College football players skipping bowl games

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

If someone does this do they lose their scholarship for the spring semester? 

[CF DolFan]

If someone does this do they lose their scholarship for the spring semester? 

Are you asking do they or should they? I don't think they currently do but if they do it then they are heading to the NFL and it really doesn't matter anyway.

After what happened to McKenzie Milton I wouldn't be surprised to see more people than usual bailing on meaningless (Not final 4) bowl games.

[BuccaneerBrad]

If someone does this do they lose their scholarship for the spring semester? 

Yes they do but that's small potatoes considering that they leave school and spend said semester training for the Combine and the NFL Draft

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I get professional sports is employment and big business.  But I have played and coached youth sports, never met a child that played because the were expecting a big payday at the end.  Yes some dreamed of playing professionally, but the dream focused around winning the championship of the relevant sport not the size of the contract. 

Problem I have with players like this is they have stopped loving the sport, they have stopped dreaming about winning a bowl game, they have stopped caring about there team mates. They only care about money.

There are players who only care about money.  But someone who given the choice of playing for bowl game and declines is someone who I question their competitiveness and drive for success.  Likewise a player that gets two offers one that pays 10 million and play for a team with a serious chance of winning the championship and another that pays 11 but will likely be at the bottom of the league and chooses the money is not someone I would want as a teammate.  I am not saying they should play for free or rollover to the owners but you have to wonder about there passion for a game many kids love to play so much they beg their parents to pay the league fees and ask Santa for equipment.

[Fau Teixeira]

professional sports is a business, i see nothing wrong with making sure you can take advantage of your opportunities.

college players area already bringing in billions for coaches and ADs i see nothing wrong at all with sitting out a meaningless game you're not being paid to play .. this isn't their job.

[Phishfan]

I hate calling bowl games meaningless. They are not.

[Fau Teixeira]

what is the meaning of a bowl game outside of the top 4 with regards to a championship ?

it would be like having a losers bracket in the NFL playoffs for 3-12 ranking

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

what is the meaning of a bowl game outside of the top 4 with regards to a championship ?

it would be like having a losers bracket in the NFL playoffs for 3-12 ranking

The two most significant sporting events on the planet - Olymipics and World Cup have a 3rd place game.

But if we consider any games that won’t impact which team will be national champions then 90% of all college football is meaningless.  Including such classics as Army-Navy and Harvard-Yale.  Should players skip any game once the team is out  contention for being top 4?

[Fau Teixeira]

if i'm an agent i'm telling these college players absolutely .. they're risking an nfl career for nothing

[masterfins]

And the trend continues.   University of Houston DL Ed Oliver who is expected to go in the top five has announced he will skip his team's bowl game

To be fair he's missed some games this year due to an injured knee, include the season finale, so I can't blame him for skipping a bowl game that he may not be 100% healthy for.

[Phishfan]

what is the meaning of a bowl game outside of the top 4 with regards to a championship ?

it would be like having a losers bracket in the NFL playoffs for 3-12 ranking

Just because you aren't in the championship it doesn't make it meaningless. It is not an exhibition; the game goes on the coach's and school records, the stats count, it creates exposure for recruiting, etc. By your definition of not being in the championship as making it meaningless, the majority of schools played meaningless football almost the entire season.

[Tenshot13]

Bowl games can skyrocket a players stock.  See JaMarcus Russell.  He was a high-ish prospect that skyrocket #1 overall after his bowl game.

[CF DolFan]

Just because you aren't in the championship it doesn't make it meaningless. It is not an exhibition; the game goes on the coach's and school records, the stats count, it creates exposure for recruiting, etc. By your definition of not being in the championship as making it meaningless, the majority of schools played meaningless football almost the entire season.

I think "meaningless" is different for everyone.  In all fairness .. If I'm a 1st or second round prospect and am looking at 10-15 million guaranteed already ... then it's meaningless in the sense it isn't going to help me. History has shown it doesn't hurt those that do sit out and instances like Milton show how quick that money can disappear.  Football players are in the business of selling themselves and that is what will drive their final decision.