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https://twitter.com/nfldraftscout/status/935578907088220165

Let me first say I get it, I do.  I will never blame a player for that decision, and I don't think they owe the school a damn thing.  If it were my teammate I wouldn't love it, but that's between them.

But from a fan perspective and a health of the bowl system perspective I hate it.  I don't know what the solution is though.  I've seen people throw out that you could allow redshirted players to play to offset it.

I will say, people are calling the bowl games just exhibitions anyway.  I guess, but if we are calling all non CFP games exhibitions, what are late season games for all teams outside about the top 10?  Bowl games count towards your record.  What was MSU-Rutgers if not an exhibition game?  Neither team was in the CFP discussion, MSU was already going to a bowl, and there was nothing Rutgers could do to become bowl eligible.  He'll, what was different about the OSU game for UM players than a Holiday Bowl would be?  I guess my point is, after the loss to OSU, I don't see how the remaining games for MSU were any less of an exhibition than whatever bowl they go to.

And last year it's was studs, 1st rounders, playing the position where wear and tear is the worst, running back.  One of these kids is a safety with a 6th round grade.  If that kind of kid is skipping the bowl, who isn't?

https://twitter.com/nfldraftscout/status/935578907088220165

Let me first say I get it, I do.  I will never blame a player for that decision, and I don't think they owe the school a damn thing.  If it were my teammate I wouldn't love it, but that's between them.

But from a fan perspective and a health of the bowl system perspective I hate it.  I don't know what the solution is though.  I've seen people throw out that you could allow redshirted players to play to offset it.

I will say, people are calling the bowl games just exhibitions anyway.  I guess, but if we are calling all non CFP games exhibitions, what are late season games for all teams outside about the top 10?  Bowl games count towards your record.  What was MSU-Rutgers if not an exhibition game?  Neither team was in the CFP discussion, MSU was already going to a bowl, and there was nothing Rutgers could do to become bowl eligible.  He'll, what was different about the OSU game for UM players than a Holiday Bowl would be?  I guess my point is, after the loss to OSU, I don't see how the remaining games for MSU were any less of an exhibition than whatever bowl they go to.

And last year it's was studs, 1st rounders, playing the position where wear and tear is the worst, running back.  One of these kids is a safety with a 6th round grade.  If that kind of kid is skipping the bowl, who isn't?

Who isn't skipping?  Underclassmen with plans to return and need the practice/playing time to hone their skills and/or impress their coaches.  And in a healthy program, there should be plenty of those types of players at season's end.  Even when seniors (or juniors planning to enter the draft) play in bowl games, a lot of the time they come back to bowl practice out of shape and unable or unwilling to put enough on the line to make a difference.  That part at least, is nothing new, it's gone on for decades.  And that's in a HEALTHY program, which Texas is not right now.  Both of these guys also had problems in the locker room and have been called out previously by their teammates.



Texas is a crappy 6-6 team destined for a crappy bowl.  I don't have any interest in watching my crappy team play in a crappy bowl, and I don't blame any of the crappy players on that crappy team for not wanting to play in a crappy bowl, either.  They ARE exhibitions.  They have ALWAYS been exhibitions, aside from a handful that might involve MNC implications.   That's not meant to belittle them, it's simply the truth and the basis of their origin-- they were created as post-season exhibition games to reward the teams and the fans for a good season, and it wasn't until the mid 60s that the national polls became extended to the postseason.  And the massive proliferation of worthless bowls pitting 6-6 or even 5-7 teams against one another has only harmed the overall system.



Anyway, I guess it sucks for the fans, but honestly nobody's watching these lower tier bowl games anyway.  The stadiums don't come close to selling out, their TV ratings are abysmal.  There's really no point, other than some nostalgic desire to cling to an antiquated system.



Just my opinion of course.

I think the idea of letting redshirts play in bowl games would offset it and potentially add more fan interest for non-CFP teams.  

I'll care about Ohio State's bowl either way but if they end up in a non CFP game with a bunch of seniors not playing the thing that would redeem it for me would be to see the future of the Buckeyes by getting to see the redshirts play.  

https://twitter.com/nfldraftscout/status/935578907088220165

Let me first say I get it, I do.  I will never blame a player for that decision, and I don't think they owe the school a damn thing.  If it were my teammate I wouldn't love it, but that's between them.

But from a fan perspective and a health of the bowl system perspective I hate it.  I don't know what the solution is though.  I've seen people throw out that you could allow redshirted players to play to offset it.

I will say, people are calling the bowl games just exhibitions anyway.  I guess, but if we are calling all non CFP games exhibitions, what are late season games for all teams outside about the top 10?  Bowl games count towards your record.  What was MSU-Rutgers if not an exhibition game?  Neither team was in the CFP discussion, MSU was already going to a bowl, and there was nothing Rutgers could do to become bowl eligible.  He'll, what was different about the OSU game for UM players than a Holiday Bowl would be?  I guess my point is, after the loss to OSU, I don't see how the remaining games for MSU were any less of an exhibition than whatever bowl they go to.

And last year it's was studs, 1st rounders, playing the position where wear and tear is the worst, running back.  One of these kids is a safety with a 6th round grade.  If that kind of kid is skipping the bowl, who isn't?

I'm with you.  I get it, but I hate it.  I know there is a business side to sports but that's not the reason I watch.  I don't know if there is a solution.

I don't like it, but I acknowledge that there isn't anything that can be done about it.

Any attempt to punish players will simply result in phantom injuries, as was most likely the case with Peppers. 

I don't like it, but I acknowledge that there isn't anything that can be done about it.

Any attempt to punish players will simply result in phantom injuries, as was most likely the case with Peppers.

Peppers absolutely made the right decision. He was a 1st round pick. Let's say he plays that game and tears up his knee. Would've cost himself millions.

Honestly for these lower level bowls who cares? Texas fans might be more interested in watching players who will be around next year.  For the higher level bowls it would suck as a fan, but it also works both ways.  Remember the Fiesta Bowl with OSU and ND?  Jaylon Smith had traumatic damage in to his leg, which cost him.  Joey Bosa was tossed from the game because he lowered his head and hit the QB somewhat lightly in the chest.  If you are ok with tossing players, I don't think you can be mad if they skip it altogether.