Seismic shift in the college football landscape

[BenGrimm]

Who is this “We”

I only refer to TN is “we”.

Bama’s 15 year reign of terror and UGA’s couple of titles never helped TN.

 

[MadMaxSC]

I am watching the playoffs and, like everyone else, watching the SEC drop like flies. Texas, who wasn't even in the SEC this time last year, is our only saving grace. We've seen wilder things this season. Vandy beating Bama. Ark beating us. etc. The playoff is not being dominated by the SEC as we would have imagined at the beginning of the season. We didn't even dominate the number of teams from one conference in the playoff. What's up with that?
I believe that we are seeing a permanent shift in the football landscape. One where the SEC isn't head and shoulders above the rest. More than 50% of the National Champions from the last 20 years are from the SEC. Our reputation was well earned.
The NIL era is going to level the playing field. Not every backwater team will have success, but the days of the biggest powerhouse teams dominating the conversation are on the wain. The transfer portal is going to keep teams from hoarding talent. If you're a starter for an unknown team, you can get recognized by bigger schools and transfer in. If you're a top recruit that finds yourself buried in a depth chart, you can find a slightly less talented team and become a starter, turning them into contenders. If you're a top player that is a starter, you can go where the money takes you. The SEC was where you wanted to go to play if you wanted the best shot at a championship. Now championships take a backseat to immediate money. In the Saban era, 5* players would ride the bench because they statistically stood a certainty to win a ring while they were there. Bear Bryant would recruit players he didn't even want to keep them from playing on other teams. Now players won't wait. They want playing time.......now. How can you ask for more NIL money if you aren't on the field?
The reality is that teams from regions where they don't have competition for NIL donors is going to thrive. Teams in economically strapped areas will not likely be competitive. states with deep pockets like Texas, Florida, California, Michigan, etc will always be good. Places like Arkansas, Nebraska, the Carolinas etc will always be squeezed for cash. Even take a state like Alabama and ask, " how does a smaller less affluent state like that support 2 major programs with enough NIL money to be contenders?" I don't think they can in the long run. Look how quickly Bama fell off already. Over the next 4-5 years teams will get by on depth of fan base and the power of their brand name. But as we go a few more years, and the teams lose their luster, the money machine will slow down. All those bandwagon Bama fans that sprung up all over the country aren't donors.

Ultimately, over the next 5 years, we are going to see parity in college football. We will go from 10-15 teams being legit contenders every year, to something more akin to the wild, wild west. Teams will need to be just good enough to get into the playoff. Then it's a crap shoot. The era of teams like Bama/Georgia/Clemson creating dynasties are over.

You make some good points. I believe the top priority should be to put some rules and oversight over NIL. If players want to be paid like Pros, they should sign contracts, in order to receive their NIL windfall. Let's say they must sign for two years before receiving their NIL windfall. This might not be feasible. I haven't researched it. It was just a thought. I hate the Portal more than NIL.

 

[JK Vol]

I really never understood why they just didn’t use the same playoff template that the fcs ( division II) have been using forever. Pride I suppose , to admit the lower tier has had it right all along.

 

[sami]

"is our only saving grace"..... maybe YOUR saving grace, but I hope they get their ass run out of the stadium vs. OSU.

Texas was, is, and always will be a SWC/Big 12 school in my mind. F***k them.

 

[sami]

I have to be honest. It has kind of pissed me off the way the media has basically thrown a parade . “See, we told you guys they were overrated.” It’s one thing if the league is consistently, but it’s not. The Danny Kanell’s, Nicole Auerbach’s etc are creating this false narrative bc they are driving an agenda. Kanell isn’t a journalist, he’s a paid opinion sharer, but Auerbach is a Michigan grad who is the lead analyst for NBC, amazing how journalism is very far from just that.

Journalism died a few decades ago, and not just in sports. It became an agenda-chasing cesspool, with the only positive development being that more people have finally smartened up to that fact.

 

[sami]

I really never understood why they just didn’t use the same playoff template that the fcs ( division II) have been using forever. Pride I suppose , to admit the lower tier has had it right all along.

It's not really complicated - seed the teams as they are ranked, give conference champs auto bids (but not byes), give the top 4 seeds the byes, and play the damn thing out.

The "committee" is corrupt and the rankings are politically tainted, but at least if you played it that way it might have been a decent event.

And one even better rule would be to reseed the teams after each round. This insures that one side of the bracket doesn't become top heavy like this year with Penn State getting two patsies.

 

[Volle]

It's cyclical on one hand, on the other, NIL has spread out the talent.

One reason the SEC is down this year is poor QB play.

 

[LAVol1]

To be fair to the SEC, UGA had their starting QB injured; I would like to see how any of the final four would do without their starting QB (I guess Texas would be okay ). I think UGA not having Beck was a big deal since he actually tried in big games

If the NCAA fixes the seeding situation, I see an SEC comeback coming

UGA played BY FAR the toughest schedule of any team in the NCAA. I think they were worn down by the games they had to play. When they lost their starting QB, they were even more vulnerable. When you don't have to play a tough schedule (PSU, ND, TX), you can concentrate on developing depth, perfecting new plays and emphasizing fundamentals instead of spending most of your time preparing for a really good opponent.

