[ChosenChildren]

I have seen several posts on this board about there being too many bowl games and that it is no big deal anymore to be picked for a bowl. I think this misses the whole point of the bowls. A bowl bid, even today, is a big deal for the following reasons:

1. Bowl games are fun. It rewards the kids, who look forward to the trip. It rewards the fans, who get to travel to a warm destination (hopefully) to see their team play in a spotlight game, many of which are watched by a national audience. Many Iowa fans look forward to the annual bowl trip. The bowl bid is an accomplishment because it also rewards those loyal fans (and there are a lot of them, most of which don't hang out on this message board).
2. It provides new recruiting opportunities.
3. It provides additional practices for the team (very important)
4. If you are the underdog (which we often are), it is a chance to finish the season in a very positive way (we defeated ranked teams in bowls after the 2003, 2004, 2009 and 2010 seasons).
5. It is a tremendous reward for the seniors, who have worked their butts off for 5 or 6 years in many cases.

Fry was right when he said that there are no bad bowls. I'm really looking forward to seeing where we go and who we play. This team has played very well at times this year and I'm looking forward to a great performance in the bowl game. I know they can do it....

[JugadorHawk]

True. Although, there sure are bad losses that ruin a teams chance to go to better bowls...

[StatelineHawk]

I think there are about 10 bad bowls.

[ChosenChildren]

The bowls up north are not attractive, for obvious reasons.

[Xerxes]

I don't think there are any good bowls, outside of the Super Bowl anyway.

[silvanthalas]

6. They provide cover for underachieving coaches to claim that they did a good job.
7. They provide bowl execs plenty of perks at the direct expense of the schools who as often as not lose money on the games.

[DwayneTwill]

Disagree.

[gohawksjm]

I care to disagree. 70 of 120 teams in the FBS go to a bowl game. This is like getting a participation trophy for sucking. The bowl system has become so watered down over the years it's ridiculous.

[burky247]

Aren't there a lot more bowls now than there was when Hayden said that?

[ajones1996]

the extra practice thing helping has got to be the most overblown thing ever.

[HawkeyeRyno]

Originally Posted by ajones1996

the extra practice thing helping has got to be the most overblown thing ever.

This! If that was the case then there are no excuses why 2010 (following BCS bowl) and this year's team (following Insight Bowl) played so poorly given both teams had extra bowl practices.

[ssckelley]

I agree, there are no bad bowls as long as they are in warm locations. It is a treat for the players and I am sure it helps with recruiting.

[StatelineHawk]

Originally Posted by burky247

Aren't there a lot more bowls now than there was when Hayden said that?

Yes
There were 22 bowls at the end of Hayden's last season. There were 16 in 1981 when Iowa went to the Rose Bowl.

[Dominate]

Originally Posted by gohawksjm

I care to disagree. 70 of 120 teams in the FBS go to a bowl game. This is like getting a participation trophy for sucking. The bowl system has become so watered down over the years it's ridiculous.

Well stated. Even UCLA could potentially qualify for a bowl game with a
6 win - 7 loss record. Bowls used to be awarded to recognize teams who had a
good/great year.

[StatelineHawk]

Originally Posted by gohawksjm

I care to disagree. 70 of 120 teams in the FBS go to a bowl game. This is like getting a participation trophy for sucking. The bowl system has become so watered down over the years it's ridiculous.

Agree about the bowls being watered down. Just about like any kid who starts on a football, baseball, basketball team gets some kind of all-conf. recognition. All most every kid gets on the honor roll. Every kid gets a participatin ribbon or trophy anytime they paly in a tournament. As much as I like college football, 25 bowls should be the max.