Changes Coming After Bowl System Reaches 40 Games

[Iceland12]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-changes-coming-bowl-system-20151209-story.html

This offseason, a task force will study the bowl system, intent on making changes to prevent that from happening again. The NCAA has largely removed itself from the bowl business, allowing conferences, communities and television networks to create postseason games. The NCAA is not looking to take control of the bowls, but everyone agrees adjustments are needed.

"The members are going to have to figure out, what's the purpose of bowl games?" NCAA President Mark Emmert told reporters Wednesday at the IMG Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. "Is it a reward for a successful season or is it just another game that we're going to provide an opportunity for?"

Ten years ago a bit less than 50 percent of the FBS earned a postseason bid. This season, 63 percent of 127 FBS teams will play in bowls, including new games in Florida and Arizona...

Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby leads the football oversight committee and said the goal of the task force is not specifically to cut bowl games.

"I think the fact is we do have too many bowl games and we have more bowl games waiting in the wings," Bowlsby said. "But you can't fault the communities from going and ahead and doing something if they want to. We're going to have to do a deep dive on it and figure it out."

Figuring it out won't be easy. There are some clear disagreements among major players.

ACC Commissioner John Swofford said athletic directors in his conference would prefer teams be at least 7-5 to be bowl eligible. Currently, the minimum requirement for bowl eligibility is six victories and a .500 record.

"For the Southeastern Conference, the opportunity for 6-6 teams to participate is important," SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said...

"We're going to have a candid conversation about bowls either going dark, that's an assumption of risk that they'll have to understand that there might not be teams, or do you structure a set of expectations, whether it's some criteria bowls have to meet to be a part of consideration," Sankey said.

It's early to speculate on what changes are coming, but some are expected.

"In our society, sometimes we don't put up a traffic light until there have been a couple of accidents at an intersection," FBA executive director Wright Waters said during a teleconference with reporters this week. "This may be the opportunity to force that conversation."

 

[amk8930]

I think that this might just mean they're making a cutoff for how many bowls they have. I mean, if there's not enough teams for the set bowl games that they get or the opposite with not enough on records, what are they suppose to do? Not play the game? Cost the businesses and people who are putting the game together tons of money? No way. They'd have to go to a system like they did this year.

I think that it might just mean that certain bowls will be cut and they'll keep it at about what they do now. As for games, try to get ones that might be more desirable for fans to travel to and possibly lower prices, especially on tickets. Last year's Bahama Bowl, from a pic I saw, drew about as much as at a local high school game in MN could draw. That's a bowl game that can probably be tossed out and replaced with a bowl that could be in a place that can draw more people. Why isn't there a second bowl game played in Hawaii instead of a less desirable place like Detroit?

 

[disco]

Why isn't there a second bowl game played in Hawaii instead of a less desirable place like Detroit?

Because with the short amount of time between the bowl selection and the game being played, arranging travel to Hawaii would likely be prohibitively expensive for many fans. I'm not saying that having a bowl in Detroit is a good idea, but you have to take into account whether fans will even be able to attend based on location.

I fail to see what the fuss is. Most bowls are meaningless now anyway, especially with the playoff system. They're just exhibition games for players and fans. Does it really matter that much that the Gophers played in the Citrus Bowl last year, and are now playing in the Quick Lane Bowl? Not really. It's just another game.

The whole notion of "ooh, our team is in a bowl game" is largely based on nostalgia and a long gone time when playing in a bowl meant something, especially where there was no formal means of determining a national champion (and I'd say that the current system is still flawed in many ways). That time was a lot of fun, but it's gone, and not coming back, so why can't we enjoy seeing our teams play one more game?

I'd love to see the FBS just end this and have a real playoff like the FCS does, (and yes, that means including the champions of all the P5 AND Gof5 conferences), and continue to award a number of other teams with a minor bowl.

 

[Seany]

I think that it might just mean that certain bowls will be cut and they'll keep it at about what they do now.

Well, there are already new bowl games set to come online. Bowl games set to debut following the 2016 season:

Austin Bowl- Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium
Medal of Honor Bowl- Charleston, SC
Melbourne Bowl- Melbourne, Australia

And then bowls in the pipeline but to debut (?) at an as yet undetermined date:

Christmas Bowl- Los Angeles
Unnamed Dubai bowl game
Unnamed Ireland bowl game
Unnamed Little Rock bowl game
Unnamed Toronto bowl game

Don't know how those overseas bowls can possibly work due to travel costs alone, but there ya have it.

