Future of CFB bowl system

[History Geek]

This bowl season has shown that the structure that has been around for many, many years, is no longer viable. With many players now entering the portal right after the regular season is over, or opting out of playing in a bowl to prevent injury before the NFL draft/free agency season, the teams playing are not recognizable to the lay fan and ratings have plummeted. No viewers = no ad dollars = no more games, or at least a reduction in games. Is that where we are going?

 

[businesslawyer]

This bowl season has shown that the structure that has been around for many, many years, is no longer viable. With many players now entering the portal right after the regular season is over, or opting out of playing in a bowl to prevent injury before the NFL draft/free agency season, the teams playing are not recognizable to the lay fan and ratings have plummeted. No viewers = no ad dollars = no more games, or at least a reduction in games. Is that where we are going?

Yes. And when that happens, the tournament will start looking like the hoops tournament, with a higher percentage of schools being eligible (although that might come in part from shrinking the top division and thus eligible teams rather than expanding places).

 

[History Geek]

Yes. And when that happens, the tournament will start looking like the hoops tournament, with a higher percentage of schools being eligible (although that might come in part from shrinking the top division and thus eligible teams rather than expanding places).

Yup.

Up to today, I had a few bowl games on in the background, but never really paid attention. I will have CFB this afternoon, but again more for background while I do other stuff. I will sit down and focus on the semi-finals tonight. Only three games interest me this bowl season. Only seven will next year.

 

[History Geek]

Actually, I'm interested in seeing how the G5 representative does against a big boy. Probably the first time I have ever rooted for Liberty.

 

[shizzle787]

If you gave FBS programs the option to have a 13th game and forgo all bowls with the exception of the CFP "bowls", I think most would take it.

 

[History Geek]

If you gave FBS programs the option to have a 13th game and forgo all bowls with the exception of the CFP "bowls", I think most would take it.

That could be a relatively simple solution. I like it.

 

[History Geek]

Actually, I'm interested in seeing how the G5 representative does against a big boy. Probably the first time I have ever rooted for Liberty.

Nice opening drive by the Flames.

Back to the topic: I will always be rooting for the G5 rep moving forward in the expanded CFP. Cinderella and all of that.

 

[Scoe]

I have it all figured out. Go with this model 2023-24 25 team CFP playoff simulation

I would be inclined to having, 16 teams out side the top 25, to make an even number, they all have their tournament and the winner of that tournament plays the 25th ranked team in order to get into the 25 team field.

 

[How Sway?!]

Liberty hadnt played anyone with similar level of talent, and it's showing today. Good season but clearly not the best G5 team

 

[Palatine]

The first round (mostly mismatches) of the NCAA Basketball Tournament is heavily watched. It worth it because the upset alerts that often don't pan out but whet your appetite.

A 16 team football playoff would give us eight games, really opening the door for surprises, and even if they don't pan out, some of the halftime scores should enhance interest. The story lines will increase by a lot.

 

[giddyup]

10 game regular season. Should be a 32 team playoff structured like FCS.

 

[maple]

Actually, I'm interested in seeing how the G5 representative does against a big boy. Probably the first time I have ever rooted for Liberty.

They did not do well.

 

[History Geek]

They did not do well.

Nope

 

[uchusky32]

Said this over in the realignment thread. Playoffs have diminished other bowl games. No value to the top players. Networks will want more high level content. Playoffs will have to expand to drive player participation and viewership.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

This bowl season has shown that the structure that has been around for many, many years, is no longer viable. With many players now entering the portal right after the regular season is over, or opting out of playing in a bowl to prevent injury before the NFL draft/free agency season, the teams playing are not recognizable to the lay fan and ratings have plummeted. No viewers = no ad dollars = no more games, or at least a reduction in games. Is that where we are going?

If you are the Director of Marketing at any of the current bowl sponsors, how do you go to your boss and recommend renewing a bowl sponsorship? You would look like an idiot.

 

[uconnbill]

Some see what is happening to bowl games, but they are needed for schools like UConn. Otherwise, the chances of going to the playoffs are slim, and these schools need something to play for.

 

[J187Money]

If the TV money from the bowls is enough - they can pay the players to play. But if people keep watching - even if the key players sit - the math still works. So doesn't matter what we think.

 

[History Geek]

Some see what is happening to bowl games, but they are needed for schools like UConn. Otherwise, the chances of going to the playoffs are slim, and these schools need something to play for.

Could play for a league championship and maybe a spot as the "not big boy" representative in the CFP. Kinda like Ivy League basketball. That'd be enough for me.

 

[ZooCougar]

This bowl season has shown that the structure that has been around for many, many years, is no longer viable. With many players now entering the portal right after the regular season is over, or opting out of playing in a bowl to prevent injury before the NFL draft/free agency season, the teams playing are not recognizable to the lay fan and ratings have plummeted. No viewers = no ad dollars = no more games, or at least a reduction in games. Is that where we are going?

As the playoffs expand bowls will become more worthless than the third place game at the World Cup.

 

[History Geek]

As the playoffs expand bowls will become more worthless than the third place game at the World Cup.

As a fellow soccer head, I appreciate the reference. Very apropos.

 

[Palatine]

This is easy as pie.

Look at NCAA basketball. Even with a 68 team field, there are still two other tournaments that draw teams.

College football can go to a 16 team tourney. Play the quarters at Christmas, the semis at New Years, and the final the first week in January. Basically, the way it is now.

The non-tourney teams can play their bowl games before the tourney, all though December up to Christmas. So you have a regular season, a bowl season and a tournament season.

And don't tell me that will make the bowls meaningless. Most of them are meaningless NOW!!!! The bowls are a reward for a winning season and a reward for the alumni. There are enough cities and sponsors that want to be part of college football to fund dozens of bowls.

 

[History Geek]

But have to be financially viable. Will bowls that only friends/family will watch on TV make enough money to be worth it for broadcasters/narrowcasters to produce?

 

[ZooCougar]

But have to be financially viable. Will bowls that only friends/family will watch on TV make enough money to be worth it for broadcasters/narrowcasters to produce?

Just because stands are empty doesn’t mean the ratings are bad. The Pop Tarts bowl had like 4M viewers.

 

[Palatine]

But have to be financially viable. Will bowls that only friends/family will watch on TV make enough money to be worth it for broadcasters/narrowcasters to produce?

Just look at the existing bowls that are currently supported without having big name national teams. Almost all have TV deals.

 

[UConnJim]

The playoff system will make bowls even more attractive as you will have more important bowls than you have now as you go from 2 playoff bowl games to 6. The rest of the bowls will be about as attractive as they have been as they are good rewards for teams. Going forward, the CFP will include the Fiesta, Peach, Rose, Sugar, Cotton, and Orange Bowls plus the championship game.