Bowl games don't mean what they used to, and there's no turning back now, especially with the College Football Playoff scheduled to expand to 12 teams in 2024.

Even players who aren't projected to be early-round NFL Draft picks are opting out, making it a surprise that Alabama stars Bryce Young and Will Anderson are playing in the Sugar Bowl.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams consider the opt-out trend and how we may need to rewire our view of bowl games that aren't part of the CFP.

Instead of viewing bowls as a postseason conclusion to the season that was, why not see them as an early exhibition for the year ahead? Don't sweat opt-outs, because they afford more developmental opportunities to returning players.

It's not that simple, though. Bowls still matter to many fans, who are unlikely to award a free pass for getting trounced amid a wave of opt-outs.

Later in the episode, we offer our bowl game picks against the spread.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.