Seriously, why would anyone including students and alumni pay to see a team that wasn’t the team
that got them to the bowl? Major college sports really has descended to watching a bunch of people wearing school colors that particular day. The sports have gone over the top with what’s in it for meism To paraphrase JFK, more or less, ask not what you can do for your school that handed you a free education, but ask the school what have they done for you that deserves loyalty.’i am totally turned off.
To your point, more than 24 FSU players have opted out of the Orange Bowl for various reasons. Mad Dog Russo had a rant on this saying the FSU players have no guts. I agree with him. They moan about not being in the playoffs and then they walk away from a chance to prove themselves against Georgia. What better preparation for the NFL than beating Georgia? But as others have said in this chat, FSU wants to send a message.
I am different from most as I have been watching some games especially the better bowls that began later this week. The Oklahoma team and OL in particular had a bunch of opt outs and they had at least 8 holding calls which certainly affected the game.
Caleb Williams did not play for USC in the Holiday Bowl but was there out of uniform. His replacement Miller Moss threw six TDs. That is why I watch the games, to see players play who wouldn't ordinarily play. There have been some great individual performances but the quality of the games has suffered.
I also watched a bit of the Wasabi Bowl at Fenway where BC beat Louisville. There weren't many fans in the stands. I can't blame them. Who wants to watch a game at Fenway in the rain?
