Unpopular opinion: Bowl season as a whole is not really that great and there are only a few games actually worth watching
I haven't been watching any of the bowl games so far, so thought I'd take a look at the upcoming schedule since school is now out and my work is shut down through New Year's. I figured I'll have a lot more time on my hands to watch TV when I'm not doing whatever it is I'll be doing with the family.
There are maybe two games I have even a passing interest in possibly watching in the next few days - Air Force v Baylor tonight and Wisconsin vs Okie State on Tuesday night. Until I saw that the Guaranteed Rate Bowl is scheduled to kick off at 10:15pm ET. Sorry Wisconsin, I'm not THAT interested. And only Air Force b/c my friend's kid is a senior at AFA.
The other 7 games through Tuesday hold absolutely no interest for me.
What about after that game? Maybe Oregon v UNC on Wednesday night. Minnesota plays Thursday but being honest, I don't really care about them. But maybe Washington v Texas later that night (everyone wants more Penix).
12/30 has Maryland v NCST (meh), Pitt v UCLA (meh), ND v SCAR (meh), and TN v Clemson (I guess maybe just b/c they're so highly ranked, but I don't care about either team).
12/31 is where it starts to matter obviously with the CFP games. I'll definitely watch both. Bama v KState and Iowa v Kentucky are whatever.
Jan 1 has no games because sunday SUNDAY SUNDAY
We close out on Jan 2 with a ton of Big Ten games and a decent slate overall. I'll probably actually watch the Rose Bowl, but I'm kind of intrigued by the Tulane v USC game - really hoping Tulane pulls out the V for Victory.
So out of the 30+ games, I'll definitely watch 2 (CFP semi-finals), I'll probably watch 2-4 more (Rose Bowl, UW v UT, maybe Tulane-USC, and one of the other big ten teams) although not in their entirety, and probably ignore the other 30-ish.
Maybe I'm just getting old and selective about how much I delve into following sports. I used to know way more about most of the teams, but I was also younger and had more energy, free time, or brain cells. I don't know.
Stay warm, everyone.
December 22nd, 2022 at 6:57 PM ^
I've only watched more than 50 percent of 1 game so far. The EMU-SJSU game. But I will watch all the bigger games going forward.
December 23rd, 2022 at 8:06 AM ^
I watched a few minutes of Toledo/Liberty because it was on and I happened to have some time to watch something. Looked like there was about 80 people in attendance. However, one the best games I watched all season was N Dak St vs. Incarnate Word last Friday night. It was a DII (I think DII) semi-final playoff game. Those lower-level playoff games are almost always fantastic. Most of the bowls just flat out blow and won't get me to watch over something on Netflix.
December 22nd, 2022 at 6:58 PM ^
How is this remotely “unpopular?”
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:01 PM ^
This is a wildly popular opinion. Idk why people aren't content with just not watching those games but you sure hear it a lot.
December 22nd, 2022 at 9:16 PM ^
I think the unpopular version of this is the one where people complain that “there are too many bowls.” This is an always irritating statement because nobody is forcing anyone to watch them!
OP OA is not making that complaint. He’s not even really complaining. I am in a similar place, but it’s a factor of having a wife and two smallish children. I would probably have the TV on, at least in the background for all the bowls. But I’ll be able to watch the Michigan games and not much else.
December 22nd, 2022 at 9:31 PM ^
They are right on par with my Step mom when i was growing up. She would enter the room, turn off the football, and leave.
Meaningless and exhibit are daily hot takes. We get it you are super edgy.
I have a lot of fun Michigan bowl memories in years that we wouldnt of been top 4 anyway.
December 23rd, 2022 at 9:23 AM ^
tv on in the background for all of the bowls...bro, get a hobby.
December 22nd, 2022 at 6:59 PM ^
That’s pretty well known
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:00 PM ^
This is the MOST popular opinion
December 23rd, 2022 at 10:17 AM ^
Yup. In fact I think the hesitancy to expand the playoffs was that too many of the early games might not be competitive since the semifinals has historically struggled with this.
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:00 PM ^
More college football>>>>>less college football
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:04 PM ^
this
ESPN needs programming and this and the NFL is better than most anything else on TV
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:38 PM ^
Have you ever watched the British dart championships? Dude's can throw a friggen dart like nobodies business!
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:43 PM ^
Yeah...those guys are all better than the best pro golfers...and as a dart tosser I am totally serious.
December 23rd, 2022 at 8:49 AM ^
Yes- pro dart players throw darts better than pro golfers I'm pretty sure that pro golfers are better athletes on average
December 23rd, 2022 at 9:03 AM ^
This is not remotely comparable. The shear number of shot types a golfer needs to be good at does not allow for the level of precision that a darter has due to the amount of time available to practice.
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:29 PM ^
D2 and D3 college games are available. How many did you watch this year?
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:36 PM ^
personally, I watched all of the ones I could find on tv
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:54 PM ^
Exactly.
College football is my one remaining sports obsession and I enjoy the full palette of FBS (and even some FCS playoff) games each Saturday.
This means not just "big" games but other games going on that might have crazy plays/comebacks/upsets that I can tune into (or bet on) as I wish.
For bowls, I also like being able to see teams in prime time that wouldn't normally catch on an average fall Saturday.
The whole "there's too many bowls" thing doesn't make sense to me, any more than there are "too many games" on a football Saturday. Like saying there is "too much leftover pizza" ...
