There's only one way to "fix" it, if the staff wants to fix it and to fix it in a way the team and the players both gain. And it would require the NCAA to change some rules.

Firstly, why wouldn't they want to fix it? The NCAA has been the primary driver in "making bowls matter less" from recently deciding that the bowl game at the end of a year doesn't count towards the 4-game redshirt, increasing the number of bowl games, introducing the transfer portal (which just streamlined what already existed but did increase the volume due to that streamlining), starting a designated transfer period before the bowl games and 1st signing day, etc. So if the NCAA basically now considers the bowl game an exhibition game for next season the staff may see it the same way. And instead of "fixing" it they are shifting their outlook to next years team and are perfectly fine with it.

So, if they want it fixed, here's the only way without going backwards w/transfer rules and the NIL...

A) allow the school itself to do some advertising in conjunction with the bowl sponsor and everybody gets some form of a NIL payment. Straight up pay-for-play.

B) because of the NIL ruling which allows them to sign agents for the purpose of NIL (only) come bowl time let those who would not be playing next year, for whatever reason, go ahead and sign their agents and still be eligible for the bowl game. Because of the NIL ruling this rule is practically dead anyway.

C) Since it is pretty much an exhibition game anyway turn bowl practices into mini-combines or combine prep. Allow NFL scouts/GMs all the access they want including interviews. Give our guys an early opportunity before everybody else.

D) NCAA allow consultants to work with the team as the same as combine prep. Many guys are opting out "to get ready". They've had a whole year of practices, so use that practice time for them to start getting ready. Yes, there's some game prep. But if you're keeping your starters around for the game, that prep time is much less as compared to having to prep a bunch of first time starters. Usually once they sign an agent the agent pays for this and the player has to pay the agent back. So in this case, it would be provided by the program, at our facilities, in lieu of payment the player plays at least a portion of the bowl game.

The team/program and the individual players both benefit from this.

** I don't think this needs fixing personally until one specific thing happens: An OptOut from a playoff team. Which is coming once the playoffs expand. Then there's an issue. But even if OptOut doesn't need fixing I'd rather see A-D above happen anyway.