Okay, so the selection committee is shaping up to be more of the same. But at least we can console ourselves with the knowledge that the NCAA is going to whip those bowl requirements into shape. No more of those mediocre 6-6 teams showing up at the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl to sully our December view… er, what’s that you say, Jim Delany?
Speaking of numbers, it had been almost assumed that college football officials would require bowl-bound teams, beginning in 2014, to win seven games. Delany and others are wary of bowls that feature 6-6 teams with fired coaching staffs playing in half-empty stadiums.
But Delany said he has “heard from friends in different parts of the country, some of the major conferences, that they are in favor of (keeping it at) six. I suggested that maybe there’s middle ground. If a program hasn’t been to a bowl in five years … it’s an exciting thing.”
So is getting that check from ESPN.
Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose. Suckers.
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It isn’t unreasonable to try to give each batch of 4-year recruits a shot at one bowl experience. This would also help those mid-tier programs improve. Plus, the big problem with 6-6 teams making a bowl was the fact that none of their fans cared. And, for fans of perpetual 8-win teams in a 6-win season that’s true. But, fans that haven’t seen a bowl game in a number of years are more likely to travel.
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I don’t see the “money link” here, the payouts are pretty small in the bowls with 6 win teams and many teams spend more than they take in. I think it is about the perceived prestige of being a bowl team, and the extra practice time. And there are the incentive clauses where coaches get bonuses.
As a CFB fan I don’t get the opposition to the number of bowls. I don’t particularly like rewarding average performance, and hate to see all the empty seats at bowl games (and ACC championship games), but what is there better to watch on a Wednesday or Thursday evening in the winter? I don’t rearrange my schedule to have those as “must see” games but I always have interest in playing more, and better, college games. I would rather watch a middling bowl game than any round of March Madness. Heck, I am in favor of having a Spring Season for CFB, don’t limit my experience, I am running out of Saturdays!
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First off, I agree with you about the number of bowls. If somebody doesn’t want to watch a 6-6 team play, don’t.
As for the money, you should read this in conjunction with the prior post. ESPN is prepared to pay a shitload of money for the postseason. Don’t think if the network objects to some of those minor bowl games being terminated due to a seven-win rule, the schools won’t listen. They can’t afford not to.
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I enjoy watching a lot of the lower bowls. The teams are often looser and the game is more exciting.
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Ah Mac, would you dilute that fine Maccallan? How many times would you cut it with water, once, twice…three times….???
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What a horrid thought about desecrating such a fine product! I get the over exposure idea but CFB is played in a very finite period of time, have to harvest the opportunities when they occur. Based on attendance and ratings, extra games aren’t over saturating the game much, just a few addicts like me.
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Just don’t add soda.
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Good on you, Mac. Your consistency of opinion that appeals to you has been there each week and it is appreciated by others . You, Puffdawg and others concentrate on subject opinion that affects the team and your fandom directly and don’t arrogantly think you have all the answers. By the way , did you see the opinion poll on CFB News two weeks ago that had fan opinions to the playoffs? Approx. 28% opined they liked the number at 4 while 54% expected more teams in the playoff from the git-go. Others thought it shouldn’t have been changed (around 5%) and the rest didn’t care to opine a number. You have been in good fan company with your opinion. Total number of participants then measured over 32k fans.
Two weeks to Fall Practice. Any reports of who is on the correct page for preparation and who has work to do? I’m ready to get back into a cheering mood. SIC’EM DAWGS! and that goes for the team also.
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I suggested that maybe there’s middle ground.
Okay, now, the fans want seven wins to be the benchmark, but the coaches who like to be able to say they went to that Beef O’Brady’s Bowl, assuming they weren’t among the previously fired, want six wins to remain good enough.
Will someone check my math? Because I’m pretty sure it’s not possible to get 6.5 wins to find that middle ground.
You want seven and I want six. That sounds great. Let’s compromise. We’ll do it my way.
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I have always felt posters on this blog were a minority when it comes to playoff discussions. I am totally in their camp when it comes to protecting the game, an excessive playoff field could take away from the best team sport in the world, but having a legit playoff would definitely enhance it. The argument is all predicated on what is “excessive”, and what is inclusive enough to give all geographies representation.
I am not surprised we only ended up with four teams, but I feel this level of expansion only sets itself up for another expansion which will cause even more paranoia about “where will it end”. I would much have preferred we started with eight and folks could have seen there is no need to go further because all contenders would have had a seat. While there will always be a a small group wanting a basketball style fiasco, there would have been a lack of support for expanding beyond eight. This half step will make it harder to get it right, imo.
I don’t have great insight into the program but the sources I talk with that have contact with the staff tell me the players seem to be united and developing a “bunker mentality” after the IC affair. I would certainly prefer a “lay it all out for dear old UGA” approach, any unifying mantra is a positive when it comes to team sports. In this day and age, that may be as good as we can ever hope for. Thanks for the kind words. Like you, the excitement is beginning to build. Can’t wait for some info from the practice field, over all I am cautiously optimistic.
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