Would you be in favor of a CFB overhaul?

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

As long as universities are putting these players on one year scholarships I have no problem with the portal

This portal nonsense needs to be completely overhauled. Creates a lot of false hope for many kids looking to be sold a dream. Many of whom end up left out in limbo with no scholarship at all, to any school. And the "good" players jumping ship from school to school is bad too, in it's own way. Total mess right now.

 

[a vol n tears]

Watching Josh Pate I have seen 2 things that stood out to me.
Out of all the kids going into the portal, 52% went to a new school, 4% returned to original school, and 46% were never heard from again.
Before NIL came about, conferences had an opportunity to use the tv money to revenue share and they were too greedy. Now they are in bidding wars and not all players (especially non skill players) are promoted for NIL money because they are not house holders names.

I like the revenues share where Fr get $1K per month, So 2K, Jr $3K per month and Sr get 4K. One time transfer after Fr year and grad transfers.

 

[volfanhill]

This portal nonsense needs to be completely overhauled. Creates a lot of false hope for many kids looking to be sold a dream. Many of whom end up left out in limbo with no scholarship at all, to any school. And the "good" players jumping ship from school to school is bad too, in it's own way. Total mess right now.

Maybe universities should be guaranteeing scholarships

 

[LWSVOL]

With all the controversy surrounding opt-outs and transfers, I wanted to start a discussion on what we think they can do to come to a compromise. The purpose of this poll is to state your reasons for/against a contract/salary system similar to the NFL. I know it isn’t perfect but I have brainstormed some foundational aspects below. I welcome all input. Feel free to comment whether you think some or all of this could benefit the game going forward.

The Letter of Intent would become a 3 year contract fully guaranteed with a 4th year player option. If you opt out you don’t get your salary for that game(s). Medical RS seasons would go away. Active gameday roster sizes would be downsized to 63 and there would be a universal salary cap for all schools. You could have 22 players on the practice squad for injury purposes and still have the 85 scholarships. The transfer portal will transform into a “trade” portal of sorts, with transfers occurring only during the offseason. If a player wants to transfer to another school, that school will have to send a compensatory player in return. This is where it gets tricky. You can’t really force a player to another school so I am not really sure how or if this would work. One thing the roster restructuring does as well is that it creates more parity for the postseason, which is exactly why so many people tune into March Madness.

I do not believe the schools care about getting into having to manage players as employees of the university which is exactly what you're describing. Takes away from the mission.

Would they be willing to give up athletics as programs and let it become professional? that is what you're defining. I could see that happening in the future.

There are many alumni of schools all across this country that would be opposed to that sort of focus on athletic programs IMO. It would take away from the mission of the schools, education. I'm afraid that is where things are heading in the future anyway.. when athletics gets too big and has too much money involved, you will see BOT at universities starting to say woah.

We will see in the future..

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

Maybe universities should be guaranteeing scholarships

The transfer portal was broken at it's inception. And now obviously needs repair.

Irrespective of anything to do with a scholarship.

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

Going to 12 playoff teams will overhaul the bowls anyways.

 

[DPMVOLS]

What's one year at the University of Tennessee cost .... room, board, books, tuition for an average student? I remember going to MTSU in the late 70's, taking a full load of academics, driving 30 minutes back and forth from home to school and putting in 30-40 hours a week shoveling horse manure to pay for it all.
So when I hear about paying college athletes a salary or even government loan forgiveness for students, I'm not in favor. I admit I'm a dinosaur but at some point there needs to be accountability. The perks of full ride scholarships is a pretty good incentive in my opinion. If players accept these scholarships, then they have an obligation to fulfill. After their obligations are met, then anything they can do to better themselves for their future was well earned.

As far as NIL deals, it gives teams a chance to compete at a higher level "legally" but I feel that some type of standard needs to be set across the board that recognizes all the players. There is no "I" in team.

This is the best post on this topic in this thread. A free education and a chance to better yourself and your family is not bread crumbs. How much does it cost to go to the University of Tennessee for four years? All you have to do is apply yourself to that betterment. Very few college athletes go pro but all of them have the opportunity to a free education if they qualify. Better than what I was afforded back in 1992. But this day and time everyone feels they are entitled to it now.

 

[GoVols64]

What’s being described is a state sponsored minor league for the NFL. I’m completely against it and think the NIL needs some serious guideposts or it will ruin CFB as we know it. This was supposed to be about allowing players to benefit from their popularity but has become, in short order, a pay to play on top of vs. under the table.

Do we need an expanded CFP? I believe so but 12 teams is silly. I like the 6 team idea as past that you are just including a practice round for the top teams and increases chances for injury. Also disrupts conference championships as what’s the point unless you are outside looking in.

I suppose my bias is paying for performance vs. potential. What happens if an $8M player gets benched for poor performance?

