October 17, 2007
Upsets in college football? Blame it on TV
The most popular response when you ask college football fans for their take on this season? Crazy. The 2007 college football season has been turned on its ear by a series of huge upsets that has challenged the convention of "traditional" college football powers.
For a quick glance at just how crazy this season has been, try comparing the preseason college football polls to the current week's polls. Better yet, don't waste your time. Only half of the teams in the current top ten were ranked in the preseason. Insane.
Which begs the question - what has brought on the surge of non-traditional college football teams breaking into the upper echelons this year? Is it just a game of turnovers and circumstances? Is it simply a matter of beneficial scheduling? Or is there something more in play?
I truly believe the biggest single factor leading to rise of non-traditional powers in college football is television.
The broadcast and cable networks have done such an incredible job of signing deals with the conferences that it has become routine to have three straight college football gamedays - on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Even four straight days of broadcasts is becoming commonplace. Heck, more than once this season we've had five straight days of televised college football. (And just a few weeks back - six straight days of games on TV!)
With networks showing more and more games, the opportunities for non-traditional powers to showcase their schools on nationwide television has never been greater... or more lucrative. And mid-major schools have turned that increased revenue and awareness into a recruiting boon.
Increased revenues have manifested themselves as upgraded facilities and equipment, to the point that many "lower tier" schools now boast more expansive and impressive training facilities than traditional powers.
In Orlando, C-USA member Central Florida is the only major Florida school with an indoor practice facility. Meanwhile at FSU, Bobby Bowden can't get a practice facility built.
Last season, UCF was featured on ESPN or ESPN2 for three consecutive weeks during the season. The Knights had a total of eight games broadcast nationally, including two broadcasts on ESPN2, one game on ESPN, and the C-USA championship game on ESPN2. This season -- same story, different verse -- eight of UCF's twelve games will again be broadcast nationally, including ESPN2 coverage of their home game against Texas and a Sunday night feature broadcast on ESPN at Southern Miss.
A few years ago, the South Florida Bulls were the team taking the bus on Thursday nights for an ESPN2 broadcast and it has paid off in spades. In less than twelve years, USF has gone from no college football program at all to controlling their own destiny in the BCS.
With facilities and exposure reaching equality, the balance of power in recruiting is shifting away from the traditional powers. Recruits with NFL dreams dancing through their heads are now just as likely to get television time at Central Florida as they are at Nebraska or Ohio State.
And in some instances, it is easier for the non-traditional powers to recruit because they can get recruits into the lineup sooner. And, as Illinois coach Ron Zook pointed out to ESPN, the non-traditional powers can give recruits the chance to build a legacy - an appealing notion that traditional schools can't offer.
That's not to say that the Southern Cals, Notre Dames, and Oklahomas of the world are getting sub-par recruits, mind you. But traditional powers can no longer be content to walk recruits past the trophy cases and then pass out the pens on signing day.
The balance of power is shifting in college football. If you want a look at the next up & comers, just keep an eye on the Thursday night matchups... because you can bet the recruits will be watching.
Comments:
FanoftheGame said:
posted on October 17, 2007 4:17 PM — 198.211.223.194 — link — abuse?
Great post Kevin! I totally agree that television has definately helped some of the smaller programs in the country to build and become better. National exposure always helps these smaller schools get on the map and at least helps them draw some consideration from young recriuts.
However, I'm not really sold on television being the big reason for this seasons upsets. Although I agree that their recruiting has probably improved in the past few years, I don't see as how South Florida or even Kentucky recruiting has been equal or even close to that of USC, Texas, Oklahoma, Ntre Ame(No D or O in South Bend now, Ohio State or any of the SEC powers. Does Rivals recruiting database support the idea that South Florida and other small schools are recruiting as well as the upper echelon of schools? Maybe the gaps have narrowed between #1 and #50 in recruit rankings. Surely, if there isn't as big of a difference between the best DB in high School and the 50th best DB, then we may be seeing more parity in CFB.
I think that over-rating and under-rating teams in the polls has as much to do with the upsets as television. Just my $0.02.
