How the transfer portal is destroying bowl season for football programs like Kentucky

The transfer portal has undoubtedly revolutionized college football, giving athletes the opportunity to seek better situations for their futures. After all coaches leave all the time, why shouldn't players? Whether it’s more playing time, a higher-profile program, or NIL opportunities, players now have the freedom to control their destinies in ways previously impossible. While this is a clear win for individual athletes, the unintended consequence has been the slow collapse of bowl games, turning what once was a celebrated postseason into chaos of opt-outs and cancellations.

Marshall University serves as the latest cautionary tale. The Thundering Herd had so many players leave through the transfer portal that they were forced to withdraw from the Independence Bowl. Instead of suiting up for one last game together, graduating seniors and their teammates will now spend that time at home, robbed of a final send-off. Even more damaging to players who won't go to the NFL or other pro leagues, that was going to be their last time suiting up at all. This is more than just a logistical issue—it highlights how bowl games are becoming collateral damage in the modern transfer era. Some of the issue with Marshall had their head coach leave for Southern Miss, by his own admission, a mutual decision. Even so, losing that many players is a stark reminder of how fast a program can drop.

Even successful programs in power conferences like Duke, which finished 9-3, aren’t immune. Starting quarterback Maalik Murphy entered the portal, leaving the team scrambling for answers ahead of their bowl game. Lane Kiffin does talk a lot, but this time he made some sense.

While a bowl game may not be the same as the NFL playoffs the idea is the same. This is the post season, and instead of focusing on prep and getting ready for the opponent, it is about signing free agents for next year.

For teams like Kentucky, this problem could hit even harder. As a smaller program in the massive SEC, Kentucky often finds itself developing talented players who could easily be lured away by bigger-name schools. Imagine if the Wildcats had a standout season, only to watch star players like Barion Brown or Dane Key opt out of the bowl game to pursue opportunities elsewhere. That would not only crush Kentucky’s postseason hopes but also dampen fan excitement and recruiting momentum.

The portal has created a “free-for-all” where even good teams can be gutted. Smaller programs are particularly vulnerable, turning bowl games into afterthoughts. If this trend continues, the significance of these games could be lost entirely, leaving only the College Football Playoff as the sport’s postseason centerpiece. And even the playoff teams aren't unscathed. Backup Penn State QB who has rushed 59 times for over 300 yards is leaving the team before the playoffs begin.

While it’s hard to fault players for seeking better opportunities, the unintended cost is the gradual erosion of tradition and the heartbreak of teammates left behind. If college football doesn’t adapt, bowl games may become a thing of the past.