People will make their case for there being too many college football bowl games, and usually it's an argument decisive enough that it carries some merit.

One case during bowl season, on the other hand, really needs to be toned down.

If you watch enough bowl games, you're likely to hear the phrase, "This guy can play on Sundays," - referring obviously to a player's ability to reach the NFL and stay there.

The problem is it's a crutch for football broadcasters - kind of like attaching the word "position" to every position on the field (quarterback position, running back position) even though it's thoroughly unnecessary.

As a result, let's be honest. Many college football players work hard and they put together commendable careers at that level. But if every player that someone said could play on Sunday actually played on Sunday in the future, there would be NFL franchises in Albuquerque and Honolulu. Heck, at the rate that phrase is thrown out there would be NFL franchises in Parma Heights and Rancho Cucamonga.

Here's a stat to illustrate my point of how unlikely it is: According to the NFL Players Association, of the 100,000 high school seniors who play football every year, 215 will make an NFL roster in the future. And of the 9,000 who make it to the college ranks, 300 will get an invite to the NFL scouting combine.

It seems as if a third-string linebacker for West Central Wyoming A&M could come in and make a play and the analyst would say, "You know, he has great football instinct. This guy can play on Sunday."

Chances are, he's not. Just saying ...

- Chris Lillstrung