[TreesAndBirds]

Though I don't know why star players sitting out bowl games would be a factor that hits one conference harder than others, so I think using bowl records to compare conferences is still fair game (though it's not a great metric in the first place, given the disparity in bowl matchups and conference bowl affiliations).

Over the long term I think you're right. But in any given season, some conferences are likely to be (perhaps significantly) harder hit than others. Just randomness. Kind of like injuries. But not a big point. And as you point out the disparity in match ups is probably a bigger factor. And if your conference goes to less prestigious bowls, probably more likely for star players to sit out, since games mean less.

[TreesAndBirds]

Though I don't know why star players sitting out bowl games would be a factor that hits one conference harder than others, so I think using bowl records to compare conferences is still fair game (though it's not a great metric in the first place, given the disparity in bowl matchups and conference bowl affiliations).

Over the long term I think you're right. But in any given season, some conferences are likely to be (perhaps significantly) harder hit than others. Just randomness. Kind of like injuries. But not a big point. And as you point out the disparity in match ups is probably a bigger factor. And if your conference goes to less prestigious bowls, probably more likely for star players to sit out, since games mean less.