Not Like Before

This football season, we are witnessing shells of teams play each other in college football bowl games. The best players, those who contributed the most during the regular season and were the difference makers, are sitting out. They have often either entered the transfer portal or are protecting their viability for the NFL, but are leaving the squads they were essential to in the lurch. I had witnessed a handful of pro prospects opt out in previous seasons, but nothing like we see now, and the transfer portal is warping bowl season. The competition on the field may still be exciting, but it is between teams that are materially different than they were in the run-up to earning their bowl berths.