Could Fournette, McCaffrey skipping bowls lead to NCAA paying players?

Two of college football's biggest stars won't be playing in their bowl games in order to prepare for the NFL draft, and not shockingly, the takes were scorching.

As off-base as this comparison was, it raises the question of what are the ramifications of Christian McCaffrey and Leonard Fournette opting to pass on their bowl games?

It's clear why they did it, as a serious injury can hurt both a player's draft stock and their bank account. Just ask Jaylon Smith, who tore up his knee a year ago in the Fiesta Bowl and hasn't played since.

It's actually shocking more top draft picks aren't following McCaffrey and Fournette's lead. There's nothing to be be gained in a meaningless bowl game, but everything to lose.

While fans will certainly be disappointed McCaffrey and Fournette aren't suiting up, the NCAA should be seriously concerned. If more marquee players follow suit, sponsors as well as television networks are going to take a serious hit and interest in already irrelevant bowl games will start to fade even further.

Take the Citrus Bowl for example between LSU and Louisville. Let's say Lamar Jackson had an opportunity to go to the NFL next season like Fournette does and also bowed out. All of a sudden, one of the more intriguing non-New Year's Six bowls quickly becomes borderline unwatchable.

We could even see this extend further into a college player's final season with the playoff now in play. Once a team loses two games, what's the point of a top-10 pick risking injury by finishing the season? The chances of a national title are essentially over, so why not rest up starting in October to ensure you are in the best position possible for the NFL draft?

So how does the NCAA prevent all of its stars from tapping out of their final season early? There's an obvious, albeit controversial answer.

We aren't going to get into a debate about if players should be paid, but the fact is college football is a billion-dollar industry and its stars don't see any of that cash. Whatever side you're on about players receiving a share of the profits, there's no denying a paycheck would likely keep some of them around longer. And by paying them, the NCAA could stipulate players must participate in a bowl game if healthy to receive a balance of their compensation.

McCaffrey's decision sparked a national debate, but did anyone make a peep when Tom Herman left Houston before its bowl to grab a nearly $30-million contract at Texas? If players aren't going to be compensated for their part in helping to draw billions of dollars, it's hard to fault them for leaving a few weeks early in hopes of securing their financial future.

The NCAA won't be paying players next year or perhaps even anytime soon, but college football stars have an opportunity to accelerate the issue if they continue to do what Fournette and McCaffrey did. It's a chance to force the hand of the NCAA and get them to make some hard choices.

If college football players eventually get paid for playing the sport, they may have McCaffrey and Fournette to thank.