On second thought, bring on Boise St

[CougPatrol]

When I first read that we might draw Boise St in our bowl game, I wasn't very enthusiastic about getting beaten up by them to end the season. The more I think about it, though, I hope we draw them in the Las Vegas Bowl.

They'll likely be 12-1 and MWC champions heading into the game after nearly missing out on a NY6 bid. Boise St. has been great all season, but their defense isn't elite, and that gives us a chance to finish the season by knocking off a well regarded opponent. If we lose, so be it. If we win, it'll mean a Hell of a lot more than beating someone like Wyoming, San Diego St, or Air Force.

 

[froropmkr72]

When I first read that we might draw Boise St in our bowl game, I wasn't very enthusiastic about getting beaten up by them to end the season. The more I think about it, though, I hope we draw them in the Las Vegas Bowl.

They'll likely be 12-1 and MWC champions heading into the game after nearly missing out on a NY6 bid. Boise St. has been great all season, but their defense isn't elite, and that gives us a chance to finish the season by knocking off a well regarded opponent. If we lose, so be it. If we win, it'll mean a Hell of a lot more than beating someone like Wyoming, San Diego St, or Air Force.

Their defense is 36th, but really hasn't experienced a high powered passing attack. Their Florida State win was impressive before we all found out that they suck. It would be a really good win for WSU.

 

[BleedCrimsonandGray]

Bowl game win >>> having a good challenge and losing.

Bring on AFA.

 

[CougPatrol]

They gave up 31 points to Florida State, 37 at home vs. Hawaii, and 42 at San Jose St. Their schedule was a joke this year.

Florida State
Marshall
Portland St
Air Force
UNLV
Hawaii
BYU
San Jose St
Wyoming
New Mexico
Utah St
Colorado State
Hawaii (Sat in the MWC Championship Game)

 

[COUGinNCW]

They gave up 31 points to Florida State, 37 at home vs. Hawaii, and 42 at San Jose St. Their schedule was a joke this year.

Florida State
Marshall
Portland St
Air Force
UNLV
Hawaii
BYU
San Jose St
Wyoming
New Mexico
Utah St
Colorado State
Hawaii (Sat in the MWC Championship Game)

Their schedule is a joke just about every year. The Gonzaga of college football.

 

[froropmkr72]

Bowl game win >>> having a good challenge and losing.

Bring on AFA.

Then you'd get "if Air Force was tough...just think what Boise State would of done to you". Boise State would be a good game.

 

[froropmkr72]

Their schedule is a joke just about every year. The Gonzaga of college football.

They are 12-6 in bowl games.

 

[kougkurt]

They are 12-6 in bowl games.

I don’t remember. How have the dogs done in bowl games under CP and jimmy Swamp

 

[etowncoug]

Boise St. means nothing for us as an opponent. If we beat them the spin will be that they were weak this year and they just got exposed them. If we lose, it likely hurts us in recruiting.

I'd much rather get bumped to the Cheez it bowl and play a P5 opponent.

 

[CougPatrol]

I respect Boise State’s program. They can’t control their conference affiliation/schedule, and they typically play at least one big opponent in their out of conference schedule. The road game at FSU, when it was scheduled, looked daunting.

 

[79COUG]

I think playing against Boise State could be pretty emotional for some of the guys on this team. Might bring back some memories from the last game.

 

[CougPatrol]

I think playing against Boise State could be pretty emotional for some of the guys on this team. Might bring back some memories from the last game.

True, and that’s not a bad thing. Oftentimes, bowl games are difficult to get up for. This one wouldn’t be.

 

[Flatlandcoug]

When I first read that we might draw Boise St in our bowl game, I wasn't very enthusiastic about getting beaten up by them to end the season. The more I think about it, though, I hope we draw them in the Las Vegas Bowl.