 

[VOLLeeann]

I don’t care about the conference I care about Tennessee. They could all burn for all I care.

Interesting approach.

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

Reading comprehension is not your strong suit eh? I said they should have been playing different teams had they gone strictly rankings instead of this automatic bye nonsense.

I read just fine. But if the undisputed top 2 seeds in any hypothetical arrangement got blown out as early as the round of 8, what combination of matchups do you think would have prevented us from getting mostly blowouts? Because there isn’t one. If the blowouts happen in the round of 8 or the round of 4, those were still coming eventually.

The only good game we have gotten was because Arizona State got a bye.

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

UGA played BY FAR the toughest schedule of any team in the NCAA. I think they were worn down by the games they had to play. When they lost their starting QB, they were even more vulnerable. When you don't have to play a tough schedule (PSU, ND, TX), you can concentrate on developing depth, perfecting new plays and emphasizing fundamentals instead of spending most of your time preparing for a really good opponent.

We didn’t play a tough schedule. Why couldn’t we do that? Also why has that never held the SEC back before?

 

[Vol8188]

Over reading things is VN’s favorite pastime

 

[tennesseeduke]

I am watching the playoffs and, like everyone else, watching the SEC drop like flies. Texas, who wasn't even in the SEC this time last year, is our only saving grace. We've seen wilder things this season. Vandy beating Bama. Ark beating us. etc. The playoff is not being dominated by the SEC as we would have imagined at the beginning of the season. We didn't even dominate the number of teams from one conference in the playoff. What's up with that?
I believe that we are seeing a permanent shift in the football landscape. One where the SEC isn't head and shoulders above the rest. More than 50% of the National Champions from the last 20 years are from the SEC. Our reputation was well earned.
The NIL era is going to level the playing field. Not every backwater team will have success, but the days of the biggest powerhouse teams dominating the conversation are on the wain. The transfer portal is going to keep teams from hoarding talent. If you're a starter for an unknown team, you can get recognized by bigger schools and transfer in. If you're a top recruit that finds yourself buried in a depth chart, you can find a slightly less talented team and become a starter, turning them into contenders. If you're a top player that is a starter, you can go where the money takes you. The SEC was where you wanted to go to play if you wanted the best shot at a championship. Now championships take a backseat to immediate money. In the Saban era, 5* players would ride the bench because they statistically stood a certainty to win a ring while they were there. Bear Bryant would recruit players he didn't even want to keep them from playing on other teams. Now players won't wait. They want playing time.......now. How can you ask for more NIL money if you aren't on the field?
The reality is that teams from regions where they don't have competition for NIL donors is going to thrive. Teams in economically strapped areas will not likely be competitive. states with deep pockets like Texas, Florida, California, Michigan, etc will always be good. Places like Arkansas, Nebraska, the Carolinas etc will always be squeezed for cash. Even take a state like Alabama and ask, " how does a smaller less affluent state like that support 2 major programs with enough NIL money to be contenders?" I don't think they can in the long run. Look how quickly Bama fell off already. Over the next 4-5 years teams will get by on depth of fan base and the power of their brand name. But as we go a few more years, and the teams lose their luster, the money machine will slow down. All those bandwagon Bama fans that sprung up all over the country aren't donors.

Ultimately, over the next 5 years, we are going to see parity in college football. We will go from 10-15 teams being legit contenders every year, to something more akin to the wild, wild west. Teams will need to be just good enough to get into the playoff. Then it's a crap shoot. The era of teams like Bama/Georgia/Clemson creating dynasties are

.

 

[tennesseeduke]

It’s about time they had a tough schedule

UGA played BY FAR the toughest schedule of any team in the NCAA. I think they were worn down by the games they had to play. When they lost their starting QB, they were even more vulnerable. When you don't have to play a tough schedule (PSU, ND, TX), you can concentrate on developing depth, perfecting new plays and emphasizing fundamentals instead of spending most of your time preparing for a really good opponent.

 

[dduncan4163]

To hell with the rest of the SEC. I'm a Tennessee fan.

 

[Volfan1000]

I don’t get it. I love Tennessee and forget the rest. When the initial cfp was released some made out like there should be 12 sec teams.

Time Magazine is a very informative magazine.

Nice avatar.

