Allow Redshirts & Transfers to Play in Bowl Games?

[Mavric]

The idea of allowing transfers and redshirts to play in bowl games is being floated, and not just by national media types who are bored with the bowl matchups. Nebraska coach Mike Riley told me last week that the concept is being discussed within the American Football Coaches Association.

 

Is Riley in favor? He called the idea “interesting.”

 

“A guy like Tanner, or a guy like Patrick O’Brien could be available to appear in the game and not burn their redshirt?” Riley said. “That would really be interesting. It would immediately add about 25 guys to your roster.

 

“It’s funny, we talked about that as a staff the other day.”

 

It’s a terrific idea.

 

Understand, the reasoning that this would make some bowl matchups more interesting is a bit of a stretch. One or two redshirts aren’t going to make some games more watchable nationally. They would add more intrigue — in some cases a lot more — to the fans of that team.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

Interesting idea but I kind of doubt it ever goes anywhere. At the very least, one would think it wouldn't apply to the Playoff.

[Warrior10]

With the lack of interest/respect in non-playoff bowls it might make things more beneficial/interesting.

[funhusker]

Heck yeah! Do it!

 

I would guess about 45-60 of the bowl eligible teams (if not all but 4) are already thinking about next year anyway. Show recruits and fans what the spring battles will actually look like.

[JJ Husker]

I think it's a great idea. Exclude the playoff teams and go for it. Actually, I wasn't sure redshirts were prohibited from playing in the bowls. I almost asked that very question on HB a couple weeks ago but I didn't want to look stupid. Figured it would come up naturally considering our current issues at quarterback. The bowl would be a great opportunity to get Lee and POB an early segue into next season.

[Bl@¢kShirt16]

Ive thought this would be great for awhile now. Interest in non playoff bowls would skyrocket i think. I wonder how many games would get lines in Vegas? Betting would be damn near impossible with all the unknowns.

[hskrfan4life]

I think it's a great idea. Exclude the playoff teams and go for it. Actually, I wasn't sure redshirts were prohibited from playing in the bowls. I almost asked that very question on HB a couple weeks ago but I didn't want to look stupid. Figured it would come up naturally considering our current issues at quarterback. The bowl would be a great opportunity to get Lee and POB an early segue into next season.

I completely agree. Given that the 4 playoff bowls are the only thing that really matters in the big picture.

[teachercd]

Sort of off topic, but back in the day, before every game was basically on TV and coverage was so very different. I wonder how many guys came in and played a down here or there and never lost their red-shirt because no one knew.

 

For the bowl games, sure, do it!

[QMany]

I think you have to separate redshirts and transfers for this rule.

 

My memory of this is a little rusty, but I believe mid-season basketball transfers can play after the following mid-season. Applied to football, if a guy transferred here immediately after their 2015 football season, they have now completed the Spring and Fall semesters at Nebraska, and they should be able to play.

 

Redshirts are treated the same in basketball. However, early enrollees in football make it interesting.

[BigRedBuster]

I'm against it in general.

 

However, if more and more seniors opt out, then let the younger kids play.

[Red Five]

Not a fan of it.

 

If you are going to do this, then may as well just classify the games as exhibitions and not count them as Ws/Ls.

[huKSer]

 

However, if more and more seniors opt out, then let the younger kids play.

I was going to post this exact thing

[hskerholic]

Former Iowa QB Chuck Long is the only player to play in five bowl games. It was when the redshirt rules were changing.

[RunMickeyRun02]

No.

[BigRedBuster]

But....I'm totally against this for the playoffs.