The bowl season is an annual college football tradition that comprises a series of postseason games. These games often include top-tier teams and provide an opportunity for players to showcase their skills on a national stage. However, the bowl season is not without its drawbacks, as it is also plagued by meaningless matchups, player opt-outs, and questionable branding decisions.

Despite these challenges, this year’s New Year’s Day bowl games featured some thrilling matchups, including Michigan’s overtime victory against Alabama in the Rose Bowl and Washington’s win over Texas in the Sugar Bowl. These games set the stage for an exciting championship game between Michigan and Washington, which is sure to be a clash of coaching styles and a chance for top players to prove themselves.

The expansion of the playoff system is expected to bring significant changes to the bowl season, as it may render many of the lower-tier games even more irrelevant. Additionally, the trend of athletes opting out of bowl games to protect their draft rankings and potential future earnings raises concerns about the overall quality of the games.

In addition to these concerns, the rebranding of bowl games, such as the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl becoming the “LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk,” and attention-grabbing antics, such as the Duke’s Mayo Bowl dumping mayonnaise on a coach’s head, have added a layer of oddity to the bowl season.

Despite these controversies and oddities, the bowl season continues to draw attention and deliver great football. As college football looks toward the future, there is anticipation for more excitement and meaningful matchups in the next bowl season and beyond.