College football is in huge trouble

[Baz = Heisman]

The why isn’t hard to figure out either.

1) NIL has made most players pure mercenaries. No one has loyalty to their school. They’re looking at their next transfer midway through their current season. I mean, for **** sake you have guys announcing they are “re-signing” in the middle of the year.

2) The 12 team playoff means you can get in with 2, maybe 3, losses and the game-by-game extreme intensity is gone.

3) Conference realignment has eliminated the traditional schedules/opponents.

People who know - like myself - said this was going to happen and now we’re seeing the results. And no TV ratings don’t mean **** given our nation’s addiction to gambling. People are checking their parlays, not their teams.

 

[Deeringfish]

There are a lot of sides to his argument. I think we are seeing a leveling of the playing field with NIL especially at the QB position. NU has been able to bring in some upgrades across the board. FCS and MAC teams are getting raided, so I feel bad for them. OTOH guys who want to lay football and are trapped in the two deep can be stars at a lower level.

I see the whole playoff situation as a long term detriment. This year, for all but maybe 20 teams the playoffs are already out of reach, season over. Bowl games have been robbed of their importance. ND wouldn't even accept a bowl bid last year. Next year 24 teams but still most teams will be eliminated by week 8.
I loved the pomp and circumstance of the bowls. Each one was majestic in it's own way and the debates about who should really be the National Champion were fun all of season.

 

[prez77]

I will just observe that going back to my childhood, there were only about 6 or 8 bowls, no playoffs, little TV coverage and the college game was extremely popular.

 

[Styre]

College football as we knew it was unsustainable. As TV contracts and revenues grew to obscene proportions, it became increasingly obvious that a scholarship by itself was laughably inadequate compensation for a player, especially in the biggest conferences, and the players deserved more. As such, the sport has rapidly evolved into a bastardized version of a professional league. And now fans are drifting away because they still want the old version that was only sustainable with unpaid labor. This is the catch-22: either you treat the players fairly and destroy the sport or you maintain the sport as is and live with the increasingly shameful inequality.

The reason why it worked decades ago was that there was much less money involved. Football income was driven almost entirely by gate/concession revenues and you could easily argue that the cost of x scholarships balanced that out. Wealthier schools with big stadiums could afford to offer more scholarships, leading to a power imbalance at the program level, but the individual players were (arguably) "compensated" more fairly. But once TV networks started paying millions, and then billions, of dollars in broadcast rights, scholarship totals got capped, and gate revenue became a much smaller percentage of total income, the system stopped working.

 

[JustGary]

I kind of like the fact that now so many fans can dream of a national championship instead of what use to be the same 7 or 8 fan bases . Attendance to games went down when more and more games started showing up on Television. It is also true for other sports. When there was nothing else to do and no way but radio to hear your game, going to a game was absolutely the best option. I went to plenty of games filled with opposing fans who loved our cheap tickets. It was easier and cheaper for Iowa and Nebraska fans to buy a season ticket to our stadium, watch their team play in front of a friendly crowd, and sell the other tickets. Will I miss them? Not a bit.

I would like to see the BiG get the right teams and then go to a regional model (play the same 5 teams and then 5 from other regions in rotation. I also think you need the blue blood vs blue blood games to pay the bills for the rest of us.I don’t mind the fact we have success because we get a ton of media money from television. Before the teams hogged all the best players and NIL has allowed their backups to find success and notoriety at other schools. Chiles would be sitting miserably on the bench going through a losing season at MSU. If not for NIL and the portal that basically gave him the opportunity to flourish. He deserves that NIL money. Yes, the old traditional college game is dead. But we are flirting with the idea of going to the championship playoffs. I love it.

 

[Baz = Heisman]

College football as we knew it was unsustainable. As TV contracts and revenues grew to obscene proportions, it became increasingly obvious that a scholarship by itself was laughably inadequate compensation for a player, especially in the biggest conferences, and the players deserved more. As such, the sport has rapidly evolved into a bastardized version of a professional league. And now fans are drifting away because they still want the old version that was only sustainable with unpaid labor. This is the catch-22: either you treat the players fairly and destroy the sport or you maintain the sport as is and live with the increasingly shameful inequality.

The reason why it worked decades ago was that there was much less money involved. Football income was driven almost entirely by gate/concession revenues and you could easily argue that the cost of x scholarships balanced that out. Wealthier schools with big stadiums could afford to offer more scholarships, leading to a power imbalance at the program level, but the individual players were (arguably) "compensated" more fairly. But once TV networks started paying millions, and then billions, of dollars in broadcast rights, scholarship totals got capped, and gate revenue became a much smaller percentage of total income, the system stopped working.

