[pincemob]

Regardless of the payouts, I think the bowls should be a reward for the players, not some kind of punishment for losing a few games.  To go through an extra month of practice, holidays away from family, injury risk.... if the players don't like a bowl destination, I think their opinion should carry a strong weight.  I guess I don't see the bowls or bowl cities as doing the players a "favor" that they need to be thankful for... I think the school ends up taking most of the financial risk, and the players take the injury risk.  I am sure there are some nice volunteers in each city who the players could and should thank, but it's mainly a business.  As for the opponents, I just think those games offer better platforms for the non-BCS schools than they do for us, and I don't see the upside of playing the MWC or BYU when you could instead line up some bigger conference opponents.  Just my opinion.   

[pincemob]

Regardless of the payouts, I think the bowls should be a reward for the players, not some kind of punishment for losing a few games.  To go through an extra month of practice, holidays away from family, injury risk.... if the players don't like a bowl destination, I think their opinion should carry a strong weight.  I guess I don't see the bowls or bowl cities as doing the players a "favor" that they need to be thankful for... I think the school ends up taking most of the financial risk, and the players take the injury risk.  I am sure there are some nice volunteers in each city who the players could and should thank, but it's mainly a business.  As for the opponents, I just think those games offer better platforms for the non-BCS schools than they do for us, and I don't see the upside of playing the MWC or BYU when you could instead line up some bigger conference opponents.  Just my opinion.