College football's bowl season has faced a decline in recent years due to an increasing number of opt-outs and transfer portal departures, resulting from concerns about injuries and dissatisfaction with the recruiting calendar. As the Orange Bowl and Fiesta Bowl approach with nearly four dozen opt-outs combined, analysts are proposing potential solutions to address this ongoing problem.

Several key players from Florida State, including Jaheim Bell, Keon Coleman, and Johnny Wilson, have chosen to opt out of the team's upcoming showdown with Georgia. Additionally, quarterback Tate Rodemaker, who has recovered from his injury and missed the ACC Championship Game, intends to enter the transfer portal, further impacting the roster for the game.

In anticipation of the Cotton Bowl between Ohio State and Missouri, it is expected that the Buckeyes may have a few draft-eligible juniors opting out, mirroring the trend seen in other teams. This raises the question of how college football can rectify the opt-out problem and ensure that prominent players participate in the postseason.

National analysts at 247Sports have put forth potential solutions to address this issue. Bud Elliott suggests either moving the other bowls to spring games or eliminating the bowl tie-ins to allow more flexibility in selecting teams. This would enable bowls to select schools that can attract fans and are motivated to play, while also taking into account potential player departures. Elliott presents the idea of balancing the name value of teams to ensure enticing matchups.

Another proposed solution comes from Brandon Marcello, who advocates for shortening the bowl season. Marcello believes that there are currently too many bowl games, adding unnecessary weight to the system. He suggests moving the bowl season to the spring, treating it as a showcase for the upcoming season that features high-profile matchups. Marcello also mentions the possibility of paying players and expanding the summer workout calendar to compensate for the reduced number of bowl games.

Brad Crawford highlights the importance of providing assurances to players, such as injury insurance and financial rewards for participating in the postseason. He emphasizes the need to reconsider player contracts under name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, ensuring that the extra bowl game is included. Crawford also suggests incorporating advertising space during games to generate revenue and further incentivize player participation.

Chris Hummer agrees with the previous suggestions but emphasizes the need to pay players to participate in bowl games through NIL deals. He envisions diverting funds from bowl allotments to provide compensation for each player on every team. Additionally, Hummer proposes the idea of playing bowl games either in the spring or as season-opening showcases, giving them more significance and preserving the tradition of big non-conference matchups.

While these solutions may vary in their approaches, there is a consensus among analysts that changes are necessary to revamp bowl season and maintain interest in the games. As college football continues to evolve, finding ways to address opt-outs and maintain the involvement of star players in the postseason will be crucial for the overall success and excitement of the sport.