 

[Catechol]

Well, there are already new bowl games set to come online. Bowl games set to debut following the 2016 season:

Austin Bowl- Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium
Medal of Honor Bowl- Charleston, SC
Melbourne Bowl- Melbourne, Australia

And then bowls in the pipeline but to debut (?) at an as yet undetermined date:

Christmas Bowl- Los Angeles
Unnamed Dubai bowl game
Unnamed Ireland bowl game
Unnamed Little Rock bowl game
Unnamed Toronto bowl game

Don't know how those overseas bowls can possibly work due to travel costs alone, but there ya have it.

I had no idea about these overseas bowls. There's no way. What are they thinking? They are obviously not going to be first tier games, probably played at odd US TV times, so how in the world are they going to make money? How are the schools going to pay for the trip? How many fans are going to buy a plane ticket to Melbourne or Dubai on a few weeks notice? Especially if these bowls are likely to have 6-8 win teams?

 

[Nate]

I had no idea about these overseas bowls. There's no way. What are they thinking? They are obviously not going to be first tier games, probably played at odd US TV times, so how in the world are they going to make money? How are the schools going to pay for the trip? How many fans are going to buy a plane ticket to Melbourne or Dubai on a few weeks notice? Especially if these bowls are likely to have 6-8 win teams?

http://www.bahamasbowl.com/

2014 BOWL REVIEW:

2014 Result: WKU 49, Central Michigan 48 (Attendance: 13,667)
2014 Game Date: Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014
Television: ESPN (Steve Levy, Lou Holtz, Mark May, Laura Rutledge)
Radio: ESPN Radio (John Brickley, Pete Najarian)
Offensive Player of the Game: WKU QB Brandon Doughty
Defensive Player of the Game: WKU DE Derik Overstreet

 

[gopher7]

"The members are going to have to figure out, what's the purpose of bowl games?" NCAA President Mark Emmert told reporters Wednesday at the IMG Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. "Is it a reward for a successful season or is it just another game that we're going to provide an opportunity for?"

It's funny that the NCAA doesn't even know the answer to this, but it's good they're finally recognizing things are out of control though. After all of the debate that went on in this forum about our bowl situation it became pretty clear of this very thing, that there was no clear definition of what being in a bowl even means anymore.

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

So something like the Medtronic Bowl at the palatial new Vikings stadium probably won't be happening then?

 

[GopherJack]

Rumor has it that USBank Stadium in Minneapolis may host the "Get Stabbed in the Stomach by a Polar Bear Bowl" in the near future.

 

[JMWZ]

So something like the Medtronic Bowl at the palatial new Vikings stadium probably won't be happening then?

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

http://www.bahamasbowl.com/

2014 BOWL REVIEW:

2014 Result: WKU 49, Central Michigan 48 (Attendance: 13,667)
2014 Game Date: Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014
Television: ESPN (Steve Levy, Lou Holtz, Mark May, Laura Rutledge)
Radio: ESPN Radio (John Brickley, Pete Najarian)
Offensive Player of the Game: WKU QB Brandon Doughty
Defensive Player of the Game: WKU DE Derik Overstreet

Over 13,000 in attendance you say.

BTW this venue holds ~ 15,000.

 

[MaxyJR1]

They will up the standards of the bowl by requiring more perks and money from the Communities. That will be first before they tweak the requirements of teams. I actually like the APR rating as a tool to slot teams at the bottom.

Commissioner Thompson of the MWC commented that the new Arizona Bowl is a travesty. Each player gets a pair of cowboy boots is one of many issues. Interesting that the Quick Lane Bowl has the 4th best player gift package according to what I heard on the ratio the other day. Like the Super Bowl that is coming here for free in 2018, the bowls will pony up or go away.

 

[disco]

They will up the standards of the bowl by requiring more perks and money from the Communities. That will be first before they tweak the requirements of teams. I actually like the APR rating as a tool to slot teams at the bottom.

Commissioner Thompson of the MWC commented that the new Arizona Bowl is a travesty. Each player gets a pair of cowboy boots is one of many issues. Interesting that the Quick Lane Bowl has the 4th best player gift package according to what I heard on the ratio the other day. Like the Super Bowl that is coming here for free in 2018, the bowls will pony up or go away.

So two Mountain West teams are playing each other in a bowl, and it's not even going to be on national TV. Ugh. Why does this exist?

