Back in the day, when proponents of various sub-tier bowl games (the Poulan Weed Eater Independence Bowl was always a personal favorite) emphasized the virtues of playing in such games, one of the common themes they turned to again and again was the extra practices a team would receive leading up to the bowl game, a not-insignificant perk given the NCAA’s usual restrictions on offseason team gatherings.
The thought process went like this: Whether you win the game or not, you get a chance to get some younger players valuable practice reps and get a longer look at them, while your veteran players log some mental reps and get ready for that evening’s steak buffet/arcade tour/beach party. Collectively, players and coaches (including any just-hired coaches) get a theoretical leg up on next season.
In present day, that particular benefit seems of less value each year. Why? Because the team that is prepping for a bowl game in December will scarcely resemble the team that gathers for preseason camp the following August.