They'll likely be 12-1 and MWC champions heading into the game after nearly missing out on a NY6 bid. Boise St. has been great all season, but their defense isn't elite, and that gives us a chance to finish the season by knocking off a well regarded opponent. If we lose, so be it. If we win, it'll mean a Hell of a lot more than beating someone like Wyoming, San Diego St, or Air Force.

Boise State is definitely a far step below where they used to be in terms of ability and danger to us. Still not wild about playing against them but agree that it's not a game that we can't play well in. My wife decided to go ahead and book a trip to Vegas just in case that's where we go. I have family there that I need to visit regardless.

 

[CougPatrol]

Boise State is definitely a far step below where they used to be in terms of ability and danger to us. Still not wild about playing against them but agree that it's not a game that we can't play well in. My wife decided to go ahead and book a trip to Vegas just in case that's where we go. I have family there that I need to visit regardless.

Honestly, after the playoff and NY6 bowl games, the only people who care about the other games are the alumni of the schools involved. I look at it from the perspective that playing a 12-1 Boise State team, win or lose, has a lot more upside in terms of interest than going against a program like Air Force or Wyoming.

 

[GrayOnGray]

Honestly, after the playoff and NY6 bowl games, the only people who care about the other games are the alumni of the schools involved. I look at it from the perspective that playing a 12-1 Boise State team, win or lose, has a lot more upside in terms of interest than going against a program like Air Force or Wyoming.

7-6 >> 6-7

 

[SDCoug]

Honestly, after the playoff and NY6 bowl games, the only people who care about the other games are the alumni of the schools involved. I look at it from the perspective that playing a 12-1 Boise State team, win or lose, has a lot more upside in terms of interest than going against a program like Air Force or Wyoming.

I agree. Quite frankly, as an alum, I’m much more interested in playing, and beating, the best team out there that we can. Taking down a 12-1 Boise is a great way to feel good at the ends of the season.

 

[Glad Cougar]

Bowl game win >>> having a good challenge and losing.

Bring on AFA.

I guess my fear is playing Air Force or some other lesser MWC team and still losing. 6-7 with a loss in the Cheezit bowl would leave an awful taste....as if those Cheezits were rancid.

I think we can beat Boise State in Las Vegas if we execute well. No reason not to expect a win against them if we avoid the mistakes.

Glad Cougar

 

[CougPatrol]

7-6 >> 6-7

Not really. Nobody remembers those types of bowl games outside of your dedicated fan base.

 

[BleedCrimsonandGray]

I guess my fear is playing Air Force or some other lesser MWC team and still losing. 6-7 with a loss in the Cheezit bowl would leave an awful taste....as if those Cheezits were rancid.

I think we can beat Boise State in Las Vegas if we execute well. No reason not to expect a win against them if we avoid the mistakes.

Glad Cougar

That's a pretty tall order, considering how the season has went.

I would say we have a 90% chance of beating AFA, and about 50% of beating BSU.

Again, nobody is looking at the details of who beat who and if BSU>> AFA, all they see is W/L record. Get the sure win.

This is all my opinion from a "whats better for the program" stand point.

As a WSU fan, I want a better game and imho a better venue, which is Vegas.

As a college football fan, I want a huge culling of all these garbage bowl games and just give everyone a 2 week post season practice session. Teams can use it or not, but its available it they want it.

 

[Flatlandcoug]

That's a pretty tall order, considering how the season has went.

I would say we have a 90% chance of beating AFA, and about 50% of beating BSU.

Again, nobody is looking at the details of who beat who and if BSU>> AFA, all they see is W/L record. Get the sure win.

This is all my opinion from a "whats better for the program" stand point.

As a WSU fan, I want a better game and imho a better venue, which is Vegas.

As a college football fan, I want a huge culling of all these garbage bowl games and just give everyone a 2 week post season practice session. Teams can use it or not, but its available it they want it.

When you say better venue......I think you mean better destination? Sam Boyd Stadium is not a good venue in any meaningful way. It's old, located miles from the strip and just a pain in the a$$ to get away from after the game. It's arguably better to play in a crappy football stadium than a nice football stadium, so there is that.

