Bowl Season: MVPs and Attendance Challenges

As the 2025 bowl season begins, discussions around MVP performances and attendance challenges dominate the narrative. ESPN highlights several standout MVP performances, including WR Deondre Johnson from Jacksonville State in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl, who caught six passes for 101 yards in his team's 17-13 victory against Troy.

In the Bucked Up LA Bowl, Washington's QB Demond Williams Jr. showcased his talent by throwing four touchdown passes in a 38-10 win over Boise State. Despite these exciting matchups, attendance issues persist, with reports indicating that the LA Bowl attracted only about 23,000 fans, raising concerns about the future viability of bowl games.

The situation is exacerbated by player opt-outs, as seen with Notre Dame's decision to decline a bowl invitation following their exclusion from the College Football Playoff, a move that reflects a growing trend.

With star players increasingly opting out of bowl games to avoid injury ahead of the NFL Draft, many fans are questioning the relevance of these contests. Outkick reflects on the nostalgia of past bowl seasons, noting that the excitement surrounding bowl games has significantly diminished, and suggests that expanding the College Football Playoff could be a potential solution to reinvigorate interest and attendance.

The current state of bowl games raises critical questions about their future in college football, especially as star players and fans alike reconsider their participation in these postseason events.