Which Teams Are at Risk of a Bowl Game Letdown?

After a long season, a long layoff and plenty of distractions, there's always a chance the better team doesn't show up for every bowl game.

A bowl game is, in theory, a reward. A reward for the program, which gets a share of its conference’s bowl game earnings. A reward for the coaching staff, which gets an extra couple weeks of NCAA-sanctioned practice. A reward for the fans, who get an excuse to travel to a (usually) warm-weather city around the holidays. And, of course, a reward for the players, who get another national TV game ... and some neat party favors.

Sometimes, though, a bowl game can feel more like a chore than a prize. Perhaps a team feels it should be playing in a better bowl,…