2025 Bowl Predictions

[LetsGoUC]

I just can't imagine Chesney going that far west...he went from Salve (RI) to Assumption (MA) to HC (MA) before he went down the JMU (VA)...other spots will open that are a better fit for him.

You could kind of the same thing of Mora. Complete west coast guy and now coaches in CT.

 

[CCSUblue]

You could kind of the same thing of Mora. Complete west coast guy and now coaches in CT.

Except for New Orleans and Atlanta. And you know, ESPN.

 

[businesslawyer]

I would be ready for guys to step out of the bowls if they are projected in the early rounds of the draft......almost for sure if they expect to be invited to the combine.

I still don’t understand why, if you played in all the games leading up to the bowls, suddenly with one more game your calculus changes as to whether it’s in your interest to keep playing. But obviously at P-4 schools many do so I guess I’m missing something.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

I would be ready for guys to step out of the bowls if they are projected in the early rounds of the draft......almost for sure if they expect to be invited to the combine.

Make them forfeit a substantial portion of their NIL money that would be held in escrow and paid out after the completion of ALL games including bowl games. Wanna opt out, it will cost you.

 

[uconndogs]

I still don’t understand why, if you played in all the games leading up to the bowls, suddenly with one more game your calculus changes as to whether it’s in your interest to keep playing. But obviously at P-4 schools many do so I guess I’m missing something.

Maybe because they're closer to all the evaluations that go on and want to be healthy for them. Don't get me wrong, I find it very disappointing, but I understand the rationale.

 

[CCSUblue]

I still don’t understand why, if you played in all the games leading up to the bowls, suddenly with one more game your calculus changes as to whether it’s in your interest to keep playing. But obviously at P-4 schools many do so I guess I’m missing something.

It seems more common place when a power school is playing a much lesser school. If UConn is playing a p4 I'd expect that they have some players sit out as UConn is still rebuilding their reputation.

Wouldn't be surprised if Bell is a 3rd round pick. Is that early enough to sit out? What about a team taking a flyer on a 26 year old that just had his best season? 7th or UDFA? Did Parham do enough to get drafted? Who else? Not necessarily asking you @businesslawyer just adding to the discussion.

I think those are players that have taken pride in their time at UConn and want to play in a bowl game and show out against good competition.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

Maybe because they're closer to all the evaluations that go on and want to be healthy for them. Don't get me wrong, I find it very disappointing, but I understand the rationale.

With very few - very few - exceptions, you play because your team is playing. The rest is nonsense. They are taking NIL money, so play the game. Programs need to figure out how to leverage this.

 

[Tdaley]

In the interest of steering the thread to the topic at hand .... didn't see a compilation of projections, so if this is a repeat, apologies, but here goes. I think this is the first week I haven't seen the 2 Alabama bowls mentioned.

Cure (Orlando) Dec. 17 JMU (The Athletic)

Myrtle Beach Dec. 19 East Carolina (Col.foot news) Southern Miss (McMurphy)

Gasparilla (Tampa) Dec. 19 Florida St. (ESPN Schlabach, draftkings) South florida (CBS Sports) (note: no UConn projection from ESPN Bonaguro)

Boca Raton Dec. 23 Coastal Carolina (USA Today)

Frisco (Tex) Dec. 23 California (Athlon)

Liberty (@Memphis) Jan 2 Cincinnati (SI)

Duke's Mayo (Charlotte) Jan. 2 Pitt (Projection Sports? - fancy graphic, 27K followers, but 1st time I'd heard ofthem)

Thank You. I was looking for a list!

 

[RedStickHusky]

I still don’t understand why, if you played in all the games leading up to the bowls, suddenly with one more game your calculus changes as to whether it’s in your interest to keep playing. But obviously at P-4 schools many do so I guess I’m missing something.

I think some have shut down earlier... It's a risk/reward calculation

 

[Kolumbo]

It really is crazy how as fans our entire focus is becoming bowl eligible and then we are accepting the fact that many teams may not be putting its best team out there for the season's prize. The bowl game is part of the journey and it is the most significant point in the journey. What a broken system.

 

[Chin Diesel]

It really is crazy how as fans our entire focus is becoming bowl eligible and then we are accepting the fact that many teams may not be putting its best team out there for the season's prize. The bowl game is part of the journey and it is the most significant point in the journey. What a broken system.

It's the most significant point in the journey for us fans.
For many players, the opportunity to play professionally is the ultimate point in the journey.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

It's the most significant point in the journey for us fans.
For many players, the opportunity to play professionally is the ultimate point in the journey.

Withhold a significant amount of NIL money. Fine 'em just like a professional football player who refuses to dress. Stop coddling these athletes. Their opportunity to play professionally should not be a college program's concern or problem.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

KryHavok? Is this Jack Carr? Appreciate your support though.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Withhold a significant amount of NIL money. Fine 'em just like a professional football player who refuses to dress. Stop coddling these athletes. Their opportunity to play professionally should not be a college program's concern or problem.

And see what happens when UConn puts those stipulations on payments and no one else does.

What a maroon.

You can't deviate from the norms of the labor market if you want to compete in the labor market.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

And see what happens when UConn puts those stipulations on payments and no one else does.

What a maroon.

You can't deviate from the norms of the labor market if you want to compete in the labor market.

Not saying just UConn! What a total maroon. ALL teams should do this. I personally think NIL is terrible for college ball. But this opting out of bowl games is BS, for all programs. Great way for players to "give back" to the schools that gave them so much.

 

[TheDrifter75]

Not saying just UConn! What a total maroon. ALL teams should do this. I personally think NIL is terrible for college ball. But this opting out of bowl games is BS, for all programs. Great way for players to "give back" to the schools that gave them so much.

Let’s collude against the players and see how that works.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

Let’s collude against the players and see how that works.

Yeah, let's take a stand. Let's explore every means of institutions controlling players not the other way around. If there were no scholarships, no NIL, then players could sit out any game they wanted. Maybe they had an exam coming up and they need extra time to study. 😎