 

[Kylo]

With all the controversy surrounding opt-outs and transfers, I wanted to start a discussion on what we think they can do to come to a compromise. The purpose of this poll is to state your reasons for/against a contract/salary system similar to the NFL. I know it isn’t perfect but I have brainstormed some foundational aspects below. I welcome all input. Feel free to comment whether you think some or all of this could benefit the game going forward.

The Letter of Intent would become a 3 year contract fully guaranteed with a 4th year player option. If you opt out you don’t get your salary for that game(s). Medical RS seasons would go away. Active gameday roster sizes would be downsized to 63 and there would be a universal salary cap for all schools. You could have 22 players on the practice squad for injury purposes and still have the 85 scholarships. The transfer portal will transform into a “trade” portal of sorts, with transfers occurring only during the offseason. If a player wants to transfer to another school, that school will have to send a compensatory player in return. This is where it gets tricky. You can’t really force a player to another school so I am not really sure how or if this would work. One thing the roster restructuring does as well is that it creates more parity for the postseason, which is exactly why so many people tune into March Madness.

No. This is terrible.

 

[Dadof2Vols]

I would say that even with the expanded playoffs, you will still see players opting out. I think they should just go to a 6 team playoff where the top 2 teams get a bye. With a 12 team playoff they should at least cut out one game since conference championship games add an extra game. The top teams will have players opting out. Too much risk if they already know their draft status.

I respectfully disagree with a 6 team CFP. Might as well stay with 4.

6 team would either be 5 conference champions plus 1 or would be Top 6. Either way UT would have been left out this year. You say no they wouldn’t they finished 6th but I guarantee you that the same political problems and lack of integrity in the current system would be carried to 6 team panel. No way in the world they would allow 3 SEC teams into a 6 team playoff while leaving out USC, Clemson and Pac12 conference champ Utah to allow UT in.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

Would you be in favor of a CFB overhaul?

No. All that would happen is the rich fat cats would devise an alternate means to continue screwing players, and leading things back to or worse than what we have now. That's what always happens.

 

[Dadof2Vols]

What's one year at the University of Tennessee cost .... room, board, books, tuition for an average student? I remember going to MTSU in the late 70's, taking a full load of academics, driving 30 minutes back and forth from home to school and putting in 30-40 hours a week shoveling horse manure to pay for it all.
So when I hear about paying college athletes a salary or even government loan forgiveness for students, I'm not in favor. I admit I'm a dinosaur but at some point there needs to be accountability. The perks of full ride scholarships is a pretty good incentive in my opinion. If players accept these scholarships, then they have an obligation to fulfill. After their obligations are met, then anything they can do to better themselves for their future was well earned.

As far as NIL deals, it gives teams a chance to compete at a higher level "legally" but I feel that some type of standard needs to be set across the board that recognizes all the players. There is no "I" in team.

I respectfully disagree with you here.

Maybe all the NCAA schools should get together and BAN all Athletic Scholarships for all student Athletes. They should go to a system where the players are given a stipend based on a % of the gate receipts of the home games. The Student Athletes would be responsible to take their stipend to pay for their Tuition/Room/Board. The schools could effectively pay the student athletes the same as they are getting today to cover these expenses if the school so chose.

Why the change?

It would start showing the athletes some value they give and RECEIVE today(Pay in a form other than paycheck). It would start showing them how the real world works because they would get to pay taxes and other expenses monthly like working folks since that’s what they claim to be.

All tongue and cheek with a bit of truth in my opinion.

 

[savannahfan]

At present we have a can of worms wriggling away from the can in every direction. I fear an "overhaul" would turn the can into a barrel. No, as we try to do with our government, just tweak what we have when it is needed. AND YES!! It is in need of some majoring tweaking right now. BUT HOW???

 

[livefaith]

Is there not some way for the NCAA, conferences,or schools to get some serious insurance for the few players that opt out of the post season? Would allow thos players w legit draft stock to play one more.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

This portal nonsense needs to be completely overhauled. Creates a lot of false hope for many kids looking to be sold a dream. Many of whom end up left out in limbo with no scholarship at all, to any school. And the "good" players jumping ship from school to school is bad too, in it's own way. Total mess right now.

It's happened for years that some kid gets recruited, shows up and works hard, then realizes he's never going to play beyond special teams and mop up.

It used to be they sat down with the coach and got the "not everyone is cut out to play at UT" talk and left and we never heard from them again. With the portal, we're blessed to know WHERE the Harrison Bailey's and Brian Maurer's ended up, though we still never hear about them again.

It's not the portal's fault kids can't measure up and make the team. Nothing is guaranteed, never was just because you got signed. Sure, the schools abused it and recruited over guys and pushed them out, but it's competition. Measure up or pack up.

