Was the 2008 College Football Season Really That Good?

Columnist Written on January 14, 2009

The 2008 college football season was one of the best that the football world has seen in several years. Many have projected the upcoming 2009 season to be just as good, if not better. I believe there are several factors contributing to the success of the 2008 season.

Here are my top four reasons for the success of the 2008 college football season:

4. The underdog still played his part, while not completely embracing the entire season.

The 2007 season witnessed its share of underdog upsets, and 2008 seemed poised to do the same with the runs of East Carolina and Vandy during the first half of the season.

While this season did not necessarily see the upsets of “Appy State over Michigan,” it did however witness one of the traditional powerhouses, Alabama, taking a bow to a team, Utah, better known for, well, a team that is really unknown. Moreover, it all took place on one of college football’s biggest stages, the Sugar Bowl.

Oregon State played the spoiler to USC’s national title hopes on national television, and Ole Miss nearly did the same to the eventual champion Florida Gators.

Everyone loves to see an underdog story, and 2008 had its share to make this season great.

3. Some of college football’s traditional powerhouses did make a return to the national scene.

Just think about it, when teams like USC, Notre Dame, and Alabama succeed everyone is interested in college football a little more.

Alabama spent five weeks in the No. 1 spot before falling to the national champions in one of the best games of the season, the SEC Championship game. That run of 12-0 during the regular season had many college football fans enthralled.

Notre Dame did something that most of their players perhaps cannot even remember ever happening in their lifetime—they won a bowl game! Moreover, they did it convincingly over what was virtually a home game for Hawaii. Notre Dame is returning to prominence and that helps the college football world.

When you throw in the continued success of such traditional powers as USC, Texas, Oklahoma, Penn State, and other greats, you have the formula for a season worth watching.

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