the thing about apathy is.......

[mrolympia]

win or lose you don't really give a crap.

 

[NCHawker]

Apathy is over a 140 views of this thread and no response. I give just enough of a crap.

 

[Eda]

Does apathy also dictate the need to tell everybody how much you don't care about things? Just curious. I'll hang up and listen now. Kthx buhbye.

 

[mrolympia]

Apathy is over a 140 views of this thread and no response.

now that's some good apathy

 

[MelroseHawkins]

I was thinking about this even before the start of the Minnesota game. I really don't get worked up anymore. In my mind, it is what it is and I just try to enjoy the game regardless of Iowa's deficiencies. Don't know if that's good or bad at this point, but I'm not investing myself in it as I did in the past.

 

[HawkGold]

I was thinking about this even before the start of the Minnesota game. I really don't get worked up anymore. In my mind, it is what it is and I just try to enjoy the game regardless of Iowa's deficiencies. Don't know if that's good or bad at this point, but I'm not investing myself in it as I did in the past.

I think a lot of fans of everyone but a few programs feel this way unless their team is in a message in a bottle type season where the schedule and a bit of luck plays out (Iowa 2015). I am beginning to realize that KF does keep Iowa relevant (to a degree), but that he will never be a consistent contender. Few coaches and program combinations do that. My biggest disdain is the way he puts down Iowa in general.

Aside from his being generally conservative (boring) and overall mediocre, I have also come to another conclusion.

The current parity is in part due to scholarship limitations (playing FCS schools early is a recipe for disaster) as well as a very ominous sign.

We are seeing the demise of football. The overall talent level is diminishing. The really top programs get the best players and are separating themselves from the rest. When other programs catch a few really good players and/or diamonds in rough, with a little luck and a favorable schedule, they can hitch a ride on a shooting star....for a season or two.

Why is this occurring?

1. Concussion and injury concerns. The high school program is declining. HS football numbers are up in the south, but are down overall. Here are the midwest numbers:

Ohio is down 12,797 players since 2008, Wisconsin is minus 4,565, Illinois 4,060, Missouri 2,342, Minnesota 2,224 and Iowa 2,190.

The number of high school football programs peaked at about 14,250. Today the number of programs is 13,750.

High school player numbers peaked at about 1.12 million players. Today the numbers are about 1.07 million. However, the population is growing. The drop is about 4.5%. The numbers are worse in the midwest than in the south as mentioned.

Think about it. Only a small percentage of players are good enough to play D1 football. Since prime programs get the most of the best, that leaves 2nd tier programs and lower to fight from a much smaller pool. The impact is probably amplified to about 10% less (opinion). May not sound like much but that could have a huge impact.

Iowa is relying more and more in home grown talent that is coming from a shrinking pool

I also believe that the rise of club football has caused kids whose parents don't allow for early playing by age and can't afford it. Thus some better athletes are at a disadvantage by the time they go out in high school or even jr high.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

I think a lot of fans of everyone but a few programs feel this way unless their team is in a message in a bottle type season where the schedule and a bit of luck plays out (Iowa 2015). I am beginning to realize that KF does keep Iowa relevant (to a degree), but that he will never be a consistent contender. Few coaches and program combinations do that. My biggest disdain is the way he puts down Iowa in general.

Aside from his being generally conservative (boring) and overall mediocre, I have also come to another conclusion.

The current parity is in part due to scholarship limitations (playing FCS schools early is a recipe for disaster) as well as a very ominous sign.

We are seeing the demise of football. The overall talent level is diminishing. The really top programs get the best players and are separating themselves from the rest. When other programs catch a few really good players and/or diamonds in rough, with a little luck and a favorable schedule, they can hitch a ride on a shooting star....for a season or two.

Why is this occurring?

1. Concussion and injury concerns. The high school program is declining. HS football numbers are up in the south, but are down overall. Here are the midwest numbers:

Ohio is down 12,797 players since 2008, Wisconsin is minus 4,565, Illinois 4,060, Missouri 2,342, Minnesota 2,224 and Iowa 2,190.

The number of high school football programs peaked at about 14,250. Today the number of programs is 13,750.

High school player numbers peaked at about 1.12 million players. Today the numbers are about 1.07 million. However, the population is growing. The drop is about 4.5%. The numbers are worse in the midwest than in the south as mentioned.

Think about it. Only a small percentage of players are good enough to play D1 football. Since prime programs get the most of the best, that leaves 2nd tier programs and lower to fight from a much smaller pool. The impact is probably amplified to about 10% less (opinion). May not sound like much but that could have a huge impact.

Iowa is relying more and more in home grown talent that is coming from a shrinking pool

I also believe that the rise of club football has caused kids whose parents don't allow for early playing by age and can't afford it. Thus some better athletes are at a disadvantage by the time they go out in high school or even jr high.

Nicely done! You make terrific points with numbers to back it up.