 

[Budalicious]

I am watching the playoffs and, like everyone else, watching the SEC drop like flies. Texas, who wasn't even in the SEC this time last year, is our only saving grace. We've seen wilder things this season. Vandy beating Bama. Ark beating us. etc. The playoff is not being dominated by the SEC as we would have imagined at the beginning of the season. We didn't even dominate the number of teams from one conference in the playoff. What's up with that?
I believe that we are seeing a permanent shift in the football landscape. One where the SEC isn't head and shoulders above the rest. More than 50% of the National Champions from the last 20 years are from the SEC. Our reputation was well earned.
The NIL era is going to level the playing field. Not every backwater team will have success, but the days of the biggest powerhouse teams dominating the conversation are on the wain. The transfer portal is going to keep teams from hoarding talent. If you're a starter for an unknown team, you can get recognized by bigger schools and transfer in. If you're a top recruit that finds yourself buried in a depth chart, you can find a slightly less talented team and become a starter, turning them into contenders. If you're a top player that is a starter, you can go where the money takes you. The SEC was where you wanted to go to play if you wanted the best shot at a championship. Now championships take a backseat to immediate money. In the Saban era, 5* players would ride the bench because they statistically stood a certainty to win a ring while they were there. Bear Bryant would recruit players he didn't even want to keep them from playing on other teams. Now players won't wait. They want playing time.......now. How can you ask for more NIL money if you aren't on the field?
The reality is that teams from regions where they don't have competition for NIL donors is going to thrive. Teams in economically strapped areas will not likely be competitive. states with deep pockets like Texas, Florida, California, Michigan, etc will always be good. Places like Arkansas, Nebraska, the Carolinas etc will always be squeezed for cash. Even take a state like Alabama and ask, " how does a smaller less affluent state like that support 2 major programs with enough NIL money to be contenders?" I don't think they can in the long run. Look how quickly Bama fell off already. Over the next 4-5 years teams will get by on depth of fan base and the power of their brand name. But as we go a few more years, and the teams lose their luster, the money machine will slow down. All those bandwagon Bama fans that sprung up all over the country aren't donors.

Ultimately, over the next 5 years, we are going to see parity in college football. We will go from 10-15 teams being legit contenders every year, to something more akin to the wild, wild west. Teams will need to be just good enough to get into the playoff. Then it's a crap shoot. The era of teams like Bama/Georgia/Clemson creating dynasties are over.

I agree

 

[Enigmatic_Vol]

As a Tennessee fan, I don’t want the rest of the SEC to dominate.

Me either brother. Fornicate the rest of them.

 

[Flipdaddy]

Money being available across the country to players has evened things up a bit.

 

[VolPack22]

I read just fine. But if the undisputed top 2 seeds in any hypothetical arrangement got blown out as early as the round of 8, what combination of matchups do you think would have prevented us from getting mostly blowouts? Because there isn’t one. If the blowouts happen in the round of 8 or the round of 4, those were still coming eventually.

The only good game we have gotten was because Arizona State got a bye.

These matchups would have led to more competitive games outside of Ohio State since they are blowing the doors off everyone it seems. If you don’t see that then you are just trolling.

1st Round:
Notre Dame vs Arizona State
Ohio State vs Alabama
Tennessee vs SMU
Indiana vs Boise State

2nd Round:
Oregon vs Indiana
Georgia vs Tennessee
Texas vs Ohio State
Penn State vs Notre Dame

 

[MemphisVol77]

You make some good points. I believe the top priority should be to put some rules and oversight over NIL. If players want to be paid like Pros, they should sign contracts, in order to receive their NIL windfall. Let's say they must sign for two years before receiving their NIL windfall. This might not be feasible. I haven't researched it. It was just a thought. I hate the Portal more than NIL.

It's not really feasible.

The Supreme Court ruled against the NCAA regarding NIL. Seperate from the SCOTUS NIL ruling, the ncaa (they would have lost) backed down from a DOJ case over restricting an athlete's eligibility after transferring. With the courts against the NCAA regarding each issue, the NCAA doesn't have a chance of compounding them.

Short an anti-trust exemptions or teams breaking off from the NCAA to form a pay-for-play league with a CBA, we're stuck with the transfer-portal and pseudo NIL.

I think the +40 team pay-for-play super league is inevitable. The boosters/collectives are beyond the control of CFB member institutions. The NFL's CBA is what prevents their salary cap being circumvented with bogus endorsements(NIL) from shell companies.

 

[HalfullVol]

These matchups would have led to more competitive games outside of Ohio State since they are blowing the doors off everyone it seems. If you don’t see that then you are just trolling.

1st Round:
Notre Dame vs Arizona State
Ohio State vs Alabama
Tennessee vs SMU
Indiana vs Boise State

2nd Round:
Oregon vs Indiana
Georgia vs Tennessee
Texas vs Ohio State
Penn State vs Notre Dame

Alabama and no Clemson?!

Love it

 

[YankeeVol]

You could plug Tenn, Georgia, Bama, Ole Miss, uscjr into the slot Penn St got and they'd be in the final four. Maybe even Vandy.

FYP

 

[TXbenVol]

F the SEC. I only love Tennessee. SEC teams that have more success than us makes it harder for us in the long run.

 

[MontyPython]

Ultimately, over the next 5 years, we are going to see parity in college football. We will go from 10-15 teams being legit contenders every year, to something more akin to the wild, wild west. Teams will need to be just good enough to get into the playoff. Then it's a crap shoot. The era of teams like Bama/Georgia/Clemson creating dynasties are over.

I think the exact opposite is coming unless there are NIL "salary caps" or some other mechanism to limit the $ an individual team can spend.

This year was a fluke. The SEC will bounce back, but teams with big $ donors (e.g. Oregon) will rise.