Bowl Game
A postseason college football game usually played after the regular season between bowl-eligible teams or teams selected through conference tie-ins and bowl agreements.
Glossary category
College Football Postseason Glossary
Postseason terms explain what happens after the regular season, from bowl tie-ins to playoff qualification.
Back to all glossary termsTop Postseason Terms
Bowl GameA postseason college football game usually played after the regular season between bowl-eligible teams or teams selected through conference tie-ins and bowl agreements.Bowl Opt-OutA player's decision to skip a bowl game, often to prepare for the NFL Draft or avoid injury.Bowl Tie-InAn agreement connecting a conference or team group to a specific bowl game.New Year's SixThe major bowl games historically associated with the top tier of the postseason.PostseasonThe part of the season after the regular season, including conference championship games, bowl games, the College Football Playoff, and national championship games.
Postseason Topic Clusters
Playoff path
Terms that explain how teams enter and move through the postseason.
Championship context
History and title terms that appear in postseason records.
All Postseason Definitions
5 terms
Bowl Opt-Out
A player's decision to skip a bowl game, often to prepare for the NFL Draft or avoid injury.
Bowl Tie-In
An agreement connecting a conference or team group to a specific bowl game.
New Year's Six
The major bowl games historically associated with the top tier of the postseason.
Postseason
The part of the season after the regular season, including conference championship games, bowl games, the College Football Playoff, and national championship games.