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College Football Bowls Kick Off Amid Participation Concerns

12/26/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The college football bowl season began December 13 as Washington beat Boise State 38-10 in the LA Bowl, drawing 4.1 million viewers.
The bowl system faces challenges as teams opt out and CFP expansion could devalue non-CFP bowls.
Notre Dame and other programs chose not to participate in bowl games due to concerns.
Minnesota holds the longest active bowl winning streak.
Cincinnati prepares for the Liberty Bowl amid roster uncertainties.

History

Historical Context

Established in 2014, the College Football Playoff (CFP) replaced the Bowl Championship Series, introducing a four-team knockout format to determine the national champion. This shift led to a 30% increase in viewership for major games, reflecting a growing divide between playoff and non-playoff bowls. As teams like Notre Dame opt out of traditional bowls, concerns about their future viability intensify.

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Story summary

The college football bowl season began December 13 as Washington beat Boise State 38-10 in the LA Bowl, drawing 4.1 million viewers.
The bowl system faces challenges as teams opt out and CFP expansion could devalue non-CFP bowls.
Notre Dame and other programs chose not to participate in bowl games due to concerns.
Minnesota holds the longest active bowl winning streak.
Cincinnati prepares for the Liberty Bowl amid roster uncertainties.

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