No matter how Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit tried to express the emotions and electricity in the air at Lucas Oil Stadium Monday night for Alabama and Georgia, college football needs changes. Through their broadcast until late in the game after the Dawgs finally took control, the intensity perceived could not be felt. Headlining these two teams that played just several weeks ago and being from the same conference, the contest did not stir greater interest nationally.
Declining interest in the post season
The CFP title game ranked as the second lowest TV ranking of the playoff era. Same stands for all FBS championships the last 16 years. The 22.6 million viewers tuned in totaled four million more than last season’s Alabama- Ohio State game. A plus, but recent ratings may be indicative of public boredom. The same teams compete for this title year after year. Changes need to be made to deter this decline in interest late in the season. Pro action begins to take over.
Watched by 34.6 million, the highest rated CFP TV rating was the first one in January 2015 when Ohio State defeated Oregon, 42-20. Here, that Buckeye defense led by Joey Bosa (97) stopped Navy at the goal line in the 2014 season opener we attended for both teams.
Saw this one coming
The stats ESPN showed comparing margins of victory over common opponents by these two. This and dominant defensive stats UGA recorded this season makes some wonder how Bama got by the Dawgs. It transpired in dominating fashion, 41-24. Especially after Auburn demonstrated how pressure could affect Bryce Young the week before, why couldn’t UGA’s dominant defense?
We attributed it to Nick Saban’s coaching. The fact that these two attained the match-up the SEC wanted (ask Paul Finebaum) and the accolades for the first QB from Alabama to win the Heisman made everything fall right in place for the” best conference in college football”. A two-loss Alabama wouldn’t have played here had the Dawgs won.
Best? Says who?
Funny that the SEC’s overall record during bowl season of 4-8 (5-9 includes this game) ranks them tied for tenth at .333 among all ten conferences in winning percentages. All SEC teams played bowls in the geographic footprint of the SEC, too. Basically, their home schedules were extended. Their regular season record against non-conference Power Five schools in 2021 stands at 9-5, not overwhelming by any stretch. Only Georgia played in two of these. South Carolina didn’t play in any. However, if you look at their 13-1 record over FCS schools they met this season, it indicates how head-and-shoulders they are above other conferences in this category. The 14 Big Ten teams were only 6-0 against FCS competition.
This year in the two SEC games we attended, Purdue defeated Tennessee in the Music City Bowl, 48-45, and Penn State defeated Auburn in State College, 28-20.
Scheduling changes needed
Scheduling games against FCS teams has to be terminated by the FBS. There are many great match-ups college football misses out on in the regular season. This would help to better rate teams playing for a common goal. What sense does it make to spend more money and time to give out more scholarships and attract better talent only to play against competition at a definitive disadvantage?
Years ago, teams used to play a practice game against comparable competition. Army was a powerhouse back in the 50’s under Earl “Red” Blaik. They scrimmaged Syracuse not far away before each season. Regretfully, everything gets reported and recorded, so somehow such a result would figure into rankings. No fans and no media allowed? Fat chance. Have to make money.
Primary changes can be based on existing NCAA football models
Collegefootballfan.com proposes the best and only way to offset the stranglehold of the few teams that appear most often in the CFP (namely Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma and, Notre Dame) would be to set up a playoff format as proposed in our Week 12 Salvos. Similar to the FCS format, 12 teams get selected. Automatic bids go to the champions of the ten conferences that exist today and to two at-larges. At-larges come from among Independents and one other team to be selected by a committee of conference commissioners. Each voter abstains from voting for their respective conference.
Even though we saw Oklahoma play in the CFP semi-finals for the third time in 2019, LSU had their way with them in their 63-28 win in the Peach Bowl on their way to a national championship. OU lost all three semis handily. Let’s get some other teams a shot!
Changes enhance improvement in a few years
If ever done, which we doubt will happen because the Power Five risks losing money and talent, within a few short years, this probably won’t change the power balance. However, eventually top talent will think, “If I can’t play for THE dominant team in the SEC, Big 12, or Big Ten, why don’t I go play for a team in the Mountain West or the SunBelt or the American?” To some extent, the transfer portals would have to become less fluid to make this work.
Change spreads wealth among more FBS members
This should also spread the NIL money around more. The fact that more schools in the FBS have shots at making the CFP 12-team format should spread the best talent around. With that, this would heighten the interest of the CFP throughout the country. This would alleviate the declining interest not only in the CFP, but for declining interest and TV bowl ratings also. How many “consolation” games generate national interest?
We watched Appy State and Coastal Carolina battle for the SunBelt title this season. They finished with 10-4 and 11-2 records respectively. If the SunBelt had an automatic bid to the CFP playoffs, these teams would probably attract more top talent with a legitimate chance to make it.
Changes eliminate excuses, excuses
FBS schools bring up class conflicts and academic testing schedules late in the season. Look at the models the other NCAA divisions utilize. Their students have final exams in December, too! Some are much more challenging academically than many FBS schools. Regarding opt outs, a big part of this would be eliminated with a championship within reach for the players. If they don’t want to play, scholarships should stipulate they pay back all their scholarship money.
Reining in coaching changes
For optimal improvement, a change by pushing the signing season to a later date weeks after the national championship helps. Coaches would delay jumping ship to start recruiting for a new, potential employer. Let the coaches and programs focus on coaching the kids they have in hand rather than the kids they look to to enhance their personal futures. Teach some form of loyalty to these players.
The name of the game – competition
Time is of the essence to make changes. Our game will find itself of interest to win it all to only a few select schools. Create competition. Don’t deter it. Give more schools a chance to compete by giving players more choices of schools to play for. More will have a chance to play for the national championship. Spread that opportunity out to more of the 133 FBS teams playing in the FBS in the next few years.
By Steve Koreivo, ed. Author of Tales from the tailgate: From the Fan who’s seen ‘em all!” Click on the title to get your copy from Amazon.com today!
Congratulations to the North Dakota State Bison who defeated Montana State to take their ninth FCS title of the last 11 years. Are changes needed at the FCS level as well? In the mean time, three FCS programs are opting out to the FCS to join the FBS – James Madison, Eastern Kentucky, and Jacksonville State.