You are free to toss it out and consume something else, but in this case soon enough we won't have any for a long time.
December 22nd, 2022 at 8:54 PM ^
Exactly if you don’t like college football and don’t like the games don’t watch. I enjoy games and usually tune in to most games being televised.
Not sure why people feel a need to start a thread saying I’m not interested in many bowl games
What do people want just cancel all bowl games except 2-3 games. This is still a reward for these teams to be playing these games and the players coaches and fans are all wanting a win.
December 22nd, 2022 at 11:07 PM ^
I think OP is missing out on the fun of bowl season. I largely don’t care who is playing, I turn on the tv and watch two teams I know nothing about and often times I’m rewarded with an entertaining game.
December 23rd, 2022 at 7:24 AM ^
Would rather watch a bad Bowl game than a Hallmark Holiday movie any day of the week
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:02 PM ^
Unpopular? This is just a statement of fact, half the D1 teams go. That’s dumb and has been for years
December 22nd, 2022 at 10:26 PM ^
Why is it dumb, exactly? It's not hurting anyone to put a game between two 6-6 teams on TV in a non prime time slot on a weekday in December. It's fun for the people who like more CFB rather than less, and it's incredibly easy to ignore for the people who are uninterested.
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:02 PM ^
Not unpopular in the least.
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:05 PM ^
Yeah, I mean as a hardcore fan of CFB, I'll watch the majority of them, but obviously most casual fans don't.
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:31 PM ^
So not all of them? How very hardcore of you.
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:06 PM ^
Maybe it's a disease but I love bowl games. I love college football games. I'll watch any college game on TV.
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:06 PM ^
Isn't asian andrew a more appropriate name?
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:23 PM ^
It's ironic and from well before your time on the board.
December 24th, 2022 at 8:45 PM ^
I was being sarcastic, of course.
Some peeps are touchy!
December 26th, 2022 at 10:50 AM ^
Perhaps you can share the backstory.
December 23rd, 2022 at 1:41 AM ^
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:09 PM ^
Bowl season is and has been great.
As a fan of college football, I love watching the other schools have something to play for and those winding up their careers before heading in cubefarm-ville give it one last shot.
Even EMU won!
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:09 PM ^
In the bigger bowl games, too many starters who are eligible for the NFL are opting out. Take 'Bama for just one example with a good number of their starters opting out of their bowl game. Those teams in the NY6 bowl game will be similar.
I'd rather see a team where the starters played all season and give it their best shot.
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:12 PM ^
I'm looking forward to KSU pulling the upset.
The history books won't have an asterisk by the final score.
It's going to be a great game. KSU's QB has turned into Duggan-lite and Deuce is going to pound that fucking rock!
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:42 PM ^
The Deuce can run that ball! Dude is a poor man's Blake Corum, and almost as fun to watch.
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:20 PM ^
Bama doesn't have any players opting out, can you show where you are seeing that?
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:27 PM ^
Horrible take. You took literally the 1 team that has the #1 pick, Bryce Young, and #2 or #3 pick, Will Anderson both PLAYING.
Where did you get the info tons of bama players are sitting out? Did you just guess?
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:45 PM ^
I almost was snarkier in my reply, was obviously pulled out of his ass. At least research a little before spouting like its a fact lol
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:10 PM ^
The game I was looking forward to most was the LSU purdue matchup.
This was a cool game Id cheer for purdue and they had a legit chance to win.
But their qb (no way he gets drafted) and top wr (good stats maybe a late pick) opted out. Completely ruined the matchup.
I hate to say it but I respect Bryce Young and Will Anderson for playing in their bowl game.
Outside of the cfp all bowl games (minus maybe 1) will suck.
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:59 PM ^
I've been under a rock and had no idea they had opted out. sorry, quit on their team.
I was looking forward to rooting for them too.
I thought the NIL $ meant that opting out was going to be less prevalent going forward (or are they not making much $?)
If players want to be employees, they should play if they're paid.
December 22nd, 2022 at 9:09 PM ^
They opted out after their head coach quit on the team.
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:13 PM ^
I love college football, but I don’t watch all of these games.
I do like the fact that there are games most days, so if i am flipping thru channels, there is often a game on.
I flat out don’t understand the complaining about the games. If you don’t want to watch, don’t watch.
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:52 PM ^
Your take is very fair.
IMO the reason people complain is simple. “What could have been” argument for certain bowl games is valid.
Again this my personal opinion, but Id watch these games if it weren’t for opt outs:
Oregon State vs Fla
LSU vs Purdue
TX vs Washington
Wisc vs OK state (mostly due to major transitions and both teams suck)
I’m sure there are other matchups that matter to other viewers. But if you aren’t CFP or NY6 literally no one cares and the views back that up.
December 23rd, 2022 at 7:58 AM ^
I had a fantastic time watching Florida lose regardless of opt outs. They were all Richardson this year and is showed in their bowl game. Every time the SEC loses an angle gets its wings.
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:17 PM ^
That isn't the slightest but unpopular.
I think at this point anyone who watches most of the games is nuts.
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:17 PM ^
I feel like you’re commenting more on your own fandom than on the bowl slate. Most of these games have some interest to me, and even if they don’t I generally still enjoy watching college football
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:21 PM ^
Agreed, those are some pretty good matches. If OP is saying he needs a personal interest, can't help him there. Bama ksu should be great
December 22nd, 2022 at 7:20 PM ^
That’s what gambling is for