Oh my god. Shut up about the “unpaid labor” ********. They got free education and an internship for the NFL. Like other students. And there could have easily been a trust set up that could only have been accessed post-college career if a player graduated. This wasn’t rocket science but people like Jay Bilas somehow convinced the poorly educated that these players were slaves. Absurd.

 

[Styre]

Oh my god. Shut up about the “unpaid labor” ********. They got free education and an internship for the NFL. Like other students. And there could have easily been a trust set up that could only have been accessed post-college career if a player graduated. This wasn’t rocket science but people like Jay Bilas somehow convinced the poorly educated that these players were slaves. Absurd.

I don't care what Jay Bilas says and I never said the players were "slaves." I just don't think a system where Ohio State cashes a $100M TV check every year while its players get aggressively punished if they accept a $20 payment for an autograph is particularly fair. You obviously think differently, perhaps by dint of your apparently superior education.

 

[Jaguar 88]

People simply don't want to sit their butts down for close to 4 hrs for a sporting event that tends to be a boring affair and is rather expensive. When the crash comes, attendance will tank further. CFB just isn't what is was when we were in college. The professionalizing of the game also has turned some folks off, as well.

 

[Deeringfish]

What I miss is the stabilty of a team. I was really looking forward to seeing the young guys on last years BB team grow and develop. I think of how proud and interested I was of Martinelli and Barney and Boo and how they jelled with the others over seasons. I really like Chiles, not just because of his football skills but because he has really been a great team player and leader. Who knows next year he could be gone.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

it became increasingly obvious that a scholarship by itself was laughably inadequate compensation for a player,

I would've played sportsball for a free college education.

 

[Styre]

We really don't need to rehash the arguments about paying players. The debate is over, the players are being paid. Enough people thought it was necessary and it happened, regardless of what any one of us thinks about it. I'm saying that paying the players was both inevitable and the end of the sport as we knew it.

 

[jne381]

If players want to be professionals, put in place a cap, give them a contract, and trade them if they don't perform.

I don't want that, and I don't want them to be professionals.

If you want to complain the schools are getting too much money off of the players, I need an analysis what a league that is not tied to schools would make if it was comprised of the same players.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

We really don't need to rehash the arguments about paying players. The debate is over, the players are being paid. Enough people thought it was necessary and it happened, regardless of what any one of us thinks about it. I'm saying that paying the players was both inevitable and the end of the sport as we knew it.

The debate isn't over because I will never drop it.

 

[Baz = Heisman]

We really don't need to rehash the arguments about paying players. The debate is over, the players are being paid. Enough people thought it was necessary and it happened, regardless of what any one of us thinks about it. I'm saying that paying the players was both inevitable and the end of the sport as we knew it.

It could also be overturned by a new law. And should be. Hell, I’d take an executive order.

 

[Baz = Heisman]

What I miss is the stabilty of a team. I was really looking forward to seeing the young guys on last years BB team grow and develop. I think of how proud and interested I was of Martinelli and Barney and Boo and how they jelled with the others over seasons. I really like Chiles, not just because of his football skills but because he has really been a great team player and leader. Who knows next year he could be gone.

Correct. This is a big and consistent complaint too.

 

[zeek55]

Look at how much more difficult our schedules are because of realignment.

Braun's first year pre-USC/Oregon/UCLA/Washington was way easier than the past 3 years. We went 8-5 against the old Big Ten West schedule with Penn State/Rutgers/Maryland as our crossover games.

This year's schedule would have been among the hardest we've played in the modern era. There's going to be a lot more losses going around CFB. And there will be more demoralized fanbases.

Imagine if Ohio State has 4 losses each of the next 8 years. How upset will their fanbase be?

 

[Jaguar 88]

Oh my god. Shut up about the “unpaid labor” ********. They got free education and an internship for the NFL. Like other students. And there could have easily been a trust set up that could only have been accessed post-college career if a player graduated. This wasn’t rocket science but people like Jay Bilas somehow convinced the poorly educated that these players were slaves. Absurd.

A college education is big $$$$$$$$ that puts a kid or his/her parents in debt for awhile. A free college education at a major university is worth $100,000 or more depending on the institution. The whole NIL thing is a joke. The last college game I went to was to see my Alma Mater Univ of Dayton play Presbyterian College in Western SC last season. The ticket was $30. The atmosphere wasn't like B1G games, but it was a good game with kids playing for the fun of it. Big money corrupts everything!!! When the economy goes to s#$% in a year, if that, you are going to see more empty seats. It will be pay the mortgage, get groceries, gas, etc taking precedent over football games.

