Insider: Only a matter of time before team forced to cancel bowl appearance

Brett McMurphy of The Action Network suggests it won't be a surprise to discover a team isn't able to compete in its bowl game because of players entering the transfer portal.

Several teams are getting hit hard this year. North Carolina, for example, had nine players enter the transfer portal by 4 p.m. EST on Monday, per 247 Sports. 

Most of the players either fell out of or never were in rotation at North Carolina, but it shows how fast an exodus of players can happen in this era. The Tar Heels are scheduled to play Oregon in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 28.

The transfer portal had an impact on lower-tier bowl games a season ago. 

Texas A&M was forced to cancel its appearance in the Gator Bowl, in part due to players entering the transfer portal, although players declaring for the draft and a COVID-19 outbreak also influenced the team's decision. (h/t ESPN). Rutgers took the Aggies' place in the bowl game.

LSU didn't cancel its appearance in the Texas Bowl last season but was forced to start cornerback-turned-wide receiver Jontre Kirklin at QB in its game against Kansas State.

It's hard to blame players for making decisions that they believe will put them in a better spot to succeed. When coaches are able to hop between jobs without repercussions, it makes sense that players would be allowed that same privilege.

It is unfortunate, however, for the players left behind on teams that will inevitably have to cancel bowl appearances due to a lack of scholarship athletes.

That moment appears closer than ever; it will be the latest evolution to a sport in a state of flux.