Who in Their Right Mind Would Play in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl?

Who in their right mind would play in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl? Probably a football player. More specifically, either a Gopher or a Mountaineer. They're not playing in the Cheez-It Bowl because that name is now the name of what used to be the Camping World Bowl. Look, players would play in the American Standard Toilet Bowl if it were a college postseason game. Each player has been working toward this for roughly a decade, and the coaches have been working for even longer. Pride, excitement, and the joy of playing the game mean national coverage and visibility to teams and scouts around the world. There are also likely to be side benefits. In addition, the game will be played in Phoenix, Arizona. For the Gophers, that's a nice change of pace from Minneapolis in December.

A Core Football Experience

At its core, it’s a football game. No matter what it’s called, the players enjoy playing, and the fans enjoy watching. The name is peripheral noise. And it’s an excuse to get out of West Virginia and Minnesota for a few days.

Embarrassing Sponsorship History

The history of sponsorships in bowl games isn’t exactly glamorous. Teams used to go to Shreveport to play in the Poulan Weedeater Bowl. I assume that West Virginia and Minnesota are being offered a lot of money to play in this game, and that the players will get a big bag of loot. Where’s the problem?

The Irrelevance of the Sponsor's Name

The name of the bowl is irrelevant. They always bore the name of their sponsors, even the classics like the Rose Bowl (Tournament of Roses parade), the Orange Bowl (Florida’s orange industry), the Sugar Bowl, and the Cotton Bowl. Players want to play in a bowl because they love football and it's more football. Especially for seniors for whom it might be their very last chance to play or to maybe impress an NFL scout.

Validation and Celebration

For both players and fans, there is a festival atmosphere as bowl games are generally played in warm-weather locales during the dead of winter when school is out of session. A bowl game is a sort of validation of a moderately successful season. Whether it's the Gophers or the Mountaineers, or any other team, players and fans are excited about the opportunity to celebrate their efforts and the hard work that has gone into their season.

Conclusion

The Guaranteed Rate Bowl, despite its sponsor's name, is an opportunity for players and fans to come together and celebrate the sport they love. Whether the name is catchy or not, what matters is the game that is played, the joy it brings, and the warm memories that are created. So let’s support our teams and enjoy the bowl games for what they are – a celebration of college football.