43 total bowl games. 125 division 1 teams

[Bluegrass79]

So 86 out of the 125 teams get to go to the postseason LOL. Think that number is a tad bit high don't you?
Bowl games need to be reduced down till probably about 16. Make it something you really got to achieve to get.

 

[howercat]

Too much money out there.

 

[Cefiro]

Yet some of our fans think going to a bowl game is a monumental accomplishment!

 

[WildcatofNati]

So 86 out of the 125 teams get to go to the postseason LOL. Think that number is a tad bit high don't you?
Bowl games need to be reduced down till probably about 16. Make it something you really got to achieve to get.

Many fans make this argument and I have never understood it. To me, the large number of bowl game is an increased opportunity to watch more football.

 

[VaxxedObamaCat]

Many fans make this argument and I have never understood it. To me, the large number of bowl game is an increased opportunity to watch more football.

It’s the NIT for football.

 

[rick64]

When I was a kid growing up back in the 70s there was what maybe 10-12 bowl games??!!

 

[seccats04]

The more football, the better. Heck, come February I would be desperate enough to watch MAC football on a Tuesday night, if they played.

 

[mrschwump]

The more football, the better. Heck, come February I would be desperate enough to watch MAC football on a Tuesday night, if they played.

MACtion rules!! Nothing like Eastern Michigan-Central Michigan in the snow!

 

[Kai Slater]

With having so many silly, cheap bowl games, I kinda like some of the creative, funny names for the bowl games. They try hard to hype up the San Diego Credit Union Bowl, or Billy Joe's Auto Parts Bowl, etc....

 

[dvillecatfan]

It’s the NIT for football.

Nah

 

[VaxxedObamaCat]

Nah

I think so. Bowl games for 7-5 and 6-6 teams are trash.

 

[3632]

Just to compare….

The 1977 UK team wasn’t bowl eligible but I went back to that season to see how the cf world operated.

UK’s non conference schedule:
@Baylor, NC, WVU, @Penn St, VaTech

Only 13 bowl games and no mac teams to pad wins with. Only 2 SEC teams got in bowls, bama and lsu who were both top 20. UK would have if eligible. To compare current bowl streaks and regular season win targets to anything historically would be absurd

 

[ukalum1988]

So 86 out of the 125 teams get to go to the postseason LOL. Think that number is a tad bit high don't you?
Bowl games need to be reduced down till probably about 16. Make it something you really got to achieve to get.

That’s approaching participation trophy level for bowl games.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I think so. Bowl games for 7-5 and 6-6 teams are trash.

Agreed. Have a real post season. I'd go to 24 team playoff and then you can keep the cupcake who cares bowl games as well for those team's fans and your fanatic college football fan that would watch paint dry as long as you said it's football type.

 

[maysvilleky]

So 86 out of the 125 teams get to go to the postseason LOL. Think that number is a tad bit high don't you?
Bowl games need to be reduced down till probably about 16. Make it something you really got to achieve to get.

I think things will change. But as long as sponsors are willing to play, I’m for UK participating when invited. The players get some gifts as a reward so I’m ok with it. Before NIL it’s about all they could get.

 

[3632]

I think things will change. But as long as sponsors are willing to play, I’m for UK participating when invited. The players get some gifts as a reward so I’m ok with it. Before NIL it’s about all they could get.

I’m totally ok with it I just don’t think terms like ‘longest bowl streak’ and all that really as weight. I mean that’s only referencing the last 20 years of history being similar to today, if that.

 

[3632]

When I was a kid growing up back in the 70s there was what maybe 10-12 bowl games??!!

See my post above. 13 in ‘77. And that’s not adding on separate games for playoff teams.

 

[mrschwump]

I think so. Bowl games for 7-5 and 6-6 teams are trash.

Tell that to the players.

 

[3632]

I think one of the silliest things is they give extra practice time for bowl teams but not other teams. Just give everybody 2 weeks of practice time before mid Jan regardless and call it Winter practice. Then they can come back in the spring.

 

[wildcatsboston1984]

Stop watching and stop buying tickets if you don't want all these games. The money is the only reason they exist. Make it not profitable and many of them will go away.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

When I was a kid growing up back in the 70s there was what maybe 10-12 bowl games??!!

Yep, and winning 8 games didn't automatically get you in a bowl.

 

[VaxxedObamaCat]

Tell that to the players.

I’m sure they like to play. As a fan, it’s pointless and not interesting. There’s a reason why you want to watch the NCAA tourney games over the CBI.

 

[EKCAT4YRS]

I watch a lot of the Bowl games, I mean a LOT of them. if someone thinks they are meaningless and don't care to watch that doesn't bother me but most of the participants don't seem to think that way! generally, as long as the games stay reasonably close I see players busting their butts to win/compete!

 

[Girthang]

Many fans make this argument and I have never understood it. To me, the large number of bowl game is an increased opportunity to watch more football.

Because most fans aren't football fans, they don't care when it ends. Those fans that love and understand the sport love this time of year.

