No, you’re not incorrect. The bowl games are just horrendous. Too many guys either going portal or doing NFL prep work. FSU had a tall task anyway but down to the 3rd string QB and other starters? It’s 28-3 Georgia in the 2nd quarter so we’ll be done hearing about the '23 Florida State season in a couple hours. No one will remember it in two days when Michigan plays Alabama and Texas / Washington square off. Then a week of hype for the winners.
It’s too bad that’s how it is now but the old bowl system was kind of always this way - one or two meaningful games and a bunch of ones with no meaning. And now with the money involved and the player mobility? Team rosters are being ravaged at season’s end if your team isn’t in one of the important games. Time to scrap the bowl system or do something to protect it, one or the other.