Hey there. I am just starting to get interested in college football. Could someone clarify for me what makes a college football bowl game prestigious? How is it determined and why do bowls like Rose and Sugar seem to be the most respected?
The prestige of a college football bowl game is usually associated with its history, tradition, and the level of the teams that typically play in it.
Historically, certain bowl games—the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl—are viewed with more prestige because of their longevity and the tradition associated with them. For example, the Rose Bowl, also known as "The Granddaddy of Them All," is the oldest bowl game, played annually since 1916. This long history attracts both audiences and teams, adding to the game's reputation.
Moreover, these bowls often feature teams from the top conferences. The Rose Bowl, for instance, traditionally features a match-up between the Big Ten and the Pac-12. Similarly, the Sugar Bowl typically hosts the champions of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the Big 12, while the Orange Bowl often gets the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) champion. This level of competition elevates these bowls as they often feature teams with excellent records and rankings.
The introduction of the College Football Playoff (CFP) in 2014 has added another layer to the prestige of certain bowl games. The Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and Peach Bowl are all a part of the CFP in a rotational fashion. Two of these bowls are chosen each year to host the CFP semifinal games. This has elevated the status of these games since they directly lead to determining the national champion.
That being said, prestige doesn't necessarily equate to the most exciting games. Oftentimes, lesser-known bowl games produce thrilling football because participating teams view these games as a chance to end their season on a high note.
To summarize, the prestige of a college football bowl game is determined by its history, the level of teams that usually play in it, and its affiliation with the CFP. It's a combination of these factors that makes games like the Rose and Sugar Bowl so respected.
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