#cfplayoff

Why do you like to watch college football? It’s a simple question without an easy answer. “Umm, because its AWESOME and I LOVE IT!!!!” Yes Bob, but WHAT makes it awesome and WHY do you love it? Traditions? Rivalries? Tailgating? “Amateurs” playing for love of the game? I think it boils down to two reasons. You’re affiliated with a certain school(s) as a student, alumni, supporter, staff, local resident, etc. Or you appreciate the skill of elite trained athletes performing at the highest non-professional level. Or maybe you fit in both categories. I feel like most people in the first group are loyalists who would follow their team(s) regardless of which recruits they sign or how many Heisman Trophies they win. And unless they’re being selfish, devoted fans shouldn’t get upset if players act in their best interests and skip meaningless bowl games. However, if you prefer watching the cream of the crop, you may take issue with someone missing a postseason exhibition because of the injury risk. But if you think NFL prospects can’t lose draft value and thus millions of dollars by being injured, ask Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith. Sure, he had a sizeable insurance payout, but missed out on $10 million-plus as a potential first round pick. Seems fair. Why is it like this? What if, like every other major professional sport, there were legitimate minor league or international alternatives for football players to turn pro after high school? Or scholarship athletes received compensation in addition to their “free education” and basic living costs? “But players already get paid enough!” people scream. Right, except that economic studies have proven big-time college athletes possess significant worth beyond just a scholarship and cost of attendance stipends. So it comes down to this: either you admit college football players have monetary value and deserve a means to earn on that value (either from university/conference revenue or through the opportunity to play in a minor league); or you maintain players have no value, and are fine with not forcing them to go to school because it won’t hurt ratings (which you know is BS). Sorry, its one or the other. Ultimately, you tune into college football for the level of enjoyment it brings. But you can’t deny the athletes’ efforts warrant more, whether it be in the form of compensation or opportunities. It may change the game, but if you don’t like it, change the channel.