Expert: Thom Brooks - 12/30/2008

Question
In the past there were a few very familiar bowls, like the Orange, Sugar, Rose, and a few more. The teams that played were top teams, mainly winners in their conferences. Today a saw a very large list of bowls, and most of the teams in these games had mediocre won-lost records. Teams as bad as 7-4 and 9-6 were chosen for bowl games. What's this all about? Bowl games were something special, but now? Can you suggest an explanation for the proliferation of bowl games and the resultant diluting of the honor for the good teams, when "nobodies" are also playing in bowl games?


Answer
Frank, hello!

I wish there were even more bowl games, even with the .500 clubs.  Back in 1942, America had a population of 140 million.  Today, we have over 304 million.  Times, they are a'changin'.  

Their reasoning has to do with making money, but the fan interest is higher than ever before.  They still have the best teams going bowling, but also have a huge following of the mediocre teams that can draw a crowd.  A team last night lost a bowl game and finished 6-7 so I do understand your position.  However, I enjoyed the game and looked at the pure joy on the faces of players and their fans.  The parents in the stands were given a show to enjoy.  

So, I'm one to support a 16 team playoff with subsidiary bowls.  I don't care if the guys play 20 games, I want a game a day until Baseball season starts!!  When you look at each individual team, you have to look at their strength of record.  Who did they win and lose games against?  Georgia lost three games but to Georgia Tech, Alabama and Florida. All four are going to a big bowl, but all three played tough schedules.  The small bowl games attract the weaker teams that still deserve recognition.  

The better teams get the better bowls, better pay, more attendance. So, the equality is the same.  The quality of play is the same.  We just have more!  


Happy New Year!

Thom Brooks




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