PHOENIX — The Rate Bowl no longer has the word “Guaranteed” in its name, and the concept of bowl games as a whole are no longer as promised. The expected expansion of the College Football Playoff from its current 12-team format up to 16, or perhaps 24, in upcoming years will mean fewer teams available for bowls.
When Notre Dame was left out of this year’s playoff, the Fighting Irish’s decision to not play in a bowl sent shockwaves through the sport.
Advertisement
“We are going to have an open mind of what the bowl system looks like,” Gophers athletics director Mark Coyle told the Pioneer Press on Wednesday. “I think people like the conference rivalries and the matchups when you play other conferences.”
One of the biggest reasons the bowl structure will at least resemble its current breadth is TV ratings. The 2024 Rate Bowl between Rutgers and Kansas State received 3.5 million viewers on the day after Christmas, which was its most-watched game since 2015.
The Gophers-Virginia Tech matchup in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Jan. 3 had 3.3 million on that Friday night, per an estimate compiled from Sports Media Watch.
“Saying that, ‘Oh, bowl games are dead,’ and taking bowl games away, I don’t think is very healthy. I don’t,” Fleck said last week. “I’m a huge advocate of bowl games. How we structure them from here on out, and what that looks like, and what conferences team up to do it, I think could be really interesting as we move forward.”
Advertisement
Bigger fines
Coyle said he is a proponent of schools receiving larger fines if they opt out of playing in bowls.
Both Iowa State and Kansas State — which were going through head coaching changes — were fined $500,000 by the Big XII Conference for declining to participate in this postseason. They were possible opponents for the Gophers before passing on the opportunities, which opened the door for New Mexico to take their place.
Pay to stay
The Gophers’ current revenue-sharing contracts with player include a payment for when they appear on the active roster for the bowl game. While some players will still opt out and forgo this money, the clause in their contract can be seen as an attempt to incentive players to remain with the program for the final game of the season.
Advertisement
Santa Fleck
Fleck and wife Heather make it a point to give a Christmas present to all of the assistant coaches’ and support staff’s children. This year, it’s up to more than 50 gifts to be opened during breakfast on Christmas Day. The staff also goes out to a restaurant for a nice meal earlier in the bowl week.
“You want to make it feel like the holiday season as much as possible and keep those traditions alive, especially for the kids,” Fleck said.
Briefly
Fleck was surprised by Jim McMahon during Wednesday’s practice in Phoenix. Fleck grew up in suburban Chicago and was a huge fan of the former Bears quarterback. Fleck has even dressed up as McMahon for Halloween many times. … When Rate dropped “Guaranteed” from its name in 2024, they issued a statement filled with corporate jargon. This bowl, in its 36th year, has also been called the Copper Bowl, Insight.com Bowl, Insight Bowl, Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, Cactus Bowl and Cheez-It Bowl. … Minnesota’s fifth appearance in this bowl ties Kansas State for the most. The Gophers also were here in 2006, ’08, ’09 and ’21.
Advertisement