In terms of a better game, it's almost impossible to know who we will be playing but there's a good chance that the Cheez-It Bowl is going to feature a crappy opponent if we end up there. The reason for that is that if we end up in the Cheez-It Bowl, it means that we only got one team into the NY6 bowls, which means that it's likely that both Oklahoma and Baylor did get in.......meaning that we wouldn't be facing a Big 12 team (none are available) and we'd end up playing Air Force or someone like that.

On your comment about culling bowl games, I do think it's ridiculous that ACC, B1G and SEC conferences usually struggle to fill their bowl allocations. While I don't have a problem with the excessive number of bowl games, I think the argument could be made that conferences should only get guaranteed spots for 60% of their teams. That would yield the following number of Power 5 spots:

ACC: 8 (they currently have 10 and as many as 12 AAC or SEC have open spots in two bowls)
Big 12: 6 (currently at 7)
B1G: 8 (currently at 9)
Pac-12: 7 (currently at 7)
SEC: 8 (currently at 10)

If the "extra" games were removed, it would reduce the total number of bowls by six....which would be 33 games instead of 39 games....and that seems reasonable. The following cities or metro areas host more than one bowl game each year:

Atlanta: 2 (Celebration, Peach)
Miami: 2 (Boca Raton, Orange)
Tampa: 2 (Gasparilla, Outback)
New Orleans: 2 (New Orleans, Sugar)
Phoenix: 2 (Cheez-It, Fiesta)
Dallas : 4 (Frisco, First Responders, Armed Forces, Cotton)
Orlando: 2 (Camping World, Citrus)

It's kind of pathetic that Dallas has four games and three of them are games that nobody wants to be a part of.

 

[SDCoug]

As a college football fan, I want a huge culling of all these garbage bowl games and just give everyone a 2 week post season practice session. Teams can use it or not, but its available it they want it.

This is exactly how I feel on the whole thing. Cull the crap. Make the practice time fair.

 

[OrangeGravy]

Not really. Nobody remembers those types of bowl games outside of your dedicated fan base.

This is true. Fans outside of that group won't even remember it. Recruits certainly aren't gonna be influenced by any of it. Getting to bowl games in general helps, but if you're not getting to "THE" bowl games, they're all the same after that and winning or losing them only means anything to the dedicated fan. I'm purposefully excluding the players. Of course they care

 

[95coug]

I think us v. Boise state would be a barn-burner, and Vegas would be a great place for it. Don’t know that we’d win, but it would be entertaining.

But...I agree there’s too many bowls. Now that everyone plays at least 12 games, I think bowl eligibility should start at 7 wins. It shouldn’t be possible to go to a bowl and finish below .500.

 

[SDCoug]

This is true. Fans outside of that group won't even remember it. Recruits certainly aren't gonna be influenced by any of it. Getting to bowl games in general helps, but if you're not getting to "THE" bowl games, they're all the same after that and winning or losing them only means anything to the dedicated fan. I'm purposefully excluding the players. Of course they care

The notion that the players care is interesting to me. If they really do then all the more reason to cut the number of bowl games. If winning half your games ensures you a bowl game then the system is perpetuating the soft, “participation award” mentality that is so pervasive in society these days.

Remember what it was like when the Cougs had to go 8-3 to get a bowl game? And FCS victories didn’t count? And Bowl games actually felt like a reward for a great season versus a reward to the players for achieving a 50% result?

 

[BleedCrimsonandGray]

The notion that the players care is interesting to me. If they really do then all the more reason to cut the number of bowl games. If winning half your games ensures you a bowl game then the system is perpetuating the soft, “participation award” mentality that is so pervasive in society these days.

Remember what it was like when the Cougs had to go 8-3 to get a bowl game? And FCS victories didn’t count? And Bowl games actually felt like a reward for a great season versus a reward to the players for achieving a 50% result?

It also made 8-3 a great season and not a reason to be disappointed.