 

[tikited]

Over 13,000 in attendance you say.

BTW this venue holds ~ 15,000.

It is nice that they still let the citizens use the track for walking/exercise.

 

[metrolax]

The main difference for the split in FBS and FCS was that one was going to decide its champion with bowl games, and the other with a playoff.

Lo and behold, BOTH have playoffs now! Kinda makes the differences moot, if you ask me.

It seems like nothing is gonna stop the bowls from existing and even increasing. They are TOO MUCH a part of college football and the
tradition of the sport. I think we all understand and appreciate that.

That said, you either can move some leagues and teams into the FBS, and there are several leagues that can move fairly quickly,
like the MVC, CAA, SLC, and Ivies, just to name four.

Or, just do away with the designation all together and make everyone Division I, like the old days. If school offering just 63 schollies
want to have their FCS tourney like now, go for it. Those not chosen can go to bowls.

There are PLENTY of hungry, winning FCS teams every year who, for one game, can be very competitive against most FBS teams.

 

[Kuato Lives!]

The main difference for the split in FBS and FCS was that one was going to decide its champion with bowl games, and the other with a playoff.

Lo and behold, BOTH have playoffs now! Kinda makes the differences moot, if you ask me.

It seems like nothing is gonna stop the bowls from existing and even increasing. They are TOO MUCH a part of college football and the
tradition of the sport. I think we all understand and appreciate that.

That said, you either can move some leagues and teams into the FBS, and there are several leagues that can move fairly quickly,
like the MVC, CAA, SLC, and Ivies, just to name four.

Or, just do away with the designation all together and make everyone Division I, like the old days. If school offering just 63 schollies
want to have their FCS tourney like now, go for it. Those not chosen can go to bowls.

There are PLENTY of hungry, winning FCS teams every year who, for one game, can be very competitive against most FBS teams.

I can't speak for other Gopher fans but I would be PUMPED to see the Gophers play McNeese State in a bowl game in Mobile.

 

[metrolax]

More than likely, such matchups would have tie-ins with "like" conferences....

 

[MNGoldenGophers1]

Over 13,000 in attendance you say.

BTW this venue holds ~ 15,000.

I think that was the announced attendance using results from a hand held timer. I agree with tiki that it is nice they let people walk around on the track during the game. That is what I call a multipurpose stadium.

 

[RodentRampage]

What about establishing a minimum payout? That would eliminate some of the bottom-tier bowls.

Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk

 

[Cayman]

Over 13,000 in attendance you say.

BTW this venue holds ~ 15,000.

I'll point out that this game was a rout at one point. Western Kentucky was leading 49-7 and Central Michigan came roaring back to make it 49-48, and I think they might have failed a would-be game winning two point conversion. A few people could have left when it looked like it would be a blowout. Do people leave bowl games early if their team is losing badly? But yeah, you're probably not gonna get great attendance for a bowl where two group of 5 teams are playing, especially considering both teams are at best a distant third most popular team in their state.

 

[imthewalrus]

So something like the Medtronic Bowl at the palatial new Vikings stadium probably won't be happening then?

Oh, I think Medtronic will have a bowl game, but it will most likely be of the International variety.

Perhaps something like the: "Ditch the TAX MAN BOWL" in Dublin. Ireland.

 

[MGGopher]

What I'd like to see happen:

Playoff is expanded to 16 teams, with those 15 games being played at existing bowl sites with existing sponsors. Those can rotate if you want. Whatever. Remaining 25-30 bowl games serve as what they truly are: glorified postseason exhibitions. No restrictions on wins/losses, as the bowls mean nothing. They're just for fun.

What will probably happen:

Bowl structure will stay as it is, with a few bowls being axed due to this year's "5-7" controversy. Future bowls put on hold while the issue is "studied."

 

[disco]

The main difference for the split in FBS and FCS was that one was going to decide its champion with bowl games, and the other with a playoff.

Lo and behold, BOTH have playoffs now! Kinda makes the differences moot, if you ask me.

It seems like nothing is gonna stop the bowls from existing and even increasing. They are TOO MUCH a part of college football and the
tradition of the sport. I think we all understand and appreciate that.

That said, you either can move some leagues and teams into the FBS, and there are several leagues that can move fairly quickly,
like the MVC, CAA, SLC, and Ivies, just to name four.

Or, just do away with the designation all together and make everyone Division I, like the old days. If school offering just 63 schollies
want to have their FCS tourney like now, go for it. Those not chosen can go to bowls.

