a lot of coaching staffs have interim playcallers. If you want to use them to justify your points, feel free.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 10:45 am to Tdubs7
Bowl games are not meaningless.
But they aren't meaningful for this season.
UGA made a switch after they lost to Texas in the Sugar bowl after the 2018 season. They stopped trying to get players who were heading to the NFL to play in non-playoff games. Instead they encouraged those who weren't willing to work to try to win the bowl game to opt out and instead focused on players who would be on the field the following season.
So instead of having guys loafing to avoid injury, they had younger players going all out to earn a spot the next season with the guys heading to the NFL sitting in the stands cheering for them.
UGA hasn't lost a non-playoff bowl game since then.
The bowls are very important... to build for the following season. They're not representative for what the team is for the year that's ending. I think the teams that struggle the most are those who are trying to have their players who won't be on the field the next year play. Those guys have often checked out already and are treating the bowl like a vacation. YOu don't want that on the field.
But they aren't meaningful for this season.
UGA made a switch after they lost to Texas in the Sugar bowl after the 2018 season. They stopped trying to get players who were heading to the NFL to play in non-playoff games. Instead they encouraged those who weren't willing to work to try to win the bowl game to opt out and instead focused on players who would be on the field the following season.
So instead of having guys loafing to avoid injury, they had younger players going all out to earn a spot the next season with the guys heading to the NFL sitting in the stands cheering for them.
UGA hasn't lost a non-playoff bowl game since then.
The bowls are very important... to build for the following season. They're not representative for what the team is for the year that's ending. I think the teams that struggle the most are those who are trying to have their players who won't be on the field the next year play. Those guys have often checked out already and are treating the bowl like a vacation. YOu don't want that on the field.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 10:51 am to DawginSC
I think when people say meaningless they just means that the game holds no inherent value to the existing season. Meaningless to this season
Aka they are basically glorified exhibitions that coaches can use for evaluation. It is where the culling begins. It’s essentially the 2026 preseason
Aka they are basically glorified exhibitions that coaches can use for evaluation. It is where the culling begins. It’s essentially the 2026 preseason
This post was edited on 12/31/25 at 10:52 am
Posted on 12/31/25 at 10:53 am to GeauxBurrow312
quote:
still like the bowls, Bert vs Beamer last year was an all time classic
No it wasn’t and it was because of opt-outs and shitty officiating.
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