Posted this in a different thread but it is worth discussin.
College football is so much different. First up, the players. Used to be kids played multiple sports, played where coaches wanted them to, and dreamed of playing for the local/regional power. Now they concentrate on one sport, one position, play it all year. Attend camps, hire trainers, get dad jobs as coaches. The entire high school regime is about maximizing chances to get to the NFL.
Because of that they pick the mega powers that win natties. They know not only the head coach but which school has the best position coach that will get him to the NFL. There are recruiting gurus that find every player and rate them so it’s nearly impossible to find a hidden gem. And kids care far less about where dad played and go where the odds are best. And dad supports that because millions of dollars are on the line.
So the machine schools dominate and it’s very difficult to break through. And NIL and Portal is making it worse. Now kids get big bucks so they can play anywhere and help out mom and dad if needed. And the entire family can afford to travel to games now so no need to stay close to home.
Add in the playoff madness that only a very few schools can say they make it almost every year. Kids love that attention and added publicity it gets them. For a five star kid, that playoff competition can make a third rounder into a first rounder. From a half million dollar bonus to three years and a huge bonus. Huge.
Perhaps the 12 team playoffs will help. But for it to change things some teams in the 8-10 range will have to go on a run and at least make the finals. And winning one and fading away won’t do it. A school will have to win several title to join The Club……like Clemson did.
Its a different world, a different game, and different sport. And a massive business.
Even the tv coverage is so different. In the old days teams played regional rivalries usually on regional tv. Think Pitt, WVU, Syracuse, Maryland. So that helped keep recruiting regional neighbors argued with neighbors. Now every team gets national coverage every weekend. Doesn’t matter where you play the hometown can still watch.
The game has changed. The world has changed. Period.
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