MissouriHerk
Well-Known Member
I'm just another hawk fan hoping for glory this season, while holding down the fort on the inside in case of disaster. What did the blackheartgoldpants guy say in anticipation of this season, glory or "f bombs galore"?
But to take a step back and look at where we are and where we fit, having been a fan of college football for (only) 20-odd years and having studied to some extent the history of college football, I can't help but think we set up pretty nicely.
I don't think I'm saying anything that you don't already know, but for fifteen years, approximately, real parody has crept into college football, despite the resistance of the media powers, and historically elite programs. Historical powers like to be gloated upon and talked about, and major television media is happy to do it, as it creates "marquee matchups" featuring those schools. As a Big Ten guy, just being a member of the Big Ten, the most historically significant conference, we get our share of the benefit of this system. The computer BCS system is driven 2/3 by man-made polls, pollsters who actually like history to repeat itself. This is why Iowa is so often underrated as compared to other Big Ten schools (until this year).
But almost every elite program has gone through down years unlike they did before fifteen years ago, and most have been upset a time or two by schools who previously would have been warm-up games. Oklahoma (pre-Stoops), Nebraska (before last year), Notre Dame (no kidding?), Michigan, Alabama (pre-Saban), USC (pre-Carroll), Texas had some down years, Texas A&M (now), Penn St. (just a few years ago for a few year stretch when Paterno was almost asked to go), Auburn (recent memory without great success), Tennessee (now), and on and on.
This is because high school talent is willing to play for a less-than-elite program if it means they can get playing time as NFL teams scout far beyond the elite. I don't watch the NFL much, but when I do you see guys from all kinds of schools. That never happened in the past. Michigan could have the three worst seasons in a row since the 50s. Teams like Boise St., Utah, TCU, have had great seasons and have beaten perennial powers. Other mid-majors have found their way into the polls off and on. Last year was a great example.
The trend will continue, but who will be the first? Who will be the first school that is not a perennial elite power to win the NC? It will happen. Is it likely to be a mid-major school, or more likely to be a major school from a major conference who the media and the elite can stomach, who has had relatively sustained football success throughout recent memory (30 years), who is threatening to break into the "perennial power" mold and has a large fan base? I suggest the latter. We're due, and so is the rest of the "middle class" of college football who will be rooting for us.
(Or F-Bombs Galore)
But to take a step back and look at where we are and where we fit, having been a fan of college football for (only) 20-odd years and having studied to some extent the history of college football, I can't help but think we set up pretty nicely.
I don't think I'm saying anything that you don't already know, but for fifteen years, approximately, real parody has crept into college football, despite the resistance of the media powers, and historically elite programs. Historical powers like to be gloated upon and talked about, and major television media is happy to do it, as it creates "marquee matchups" featuring those schools. As a Big Ten guy, just being a member of the Big Ten, the most historically significant conference, we get our share of the benefit of this system. The computer BCS system is driven 2/3 by man-made polls, pollsters who actually like history to repeat itself. This is why Iowa is so often underrated as compared to other Big Ten schools (until this year).
But almost every elite program has gone through down years unlike they did before fifteen years ago, and most have been upset a time or two by schools who previously would have been warm-up games. Oklahoma (pre-Stoops), Nebraska (before last year), Notre Dame (no kidding?), Michigan, Alabama (pre-Saban), USC (pre-Carroll), Texas had some down years, Texas A&M (now), Penn St. (just a few years ago for a few year stretch when Paterno was almost asked to go), Auburn (recent memory without great success), Tennessee (now), and on and on.
This is because high school talent is willing to play for a less-than-elite program if it means they can get playing time as NFL teams scout far beyond the elite. I don't watch the NFL much, but when I do you see guys from all kinds of schools. That never happened in the past. Michigan could have the three worst seasons in a row since the 50s. Teams like Boise St., Utah, TCU, have had great seasons and have beaten perennial powers. Other mid-majors have found their way into the polls off and on. Last year was a great example.
The trend will continue, but who will be the first? Who will be the first school that is not a perennial elite power to win the NC? It will happen. Is it likely to be a mid-major school, or more likely to be a major school from a major conference who the media and the elite can stomach, who has had relatively sustained football success throughout recent memory (30 years), who is threatening to break into the "perennial power" mold and has a large fan base? I suggest the latter. We're due, and so is the rest of the "middle class" of college football who will be rooting for us.
(Or F-Bombs Galore)
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I love Spinal Tap, but, personally, I don't see the same thing going on in college football. But maybe I'm just not paying close enough attention - it must be very subtle. 
