As someone who has been a HUGE fan of college football and a season ticket holder at a school I didn't attend (Minnesota) for 15 years, I have a really sick feeling about the game and I'm not sure which part is the worst.
1) NIL rewards certain schools to the detriment of others. It runs the risk of creating numerous issues (unequal payment to stars, the perception that it's a pro league, etc.).
2) I used to think the unfettered transfer rule was worst because it takes out the "diamond in the rough" factor where a smaller school could land a hidden talent and ride him to huge heights (now he'lljust transfer). This also could mean an increase in kids being told to hit the portal, bad behavior by kids who are disgruntled (I'm hitting the portal), kids who don't finish their degrees because of transfers, etc.
3) now I feel like the conference realignment is the worst. To have success you need to be in one of two conferences, and very few schools even IN those conferences have a chance. Iowa has had a pretty good run and the division set up gave them a chance to make an NY6 game. Now divisions are gone and Oregon, Washington, UCLA and USC are in. How much needs to happen for them to make a big bowl?
They are ruining the sport. How much will fans of certain schools shell out knowing there's basically no chance for that school to make the playoff or a big bowl? And for how long?
I need a drink.
Man, I'm maybe more depressed now than I was a couple days ago.
I was listening to a show on XM about the upcoming bowl games and it's just a joke. They were talking about how tOSU will be without Kyle McCord (portal) and maybe Marvin Harrison Jr. (opt out for NFL draft).
This is so freaking dumb. This is for an NY6 game! They were then talking about the Holiday Bowl and how USC will be without Caleb Williams, then went through the slate of games talking about who won't be playing. Wisconsin will play LSU for "bragging rights" although LSU may be without seven players.
The postseason has become idiocy. I can't imagine shelling out a ton of money to fly, stay, and buy expensive tickets last year if I didn't have a reasonable assurance that Duggan. QJ, and Kendre were playing. That was playoffs but you understand my point.
Part of me wants to boycott watching the playoffs but there are three games (semis and FSU-GA) that will be interesting.
But as far as other bowl games? woof
A big part of me hopes that Ewers gets bad advice and opts out of the Sugar Bowl. The whole thing needs to burn.
Good thing I'm home because now I'm actually going to have that drink.
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