 

[Catmandoo78]

It could also be overturned by a new law. And should be. Hell, I’d take an executive order.

Oh course it shouldn’t be, and can’t. The reason players CAN be paid is because of a Supreme Court judgement. It’s not going anywhere.

 

[Jaguar 88]

I kind of like the fact that now so many fans can dream of a national championship instead of what use to be the same 7 or 8 fan bases . Attendance to games went down when more and more games started showing up on Television. It is also true for other sports. When there was nothing else to do and no way but radio to hear your game, going to a game was absolutely the best option. I went to plenty of games filled with opposing fans who loved our cheap tickets. It was easier and cheaper for Iowa and Nebraska fans to buy a season ticket to our stadium, watch their team play in front of a friendly crowd, and sell the other tickets. Will I miss them? Not a bit.

I would like to see the BiG get the right teams and then go to a regional model (play the same 5 teams and then 5 from other regions in rotation. I also think you need the blue blood vs blue blood games to pay the bills for the rest of us.I don’t mind the fact we have success because we get a ton of media money from television. Before the teams hogged all the best players and NIL has allowed their backups to find success and notoriety at other schools. Chiles would be sitting miserably on the bench going through a losing season at MSU. If not for NIL and the portal that basically gave him the opportunity to flourish. He deserves that NIL money. Yes, the old traditional college game is dead. But we are flirting with the idea of going to the championship playoffs. I love it.

 

[Jaguar 88]

We are going to get a mid to low tier bowl game unless the defense steps it up a notch. The Kool Aid has started to wear off. We need to beat both Iowa and OSU and run the table to sniff the playoffs. Then there is Minnesota. Illinois looks beatable, Minny will be a tough game. The D gets healthy we have a good chance at a really nice bowl game. I am not sure a 3 loss team gets in the playoff. If one does it gets in on style points. Our early schedule won't help with that.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

Oh course it shouldn’t be, and can’t. The reason players CAN be paid is because of a Supreme Court judgement. It’s not going anywhere.

SCOTUS NEVER RULED ON NIL!!!

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

I would've played sportsball for a free college education.

You weren’t good enough.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

You come on here every year with this outdated argument. The game is healthier than ever as evidenced by the revenues and popularity. Dream of yesteryear all you like, that Genie is out of the bottle. If you think many players were not taken advantage of during your glory years you clearly weren’t a player. I know you know a guy who played or some hot shot booster. I saw it from the inside. Make us money, fill our stadiums, and get out of the way for the next guy. Leave with the clothes you wore to campus, because we really don’t give a **** if you got your degree! You have a problem with paying players, yet you collect your seven figure salary because you are presumably one of the best at what you do, but heaven forbid these kids do the same!

So, go ahead and scream from the mountain tops to you band of merrymen about how wrong I am and how the world of college football is ending, I don’t give a ****. I’m done with this drivel and will wait for next year when you do the same exact thing like you do every year.

Can’t wait for the CCC bashing when NU plays the game more to your liking by not paying going rate to the team. Somehow it will still be CCC sucks and should be able to make chicken salad out of chicken ****! You don’t need to pay any player and you still should make the tourney, right! Get off my lawn.

 

[Purple Pete]

If players want to be professionals, put in place a cap, give them a contract, and trade them if they don't perform.

I don't want that, and I don't want them to be professionals.

If you want to complain the schools are getting too much money off of the players, I need an analysis what a league that is not tied to schools would make if it was comprised of the same players.

Amen!

 

[Catmandoo78]

If players want to be professionals, put in place a cap, give them a contract, and trade them if they don't perform.

I don't want that, and I don't want them to be professionals.

If you want to complain the schools are getting too much money off of the players, I need an analysis what a league that is not tied to schools would make if it was comprised of the same players.

What you’re advocating for here would require the NCAA to acknowledge them as employees. Which they will never, ever do unless legally forced

 

[Jaguar 88]

The old traditional college game dying is the cause of it demise. Why? It is getting rather boring, and not worth the time and investment. You are paying these kids to play, thus it is semi professional football. The kids have no allegiance to a school anymore, so why should I bother? The whole sport is getting rather predictable, thus making it boring.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

You have a problem with paying players, yet you collect your seven figure salary because you are presumably one of the best at what you do, but heaven forbid these kids do the same!

I have no problem with players being paid in professional sports leagues. I didn't earn my salary until after graduation. Nobody's forcing them to attend school.

