In a 24-team College Football Playoff (CFP) world, the bowl system is set to undergo a significant transformation. The idea, discussed at the ACC spring meetings, involves pooling the best teams from the Power 4 conferences and placing them in a tiered bowl system. This proposal aims to provide flexibility, promote exciting matchups, and take geography into account.
Nick Carparelli, Bowl Season executive director, believes this is a great idea. He explains that even with the CFP's current 12-team field, only half of the bowl-eligible institutions from the Power 4 conferences are accounted for. By including the next group of teams that missed the Playoff, the system can offer flexibility and create more compelling games.
The plan suggests each of the four leagues (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC) would supply five bowl-eligible teams, totaling 20 teams for the top non-CFP bowls. However, the selection process and participating bowls are still under consideration. The conferences will determine the bowls, considering factors like payouts, location, and history.
The bowls with the highest payouts include the Citrus, Pop-Tarts (both in Orlando, Florida), Alamo (San Antonio, Texas), ReliaQuest (Tampa, Florida), Music City (Nashville, Tennessee), and Duke’s Mayo (Charlotte, North Carolina). The Sun (El Paso, Texas), Pinstripe (Bronx), Gator (Jacksonville, Florida), Texas (Houston), Holiday (San Diego, California), Liberty (Memphis, Tennessee), and Las Vegas bowls are also in a similar range.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the CFP's future, the bowls' health remains strong. Eight non-CFP bowls attracted over 4 million viewers last winter, with the Citrus Bowl and Pop-Tarts Bowl leading the way. However, Carparelli highlights the interest in games featuring teams that might not have qualified for the CFP, like the Pinstripe Bowl between Penn State and Clemson, which generated 7.6 million viewers.
The bowl system's future may involve a reduction as the CFP expands. Carparelli suggests that the market will dictate the changes, and the bowl system will adapt accordingly. This proposal aims to enhance the college football postseason experience, ensuring a diverse range of matchups and engaging games for fans.
