Opting in: Northwestern’s Braun believes bowl games still matter

Ten college football teams chose not to play in bowl games.

Notre Dame got most of the attention for refusing to play in the Pop Tarts Bowl after being left out of the College Football Playoff. But Iowa State and Kansas State also bailed, citing coaching changes.

Then Auburn, Baylor, Central Florida, Florida State, Kansas, Rutgers and Temple finished 5-7 but reportedly still said no when bowl spots opened up.

In contrast, Northwestern coach David Braun is embracing the chance to play in the GameAbove Sports Bowl on Friday (noon, ESPN).

“At the end of the day, (it's) earning an opportunity to play another football game and on top of it, essentially getting a bonus spring ball,” Braun said. “It's an opportunity to honor our seniors, it's an opportunity to compete our tails off to send that group off the right way.”

On paper it's not the most exciting matchup or destination. The Wildcats traveled to Detroit to face a Mid-American Conference opponent in Central Michigan.

But Braun delivered an emphatic message when he spoke to reporters on a conference call: Bowl games still matter.

“We've got to do a really good job around college football in not diminishing how much it means to play in a bowl game,” Braun said. “We've got to protect that. And I don't have answers, but that's something as a coaching community we've got to figure out. Because it matters. When it starts to not matter, we've got to evaluate how we're doing things.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our program, something that we are really looking forward to. The game's really important, but it's all the lead-in to it as well that brings so much value.”

Some bowls will see significant players opting out. These teams don't expect anyone to opt-out, though things can always change at the last minute.

Braun indicated he plans to start graduate transfer quarterback Preston Stone. Offensive tackle Caleb Tiernan, the team's most prominent NFL prospect, has been full-go at practice.

Tiernan is a native of Livonia, Michigan, and played in high school at Detroit Country Day. He's not only planning to play, there's a Facebook group dedicated to his final college appearance.

“I keep asking my mom how many extra tickets I need, and she just keeps saying, 'Get as many as you can,'” Tiernan told nusports.com. “I'm assuming everyone I've known since I was born will be there, and I'm excited to play in front of everyone. It's going to be a special day.”

This is set to be the final game at Northwestern for several suburban natives — defensive tackle Carmine Bastone (St. Charles North), guard Jackson Carsello (Glenbrook North), tight end Hunter Welcing (Lake Zurich), kicker Jack Olsen (Wheaton Warrenville South), and linebacker Mac Uihlein (Lake Forest).

Central Michigan (7-5) is bowling for the first time since 2021. The Chippewas made a nice jump in the first year under head coach Matt Drinkall, a former offensive line coach at Army.

Both coaches suggested this will be a mirror-image game, with two sides that stress playing physical.

“If you like football, this is a game you'll want to watch for sure,” Drinkall said.

Drinkall mentioned he's glad to play Northwestern because he'd like to recruit in the Chicago area. CMU just landed four suburban natives on signing day — offensive linemen Jack Nolan (Hersey) and Shea Lewis (Prospect), defensive lineman Matthew Plumb (St. Charles North) and defensive back Colton Benaitis (Lockport).

Northwestern is trying to extend a five-game bowl winning streak. The Cats have been bowling in Detroit once before, in 2003 when they lost to Bowling Green.