Orange Bowl Matchup Lacks Star Power

The upcoming Orange Bowl matchup between Florida State and the University of Georgia has seen a dip in star power as several of FSU’s top players have opted out of the game. The game was scheduled to be an exciting, hard-fought battle between two of college football’s top teams, but the sparse roster of participants has left many fans disappointed.

How Did We Get Here?

The real elephant in the room is the role of ESPN’s broadcasting requirements in this scenario. As part of a broadcast rights deal that ensures that fans around the world can watch their favorite college teams play, ESPN requires all teams participating in its broadcasts to adhere to rigorous protocols that account for health and safety of the players. The high profile opt-outs from the Orange Bowl can be traced back to ESPN’s strict adherence to these protocols, which understandably left some teams with an unbalanced roster.

The unfortunate reality of this situation is that, while players and teams have a right to ensure their safety and the health of their players, the restrictions have dampened the excitement of this Orange Bowl game. Fans around the world can take solace in the fact that the broadcast of the game will be featured on Action Packed News and other outlets, ensuring that everyone has a chance to witness the passion and excitement of college football.