APR and Bowl Games

[Jax]

I agree that no one should be eligible for a bowl who doesn't finish with at least a .500 record. To say the extra practice will help next year's team, but also defend it doesn't help because it's a different team, negates the reasons for accepting a bowl game with a losing season. Regardless of whether it is a different team or new season, the concept of extra practices have no bearing on the following season. Ask TCU and ISU.

The irony here is that to even be having this discussion infers the mindset of what fans think of this years team, and how they expect them to finish.

[KITNooga]

I agree that no one should be eligible for a bowl who doesn't finish with at least a .500 record. To say the extra practice will help next year's team, but also defend it doesn't help because it's a different team, negates the reasons for accepting a bowl game with a losing season. Regardless of whether it is a different team or new season, the concept of extra practices have no bearing on the following season. Ask TCU and ISU.

The irony here is that to even be having this discussion infers the mindset of what fans think of this years team, and how they expect them to finish.

if you pay real close attention, you may infer what I think of this discussion and the entitlement mindset of a vocal contingent of 'fans'.

[hilltopwildcat]

The assumption here being that if you go to a bowl game, you'll have a better season next year. Assumption is totally false. These kids are very structured for 11 months out of the year probably all 12 if the truth be told. If they and the coaches can't improve in that amount of time, another 10 practices really won't matter. With the current state of the program, we run the same half dozen plays on offense and same defense play after play after play. How many times can you practice that without accepting the results as what they are?

[AJcat7755]

The assumption here being that if you go to a bowl game, you'll have a better season next year. Assumption is totally false. These kids are very structured for 11 months out of the year probably all 12 if the truth be told. If they and the coaches can't improve in that amount of time, another 10 practices really won't matter. With the current state of the program, we run the same half dozen plays on offense and same defense play after play after play. How many times can you practice that without accepting the results as what they are?

Actually, the argument is going to a bowl game provides more potential positives then it does negatives. I have yet to see an argument where it is stated that it is a net negative to go to a bowl game. It does not translate 1:1 into a positive next season as there are many other factors to this, and the gain may be minimal to none, but I can't see how it there is a negative result from going to a bowl given all things consider (extra practice time, extra live game time, positive vibes for the team, marketing for the school, extra tape for NFL teams, ticket sales, exposure in different markets, etc.) Tell a player, that isn't going pro, that he gets to play 1 more game before his playing days are over, do you think he would not want to?

The only negative I can really think of is the negative impression of a 5 win team going to a bowl, but does that outweigh the potential positives? Does anyone even remember who went to a bowl game with 5 wins 2 years ago, it seems to be quickly forgotten, so the negative seems to go away pretty quick.

And if its the case that bowl games are negatives, why go to them with a 6-6 record?

Just because you are unhappy with the coaches and the play calling and don't think they specifically can do anything with extra practice time and extra game time doesn't mean there isn't something positive to be gained from going to a bowl.

[hilltopwildcat]

If you want an extra game, move the 5-win bowl games to before the season classics like basketball has with their classics and tournaments. Or add another game to the season. When you've only won 5 games, there comes a time to hang up the pads and take a breather.

The actual question posed here is what is the translation of playing in a bowl game to improvement, number of wins, for the following season? The reality is that most bowl games are now played before 2/3 empty stadiums, during slots where probably most people don't watch. There are absolutely other factors that play in to following seasons. You can have a great team go .500 if the competition is tough or you could have a "worse" team that wins 11 games if the competition is weaker. That goes whether you play a bowl game or not. If you only win 5 games, or 6 or maybe 7, it's time to let your body and mind heal. This plethora of bowl games is out there simply to fill E$PN's coffers.

[AJcat7755]

To revisit this from the dead, it looks like there may not be any openings for 5-7 teams to get into a bowl this year, but if there is, here is the top APR that would have a chance.

T1. Air Force 995 5-7
T4. Minnesota 992 5-7
T4. Vanderbilt 992 5-7
T16. Georgia Tech 983 5-6
T19. Indiana 982 5-7
T30. California 978 5-7
T36. Miami (OH) University 976 5-7
T36. Pitt 976 5-7

[tmcats]

... and i guess we'll be going to a bowl without the apr exception. this must be disappointing to some posters here?

[AJcat7755]

... and i guess we'll be going to a bowl without the apr exception. this must be disappointing to some posters here?

Had K-State lost out, they wouldn't be bowling with the APR exception either as there were 8 teams with a higher APR and it doesn't appear to be any spots for any of them this year. And Florida State still has a game they put back on the schedule to get to 6 wins. This year there might actually be 6-6 teams left out of bowls.

[hilltopwildcat]

College football needs MORE bowl games!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tmcats]

College football needs MORE bowl games!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bowl games are important to teams and their fans. there's no question about that and espn loves them as well.