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When Tim Tebow took the snap from center on fourth-and-1, my heart was in my throat. However, after the Ole Miss defense stuffed the defending Heisman Trophy winner at the line of scrimmage, it dropped down to my stomach with a resounding thud...

College Football: Parity is Bliss

by Joseph Morgan (Columnist)

24

709 reads

Opinion

September 30, 2008


When Tim Tebow took the snap from center on fourth-and-1, my heart was in my throat.

However, after the Ole Miss defense stuffed the defending Heisman Trophy winner at the line of scrimmage, it dropped down to my stomach with a resounding thud.

My Florida Gators, the No. 4 team in the nation, had lost to unranked Ole Miss—at home.

As shocking as the outcome was, Florida's loss to the Rebels was not the first major upset to take place this past weekend.

In fact, it wouldn't be the last as Alabama went down to Athens and manhandled a good Georgia football team, handing UGA VII the first loss of his mascot career.

However, despite the frustration that accompanied the Gators’ setback, I couldn’t help but smile.

Once again, parity will play a major role in college football.

But what exactly is parity?

Parity is defined as "equality, as in amount, status, or character."

That definition epitomizes the current state of college football.

If I’m not mistaken, the events of this past college football weekend would have fit in nicely with the topsy-turvy 2007 season, and that is just fine with me.

It’s safe to say that the last season was not an anomaly.

Rather, it was a trendsetter. A preview of things to come.

Parity has returned in full force.

Nothing is guaranteed in college football anymore, which will only benefit the fans and the NCAA in general.

Without a doubt, college football has one of the most exciting regular seasons in all of sports, a luxury that the fans enjoy in lieu of a playoff system to determine the national champion.

In addition, what better for the sport to extend that excitement not only to clashes between rivals and conference powers, but also to smaller schools and traditional middle-of-the-road conference foes as well?

The underdog has become lethal in college football, constantly threatening to hamper each title contender’s BCS hopes.

Because of their recent success, most athletic directors will think twice before scheduling the likes of Appalachian State (LSU is so bold) or East Carolina to open up the season.

In contrast, college football’s finest will do their best to schedule unproven “cupcakes” to pad their win-loss records.

However, scheduling relatively unknown schools can be equally dangerous, as the supposed favorite’s team and fan base have no idea what to expect.

This so-called "cupcake" could be the next Appalachian State.

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24 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Gray Ghost 9 months ago

    Joseph, I have to be honest with you - this is an amazing read. Center-field out of the park! You crushed this one! Absolutely a great article. Way to go my friend! *****POTD

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  2. Michael Oleszek 9 months ago

    You keep on getting better and better with your articles.

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  3. Micah Green 9 months ago

    shhhhhh. don't mention Florida again....please I'm in tears now. lol No great read bro you got some real good articles.

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  4. Derek Horner 9 months ago

    Awesome article! I do have to add, though, that it appears parity is relative. Non-BCS schools, proportionally, don't have the same parity as BCS schools due to the monopoly/oligopoly the BCS schools continue to hold on media coverage and lucrative bowls. That in turn, concentrates a large portion of the top recruits in the BCS programs while leaving scraps for non-BCS programs. Parity has advanced, however, to a more tolerable state than what it once was for the non-BCS programs.

    And, no doubt, the college football seasons are becoming more and more exciting. Unfortunately, I will continue my gripe until Congress decides to trust-bust the NCAA and BCS.

    Again, great article!

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    • Scott Pusich 9 months ago

      Word. On the trust-busting, that is. Bring on the brackets... ;-)

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    • Joseph Morgan 9 months ago

      Thanks, Derek! You bring up a good point with the domination of the BCS conferences. However, the WAC and MWC are definitely taking strides toward that goal. Thanks again!

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    • Derek Horner 9 months ago

      Definitely, and I am very proud of those conferences. One problem, however, is that a BCS Conference who comes calling will swipe up those good coaches. Sure, MWC and WAC are good this year, but when the money comes to town, you can say goodbye to your sheriff when that plane with the President and Athletic Director of the University of Tennessee or University of Washington leave Boise or Provo or whatever non-BCS town the visit. Oh well, such is life right now...

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  5. Justin Goar 9 months ago

    college football was ruled by dynasties back in the day. the notre dame's the alabama's the nebraska's and so on.

    those days are no more.

    that's why i get so frustrated when the media is so quick to crown USC "the greatest of all time" and then they lose to a 25 point underdog. saying they're great is ok. saying they're national title contenders is ok. saying they're the best of all time cheapens the really great teams' efforts in the past.

    college football is different now.

    my favorite line you write is.......

    "It’s safe to say that the last season was not an anomaly.

    Rather, it was a trendsetter. A preview of things to come.

    Parity has returned in full force."

    i could not agree more. who are the most successful teams in the last ten years???

    USC, florida, LSU, oklahoma, ohio state?????

    are these teams smashing everything in their path? is the game a foregone conclusion every week????

