Archbold44
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- Apr 30, 2025
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With Kansas State opting out of its bowl, I can completely understand it. The old days, there were only so many bowls and it was a reward for a great season. It was a chance to get one more big matchup, a last time to see Seniors, and a first time to see a few younger guys. But with amateurism gone, and the playoff/NIL/portal era... it seems like it is done. Anyone with an NFL career is foolish to play in a non-playoff game. And it is portal season.
I think that we will see a shift to several play-in games for each conference to finalize playoff spots. Those could be done in a bowl context in Week 14 in lieu of CCGs. The St. Petersburg Bowl... featuring #2 ACC vs #3 ACC for the right to a playoff spot.
I am also thinking that FBS should have an 8-team NIT for G5 teams that do not make the playoff. That could occupy 7 bowl games... making them meaningful. For G5 players, might be a chance to audition for FBS teams. So perhaps a greater participation percentage? Figure... assuming Tulane wins... North Texas, USF, UNLV, San Diego State, Western Michigan, James Madison, Kennesaw State, UConn? These teams are bowl teams anyway, right? Might as well make some meaning for them.
And then make some bowl games every other year. So the bowl games do not disappear, they just get absorbed into the NIT like we do with NCAA tourney sites... The Mayo Bowl... 2026, 2028, 2030, etc.
I think that we will see a shift to several play-in games for each conference to finalize playoff spots. Those could be done in a bowl context in Week 14 in lieu of CCGs. The St. Petersburg Bowl... featuring #2 ACC vs #3 ACC for the right to a playoff spot.
I am also thinking that FBS should have an 8-team NIT for G5 teams that do not make the playoff. That could occupy 7 bowl games... making them meaningful. For G5 players, might be a chance to audition for FBS teams. So perhaps a greater participation percentage? Figure... assuming Tulane wins... North Texas, USF, UNLV, San Diego State, Western Michigan, James Madison, Kennesaw State, UConn? These teams are bowl teams anyway, right? Might as well make some meaning for them.
And then make some bowl games every other year. So the bowl games do not disappear, they just get absorbed into the NIT like we do with NCAA tourney sites... The Mayo Bowl... 2026, 2028, 2030, etc.
