Dramatic changes to college football have been sudden, substantial and often criticized. But today, college football is in some ways the best it’s ever been.
Within the last decade the NCAA has opened the transfer portal, instituted NIL, expanded the playoffs and dramatically reconfigured conferences. This season, historic upsets have occurred, first-time matchups have taken place and a 12-team playoff upholds excitement for a sizeable number of teams entering November.
A devastating loss to Texas A&M stretched LSU’s playoff hopes. Most years, it would’ve killed them. Most years, they would have dissipated after a Week 1 loss to USC. Fighting uphill is never fun, but it beats elimination.
Texas A&M sits at the top of the SEC, with a perfect conference record. Behind them are four one-loss teams, including LSU, and then a two-loss Alabama.
The SEC is the best place to find eliminated teams playing out of spite for their conference rival, but it’s much more fun when futures are on the line. Tennessee’s win over Alabama may not have held the same weight in other years. A previous loss to Vanderbilt likely would’ve kept them from a top four seed. Now, they get to push the Tide out of the top 12 and threaten their playoff dreams and expectation.
Vanderbilt upsetting Alabama was quite symbolic of this new parity. While the loss of Nick Saban of course is a factor, a team that hasn’t broken .500 in a decade likely cannot take this kind of jump just because of a new opposing coach.
Fears of a tiny sample of schools monopolizing talent and eliminating the thrill of competition echoed discussion everywhere with the institution of college football’s recent changes. Yet, this season has produced unthinkable upsets.
The Commodores prevailing over the Tide for the first time in 40 years was made possible by NIL and the transfer portal. The Vanderbilt starting quarterback, Diego Pavia, transferred from New Mexico State and currently has an NIL deal. He is one of many on the team who do.
Among the AP Top 25, over 10 teams have starting quarterbacks who transferred in, from Cam Ward at Miami to Luke Altmyer at Illinois. Previously uncompetitive schools can now leverage NIL and the prospect of starting games to compete with premier programs.
Much of the fear that came from the portal was the idea of players not accepting time to learn from the bench. That may have increased but it has far from overtaken the sport. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, USC quarterback Miller Moss and Texas quarterback Arch Manning are all representative of development still being valued.
Development is a two-way street; many programs will be ineffective or simply under-resourced when it comes to development. Talented players should not be left to the fate of their situation. Now, their ability can make itself known on the highest stage.
It also allows for quicker turnover, both for contenders and rebuilders. Had Brian Kelly counted on recruiting freshman to improve his defense, things would not look like they do now. It also allows for changes of leadership to more quickly address holes in the roster.
Upsets like that of Vanderbilt and goliath showdowns like Ohio State and Oregon don’t happen in yesteryear’s game. Parity has long been heralded as among the defining strengths the NFL has over college football. In this era, newfound parity paired with the loyalty and devotion of college football fans at the very least shrinks that gap.
The changes seen to college football so far have made for the best season in recent years and all while affording student-athletes more freedom over their careers. Preconceived anxieties should be quieted and fans should be excited for this new age of competition.