It’s only a matter of time until an employed head coach opts out of a bowl game

College football programs are as volatile as ever during the transfer portal era. This time last year, the USC Trojans were one of the hottest programs in the country. Fast forward to the end of 2023, and the Trojans’ 42-28 win over No. 15 Louisville, without Caleb Williams, felt oddly necessary.

Head coach Lincoln Riley had a tough year because his defense had a tough year. Local columnists and players alike abandoned ship after a 7-5 campaign that saw the defending Heisman winner break down in tears because USC couldn’t hold opponents below 40 points.

That led to 17 members of the Trojans entering the transfer portal. If Riley’s offense, and sophomore QB Miller Moss, didn’t show out in the Holiday Bowl, the vibes going into the offseason and spring ball would be decidedly less chill.

The difference between 7-6 and 8-5 may seem negligible, but not to impressionable young kids trying to protect their “brands.” While I would chuck a milkshake at an influencer if I ever saw one in the wild, it is something kids aspire to be. At a certain point, followers become monetizable, and — oh my god. I don’t care.

It doesn’t matter that the rosters fielded for bowls will be turned over twice before September, perception is everything. Moss threw for 372 yards and six touchdowns because of course he did. Riley’s still got it even though his ability to develop QBs never left.

To be honest, if I was a coach heading into a bowl game, with a program trending in the wrong direction, I’d try to join the rest of my team opting out. Float the idea on social media, and gauge the backlash. Just do what Jim Harbaugh did, and promote an assistant to interim. That way, there’s a built-in excuse if the boys no-show.

I know this may be shocking, but a lot of fanbases have outsized opinions of their alma maters and view a trip to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl as a failure. Hell, even if you win, the prize is a bucket full of sandwich spread, a literal nightmare of mine.

The double-sidedness of victory doesn’t stop there. Does anybody know if Moss is projected to be the starter at USC next fall? How the hell is Riley supposed to woo one of these transfer portal gems after his QB just broke the record for TD passes in a Holiday Bowl? If your starting quarterback vacates his role for the postseason, the cycle starts anew and early. Free agents are looking for a blank slate, not a quarterback competition. That’s why Kyle McCord went to Syracuse.

These bowl games are charades. The lone upside for teams teetering on the edge of mass exodus is the financial boon. For Riley, ending the season on a high note only slightly lessened the condescension from his critic, and probably guaranteed a QB controversy. He didn’t dispel the negative attitude toward the defense and any praise is begrudging if not overtly backhanded.

So, yes, congrats to Lincoln Riley, Miller Moss and the Trojans. You averted disast, er, played a great game.

Technically, I’m filling in for TMA regular Sam Fels, so I’m obligated to dot this piece with some Chicago sports news. On Wednesday, rookie phenom Connor Bedard became the youngest player in Blackhawks history to score an overtime goal.

Boom! Suck on that, Winnipeg!

While Bedard’s achievement is more an answer to a trivia question than some sort of crowning jewel, it is a kid who’s still got spots calling game.