Big Ten/Pac-12 Agreement a Step in the Right Direction for College Football

In the spirit of making resolutions, here are five requests that need to be implemented in college football in 2012. 

More Conference-versus-Conference Scheduling

Innovation and change are rare occurrences in college football, but the Big Ten/Pac- 12 agreement is a huge step in the right direction to spice up the non-conference schedule. Other conferences need to follow. 

Even better would be adding a second agreement. The Big Ten could play the Pac-12 in Week 2 and the SEC in Week 3. The games would be incredible and the bragging rights priceless.

Michigan/Michigan State and the Big Ten to Drop Kick Notre Dame from the Schedule

Notre Dame is probably the only school that can wallow in mediocrity for two decades and still be considered among the elite football programs. Sadly, the Big Ten perpetuates this problem by scheduling the Fighting Irish every year. 

Granted, these regional rivalries are historic, but the time is long past due for the Big Ten to send a message to the Golden Dome. Join the conference or we’re kicking you to the curb.

Add More Venues for the BCS Championship

Not that there is anything wrong with New Orleans, Phoenix, Miami or Los Angeles, but adding more stadiums to the mix of hosting college football’s championship would be an improvement. 

Tying the BCS title game to one of the four BCS bowl sites has lost its flare.  It is time to consider other major cities like Chicago, Boston, NY, DC, San Francisco, Tampa and Dallas. 

No doubt the whiners will scream about playing the game in cold weather cities and god forbid outdoors, but football was meant to be played by tough men battling for every inch in harsh conditions. 

Players and Coaches to Shut Up About Paying the Players

To pay for college, I often worked three jobs. I also played sports, wrote for the school newspaper, had a girlfriend, took a full-time schedule of classes, managed a commendable GPA and racked up $40,000 in loans that I happily paid off over seven years.

The idea that football players need more compensation is beyond absurd. Want more money? Get a job. Otherwise, be thankful for the scholarship and the adoring fans that would exchange places with you in a heartbeat.

Stop Penalizing the Players for Coaches Who Leave for Other Jobs

Loyalty left the building about three decades ago, so why does the NCAA continue punishing the players by holding them hostage at a school that has a new coach that may not want that player? 

All the rules favor the school. Scholarships are reviewed and awarded annually. The student-athlete should be afforded some flexibility to transfer if a coach resigns, quits or retires.