 

[OrangeGravy]

The notion that the players care is interesting to me. If they really do then all the more reason to cut the number of bowl games. If winning half your games ensures you a bowl game then the system is perpetuating the soft, “participation award” mentality that is so pervasive in society these days.

Remember what it was like when the Cougs had to go 8-3 to get a bowl game? And FCS victories didn’t count? And Bowl games actually felt like a reward for a great season versus a reward to the players for achieving a 50% result?

You'll get no argument from me. I think the minimum should be 8 wins. It's not even an accomplishment anymore. It's embarrassing to not make a bowl game now though with the 6 win cutoff

 

[kayak15]

I think that we can all agree that there are too many bowls currently and qualifying for some is the equivalent of a participation ribbon. That said, there are numerous warm weather cities desirous of wintertime tourists and the accompanying television exposure. And the NCAA is perfectly willing to go along with that even if it means that a few teams with losing records will be involved. Money raises its ugly head again. This will continue until it becomes a financial liability. Maybe we are just trending toward a 13 game season, 12 regular games and a bowl game. I have no idea how to remedy this.

 

[OrangeGravy]

The only way it stops is if "TV" stops paying for the crap bowls and or the schools that lose money on the trip stop sending their teams to the crap bowls. I would really like to see a 1 year snap shot of every schools bowl revenue vs. bowl expenses. I bet that would be interesting.

 

[CougPatrol]

The too many bowls discussion happens every year, but until the playoff gets considerably expanded, they’re not going anywhere. I’ve changed my perspective on them over the years. I think they’re more for the players and the programs than anything else. A nice reward for a grueling season, including spring and fall camp. Extra practices for the underclassmen.

Alumni and fans are generally indifferent to them unless it’s a high seeded game or your program just ended a long bowl drought. Otherwise, there outcomes don’t mean a whole lot.

 

[kayak15]

The only way it stops is if "TV" stops paying for the crap bowls and or the schools that lose money on the trip stop sending their teams to the crap bowls. I would really like to see a 1 year snap shot of every schools bowl revenue vs. bowl expenses. I bet that would be interesting.

I agree. We will eventually reach a financial equilibrium where lowered television revenue and less tourism dollars due to attendance woes result in the cities involved losing money on their bowls. Thus less money paid to teams to participate until schools are no longer willing to absorb the loss resulting from the cost of participation. Diminished television exposure will impact any publicity returns to the school also. I rather expect that this is what will limit the number of annual bowl games. The NCAA certainly will do nothing as long as it is profitable to them at little to no cost.

 

[OrangeGravy]

I agree. We will eventually reach a financial equilibrium where lowered television revenue and less tourism dollars sue to attendance woes result in the cities involved losing money on their bowls. Thus less money paid to teams to participate until schools are no longer willing to absorb the loss resulting from the cost of participation. Diminished television exposure will impact any publicity returns to the school also. I rather expect that this is what will limit the number of annual bowl games. The NCAA certainly will do nothing as long as it is profitable to them at little to no cost.

I have to assume that the only people making any money (net profit) at this point on all the crap bowls is the hosts (cities/local businesses) and the bowl administration staff who I think draw a yearly salary for this 1 event? Not sure about that though

 

[Flatlandcoug]

I just can't get over how freaking selfish it is for some fans to say that we should get rid of something that is enjoyed by others because they think it doesn't have value.

If you don't like the games.....don't watch them. It's as simple as that. I'd bet that none of you have talked to an actual football player or coach who said, "Man, I wish we didn't have to play that extra game". You might find an AD who hates that their school is going to lose money on the trip, but every one of them knows that it's a reasonable price to pay for building the future.

As a whole, this a stupid discussion to be having. If mediocre bowl games were so bad......schools would routinely turn down the invites. That almost never happens and WSU of all places isn't a school that has the resources, history or depth of talent to turn down opportunities to get better. If we were Texas, USC or Notre Dame.....it'd be different. As it is.....just enjoy them......or ignore them. Why you feel the need to take a dump on someone else enjoying themselves in December or January is beyond me.

