Jack’s College Football Preview, Part I

It’s hard to get too upset about what’s happening to my favorite sport when I think about what’s happening to my favorite country.

“They’ve ruined everything!” and “things will never be the same again!” might apply to both college football, and, well, ‘Murica.

For the moment, let’s just embrace what’s about to be the best time of the year for us, the fans, because I think this fall we will need all the positive distractions and de-stressed Saturdays we can get, if you know what I mean. And I think you do.

The main things to know are: consolidation of conferences and expansion of the playoff.

About two dozen major programs changed affiliations, the most ever. Texas and Oklahoma are in the SEC, which is now the AAA-level minor league for the NFL. That, coupled with the demise of my beloved Pac-12, means what used to be interesting non-conference tilts are now important conference games. That’s not why the consolidation and realignment happened, but it’s me looking on the bright side. And you know me…Mr. Bright Side.

If this was as far as it went, I think I could learn to like it.

Unfortunately, we won’t stop with fewer CFB conferences. We will eventually have two: the Have-it-alls and the Have Nothings. Tons of interesting programs that defined the game, albeit never would’ve been ranked or competed on New Year’s Day, will disappear, or at least disappear from TV.

When this process plays out as I fear it must, the college game will have a limited number of “franchises” like the NFL, and you can see who they will be. They will be stocked, they will never have to “rebuild” and they will more efficiently deliver TV ratings and draft picks. But fans will be poorer for it.

Which leads to the other change, the one that’s kind of a sop to the fans, but also complements the professionalization of college ball.

The College Football Playoff (CFP) blows up from 4 to 12 slots. At first blush, it looks like a no-brainer for expanding fan interest. So many possiblities! Tulane a playoff team? Coach Prime in there? Not having to choose between Michigan and Ohio State? But then you realize that probably 8 or 9 teams will be SEC and Big10. Yes, it’ll be more varied, as we probably get to see someone like a Utah, Kansas State or Arizona  in the new first-round, but what it also means is top contenders maybe playing 17 games, stars risking injury (or opting out) and more coaching hot seat drama than ever.

Mark my words, the usual suspects will still be playing for the Dr. Pepper trophy. It had to grow—four was insane. Still, it’s more NFL-ization of college football.

And ultimately, that’s the issue. I watch college football a lot, and hardly ever check out an NFL game. I want the differences, the quirks, and the illusion, at least, of “student athletes”. A lot of my friends laugh and say CFB has long been merely a minor league for the pros.

Now more than ever.