I am a doom and gloomer about the future of College Athletics, football in particular. As players move inexorably towards professionalism, the lack of a professional model from the schools (owners) creates a real problem. Strangely, I think the adoption of the pro (NFL) model in some aspects (maybe all) is maybe the only thing that can save a semblance of College football as we know it.
Let me say up front that it is likely just fantasy. It would require the current (or soon to be current) 68 teams to form a "league" and invite 2 more members to get to 70. (My fear is that is already in the works but maybe targeting only 40 teams.) Let's call this the National College Football League (NCFL).
The NCFL would have 7 10-team Divisions. The top 2 from each Division and 2 wild cards would be in the playoffs. The Divisions would be as regional as possible. (The mountain time zone screws it up with only 5 currently in the entire time zone. And only 8 in the Pacific.
All TV would be bid for the Division games and the playoffs and be divided equally. Schools could control their preseason scheduling. 3 games with non-NCFL teams, and TV for that (individually or by Division.)
Rules would be established for player acquisition (recruiting) with severe cash penalties for violation. A fully funded professional enforcement Bureau.
Athletes would be required to be students, maintain eligibility, rules about transfer, numbers, etc. would have to be worked out.
It will be tough to blend the collegiate and pro models, but it is the only way I see of stabilizing the system. And fantasy, likely.
For the record there are currently 30 P5 schools in the Eastern Time Zone, 25 in the Central, 5 in the Mountain, and 8 in the Pacific. These numbers include the 4 additions to the Big 12. Plus ND makes 69. So one of the 2 additions would be ND, presumably. and one on the west coast.
Of course it only works with total buy in and a huge regular season contract and mega playoff contract. One side of the playoff would be 2 v15; 3 v 14; 6 v 11; and 7 v 10. The other side would be 1 v 16; 4 v 13; 5 v 12; and 8 v 9. 1-7 would be seeded with Division Champs. There needs to be a reward for winning division. Then everyone else is seeded 8-16. I through 8 host 1st round.
After 1st round, games are bid to 4 sites, then 2, then the championship site. Timing would be 2nd Friday/Saturday of December for the first round games. January 1 for 2nd Round. Monday between January 8 and January 14 for Semis and final one week later.
Let me say up front that it is likely just fantasy. It would require the current (or soon to be current) 68 teams to form a "league" and invite 2 more members to get to 70. (My fear is that is already in the works but maybe targeting only 40 teams.) Let's call this the National College Football League (NCFL).
The NCFL would have 7 10-team Divisions. The top 2 from each Division and 2 wild cards would be in the playoffs. The Divisions would be as regional as possible. (The mountain time zone screws it up with only 5 currently in the entire time zone. And only 8 in the Pacific.
All TV would be bid for the Division games and the playoffs and be divided equally. Schools could control their preseason scheduling. 3 games with non-NCFL teams, and TV for that (individually or by Division.)
Rules would be established for player acquisition (recruiting) with severe cash penalties for violation. A fully funded professional enforcement Bureau.
Athletes would be required to be students, maintain eligibility, rules about transfer, numbers, etc. would have to be worked out.
It will be tough to blend the collegiate and pro models, but it is the only way I see of stabilizing the system. And fantasy, likely.
For the record there are currently 30 P5 schools in the Eastern Time Zone, 25 in the Central, 5 in the Mountain, and 8 in the Pacific. These numbers include the 4 additions to the Big 12. Plus ND makes 69. So one of the 2 additions would be ND, presumably. and one on the west coast.
Of course it only works with total buy in and a huge regular season contract and mega playoff contract. One side of the playoff would be 2 v15; 3 v 14; 6 v 11; and 7 v 10. The other side would be 1 v 16; 4 v 13; 5 v 12; and 8 v 9. 1-7 would be seeded with Division Champs. There needs to be a reward for winning division. Then everyone else is seeded 8-16. I through 8 host 1st round.
After 1st round, games are bid to 4 sites, then 2, then the championship site. Timing would be 2nd Friday/Saturday of December for the first round games. January 1 for 2nd Round. Monday between January 8 and January 14 for Semis and final one week later.
