College football bowl game schedule likely eyeing expansion as revenue-sharing model would curb opt-out trend

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Get ready for more bowl games, not less, as college administrators continue to push for more postseason access in all sports.

That’s what Bowl Season director Nick Carparelli believes is next after the College Football Playoff expands from four to 12 teams this fall — and potentially 14 in 2026. Why? Expansion is the hot trend in all corners of college athletics, and the NCAA transformation committee has made it clear more postseason opportunities are desired in all sports.

“When I speak with head football coaches and athletic directors and conference commissioners, it’s very encouraging. You know, I think it’s more likely we add bowl games than subtract bowl games,” Carparelli told 247Sports this week at the annual Fiesta Summit for leaders in college athletics.

The NCAA has no stake in the CFP or the 42 bowl games, which include the CFP, but leaders are attracted to the trend in other NCAA sports, such as the upcoming serious conversations to expand the men’s NCAA Tournament in basketball to as many as 80 teams. 

“Twelve postseason opportunities is not enough for all of college football,” Carparelli said. “There’s so many great stories every year about growing programs emerging that have an opportunity to play in a bowl game and celebrate a great victory. It serves as a launching point and building a platform for their program moving forward. College football needs bowl games and bowl games are going to be the solution to college football’s postseason, just like they have for the last 100 years.”

Six of the 42 bowl games scheduled for 2024 are playoff games.

Not enough bowl-eligible teams were available in each of the last three seasons, which led to three five-win teams accepting invitations: Rutgers in 2021, Rice in 2022 and Minnesota in 2023. 

The quality of play has also suffered with player opt-outs and the transfer portal. At least 78 players opted out of bowl games last season and 431 players entered the transfer portal before their postseason games, according to data compiled by The Action Network. Florida State was the poster child last season. Thirty-three players opted to not play in the Orange Bowl after the College Football Playoff Selection Committee did not select the Seminoles. Georgia demolished FSU, 63-3.

“If I go see the (Rolling) Stones and Mick Jagger is not playing, am I really seeing the Stones?” said Fiesta Bowl…