All In The Name

The 34 college bowl game schedule start this weekend when Washington State and Colorado State meet in the New Mexico Bowl. The action will continue until Jan 6th when Auburn and Florida State play for the BCS National Championship.

There was a time when only a handful of teams played on New Year's Day. They  battled it out in games with iconic names like the Sugar, Rose, Orange and Cotton Bowls. A few games were added over the years. Sponsors bought up the naming rights. Players and fans no longer know the real name of the bowl their team is playing in.

Boston College fans are happy to finally make it back to a game. They were one of eleven ACC teams who became eligible after six wins. Once they got their seventh, they punched their ticket to the AdvoCare V100 on Dec 31st against Arizona State. The game was formerly known as the Independence Bowl.

Going to a bowl game means money for both schools. There is a lot at stake. ESPN has every game covered except  three. They pay a great deal of money for broadcasting rights. The games are very expensive to host. Selling the naming rights is just another way of generating revenue.

Unfortunately, it kills whatever tradition is built up over the years by the game. I didn't know the AdvoCare V100 was once the Independence Bowl. It doesn't even have a catchy name. I can't imagine players bragging about their time at the AdvoCare V100 Bowl.