Players skipping bowl game

[UK39]

Put me in the group that completely understands if they sit out and get ready for the draft. It would hurt their chances in the game obviously but their hard work and productivity that has led UK to this position of playing on 1/1 is something that should be put into perspective. They deserve the chance to financially secure their families for generations without further risk. Luckily those who came before them took the risk of hurting their draft stock by not playing which allows them to do so without hurting theirs.

[Lighthouse]

You should be able to easily differentiate between calling a person dumb (which I did not do) and saying that a statement is dumb. But, since it's me no surprise that you ignore the very clear difference.

Never mind.

[lilproUK98]

I've seen penn state fans saying that their QB McSorley may not play....that would be awesome, but probably not likely to happen.....

[40bill]

He's a gamer and a tough kid. Like Stephen Johnson he has been playing injured. I bet three weeks off heel those sore ankles.
Bennue has a school record in sight. Hard to imagine he sits that out....there are some analysts that are saying a month with a speed coach could help him at the combines....5.5 would get him some money....5.7-5.8 could be problems.
BUT....he's another guy that's been playing with knee twists, ankles rolled and I believe bruised ribs. Those three weeks could do him well also.
Josh Allen....I don't hear of a LOT of rush backers that aren't injured take a bowl off.....that seems to be more running back/ db territory.

To be honest, I've never read ANY thing from a player that indicates sitting out. Maybe I'm reading the wrong things.

[Catsrock]

I've seen penn state fans saying that their QB McSorley may not play....that would be awesome, but probably not likely to happen.....

That's not the way I want to beat them. I hope our whole team plays their whole team.

[Dwight Schrute]

OK. We'll just disagree on that point. To me the only thing big about beating MTSU is it gets you to a better bowl game. And prevents some embarrassment.

After the bowl we'll be 10-3 or 9-4 not 9-3 plus went to Orlando.

Taken in a vacuum I agree - UK vs Penn State is a much more interesting matchup than UK vs MTSU or Murray State or CMU or whoever. And I do agree the Citrus Bowl is a big event for our program, but bowl games are a representation of your body of work and a reward, but they're glorified exhibition games unless you're in a playoff.

[40bill]

Dwight, you're right. The money as an individual team is a wash, most of the time...I think the participating SEC team gets two sixteenths of the payout. Exposure for the program is great, but there's games on all the time now.
the extra 20 practices are really a big thing. Reward to the players with some swag. It really is just a bonus trip for the kids and coaches.
Then again, nothing bad about more football to watch.

[Westtncat]

Taken in a vacuum I agree - UK vs Penn State is a much more interesting matchup than UK vs MTSU or Murray State or CMU or whoever. And I do agree the Citrus Bowl is a big event for our program, but bowl games are a representation of your body of work and a reward, but they're glorified exhibition games unless you're in a playoff.

With this point I agree. Unless your in a playoff these bowl games are basically just one more game. Win or lose you dont advance. I am still not sure about the skipping in general.

[SCBlu]

Put me in the group that completely understands if they sit out and get ready for the draft. It would hurt their chances in the game obviously but their hard work and productivity that has led UK to this position of playing on 1/1 is something that should be put into perspective. They deserve the chance to financially secure their families for generations without further risk. Luckily those who came before them took the risk of hurting their draft stock by not playing which allows them to do so without hurting theirs.

I would like for the NCAA to step up and provide a significant amount of insurance for those players who are likely to be drafted...but would like to play in their team's post season bowl game. The cost would be minuscule.

[SCBlu]

Before I go out I want to say this this, that if a player decides not to play then its nothing more than quitting on his team. If I were an NFL person that would be a huge red flag to me about the persons dedication to the game.

Oh My! Your undying willingness to sacrifice a players business future for your personal enjoyment is the epitome of selfishness.

[Westtncat]

Oh My! Your undying willingness to sacrifice a players business future for your personal enjoyment is the epitome of selfishness.

It wouldnt matter to an NFL team anyway. They might even see it as a positive. They care about their draft choice not a bowl game.

[SCBlu]

It wouldnt matter to an NFL team anyway. They might even see it as a positive. They care about their draft choice not a bowl game.

BINGO!

[Westtncat]

BINGO!

That being said. IF Josh Allen and Snell dont play, I probably wont watch. It would be either in the networks interest of the NCAA to do something. People dont want to see a team without their stars playing. Ratings matter. As bad as I hate to say it. Money controls everything.

[SCBlu]

That being said. IF Josh Allen and Snell dont play, I probably wont watch. It would be either in the networks interest of the NCAA to do something. People dont want to see a team without their stars playing. Ratings matter. As bad as I hate to say it. Money controls everything.

Agree. Wouldn't be a fair display of how UK got to the bowl game. Draftable players need to be insured.

[Lighthouse]

I wonder what percent of possible top ten draft picks, were injured in their bowl game, or somehow hurt their future earnings by playing. I imagine it's a very small percentage.