 

[dgibbons]

I have to assume that the only people making any money (net profit) at this point on all the crap bowls is the hosts (cities/local businesses) and the bowl administration staff who I think draw a yearly salary for this 1 event? Not sure about that though

ESPN owns most if not all of the lower tier bowls. They make money and provide programming when there otherwise wouldn’t be much.

 

[Glad Cougar]

I just can't get over how freaking selfish it is for some fans to say that we should get rid of something that is enjoyed by others because they think it doesn't have value.

If you don't like the games.....don't watch them. It's as simple as that. I'd bet that none of you have talked to an actual football player or coach who said, "Man, I wish we didn't have to play that extra game". You might find an AD who hates that their school is going to lose money on the trip, but every one of them knows that it's a reasonable price to pay for building the future.

As a whole, this a stupid discussion to be having. If mediocre bowl games were so bad......schools would routinely turn down the invites. That almost never happens and WSU of all places isn't a school that has the resources, history or depth of talent to turn down opportunities to get better. If we were Texas, USC or Notre Dame.....it'd be different. As it is.....just enjoy them......or ignore them. Why you feel the need to take a dump on someone else enjoying themselves in December or January is beyond me.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I don't think expressing an opinion that there are too many bowls is the same as wanting to deny others the enjoyment of experiencing those bowls.

I think there are too many, I think the standard for getting into a bowl is too low, I think it gives too much value to a mediocre season.....but I don't mind if others enjoy them. Like you said, I can just simply ignore the minor bowls and be happy with it. (Being a Cougar fan, of course, I'll watch the Cheez-its Bowl, so I guess I'm a bit of a hypocrite!)

Glad Cougar

 

[OrangeGravy]

I just can't get over how freaking selfish it is for some fans to say that we should get rid of something that is enjoyed by others because they think it doesn't have value.

If you don't like the games.....don't watch them. It's as simple as that. I'd bet that none of you have talked to an actual football player or coach who said, "Man, I wish we didn't have to play that extra game". You might find an AD who hates that their school is going to lose money on the trip, but every one of them knows that it's a reasonable price to pay for building the future.

As a whole, this a stupid discussion to be having. If mediocre bowl games were so bad......schools would routinely turn down the invites. That almost never happens and WSU of all places isn't a school that has the resources, history or depth of talent to turn down opportunities to get better. If we were Texas, USC or Notre Dame.....it'd be different. As it is.....just enjoy them......or ignore them. Why you feel the need to take a dump on someone else enjoying themselves in December or January is beyond me.

Of course it's selfish. It's ruined what was the best college football day of the year, New Year's Day Bowl games.
Nobody is actively trying or would be successful taking your games away. Nobody is "taking a dump" on the people who enjoy those bowls., so why are you so upset about people discussing the situation?

 

[Flatlandcoug]

Of course it's selfish. It's ruined what was the best college football day of the year, New Year's Day Bowl games.
Nobody is actively trying or would be successful taking your games away. Nobody is "taking a dump" on the people who enjoy those bowls., so why are you so upset about people discussing the situation?

I like it how you want me to be upset....but other people complaining is just a rational discussion. Again....if you don't like them....don't watch. As far as the stupidity of "ruining New Years Day bowl games"......that's got absolutely nothing to do with crappy bowl games.

New Years Day bowl games became as worthless as all of the other bowl games with the advent of the BCS and our incessant need to identify "who's #1?".

 

[OrangeGravy]

I like it how you want me to be upset....but other people complaining is just a rational discussion. Again....if you don't like them....don't watch. As far as the stupidity of "ruining New Years Day bowl games"......that's got absolutely nothing to do with crappy bowl games.

New Years Day bowl games became as worthless as all of the other bowl games with the advent of the BCS and our incessant need to identify "who's #1?".

