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Do We Really Need More Bowl Games? - Apr 21, 2006 | 9:59:28
posted by: Josh
Could we really be adding more bowl games? With applications for four additional bowl games submitted to the NCAA???s Postseason Football Licensing Subcommittee, it???s a very real possibility that we could have 32 postseason games on the docket this fall. I understand that bowl games provide student-athletes with an opportunity to compete on a more prominent stage and allow many to experience a new part of the country for the first time. There isn???t one part of me that doesn???t appreciate the excitement the Arkansas State football team felt last fall when it got to compete in a bowl game. Remember, I???m the kid with t-shirts from 50 baseball tournaments in his bureau.
But 32 games are too many for the bowl season. With teams needing to finish at .500 or better to be bowl-eligible, we aren???t even a guarantee to be able to fill all 64 postseason spots. It???s conceivable that fewer teams than we need would even be eligible, which could force a rule change allowing a sub-.500 team into a bowl game, or perhaps even the cancellation of a game. And aren???t bowl games supposed to be a reward for excellence? If all teams need to do to be rewarded is finish at dead even, isn???t it a reward for mediocrity? There are 119 Division I-A football programs, and more than half don???t need to play in the postseason. The Postseason Football Licensing Subcommittee usually accredits a bowl game if the organizers have secured a television contract and two conferences that agree to send their teams to the game. Additionally, a $2 million letter of credit from a bank is also necessary in the proposal, as there needs to be guaranteed money for competing teams. I don???t really watch most of the bowl games now, and I know I won???t watch the additional four that might find their way onto my television. That doesn???t mean there aren???t good reasons for eight additional teams to play a postseason football game, but I can???t get myself excited about the possibility. 
CommentsAnd herein lies the huge problem with the structure of college football. As presently constituted there is exactly one bowl game which matters (the national championship game) with the possibility of a second mattering in the case of split title. Under this system why not add more bowl games? More games will just line the pockets of hypocritic NCAA football officials who speak out of both sides of their mouths. Adding additional, meaningless bowl games highlight the hypocrisy of NCAA football. On the one hand we cannot have a playoff system because doing so would extend the season too long and disrupt the athletes' performance in the classroom. But on the other hand these same officials have no problem adding additional bowl games which will result in even more athletes missing class time but for no discernable reason (the additional bowl games would have no impact whatsoever, wheras the implications of playoff games would be enormous). Also these officials have rejected a playoff system out of fear that such an infrstructure would denigrate the regular season. However, as Josh pointed out, doesn't adding more bowl games and thus rewarding teams for less than excellence during the regular season do the same thing? Couldn't the argument be made that allowing more teams to participate in postseason games does more to disparage the value of the regular season than a playoff system ever would? Couldn't agree with you more. Give me 31 games of Division III playoffs any day. Here here!! Here's to having a real playoff system in D2 and screw all them silly bowl games. i think a playoff system in college football would work just fine if you have the playoff in december when students are out for christmas break. this way, the season would end right around the time it ends now. I believe that there are to many bowl games and I'm upset that they have not found a way to decide who is the number one team in the country. They need a better system. Post a Comment |
  
It means that two very good teams with very good coaches made it to the final game.
- Marie
   
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