The NCAA doesn't owe a kid a spot just because a school once signed him to an athletic scholarship. Anyone who has ever played knows you have to earn it every day at the higher levels or somebody who is just as talented and works harder will take it.

 

[volfan102455]

Everything that is happening now is ruining college football. Moving away from the connection to colleges to a minor league (lets treat them as employees NOT as students) would not generate the same excitement that college football does. Look at the minor leagues for baseball - do you ever see those games on television? Do you see those players hyped nationally? Do those players get the "free" exposure that the college athletes do via the connection and competition among the schools?

I think sometimes those involved get caught up in the "show me the money" - and I get that they want a part of the pie - but sometimes they don't realize the extent of the opportunities they already given. Those that will not go "pro" after college, probably understand that - but those that focus on the "I'm just here to get to the next level", not so much.

Case in point - play back the ending of the Tennessee - Alabama game or the LSU - Alabama game - that would not happen anywhere other than a college setting. That is what makes college football.

In Tennessee we already have our professional football team. We don't need anymore.

And it is not just football - basketball has March Madness.

 

[volfan102455]

I respectfully disagree with you here.

Maybe all the NCAA schools should get together and BAN all Athletic Scholarships for all student Athletes. They should go to a system where the players are given a stipend based on a % of the gate receipts of the home games. The Student Athletes would be responsible to take their stipend to pay for their Tuition/Room/Board. The schools could effectively pay the student athletes the same as they are getting today to cover these expenses if the school so chose.

Then those student athletes that don't play in sports that generate revenue get nothing? And what about non athletes that are active in research and other initiatives that make the university money - you paying them too based on that verses giving them a scholarship?

 

[yourecrying]

The trade system wouldn’t work how you’ve laid it out. There’s plenty of kids who transfer just to go to a different school rather than because of football. If a kid who is a second of third string wants to go to a different school due to reasons other than football, you can’t make the school he goes to “trade” a player for him.

I hate how CFB is losing the magic of what sets it self apart from the NFL

 

[volfan102455]

I think some of you are forgetting that the revenue making sports FUND all the non revenue making sports and provides the ability for students to participate in all the various sports programs a university offers. And that gives may young folks an opportunity to an education that they would not be able to afford otherwise.

I love football - but honestly this "all about me" attitude sometimes is way too much.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Everything that is happening now is ruining college football. Moving away from the connection to colleges to a minor league (lets treat them as employees NOT as students) would not generate the same excitement that college football does. Look at the minor leagues for baseball - do you ever see those games on television? Do you see those players hyped nationally? Do those players get the "free" exposure that the college athletes do via the connection and competition among the schools?

I think sometimes those involved get caught up in the "show me the money" - and I get that they want a part of the pie - but sometimes they don't realize the extent of the opportunities they already given. Those that will not go "pro" after college, probably understand that - but those that focus on the "I'm just here to get to the next level", not so much.

Case in point - play back the ending of the Tennessee - Alabama game or the LSU - Alabama game - that would not happen anywhere other than a college setting. That is what makes college football.

In Tennessee we already have our professional football team. We don't need anymore.

And it is not just football - basketball has March Madness.

If you want to watch college football, go watch TN Tech or Maryville College or whatever.

The SEC and other P5 conferences signed these multi-million dollar TV deals, built these enormous stadiums, started building NFL style practice facilities, started making coaches the highest paid state employee, etc, etc.

The players didn't do this. UT did this to themselves and now the fans want to complain "this is ruining college football!" What have you been watching for the last 40 years? The SEC did this. The NCAA did this.

It's not at all new and has nothing to do with kids whose parents might not have been born when the SEC started making millions off college athletics.

 

[jlindsa4]

Are we not in the middle of one right now?

 

[jlindsa4]

Also why would you want to overhaul a system that your team seems to be thriving in?

 

[Lurker]

It will never happen, but as long as the mega rich guys running and getting richer from the NFL can get a free ride from the NCAA Division One acting as its minor league, things are unlikely to ever change. Let so-called "can't miss" high school talent go straight to the NFL or its own NFL minor league. Let the NFL pay for developing the few kids who will reach playing on Sunday. And return most of the college game to the colleges. Less talent, yes. But also less money (to coaches, NIL, ticket costs, etc.), less corruption and less headaches overall. Less, in this setting, may be more -- certainly enjoyment for the sake of the "college" game.

 

[Dadof2Vols]

Then those student athletes that don't play in sports that generate revenue get nothing? And what about non athletes that are active in research and other initiatives that make the university money - you paying them too based on that verses giving them a scholarship?

ah but thats the problem with pay to play. How do university’s pay all and they would have to with title 9 or they would have to have a set pool of money for each “class” of sex to stay out of title 9 hell.

 

[LargeOrange1]

Can we opt out of having this discussion again, mods?

Lol. I'm in.