From opt outs, to sponsor-driven gimmicks and questions about the future of college sports. The recently concluded bowl season was a fitting microcosm for today’s college football.

Monday’s CFP National Championship Game provided a fitting end to this season. Michigan Football won the title game 34-13. Concluding a wild season for Michigan on and off of the field. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended for half of the regular season. Missing the first three and last three regular season games.

The first suspension was imposed by the University of Michigan over alleged recruiting violations. Harbaugh was suspended by the Big Ten Conference for three more games late in the season. In response to a sign stealing scandal that resulted in a Michigan assistant coach resigning. The Michigan Wolverines didn’t skip a beat during Harbaugh’s suspensions. Michigan went on to complete an undefeated season.

Then there’s the national runners-up Washington Football. A Washington victory on Monday night would’ve also provided a fitting end to this season too. The national title game was the last football game for the Pac 12 Conference as we currently know it. The conference is set to shrink to two teams this summer. With the ten departing teams heading to the Atlantic Coast, Big 12 and Big Ten Conferences. In fact, Monday’s national championship matchup will be a conference game next season. Previously, Washington and Michigan occasionally made for a compelling Rose Bowl Game.

The Pac 12 had quite the swan song in football this season. Deion Sanders led Colorado Football was one of the biggest stories of the season early on. Going from being 1-11 in 2022 to starting last season off 3-0. While attracting week-leading TV ratings for a conference being undone by a lackluster broadcasting deal. Meanwhile, several Pac 12 teams were ranked at times this season. Oregon and Washington’s regular season and Pac 12 championship meetings were competitive and compelling. The Pac 12 Championship was a de-facto College Football Playoff play-in game.

The rest of bowl season showcased the modern dynamics of college football. After spending much of December fuming about being left out of the College Football Playoff. Florida State Football effectively opted out of the Orange Bowl. Enduring a 60-point loss to Georgia Football, while treating a New Year’s Six Bowl like some treat the NFL Preseason. Leaving many with the view that the CFP adequately selected the playoff field.

Along with that, Florida State is facing NCAA penalties over alleged recruiting violations. Stemming back to name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation improprieties. Despite this, Florida State fans have reason to hope this won’t derail their playoff hopes. The rules surrounding NIL compensation are still a work in progress. All of the rules permitting NIL compensation went into effect within the 2020’s. Plus, Michigan showcased this week that scandals are not an insurmountable obstacle. At least for power five schools pursuing a national championship.

Meanwhile, draft prospects opting out of bowl games have become a frequent topic of conversation in the CFP era. Practically becoming a holiday tradition in recent years. Perhaps the CFP’s expansion to 12 teams next season will lower the number of opt outs. Bowl season also showcases the influence of money on college football. In some delicious and not so delicious ways.

On a delicious note, one highlight for bowl season is the snack and condiment sponsor tie-ins. From the Pop Tarts Bowl to coaches getting a Cheez-It bath at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. Which sounds more appealing than the mayo bath a coach gets for winning the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Cincinnati can only imagine what kind of chili-related gimmicks can be done. If the proposed Cincinnati Chili Bowl ever happens.

Despite the food, college’s and conference’s desperate search for revenue is wreaking havoc on college sports. With mega conferences and the murky NIL compensation marketplace. A thought constantly sprang to mind throughout this season. That this could be the last season college football maintains the charm. That has made it a compelling sport for over 150 years. If so, college football as we’ve known it gave us a fitting send off into the future.