 

[Jaguar 88]

How has it changed? Pretty much the same with about less than a dozen schools really in the hunt. Yeah some schools have dropped out with some new taking their places, but jt still a rather small club, as all TV sports are all about profit anymore.

 

[Baz = Heisman]

Oh course it shouldn’t be, and can’t. The reason players CAN be paid is because of a Supreme Court judgement. It’s not going anywhere.

There’s always a way…

 

[Baz = Heisman]

The old traditional college game dying is the cause of it demise. Why? It is getting rather boring, and not worth the time and investment. You are paying these kids to play, thus it is semi professional football. The kids have no allegiance to a school anymore, so why should I bother? The whole sport is getting rather predictable, thus making it boring.

There’s basically no differentiation from the pro game, which is what used to make CFB so special. No one is going to class, except us. These bozos aren’t getting their degrees because they transfer every year. And yet some people think it’s ok? No wonder our country is sooooo ******.

 

[Jaguar 88]

There’s basically no differentiation from the pro game, which is what used to make CFB so special. No one is going to class, except us. These bozos aren’t getting their degrees because they transfer every year. And yet some people think it’s ok? No wonder our country is sooooo ******.

Bread and circuses have taken over our society/culture. This is why the Chinese are overtaking us. We don’t take things seriously anymore.

 

[Baz = Heisman]

Yup. And our increasingly ill informed population.

Bread and circuses have taken over our society/culture. This is why the Chinese are overtaking us. We don’t take things seriously anymore.

 

[Curdog7]

There’s basically no differentiation from the pro game, which is what used to make CFB so special. No one is going to class, except us. These bozos aren’t getting their degrees because they transfer every year. And yet some people think it’s ok? No wonder our country is sooooo ******.

Old man yelling at cloud again.

 

[Baz = Heisman]

Old man yelling at cloud again.

All facts, big dog. You think guys being enrolled in online classes they never attend is healthy for our country? Give me a break. 99% of them aren’t going pro or living off their NIL for the next 60-70 years.

 

[Jaguar 88]

Old man yelling at cloud again.

It is called college football for a reason. These kids get tutors, as they don't attend classes for the most part. They are students in name only. Wait til the deep recession/ depression hits. Empty stands as there won't be very many students or fans able to afford the overpriced tickets. Do I eat this week or do I go to a rather outdated form of entertainment? This will be the question being asked in the coming years. The overpriced entertainment will be the first thing to get hit hard.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

It is called college football for a reason. These kids get tutors, as they don't attend classes for the most part. They are students in name only. Wait til the deep recession/ depression hits. Empty stands as there won't be very many students or fans able to afford the overpriced tickets. Do I eat this week or do I go to a rather outdated form of entertainment? This will be the question being asked in the coming years. The overpriced entertainment will be the first thing to get hit hard.

Earle Bruce isn’t Coaching any more.

Some of you guys kill me with your self-righteous beliefs.

 

[prez77]

All facts, big dog. You think guys being enrolled in online classes they never attend is healthy for our country? Give me a break. 99% of them aren’t going pro or living off their NIL for the next 60-70 years.

And it's not just ball players. The on-line silly classes have pervaded US colleges.

 

[prez77]

How has it changed? Pretty much the same with about less than a dozen schools really in the hunt. Yeah some schools have dropped out with some new taking their places, but jt still a rather small club, as all TV sports are all about profit anymore.

It's always been that way with relatively few schools that were the best. If you go back a bit, the national championship wasn't as big a deal - there wasn't exactly one. The regional rivalries mattered and teams that were not particularly in the hunt still had their followings. That's what the "bread and circuses" thing puts in danger. And maybe the old way is out dates. I personally don't think the jazz and blues worlds are as good as they once were. Maybe college football just goes the same way.

How has it changed? Pretty much the same with about less than a dozen schools really in the hunt. Yeah some schools have dropped out with some new taking their places, but jt still a rather small club, as all TV sports are all about profit anymore.

 

[Eurocat]

The Seminoles fired coach Norvell yesterday.

The Seminoles owe Norvell roughly $51 million in a buyout, according to his contract. Sources told On3 that firing Norvell and his staff, along with making the next hire, would cost roughly $100 million. Norvell’s buyout is the third-largest in college football history.

Florida State fires head coach Mike Norvell after seven seasons

https://youtube.com/live/j61fq3T9KJ8?feature=share Florida State has fired head coach Mike Norvell after seven seasons, sources tell On3's Chris Low,

www.on3.com

 

[Eurocat]

And it's not just ball players. The on-line silly classes have pervaded US colleges.

double post, sorry.