[cardcrimson]

UCLA looking worse and worse. Apparently, they cancelled because it would be unsafe for the players. Covid exposure? Nope, they were shorthanded and players might have to play out of position and could get hurt.

"Weenies" is spreading through the UC system. . . .

https://larrybrownsports.com/college-foo...ame/589531

That's rather pathetic.

The late cancellation was probably not a big deal for UCLA's fans as most of them were going to drive down for the game and go home that night.   NC State player families and alums had quite a lot more invested so they probably would have played if the situation happened on their side.

However, it is just another example of the real value of the bowl games.   For years now coaching staffs have been rather honest that the most important benefit of the bowl game has been the additional set of practices in December, so UCLA coaches got the primary benefit and didn't have to worry about bowl game injuries that could jeopardize spring ball or the 2022 season.   Win-win!

UCLA's decision, coupled with December coaching carousel and the players that opt out for NFL combine prep should provide ample evidence that these minor bowls are very useful program for ESPN, but have limited value for everyone else.

Create a playoff structure that includes every Power5 conference winner and a number of at-large invites that also gives every other FBS team 10 practices in December and I suspect that might get approved by most member institutions in the FBS.

This sentence, "NC State player families and alums had quite a lot more invested so they probably would have played if the situation happened on their side." somewhat contradicts the rest of your argument. It does mean something to people beyond ESPN. I'd imagine it meant a lot to those kids who were about to strap on their cleats for the last time, too. Not everybody is prepping for the combines . . . .

[cardcrimson]

UCLA looking worse and worse. Apparently, they cancelled because it would be unsafe for the players. Covid exposure? Nope, they were shorthanded and players might have to play out of position and could get hurt.

"Weenies" is spreading through the UC system. . . .

https://larrybrownsports.com/college-foo...ame/589531

That's rather pathetic.

The late cancellation was probably not a big deal for UCLA's fans as most of them were going to drive down for the game and go home that night.   NC State player families and alums had quite a lot more invested so they probably would have played if the situation happened on their side.

However, it is just another example of the real value of the bowl games.   For years now coaching staffs have been rather honest that the most important benefit of the bowl game has been the additional set of practices in December, so UCLA coaches got the primary benefit and didn't have to worry about bowl game injuries that could jeopardize spring ball or the 2022 season.   Win-win!

UCLA's decision, coupled with December coaching carousel and the players that opt out for NFL combine prep should provide ample evidence that these minor bowls are very useful program for ESPN, but have limited value for everyone else.

Create a playoff structure that includes every Power5 conference winner and a number of at-large invites that also gives every other FBS team 10 practices in December and I suspect that might get approved by most member institutions in the FBS.

This sentence, "NC State player families and alums had quite a lot more invested so they probably would have played if the situation happened on their side." somewhat contradicts the rest of your argument. It does mean something to people beyond ESPN. I'd imagine it meant a lot to those kids who were about to strap on their cleats for the last time, too. Not everybody is prepping for the combines . . . .