Where Have All The Good Games Gone?

College football is entering week three and not one unforgettable game has been played.  Clemson and Alabama was supposed to be a great game.  Thud.  Missouri and Illinois matched two ranked teams.  Thud.  Miami and Florida was fine, but it was hardly a memorable game.  To paraphrase The Kinks, “Where Have All the Good Games Gone?”

 

Most pundits are quick to point out the cupcake schedules as the cause, but I think the root of the problem is quite different.  The major cause of the problem is the changing of the guard.  Nebraska, Miami, Florida State, UCLA, Notre Dame, Penn State, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas A&M have been replaced by Missouri, South Florida, Wake Forest, Texas Tech, Oregon, Boise State, Wisconsin, West Virginia and California.  The historically good teams are largely in transition right now while some lesser know programs are pushing deep into the Top 25.  The public perception has not caught up to this change.

 

The uniqueness of college football’s fan base compounds the problem.  Historical significance and tradition mean everything to college football fans.  A South Florida v. West Virginia game just doesn’t have the same flavor as Miami v. Florida State.  Ironically, the games are just as good, but the names are just different.  Until the traditional teams rise again, expectations need to shift.

Additionally, the BCS system has had more of an impact on the lack of good games than the increase to a 12 game season.  A 12 game season should open up the possibility of having better games.  Instead, the BCS system rewards minimal risk. Win and your in, lose and you have to pray.  Kansas, Ohio State (2007) and Hawaii are recent examples of the BCS rewarding teams for winning regardless of the opponent. 

Furthermore, coaching salaries have risen quickly and have definitely impacted scheduling.   A coach can appear more successful by playing easier opponents and doing OK in league play.  Why risk losing one or more games out of conference if you don’t have to?  Tyrone Willingham is suffering the consequences of trying to rebuild a once powerful Washington program by playing a tough non-conference slate every year.  He is unlikely to make it through this season. 

I would argue that not all is bad.  USC is playing The Ohio State Buckeyes this weekend, Kansas is playing South Florida on Friday and Georgia travels to Arizona State next weekend.  The body of work needs to be determined at the end of the season, not the beginning. 

Despite the appearance of lesser quality non-conference games during the last two seasons, I am not in favor of the NCAA regulating the schedules, nor do I think the game is hurt when a top ranked FCS team plays and FBS team.  By the end of the season, most of the top teams end up playing a few easy opponents, a few good opponents and a few tough opponents.  The pendulum will shift and the traditional powers will rise once again.  Until that time, try to enjoy Fresno v. Wisconsin.  You might be surprised by the quality of play.