The downside of 1st round games on campus...

[BostonNit]

I was thinking about something today...

For teams that play in and lose a first round game in the new playoff format, the players (and their families, the coaches, the band, the cheerleaders, the fans, etc.) all miss out on most of the fun aspects of bowl season.

I.e., traveling to San Diego or Miami or Tempe or Pasadena or Orlando, etc for 2 weeks to prep for the game, enjoy the local attractions, get logo swag from the bowl, enjoy a month or so of extra coaching and learning and hanging with your teammates, etc.

Instead, if you're Indiana or SMU or Arizona State for example, you may get to play an outdoor road game in State College (or Columbus or South Bend) in December. If you lose, that's it.

If you're PSU or OSU or ND and lose, you got to host an extra home game. Whoopie!!!

I mean the Phyrst and Champs are great and I'm always happy to visit them one more time, but end of season I often like to treat myself and my family to some nice time together at a fun destination.

I think they should work the next tier of 4 bowl games into the playoffs and do away with the campus games.

Teams #1-4, and #13 - #80 and their fans may get to go to Memphis or El Paso or Shreveport or Tampa or even NYC.

Teams #5-#12 may only see another college campus or have an extra home game.

And *that's* what is missing with the current format.

 

[Tgar]

Just a hunch, most players could care less about a meaningless bowl game after losing a playoff game.

 

[Blair10]

The playoff format has made the old bowl game concept irrelevant. Time to move on.

 

[NittPicker]

Consider the on-campus playoff games as being bowl games, which is what they are. The visiting team may not arrive a week before and participate in a bunch of activities but I doubt most players would care. The bands will be present and there will still be the typical big bowl game buzz inside the stadium.

Eight other bowl games will already have been played before the start of the first playoff so the playoff games fit well into the post-season line up. They’ll offer some excitement to the earlier slate of games. It was rare that I watched any of the pre-Xmas games before this year.

 

[BostonNit]

Just a hunch, most players could care less about a meaningless bowl game after losing a playoff game.

That's not what I'm suggesting at all.

I'm suggesting you use 4 additional bowls as the first round games rather than playing the games on campus.

The traditional bowl games are already baked into the playoff system for all but the on-campus first round. Just use bowls for the first round too so that everyone gets a decent location to visit.

 

[BostonNit]

The playoff format has made the old bowl game concept irrelevant. Time to move on.

No it hasn't, it's integrated them *into* the playoff, arguably making more bowls relevant, not less. My suggestion makes an additional 4 bowl games relevant. (Admittedly at the expense of The Phyrst and Champs).

 

[GreggK]

Where have we seen this before? Coming off of a bye week, another irregular, slow start. It's uncanny how it constantly happens.

At the beginning of the season, a significant portion of the fan base and "experts" predicted a loss to Ohio State and USC and a 10-2 season. And most everyone was happy with it.

Now, you have a chance for an 11-1 season. And you got a loss against a team that most everyone projected a loss to. Frankly, you are ahead of where you thought you would be at the beginning of the season.

Is Washington better than projected? Probably.
Is Minnesota on a hot streak? Sure.

It's entirely feasible that Penn State loses all four remaining games and it's also feasible that Penn State wins its' four remaining games. It's also feasible they split or lose one. I think they do win out and end up 11-1 and host a play off game. The advantage to that is they don't play in the CCG and get a week's rest before the playoff game.

Bama about to lose its third game to 5-5 Oklahoma (1-5 in the SEC). I don’t want to hear anything else about Bama or Ole Miss the rest of the season.

That's not what I'm suggesting at all.

I'm suggesting you use 4 additional bowls as the first round games rather than playing the games on campus.

The traditional bowl games are already baked into the playoff system for all but the on-campus first round. Just use bowls for the first round too so that everyone gets a decent location to visit.

no way. I LOVE the idea of having a home PLAYOFF game! This is going to be so much fun.

 

[CDLionFL]

I’m in favor of the quarterfinals also being played on campus. If you earn a bye, you should get a home game as well.

Players can use their NIL cash to go somewhere warm if they’d like.

 

[BostonNit]

no way. I LOVE the idea of having a home PLAYOFF game! This is going to be so much fun.

Would you LOVE the idea of to going to Boise Idaho in Dec if they were ranked 5 and we were 12?? Or would you rather visit Memphis, using the Liberty Bowl for a first round game for example?

 

[BostonNit]

I’m in favor of the quarterfinals also being played on campus. If you earn a bye, you should get a home game as well.

Players can use their NIL cash to go somewhere warm if they’d like.

The band, cheerleaders, etc don't get NIL money. But hey, they can come back to campus from semester break to watch a game in the snow.

 

[manatree]

I was thinking about something today...

For teams that play in and lose a first round game in the new playoff format, the players (and their families, the coaches, the band, the cheerleaders, the fans, etc.) all miss out on most of the fun aspects of bowl season.

