Bowl Game Participation Declines Amid CFP Changes

Bowl game participation is facing a notable decline, particularly highlighted by Notre Dame's recent decision to forgo a bowl game after being snubbed from the College Football Playoff. According to CBS Sports, this trend follows a growing pattern where teams, once hesitant, are now opting out of bowl games, a move initially seen among high draft pick players and now expanding to entire programs.

Kansas State and Iowa State were fined $500,000 by the Big 12 for opting out of bowl games due to coaching changes and uncertain player futures. Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, expressed frustration over the Atlantic Coast Conference's actions that he believes caused 'permanent damage' to their relationship, particularly after Miami surpassed the Fighting Irish in the playoff rankings.

The implications of the College Football Playoff's expansion, which could lead to even fewer teams available for bowl games, further jeopardize the relevance of these traditional postseason matchups. As CBS Sports suggests, the increasing trend of teams opting out could signal that the value of bowl games is diminishing, making them less attractive to fans and broadcasters alike.