Tipping Point for College Football
There seems to be a consensus: college football is at a critical juncture. Issues like name, image, and likeness rights, direct player payments, the expansion of the College Football Playoff, and conference exits from the NCAA are all significant factors in shaping the present and future of the sport—good or bad.
One evident drawback? Teams often choose to schedule weaker opponents, making it easier to secure wins and advance in the College Football Playoff rankings. Honestly, I can’t think of anything quite as disheartening as the impending collapse of the storied USC and Notre Dame rivalry.
Impact of Florida State and Georgia Series Cancellation
The decision to cancel the Florida State vs. Georgia series sends unsettling signals about college football’s trajectory. Both teams now conveniently avoid facing a top-15 opponent, increasing their odds of impressing the College Football Playoff selection committee with just one more win. This shift emphasizes a troubling trend: the ultimate focus is on making the playoffs, which skews priorities heavily in that direction. Hence, many Power 4 teams have opted for easier non-conference games.
Nick Saban, regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all time, offers a potential remedy. His proposal? Schedule more games against tougher opponents throughout the season.
“I actually think we should play 12 games against the Power 5,” Saban remarked recently. “Because this is a business and people want to watch those games,” he added, highlighting the competitive spirit that drives college football.
Addressing College Sports Issues
Refreshing, isn’t it? College football, indeed, operates like a business. Fans yearn for matchups between their favorite teams and other top-tier programs because those games carry more excitement and meaning. Who could possibly argue against wanting to see more clashes between the Big Ten and the SEC? Well, maybe the SEC coaches who tend to bemoan tougher non-conference schedules while keeping their teams close to home.
Consider the possibilities: Big Ten vs. ACC, or Big 12 taking on the SEC. Sure, tougher schedules might lead to more losses, but with the playoffs expanding to 24 teams, does it really matter?
To illustrate, let’s look at the Week 1 schedules for some big-name teams.
There’s Ole Miss facing Louisville, Florida State playing SMU, and UCLA up against Washington State, among others. Game of the year? Probably not. But a series of matchups with G5 teams could add real excitement. Are higher ratings or better attendance the goal? Then we should prioritize engaging games.
This is the essence of Saban’s proposal. Simply play tougher opponents, have faith in your team, and see what unfolds. It’s a concept that seems far-fetched, yet it’s something we ought to consider seriously.