    LSU lost twice last year and will drop games this year. USC and Florida just lost to inferior opponents.

    the college football world has expanded. good players have their pick of more than just 4 or 5 superpowers. offenses and defenses have evolved.

    it's still not like the NFL (you know any given sunday) but it's close. if USC plays oregon state 10 times they probably only lose once same with michigan and app st last year.

    but they only play once and the feeling that anything can happen is spreading like a virus. that's the why the popularity of college football has grown.

    also the "every game counts" theory.

    the dallas cowboys could lose the next 3 weeks and still make the super bowl. if oklahoma loses the next three weeks, their season as they know it, is over.

    there are no more dynasties. teams like USC, fla, etc are as close as they come. heck insert ohio state in there b/c they got to the NC game 3 times in the last ten years. having a shot to win it all or being in the discussion at the end of the year every year is a modern day dynasty. we're not going to see back to back champs any time soon, it's too tough.

    great article, you speak the truth. 5 stars and POTD.

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  6. Scott Pusich 9 months ago

    "We love chaos; it‘s a part of our human nature."

    Up to a certain point, most likely. The order of having a conference that doesn't change too much... uh, I guess that wouldn't be the Big East (or the ACC, really).

    And as others have said, the BCS itself, though representing a change over the "ancien regime", is acting like the proverbial 800-lb. gorilla in terms of allowing any meaningful post-season competition apart from one championship game.

    What's sometimes overlooked is that there need to be dynasties of *some* sort--no matter how ephemeral--for there to be chaos; that is, there needs to be an established order in place before we overturn it.

    I suppose USC and LSU are the closest things we have to a dynasty in college football right now, and neither is truly dominant--but then again, they both seem to have a knack (this decade) for ending up on their feet after a fifty-foot fall (excuse the compulsive alliteration).

    Great article! I'd argue that "chaos" is bliss, more than "parity"--parity being the destination, and chaos the journey. On that trip, we get to see interesting landmarks along the way, such as the Applachian State win over Michigan in 2007!

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    • Joseph Morgan 9 months ago

      Very good points, Scott. You've got a good handle on this situation. How come the fans like us know what's going on, but the guys in charge can't seem to figure it out? Thanks for the feedback!

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  7. Timothy Croley 9 months ago

    J, you got it!

    This was a very good article. Good, valid points. well written. Keep 'em coming.

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  8. Daniel Brommer 9 months ago

    Awesome article, you hit it on the head of the nail man.

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  9. Trey Jones 9 months ago

    Dead-on article! Great job, JM!

    This was bound to happen eventually... there is too much talent for the big boys to hoard. In addition, most coaching staffs understand that to attract top recruits you must offer them something of value beyond the promise of "playing for a winning team". We are seeing recruits sign up on the promise of playing time, working with desirable offensive and defensive schemes, and potential media exposure. Teams also know how to market themselves and have taken the art of recruiting to a level that most Madison Avenue firms would envy. My hope is that these “newer” teams are not following the path of my alma mater, SMU. Remember the Pony Express??? Remember the death penalty in 1986??? At least the Ponies did get something for their money!!!

    Even though I am a Gator fan I am thrilled to see USF, and other non-traditional programs, rock the boat!

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    • Joseph Morgan 9 months ago

      Thanks, Trey! Recruiting has become more difficult due to shrinking gap between the top and bottom of the college football talent spectrum. However, it makes for an exciting season and if you are lucky enough to have your team win the BCS title, it's that much more satisfying.

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  10. Lou Vozza 9 months ago

    Nice article. I see you got attacked also by "editor guy who only believes in one sentence paragraphs". ha ha

    Funny I addressed the parity issue on my blog two days ago. You can click on my username Lou above to check it out. I am also trying to create ranking system to measure each team's quality wins and losses. I am llooking of some feedback or suggestions for the system.

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  11. Isaac Luber 9 months ago

    .....I'm speechless. What an outstanding article! It is completely true what you said. I was doing homework and I went upstairs for a minute and my dad said that Oregon State was up 7-0, and I was like...they'll still lose. I went into my dad's room to watch and see when USC would get going. When Oregon State went up 14-0 and 21-0 I was like, F*** YES! Being a Penn State fan, this made the clobbering of Oregon State look amazing on our resume. I completely agree that we love chaos, and Oregon State dominating USC, (but still only winning 27-21), is just an example. Sorry, but I was so happy when Florida lost. I have nothing against them, but if Penn State goes undefeated, Florida is just one less team standing in the way to rob them of a Championship appearance, like when they were robbed in '94. Seriously, though, 5 stars and POTD.

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    • Joseph Morgan 9 months ago

      Thanks for the pick, Isaac! No offense taken considering your happiness when Florida lost. I believe I would have reacted similarly if it had been Penn State that had lost rather than the Gators. Good luck to your Nittany Lions the rest of the season!

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