By Rock Westfall
TV has taken control of college football to the point of the utter capitulation of the schools and conferences. The relationship between college football and TV networks continues to find new extremes. For example, there will be more Friday night games as high school football gets devoured by the insatiable greed of conferences and TV executives.
More TV networks and coverage create more money but also cause additional problems. As college football continues its transition into an NFL model, it is ceding more control of its product and culture to outside individuals who don’t fully understand the game’s nuances.
https://twitter.com/Genetics56/status/1796970551711314183
A New Level of Unbridled Ignorance
A great example of the asinine obliviousness regarding the relationship between college football and the networks is several missed opportunities in September. Matchups with a national appeal that should have been showcased in prime time are instead kicking off at noon Eastern and earlier in other time zones.
First, if you know anything about college football, no fan base likes a noon kickoff for home games. And in the central time zone, that kickoff time translates to 11 a.m., which is an absolute buzzkill for all concerned. Nothing kills the mood for a major college football clash more than a kickoff in the early Saturday window. And that is reflected on the TV screen.
Also, in September, the weather is still opportunistic for outdoor activities. And while millions of college football fanatics will be tuned into the action, millions more will be out during the daytime hours, taking advantage of summer’s end weather. For those out all day, college football will be consumed in the prime time evening slot. These fans deserve better than what they are going to get.
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Clemson and Georgia at Noon – Seriously?
On the college football calendar, Week 1 is sacred. It takes place over Labor Day weekend and ends nine months of anticipation from fans. This year, the Clemson Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs will clash at noon on ABC on Saturday, August 31. The matchup epitomizes two name-brand power programs with recent championship pedigree. Both are considered perennial contenders.
The matchup offers multiple storylines. Will Georgia and head coach Kirby Smart fill the void of Alabama GOAT Nick Saban’s retirement? Can Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney launch a comeback run to the College Football Playoff after falling behind in recent years?
The Tigers and Bulldogs have all the makings of a game that should be played on Saturday night. Instead, while millions of Americans will be outside running errands, at the lake, or shuttling kids, Clemson and Georgia will kick off at noon Eastern time in the sterile, NFL venue of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Considering today’s college football environment, perhaps it’s apropos.
https://twitter.com/CFBRep/status/1668470095130116096
Texas at Michigan – Big Noon Would Have Been Even Bigger at Night
FOX Big Noon Kickoff is an unqualified success that has defied the expectations of many who thought the idea would flop. The Saturday, September 7 matchup between Texas and Michigan has everything college football fans love: two historic power brands, iconic uniforms, stirring fight songs and bands, recent playoff seasons, and Michigan Stadium, AKA “The Big House.”
Yes, Michigan and Texas will get a good rating on September 7. However, it would have done even better a night when everyone was home. The atmosphere at Michigan Stadium would have been electric for a night game. Instead, we get a noon kickoff with millions of people out in the warm weather and annoyed Michigan fans notoriously fickle about early kicks.
The TV execs are guilty of malpractice for this one. The Burnt Orange vs. the Maize and Blue may have set ratings records at night. And the visuals would have been stunning.
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Alabama at Wisconsin – What Should Have Been
For several years, Wisconsin Badger fans have been eagerly anticipating a visit from the Alabama Crimson Tide. Similarly, savvy Alabama fans have been looking forward to a trip up north to Camp Randall Stadium, one of the most iconic venues in college football.
Gameday in Madison, Wisconsin, is an experience every college football fan should enjoy at least once. It is in the bucket list category. And when there is a big game with a powerful opponent, it’s as good as anything offered in the sport.
No doubt, Alabama fans would have enjoyed the chance to take in the atmosphere in a way that is not rushed. Instead, they and we get a FOX Big Noon Kickoff, which means 11 a.m. local time.
If you know anything about Wisconsin fans, they love to get after it before a game. Badger fans make a special day out of it, and it’s fun for all. But for 11 a.m. kickoffs, fans throughout the state will be forced to rush into Madison for a hurried kickoff meant for the evening. As for the student section in the north end zone, it will be dressed mostly as empty seats until the second quarter.
Alabama vs. Wisconsin epitomizes a self-inflicted wound by the suits. The nation would have been captivated, and the atmosphere would have translated to television. Overhead camera shots would have mesmerized the country. Instead, we’ll get a sleepy venue of fans and players rushed into a morning game meant for the evening.
https://twitter.com/TDAlabamaMag/status/1790418669501084075
There is No End to College Football’s Shameless Surrender of Soul
The most amazing aspect of college football’s relationship to television is that the game is being consumed by it. The more money that comes in translates into more money spent with increased red ink and stupidity. There is no level that college football won’t stoop to for a TV buck. Can anyone say death spiral?
Once upon a time, the late great Michigan coaching icon Bo Schembechler said, “Toe meets leather at 1:05. If you want to televise it, fine. If you don’t, that’s fine too.”
Admittedly, Bo was on one extreme of the spectrum. But now we have reached the opposite extreme, and the current extreme is absurd.
Indeed, Frankenstein is on the loose. And he is ruling with a brutal, merciless iron fist.