I.e., traveling to San Diego or Miami or Tempe or Pasadena or Orlando, etc for 2 weeks to prep for the game, enjoy the local attractions, get logo swag from the bowl, enjoy a month or so of extra coaching and learning and hanging with your teammates, etc.

Instead, if you're Indiana or SMU or Arizona State for example, you may get to play an outdoor road game in State College (or Columbus or South Bend) in December. If you lose, that's it.

If you're PSU or OSU or ND and lose, you got to host an extra home game. Whoopie!!!

I mean the Phyrst and Champs are great and I'm always happy to visit them one more time, but end of season I often like to treat myself and my family to some nice time together at a fun destination.

I think they should work the next tier of 4 bowl games into the playoffs and do away with the campus games.

Teams #1-4, and #13 - #80 and their fans may get to go to Memphis or El Paso or Shreveport or Tampa or even NYC.

Teams #5-#12 may only see another college campus or have an extra home game.

And *that's* what is missing with the current format.

 

[WVilleLion23]

Would you LOVE the idea of to going to Boise Idaho in Dec if they were ranked 5 and we were 12?? Or would you rather visit Memphis, using the Liberty Bowl for a first round game for example?

Boise over Memphis

 

[BostonNit]

Boise over Memphis

How about Boise vs San Antonio for an Alamo Bowl 1st round game? The river walk on a nice day vs some local Boise pub in the snow?

 

[PSUFBFAN]

I was thinking about something today...

For teams that play in and lose a first round game in the new playoff format, the players (and their families, the coaches, the band, the cheerleaders, the fans, etc.) all miss out on most of the fun aspects of bowl season.

I.e., traveling to San Diego or Miami or Tempe or Pasadena or Orlando, etc for 2 weeks to prep for the game, enjoy the local attractions, get logo swag from the bowl, enjoy a month or so of extra coaching and learning and hanging with your teammates, etc.

Instead, if you're Indiana or SMU or Arizona State for example, you may get to play an outdoor road game in State College (or Columbus or South Bend) in December. If you lose, that's it.

If you're PSU or OSU or ND and lose, you got to host an extra home game. Whoopie!!!

I mean the Phyrst and Champs are great and I'm always happy to visit them one more time, but end of season I often like to treat myself and my family to some nice time together at a fun destination.

I think they should work the next tier of 4 bowl games into the playoffs and do away with the campus games.

Teams #1-4, and #13 - #80 and their fans may get to go to Memphis or El Paso or Shreveport or Tampa or even NYC.

Teams #5-#12 may only see another college campus or have an extra home game.

And *that's* what is missing with the current format.

In case you haven't been paying attention, it is no longer the '70's or '80's. This sport is now a professional league with players getting paid, some with 7 figure salaries. Teams are competing through a structured playoff system with the goal of advancing to a national championship. First round home games are going to be incredible. Bowl trophies and swag are meaningless.

ESPN isn't paying $1 BILLION per year so the band and cheerleaders can take a winter vacation.

If Penn State were to lose on Saturday and somehow drop out of the CFP, they wouldn't have enough players left to field a team for a bowl game after all the opt outs. If you want to enjoy a warm weather bowl destination, start sending in your NIL money so that we can buy the best players that will allow us to get into this annual playoff system.

 

[psuro]

The premise of this thread is ridiculous.

 

[BostonNit]

In case you haven't been paying attention, it is no longer the '70's or '80's. This sport is now a professional league with players getting paid, some with 7 figure salaries. Teams are competing through a structured playoff system with the goal of advancing to a national championship. First round home games are going to be incredible. Bowl trophies and swag are meaningless.

ESPN isn't paying $1 BILLION per year so the band and cheerleaders can take a winter vacation.

If Penn State were to lose on Saturday and somehow drop out of the CFP, they wouldn't have enough players left to field a team for a bowl game after all the opt outs. If you want to enjoy a warm weather bowl destination, start sending in your NIL money so that we can buy the best players that will allow us to get into this annual playoff system.

Then by your argument we should play the entire playoffs on campus?

Those semi final and quarter final games? Get em on campus!

Just suggesting the first round games use bowls like the semis and quarters do.

 

[BostonNit]

The premise of this thread is ridiculous.

So playing semi and quarter finals at bowls is not ridiculous but playing 1st round games at bowls is? Got it.

 

[TheBigUglies]

People seem to think the game revolves around them and what they want, however, the game is played by the team and everything revolves around the game. Put the ball down anywhere and play the game, the other stuff(fans, band, cheerleaders, dance team, media, students) need to follow and adapt.

 

[psuro]

So playing semi and quarter finals at bowls is not ridiculous but playing 1st round games at bowls is? Got it.

Your entire premise is ridiculous. Please research why the games are being played on campus and then re evaluate your argument

 

[Connorpozlee]

I think all playoff game profits should be split amongst the players on the playoff team rosters.

