More Conferences Should Adopt ACC Move To Limit Bowl Eligibility To Winners

Something happened to bowl games over the years that made them relatively meaningless, but what happened this past year bordered on embarrassing. Four losing teams were allowed to participate in bowls and two of them, San Jose State and Nebraska, hoisted bowl-winning trophies. Recently, the ACC athletic directors voted that conference teams would have to post at least a 7-5 record before being allowed to participate in bowls. Since the other conferences did not go along with the initiative, the move was largely seen as symbolic.

Sometimes, though, symbolism has to become reality and what the ACC did is something the other conferences should adopt. There were 41 post-season games, which means that there are far too many teams playing after the regular season is over. So it should not be surprising that these conversations are happening around conference offices.

The bowls are taking the power away from the conferences and the ACC vote is a step to take the power back. One of the ACC teams, Pitt, was 8-4 but leapfrogged in the selection process for more attractive bowls by 7-5 teams because the bowls chose who they can select. Pittsburgh got into the Military Bowl instead, playing essentially an away game at Navy. Not surprisingly, Navy won.

By limiting the number of teams it offers, the ACC can take the power back from the bowls. It is something the other conferences should think about this offseason. If some bowls go away because of it, it’s fine — that’s the kind of natural selection college football needs right now.

 

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