Rumors of death of CFB- Greatly exaggerated

Nothing says this to me like watching our players sing the alma mater after the game yesterday. Money can't buy the youthful enthusiasm and emotion that 18-22 year olds play the game with. And that'll always be the difference. All we had to do to wake it up was win a couple of big games.

 

It looks good now and the playoffs were going to insure it was profitable, but you have to give it 5-10 years before you can really pass judgement. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the current budget to be a competitive team is around 20M/Yr. What happens as that starts to inevitably rise? Just one of myriad things to watch, but good start.

Maybe off topic, but what is the point of the SECCG at this point?

 

Nil and the transfer portal still needs to be fixed.

I would also think something would need to happen to the bowl games out side of the playoffs.

Example: Nobody wants to see Florida play UTEP in a bowl game.

 

I think we'll see contracts and caps and an entity with bite to enforce rules (financial bite).

The playoffs are going to provide a ton of drama and sports fans love drama.

 

On your last point, I do think we need to reevaluate the non divisions in the SEC. With divisions, we have the two best teams in each respective division in the SECCG, but without the divisions I too think it's useless and even detrimental to the conference.

I would rather we bring back the divisions and keep the SECCG than ditch the game altogether. In the divisions, we will have great teams with good winning records that can and should make the playoffs even if they do not make the SECCG. Plus, it keeps most of our cross division rivalries intact.

However, the obvious problem is getting a new deal with ABC/ESPN to reflect a 9 game SEC schedule. In order for the SEC to keep one cross division rival we need at least a 9 game SEC schedule and that means we should get more revenue from ABC/ESPN than the current 8 game SEC schedule we're currently playing. More SEC on SEC games means more revenue for the networks, and that means more payment by the networks to the SEC.

I know may people are thinking the opposite right now because the playoff people are NOT rewarding strength of schedules in their formula to pick playoff teams. More SEC team might even schedule simple cupcake teams in the future if that massive oversight is not addressed. And those lower quality opponents would suck for the SEC football fans that want better games... and the product would suffer for it.

So, either we get to 16 team playoffs, and make a guaranteed minimum SEC teams make the playoffs, which would not fly, IMHO... or the SEC makes the changes that would get more teams in the playoff by going back to the divisions with rivalries and one cross division teams, like the LSU/Gator game... with a 9 game SEC game schedule... with more money from the network (maybe add another netowrk if ABC/ESPN baulks) to make that 9th game worth it.

That's a win for the SEC... a win for the individual team... a win for more SEC teams making the playoffs without having to worry about the strength of schedule or going to a 16 team playoff system.

9 game SEC schedule with divisions and the SECCG... means more money per team, and more SEC teams making the playoffs. Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

 

Game is better because we have more big matchups now. Turnarounds can also be quicker due to the portal.

Game is worse because it’s harder to follow teams that look even more different year to year than they did before.

 

That's why I quit the NFL long ago. But I never lived in a city with a team either.

 

$$$$$

That's the point of all of this.

 

This post deserves personal recognition. Nailed all the key points on the head.

 

We've already crossed the Rubicon on that, time to play the cards in front of us.