Opinion: Too many bowls, too little meaning
by Tara Adams Writer, Irish News Nation Once upon a time, playing in a bowl game meant a team's season mattered. It meant it had done something worth celebrating. Now, it often means teams were available, academically eligible, and willing to play one more game for a sponsor nobody remembers. College football’s bowl system isn’t just bloated, it’s exposed. But the question isn’t whether it’s broken. It’s why we keep pretending it's meaningful. 1. Too Many Bowls, Too Little Meaning Bowl eligibility no longer signals success. Six wins, sometimes even losing records, gets a team in. The “reward” has been diluted into participation trophies. How can excellence stand out when mediocrity earns a postseason invitation? 2. Profitability: Who Actually Makes Money? Bowls claim there's an economic boost for host cities, exposure for programs, and a financial upside for schools. What’s actually true: Most bowls are not highly profitable. Many rely on conference tie-ins, sponsorship g...