There are PLENTY of hungry, winning FCS teams every year who, for one game, can be very competitive against most FBS teams.

Not sure that the FBS really wants this. Technically, the FCS championship title is the NCAA Division 1 Football Championship.
All of the bowls, including the FBS national championship are done somewhat outside the governance of the NCAA. I'd say that it's MORE likely that there is yet another split between the P5 and Gof5 conferences than there would be any kind of reassembling of all of D1 football.

 

[dannygopher9100]

Maybe it's different for me since I am a student, but during Winter Break there is almost nothing on TV during the days except for a bowl game. Personally I love and find all of them fun to watch.

 

[RodentRampage]

Despite the name, the real difference between the FBS and the FCS is 85 scholarships vs 63.

Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk

 

[GophersInIowa]

What I'd like to see happen:

Playoff is expanded to 16 teams, with those 15 games being played at existing bowl sites with existing sponsors. Those can rotate if you want. Whatever. Remaining 25-30 bowl games serve as what they truly are: glorified postseason exhibitions. No restrictions on wins/losses, as the bowls mean nothing. They're just for fun.

What will probably happen:

Bowl structure will stay as it is, with a few bowls being axed due to this year's "5-7" controversy. Future bowls put on hold while the issue is "studied."

I think 16 teams is just too much. The conference championships wouldn't mean much anymore.

Secondly you'd be asking a few fan bases to travel to four different locations over a month/month and a half time frame. That's a lot of traveling. If they expand beyond 4 teams, my hope is they play some games at the higher seed's home stadium. Ideally to me, you have 8 teams and the first round is played at the higher seed.

 

[justthefacts]

What about establishing a minimum payout? That would eliminate some of the bottom-tier bowls.

Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk

I agree with this, and the corollary is that you can't require a minimum ticket purchase. It's essentially a no-lose proposition for the bowls today.

 

[MNVCGUY]

I think 16 teams is just too much. The conference championships wouldn't mean much anymore.

Secondly you'd be asking a few fan bases to travel to four different locations over a month/month and a half time frame. That's a lot of traveling. If they expand beyond 4 teams, my hope is they play some games at the higher seed's home stadium. Ideally to me, you have 8 teams and the first round is played at the higher seed.

Agree that 16 teams is too much but if they ever went that route you would definitely have to play some games at the higher seeds home stadium because yeah you couldn't ask fans to travel to that many games and realistically expect to get a decent turnout. In addition to the travel concern you would also potentially asking a college team to play as many as 17 games to win the championship.

I think they will expand to 8 at some point soon but I hope that is as far as they take it.

 

[Ski U Mah Gopher]

Agree that 16 teams is too much but if they ever went that route you would definitely have to play some games at the higher seeds home stadium because yeah you couldn't ask fans to travel to that many games and realistically expect to get a decent turnout. In addition to the travel concern you would also potentially asking a college team to play as many as 17 games to win the championship.

I think they will expand to 8 at some point soon but I hope that is as far as they take it.

8 teams is perfect:

5 spots for P5 champions
1 spot for top Group of 5 team
2 at-large.

 

[MGGopher]

Agree that 16 teams is too much but if they ever went that route you would definitely have to play some games at the higher seeds home stadium because yeah you couldn't ask fans to travel to that many games and realistically expect to get a decent turnout. In addition to the travel concern you would also potentially asking a college team to play as many as 17 games to win the championship.

I think they will expand to 8 at some point soon but I hope that is as far as they take it.

You both make some great points. I literally spitballed my play above (no great thought has went into it), so I won't vehemently argue it. That said, a few points to consider:

1) You'd only be asking 2 fan bases to travel 4 times...and my guess is those fan bases are large enough to sustain it. Also, I don't think the NC game would ever have trouble selling out. Plus, you have to consider the "bandwagon" effect. My guess is you'd have people coming out of the woodwork for those semifinal games as well.

2) Many FCS teams already play 14 - 16 games. I don't think many people feel bad for them.

3) My proposal was 16 teams simply to retain more existing bowls while eliminating lower rung teams from them, and therefore strengthening the pool and avoiding 5-7 situations (since people are in an uproar about it...I personally don't care). Make it 8 if you'd like. Or keep it at 16, but consider the P5 conference championship games as Round 1, with the remaining at-large teams playing that weekend as well. The committee could reseed 1 - 8 for the following week. Again, just spitballing. I don't really care