Round 2

[Quillback]

I was in favor of the playoff system, but now, not so much.  I'm starting to miss the days of the bowl traditions like having the Rose Bowl between the top Big 10 team and the top PAC 8 or 10 or 12 (whatever it is).  There was always some controversy about the who ended up being ranked #1, but that was kind of fun too.  Besides the playoff games, the only bowl I was watched this year was the Hogs.

[Devan S.]

With the ability to market and the NIL money I don't like the sit outs.  Provided those players were truly only playing for scholarships then I kind of get it. The NFL contract has guaranteed money but they can be injured in practice 1 and miss out on further contracts. Doesn't really matter anyways because most don't make it that far and a significant number of them end up squandering their money. 

Here is the reality: Joe Burrow won the Heisman and CFP in the same year. Could anyone imagine him sitting out the playoff because he was a lock for  a $36 million payday? What would most of us do or miss out on for a $36 million payday? I'd argue if the money and NFL is the end goal then the CFP isn't worth it. However if he did sit.....NFL scouts and front offices would eviscerate him for not being committed like they should. Trevor got blasted because he said he didn't need football to feel worthy, imagine someone not playing in the CFP. They should treat guys sitting out other bowl games the exact same way. 

Heck I'm not sure why Treylon Burks played after the first lost of the season if your not going to play in the first real bowl game in years. 

[willyfish]

12 hours ago, Bill Babler said:

Guess we have just seen in the Sugar Bowl why you don't play in these bowl games. Total disaster for Matt Corral. 

Projected as the 10th overall pick and first QB off the board. We will see how bad it is and how his status is on draft day. 

Really a shame  

Lane Kiffin said the x-rays were negative, great news.

[Champ188]

22 hours ago, Devan S. said:

With the ability to market and the NIL money I don't like the sit outs.  Provided those players were truly only playing for scholarships then I kind of get it. The NFL contract has guaranteed money but they can be injured in practice 1 and miss out on further contracts. Doesn't really matter anyways because most don't make it that far and a significant number of them end up squandering their money. 

Here is the reality: Joe Burrow won the Heisman and CFP in the same year. Could anyone imagine him sitting out the playoff because he was a lock for  a $36 million payday? What would most of us do or miss out on for a $36 million payday? I'd argue if the money and NFL is the end goal then the CFP isn't worth it. However if he did sit.....NFL scouts and front offices would eviscerate him for not being committed like they should. Trevor got blasted because he said he didn't need football to feel worthy, imagine someone not playing in the CFP. They should treat guys sitting out other bowl games the exact same way. 

Heck I'm not sure why Treylon Burks played after the first lost of the season if your not going to play in the first real bowl game in years. 

There's a lot of meat in this post right here. A lot to think about. Well said, Devan.

Quillback makes a good point, too, for those of us old enough to appreciate the pomp and circumstance of the bowl games in their heyday. Heck, players didn't THINK about sitting until signing bonuses became so large that a guy could never play a down in the NFL and still have enough money to live on the rest of his life if he plays his cards right.

As usual, it all comes down to money. Make no mistake, there are a TON of college student/athletes who still love the game more than life itself. But then enter the agents and their focus is redirected to the almighty dollar. 

[Bill Babler]

Devan, I agree with most of that, but the scouts and PRO organizations, anymore really don't hold the least bit of animosity for players that sit out the bowl games. 

I really think they prefer 1st. thru 4th. round possible players to opt out.  Go start working toward the combine and your pro-day. 

There are schools from Florida to California that all they do is prepare these athletes for the NFL. They just cannot get that kind of training and refining of their skills on a college campus. 

Burks body of work was not done that early in the season. He was playing to climb the draft order.  He did what he needed to do and then some.   Bowl game is not making you any more money.

Only post season games that matter are conference championships and national championships. If your not involved in those why play. That's why about 1/2 the kids don't want to play. 

If your going to make them go out and play a meaningless game, pay them to do it. Only if they want to. 

[Flysmallie]

I think there should be a penalty for not playing in a bowl game. You took a scholarship to be part of a team. If you decide to quit on your team then the scholarship should have to be paid back in full. Shouldn't be a big issue since they are getting that big NFL contract. 

 

[Devan S.]

I guess I just struggle with the fact that if your really good enough to sit out because of draft stock then your likely/hopefully already claiming thousands as a college student to play through NIL gigs on full scholarship. Maybe they should take that and use it to pay loss of value insurance.

I'm all about guys getting their money but where do you stop? 

Bryce Young is already projecting to be a top 10 draft pick in 2023(very likely top 5). Saban has said he is approaching 7 figures in NIL deals. 

What is to keep him playing at all next year? He has a Heisman....a body of work.....a CFP appearance(if not title). 

Is the next 12 games worth risking a $30+ million payday over?

 

[willyfish]

Dawgs are up to -3 and -150 on the moneyline. That's not the public making that move they are on Bama. I like the spot I'm in ALOT.

 

 

[Smithvillesteve]

Next we will see players opting out during the regular season if their team has no chance to reach the playoffs. The only option in my opinion is to expand the playoffs to 16 teams. But get ready for a lot of blowouts. See the semis. That will put it at 14 bowl sites to use. Get rid of all the rest of the bowls. Nobody cares anymore. Empty seats and tv ratings are way down. If you are that worried about too many games for these players get rid of two noncon games that are usually played v directional schools. Division 2 has a 16 team playoff. I guess thats ok for those players? I am a closet K St fan. My youngest son went there. My dad loved Jack Hartman. So i tried to watch that bowl game last night. What a waste of time. LSU played their JV last night. No qb to play. Their entire defense was missing. Congrats K St but come on man!!!

[Bill Babler]

New rumor out today that Caleb Williams  the OU Quarterback that's in the transfer Portal may be going to Georgia. 

2 year NIL deal for 4 million dollars, per year. 

I think someone here mentioned scholarships. These 4 and 5 star kids have scolleys offers running out the kazoo.

For 4 and 5 star athletes, college scholarships are as easy to come by as a McDonald's cheeseburger.

Amateur athletics as we have known it are gone forever. Scholarships are not the lure for top athletes. 

Cuba Gooding Jr. said it the best. "Show me the money."

Just heard all SEC Defensive Lineman from Missouri is in the Portal. Freshman d line man of the year going to LSU ON A 1.5 MIL PER YEAR NIL deal. 

This is getting stupid. Projecting by next year its going to be in the 30 to 50 million for these P5 schools to be competitive in the NIL market. 

That's not even near NFL money, but it's seems impossible. Lots of these kids will be multimillionares before the even get to the league.   If they do.