Agree with this ^^^^

Regarding the other. Nobody commented on people who like the bowl games one way or another. The discussion was about the bowl games themselves, not the people that wanted to watch them. You were ranting against something that didn't happen. Came off as you being upset about it.

 

[OrangeGravy]

The notion that the players care is interesting to me. If they really do then all the more reason to cut the number of bowl games. If winning half your games ensures you a bowl game then the system is perpetuating the soft, “participation award” mentality that is so pervasive in society these days.

Remember what it was like when the Cougs had to go 8-3 to get a bowl game? And FCS victories didn’t count? And Bowl games actually felt like a reward for a great season versus a reward to the players for achieving a 50% result?

I was thinking about this and the apathy towards the "small" bowl games is even spreading to the players. Every year the list of kids skipping the bowl game to spare the risk of injury grows larger. It's no longer isolated to kids that are assured of going in the first round. Now kids that no for sure they're leaving early no matter what are skipping these bowl games.

 

[Flatlandcoug]

Agree with this ^^^^

Regarding the other. Nobody commented on people who like the bowl games one way or another. The discussion was about the bowl games themselves, not the people that wanted to watch them. You were ranting against something that didn't happen. Came off as you being upset about it.

And you guys absolutely love to claim that anyone who disagrees with you is "upset". When someone agrees with you, you say that they are calmly discussing the pros and cons. When someone disagrees, you try to assign hysteria and lunacy to their defense to discredit them. It's a dumb way to try to win an argument.

Whether the minor bowl games have specific value is irrelevant if there are venues that want to host them and teams willing to play in them. The notion that they are participation trophies that devalue the sport ignores the fact that every bowl game outside of the CFP is technically the same. They are all exhibition games performed for the entertainment of fans that has no bearing on anything.

And I love the bullsh!t comment above that we should get rid of the minor bowl games and grant everyone the extra two weeks of practice. You want to talk participation trophy? What about that one? Everyone gets a binkie and extra practice! They don't have to earn that two weeks.....that's unfair and everyone should get it!

At the end of the day, the lack of attendance at some of the venues does suggest that their are too many bowl games and I said that above. However, I watched a team with a winning record stay home in 1989. In 1972, 7-4 WSU sat at home for the holidays. In 1965, 7-3 WSU was home for the holidays. We don't benefit from a reduction in bowl games. In your attacking of the bowl system, you are forgetting that WSU is the school that gets screwed over when the number of bowl games is reduced. Be careful what you wish for.

 

[BleedCrimsonandGray]

And you guys absolutely love to claim that anyone who disagrees with you is "upset". When someone agrees with you, you say that they are calmly discussing the pros and cons. When someone disagrees, you try to assign hysteria and lunacy to their defense to discredit them. It's a dumb way to try to win an argument.

Whether the minor bowl games have specific value is irrelevant if there are venues that want to host them and teams willing to play in them. The notion that they are participation trophies that devalue the sport ignores the fact that every bowl game outside of the CFP is technically the same. They are all exhibition games performed for the entertainment of fans that has no bearing on anything.

And I love the bullsh!t comment above that we should get rid of the minor bowl games and grant everyone the extra two weeks of practice. You want to talk participation trophy? What about that one? Everyone gets a binkie and extra practice! They don't have to earn that two weeks.....that's unfair and everyone should get it!

At the end of the day, the lack of attendance at some of the venues does suggest that their are too many bowl games and I said that above. However, I watched a team with a winning record stay home in 1989. In 1972, 7-4 WSU sat at home for the holidays. In 1965, 7-3 WSU was home for the holidays. We don't benefit from a reduction in bowl games. In your attacking of the bowl system, you are forgetting that WSU is the school that gets screwed over when the number of bowl games is reduced. Be careful what you wish for.

The lower tier bowls are not there for the enjoyment of the fans, they are there to make money for their organizers, thats it.

Empty stadiums and abyssmal tv rating prove that. The fact that premium seats are earmarked for corporate sponsors while schools are given crap seats is proof of that.

If youre going to make a point, at least base it on truth.