The negative crowd loves to bitch and predict failure. Then, if the team does go on to lose, they can say “I told you so”. If the team succeeds, they can feel magnanimous in saying “I’m glad to be wrong”. It’s a no-lose scenario.
Personally, the opt-out trend will keep me from spending money to go to any non-CFP bowls. If the best players don’t want to play, I’ll just watch on TV.
I understand the op-outs and would probably do the same if I was in their position. But I no longer have any desire to spend the money to attend bowl games when so many of the players don’t care enough to play in them. I’ll just stick to watching these exhibitions at home.