Georgia Southern Secures Birmingham Bowl Opponent After Multiple Teams Decline Invitations
Bowl games look different than they used to. The trend is clear as more programs opt out of postseason play this season.
Notre Dame’s decision to pass on the Pop-Tarts Bowl against BYU after not qualifying for the College Football Playoff is a notable example. The Fighting Irish announced that their season had concluded, underscoring a broader mood of disinterest in postseason exhibitions.
But Notre Dame wasn’t alone. Ongoing postseason opt-outs left the NCAA scrambling to find Georgia Southern an opponent in the Birmingham Bowl. Several teams with losing records were extended invitations, and at least seven programs with 5–7 records reportedly declined.
Ultimately, persistence paid off. Appalachian State accepted the Birmingham Bowl invitation, paving the way for Georgia Southern to finally lock in an opponent for the December 29 matchup, according to Brett McMurphy of On3.
Among the teams that turned down the Birmingham Bowl were Auburn, Baylor, Rutgers, Kansas, UCF, Baylor, and Temple, per McMurphy. Appalachian State stepped up when the moment mattered, securing a spot in the bowl game.
The wider context matters. The expansion of the College Football Playoff, together with the transfer portal and other offseason changes, has shifted priorities for many programs. With a focus on preparing for the next season, postseason appearances have become less appealing to some teams. This dynamic suggests the trend toward opting out could continue as CFP expansion progresses.
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