Early Thoughts…and football in America in 2008

Nebraska won this game by making big plays on defense and special teams. Think about that and compare it to the past few years. This game would of been a big, fat “L” in 2007.

The large point: In 2008, there are no easy games in college football.

Oklahoma struggled yesterday for 3 quarters yesterday against Cincy, Frank Solich led Ohio State going into the 4th quarter, ECU embarrassed the Fiesta Bowl Champs, Central Florida hung tough with South Florida (less than a year ago they got flat out embarrassed by USF). It’s a different ball game.

In 1970, there was 200 million people in America and with minority football players just getting in the ball game. In 2008, America has over 300 million people with black players making a huge impact and Latino players starting to make some noise.

In short, there is more talent spread across more teams.

Further, coaching has gotten far more sophisticated and better paid, attracting talent that otherwise would of gone to other professions. Also, the rise of coaches shows, ESPN showing college football Tuesday-Friday night, and the internet has made football and coaching a much more powerful and lucrative.

And thanks to this advance technolgy, coaches can prepare much better than even 10 years ago when coaches would “FedEx” each other their own video tapes.

Let’s look at the state of Florida: 10 years ago their was Florida, Miami, and Florida State dominating the college football scene. Now, South Florida and Central Florida have cut into their base, diminishing their talent.

Football in 2008 has much better coaches, facilities, a better ‘football infrastructure,’ technology, players, and training.

And it’s just not in college football. It starts in in lower levels. High Schools are building better facilities and paying coaches more.

Why? Because successful football equals $$$$. Football isn’t the national pastime, it’s the national obsession.