BOYCOTT THE BOWLS!
That's it, if you want change you simply just opt to not support the structure that's in place. Sponsors won't support games if nobody goes or watches on TV. ESPN will think twice about dropping $125 million a year if they can't get the ratings to justify forking over that kind of cash. And, if you're a fan of a team who was maybe mediocre this year (like my Noles), why would you travel across the country and fork over a ton of cash to watch them play a meaningless post-season exhibition game? In the case of FSU, I'm not even willing to drive downtown in my own city to see them play a worthless game against Wisconsin tomorrow. And, in these days following Christmas, I think I can find something better to do with my time than watching on TV.
As I love Owls, lets use Florida Atlantic as a "for instance". So I live in Boca Raton, Florida as a Florida Atlantic fan. My team had a crummy year but eked out their sixth win on the final weekend of the season. So the reward for my fandom is to get to drop some cash in Detroit to watch them play Central Michigan in the Motor City Bowl? So my options would be to get to spend the day after Christmas at home in Boca Raton or in f'in Detroit to watch them play the Chippewas to see if they can manage not to finish below .500 for the year? Umm... Pass! And the same can be said for any team. Hey Longhorn fans... Your team got screwed out of a title shot because, in the current system, only two teams can play for a championship. So why would you support that same system by going to Phoenix to watch a meaningless Fiesta Bowl game against Ohio State? What does winning that game prove? Utah fans, your team's undefeated season is rewarded for their efforts by being sent to New Orleans to play Alabama for nothing more than pride. You're welcome! Because at least you didn't end up like Boise State, undefeated and WAC champions but pushed out of the BCS so they can make room for epic matchups like Virginia Tech and Cincinnati in the Orange Bowl.
I understand the tradition and pageantry of the bowls, but lets face it... If you support these things then you're a sap. They're using your loyalty to reach into your wallet and bilk you for the honor of supporting your team in a meaningless matchup. And, it's true that most people don't go to the games. But, even with that said, you invest your time watching the commercials and willingly enduring constant product mentions as you sit through some corporately titled bowl game. That puts money into the bowl system and gives them the ability to continue each year.
Now, imagine if fans banded together. Many bowl games are already struggling with attendance in this down economy. The new St. Petersburg Bowl will be lucky to make it to Year 2 considering the poor draw they got in Tropicana Field in a game featuring a school that's only 45 minutes away from the stadium. Others are struggling maintaining their sponsors who can't fork over the millions of dollars to have their names spray-painted at midfield. If ever there was a time to hit these bowl games where it counts most, their wallets, now would be the time. If a game can only draw a few thousand people to the stadium and less TV households than a PTI rerun then guess what??? It's not going to be in the best interest of the networks who air the game or the sponsors who fork the cash to support them. And when the number of games, TV contracts and payouts start getting cut, less schools will be the beneficiaries of bowl money and those that do will get less. So guess what they'll start talking about... Making the college football playoffs a cash cow like the basketball ones. And thus, we will finally have what we want.
Looking for Something To Do New Year's?
With that said, you may wonder what to do on New Year's since you're not going to be vegging-out in front of the tube watching bowl games. Well here's an exciting idea, how about giving NHL hockey another chance. New Year's Day the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings will be playing at Wrigley Field. And, for those who haven't been following hockey in a while, that's not a misprint. They will be playing an NHL game outside at Wrigley Field! This is the third NHL game to be played outdoors as part of the NHL's Winter Classics. And, while admittedly it is just a regular midseason game, you have two of the top teams in the Western Conference this season, two of the tradition-rich Original Six franchises, playing outside at f'in Wrigley Field?! How cool is that? Or, you could watch two 9-3 teams (Georgia and Michigan State) play in the Capital One Bowl or two worse teams (Nebraska and Clemson) play in the Gator Bowl. Is there even a debate here?
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