 

[Girthang]

When I was a kid growing up back in the 70s there was what maybe 10-12 bowl games??!!

There were a ton of bowl games then and I watched every one I could.

 

[NoDef]

Yet some of our fans think going to a bowl game is a monumental accomplishment!

It all changed in 2006 when the NCAA added an extra cupcake game. It basically let P-5 programs start the season 3-0. We had went to a bowl game 5 out of 7 years before Stoops arrived.

Just to compare….

The 1977 UK team wasn’t bowl eligible but I went back to that season to see how the cf world operated.

UK’s non conference schedule:
@Baylor, NC, WVU, @Penn St, VaTech

Only 13 bowl games and no mac teams to pad wins with. Only 2 SEC teams got in bowls, bama and lsu who were both top 20. UK would have if eligible. To compare current bowl streaks and regular season win targets to anything historically would be absurd

The OOC got much easier after the Mumme years. We dropped Indiana which was a 50/50 win loss and replaced it with an automatic win. I couldn't tell you how many years we went into the UT game needed to beat them for the sixth win when we only played 11 games. Now we play 12 and we dropped Indiana. That's like having two free wins compared to past years..

 

[Supafuzz75]

Feels like an Oprah meme is due here but I'm too lazy to make one..

 

[VaxxedObamaCat]

Because most fans aren't football fans, they don't care when it ends. Those fans that love and understand the sport love this time of year.

This is a BS argument. “If you don’t agree with me you’re not a real fan.” Watching a bunch of shitty 6-6 and 7-5 teams play in a meaningless bowl game that has no impact on any championship or prestige is not the measuring stick. They’re bad and mediocre teams. Glad they enjoy them but I’d prefer to watch the better teams play.

It’s the NIT for football simply cause a sponsor pays for it. That’s it.

 

[BBNFORLIFE]

This is a BS argument. “If you don’t agree with me you’re not a real fan.” Watching a bunch of shitty 6-6 and 7-5 teams play in a meaningless bowl game that has no impact on any championship or prestige is not the measuring stick. They’re bad and mediocre teams. Glad they enjoy them but I’d prefer to watch the better teams play.

It’s the NIT for football simply cause a sponsor pays for it. That’s it.

Tell that to the players, who bust their ass.

 

[mrschwump]

I’m sure they like to play. As a fan, it’s pointless and not interesting. There’s a reason why you want to watch the NCAA tourney games over the CBI.

I don't watch college BB, stripes and OAD have made the game unwatchable.

 

[The-Hack]

As a fan, it’s pointless and not interesting. There’s a reason why you want to watch the NCAA tourney games over the CBI.

I haven’t watched an NCAA tourney game in three years.

If it (Minor bowls) were “non-interesting” they would lose money and not have sponsors, and would disappear.

 

[Kommonwealth]

So 86 out of the 125 teams get to go to the postseason LOL. Think that number is a tad bit high don't you?
Bowl games need to be reduced down till probably about 16. Make it something you really got to achieve to get.

Bowl games are not based on accomplishment and the principle of achievement....at least not since the early 2000s....its about the money.

I dont have a problem with all the games though. I enjoy watching them around Christmas and it gives us a chance to watch our team one more time.

 

[PushupMan]

There are 131 football programs in the FBS, 130 of which are eligible for bowl games. James Madison is the newest and is transitioning, so not eligible yet this year.

ACC 14

SEC 14 (28)

Big Ten 14 (42)

Big XII 10 (52)

PAC-12 12 (64)

Ind 7 (71)

AAC 11 (82)

CUSA 11 (93)

MAC 12 (105)

Mountain West 12 (117)

Sun Belt 14 (131)

Also, 43 bowl games counts the national championship game, so really only 84 teams get bowl bids, not 86.

 

[TucsonCat]

So, what does eliminating bowl games accomplish?

 

[Deeeefense]

Who cares if every team goes to a bowl? Bowls are simply meaningless exhibition games but they add entertainment for people wanting to watch football, and they extend the season for teams, and reward them with a trip. I enjoy watching bowls and wagering on the outcome.

The only bowls that have true relevance in defining the best team is the championship series.

 

[Smashcat]

So 86 out of the 125 teams get to go to the postseason LOL. Think that number is a tad bit high don't you?
Bowl games need to be reduced down till probably about 16. Make it something you really got to achieve to get.

That's been an issue for a looong time.

 

[BBNFORLIFE]

College football bowl season is something to watch this time of year. College basketball gives us something to watch in March.

 

[wkucat88]

Stop watching and stop buying tickets if you don't want all these games. The money is the only reason they exist. Make it not profitable and many of them will go away.

It's all tv money. Most of those small bowls are lucky to have team families in the stands.

 

[Emarc]

almost as bad as KHSAA football playoffs.

 

[VaxxedObamaCat]

almost as bad as KHSAA football playoffs.

Six classes for our state’s population is an absolute joke. Having 32 teams for a playoff in each class is a giant waste of time. It’s the same exact teams every year.

Consolidate some of these classes and get back to four divisions.