 

[NittPicker]

In case you haven't been paying attention, it is no longer the '70's or '80's. This sport is now a professional league with players getting paid, some with 7 figure salaries. Teams are competing through a structured playoff system with the goal of advancing to a national championship. First round home games are going to be incredible. Bowl trophies and swag are meaningless.

ESPN isn't paying $1 BILLION per year so the band and cheerleaders can take a winter vacation.

If Penn State were to lose on Saturday and somehow drop out of the CFP, they wouldn't have enough players left to field a team for a bowl game after all the opt outs. If you want to enjoy a warm weather bowl destination, start sending in your NIL money so that we can buy the best players that will allow us to get into this annual playoff system.

Until the 1970s, the MNC was crowned BEFORE the bowl games which were simply warm weather rewards for a good season. The "national champion" could lose their bowl game and still be "national champion". Then the bowls started to really matter and many people still had it drilled into their heads that bowl games had to be played in warm weather. Ask them why and they won't be able to give a rational answer. It'll just be, "Well, it's a good vacation!" JFC, a person can take a warm weather vacation anytime and anyplace they want.

On campus playoffs help to somewhat level the playing field for a host northern team. At any past bowl game we've played in the south, our fans have been outnumbered. It wasn't because our fans were any less rabid but simply a result of the travel expenses involved. It's crazy to me how anyone can complain about Penn State hosting a playoff game in Beaver Stadium. If it's too cold for you, stay home or buy some new clothes.

 

[BostonNit]

Your entire premise is ridiculous. Please research why the games are being played on campus and then re evaluate your argument

The argument doesn't change. If you can find a way to integrate bowls into the quarters and semis you can find a way to do it for first round games.

 

[NittPicker]

The argument doesn't change. If you can find a way to integrate bowls into the quarters and semis you can find a way to do it for first round games.

The current arrangement doesn't hurt other bowl eligible teams. If this year's first round games were played in existing bowls, there would be eight teams elsewhere which would be bumped and sitting at home. Nobody would approve of that.

 

[Classof09]

Would you LOVE the idea of to going to Boise Idaho in Dec if they were ranked 5 and we were 12?? Or would you rather visit Memphis, using the Liberty Bowl for a first round game for example?

I’d rather visit a proctologist than Memphis!

 

[SouthHalls410]

My 2 currently enrolled students are excited as anything to have a playoff game on campus.

 

[BostonNit]

Until the 1970s, the MNC was crowned BEFORE the bowl games which were simply warm weather rewards for a good season. The "national champion" could lose their bowl game and still be "national champion". Then the bowls started to really matter and many people still had it drilled into their heads that bowl games had to be played in warm weather. Ask them why and they won't be able to give a rational answer. It'll just be, "Well, it's a good vacation!" JFC, a person can take a warm weather vacation anytime and anyplace they want.

On campus playoffs help to somewhat level the playing field for a host northern team. At any past bowl game we've played in the south, our fans have been outnumbered. It wasn't because our fans were any less rabid but simply a result of the travel expenses involved. It's crazy to me how anyone can complain about Penn State hosting a playoff game in Beaver Stadium. If it's too cold for you, stay home or buy some new clothes.

I'm from Massachusetts so it will likely be warmer in State College than Massachusetts. And I've already got my Airbnb booked.

Paint me a fool for wanting to combine two things I love - Penn State Football and warm weather vacations with the family - into a single trip, but I suspect I'm not the only one who feels this way.

 

[BostonNit]

The current arrangement doesn't hurt other bowl eligible teams. If this year's first round games were played in existing bowls, there would be eight teams elsewhere which would be bumped and sitting at home. Nobody would approve of that.

Including some 5-7 teams who will need a waiver to attend a bowl.

 

[BostonNit]

Oh, and on top of everything else, if PSU goes one and out we get no @WanderingSpectator travel blog post.

 

[GreggK]

Win and then we can travel somewhere warm. I love southern teams to finally have to play up north. There are southern teams that NEVER have. We HAVE to!

 

[TheBigUglies]

If you don't want to go to a cold location to play a playoff game donate your money to the NIL of your favorite warm weather team so they can host a playoff game. I am excited for PSU to host a playoff game in December!! All that extra revenue that is coming into the region during a normally dead period is great for Happy Valley!!

 

[BostonNit]

If you don't want to go to a cold location to play a playoff game donate your money to the NIL of your favorite warm weather team so they can host a playoff game. I am excited for PSU to host a playoff game in December!! All that extra revenue that is coming into the region during a normally dead period is great for Happy Valley!!

It's super easy to spend other people's money.

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

May I suggest visiting our new pac12 bros mid season. Wash in 2 years, O in 3. I LOVE this new set up

 

[BostonNit]

May I suggest visiting our new pac12 bros mid season. Wash in 2 years, O in 3. I LOVE this new set up

I've been trying to check off all the B1G venues over the past few years with an in-season visit. Will continue to do so.