GA Boy said:
posted on October 17, 2007 4:30 PM — 97.89.24.88 — link — abuse?
Good post Kev!
No doubt about it, look back a few years ago and it seemed like they should have named Thursday night Big East night on ESPN. Louiville, WV, Rutgers on all the time. Still are on Thursdays all the time. I think all that exposure definitely got them some interest from some good players across the country. Either way, this has been one hell of a season so far. I hope the unexpected continues and the DAWGS win out!!! Hunker down DAWGS and get healthy on your week off.cardman steve
posted on October 17, 2007 5:24 PM — 74.137.96.111 — link — abuse?
said:
king george,s world is turn upside down regurding this season. the post a few months back saying kansas winning the big 12 north and everyone saying that person was on crack or something. look at kansas now. i was blasting kentucky, oh well! iu, uconn, cincy and s fl. i forsee more crazy madness. i wouldn,t be shocked that the nat,l champ game feature 2 teams with 2 or 3 losses.
Cock'n'Fire South Carolina said:
posted on October 17, 2007 5:53 PM — 96.10.98.113 — link — abuse?
i think this is a good thing...this makes football alot more interesting when theres more of a challenge to the game and theres alot more upsets...but that tv thing has no excuse for michigan losing to app state...i bet nobody even knew who they were before that except that they were div1-aa champs
anyways i like how the seasons turning out, especially because south carolina is #6 in the bcs polls(note: south carolina has never been to a bcs bowl nor been ranked this high except for 1984 black magic)
GO COCKS! #6 6-1 (3-1)
Zac said:
posted on October 17, 2007 6:57 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
Diggs, while the scholarship limitation is certainly a factor, Kev, this one is on the money!!! It's all about exposure. Prospective recruits never knew about schools like Rutgers, S FL, or WVU until the exposure on week-night TV.
GA Boy, I tried to explain it to Gator Hippy once. As you've pointed out, for a while there, the Big East had cornered the Thursday night market. Gator Hippy's argument was, "...there weren't any other games on Thursday..." Right he was, hence the Big East had the only games on Thursday, ergo, a cornered market. After all, it worked, didn't it.
Six Days in a row?!? How in the bloody hell did I miss that!?! I've got to take a vacation.
Diggs the Mountie said:
posted on October 17, 2007 8:04 PM — 76.114.231.180 — link — abuse?
I'll give a little credit to Television..(a little credit)
It is not directly responsible for this level playing field we have now however.
While I'll agree television helps in terms of exposure a program receives......but NOTHING and I REPEAT NOTHING has been a bigger factor for the parity we have today in College Football than the 85 Scholarship Rule has!
Sure a few good coaches will continue to do well just as Bill Bellichick has done with the Pats in the NFL after the salary cap. Like I said "good coaches" can do this and will continue to have success, average coaches will be in the crapper.
This 85 Scholarship rule has leveled the game fellas....now your coaches and players are going to have to "earn it" out there on the field by making great plays and making the correct decisions time after time.
The days of College Football dominance is over fellas........some will continue to cry about it altogether.......while others will adapt and overcome......
Hotty Toddy said:
posted on October 17, 2007 9:06 PM — 75.105.128.57 — link — abuse?
I think this is somewhat of a poor excuse to give for the "upsets."
While I agree TV has a little to do with it, without talent the "upset teams" have no chance. These people so infatuated and upset and can't even fathom how their almighty tradition-enriched program can fall to a "sub-par" college team. (And i'm not at all against tradition.. Ole Miss has great tradition)
But... you gotta admit. Their team is better than yours. lol. (At least this year)
posted on October 17, 2007 9:08 PM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue
said:
I think the 85 has been a factor, but I think you're giving it a little too much credit.
Take a guy like Armanti Edwards - QB @ Appy State. He was offered at Clemson, but not as a QB. Bowden & company wanted him to play DB. There it wasn't an issue of not having a scholarship for him. And there are several instances of teams grey-shirting players to get around the 85.
Again, it's a factor, but nothing like the elevation of the middle schools that has occurred in the last five years because of the television contracts.
Look at Kevin Smith @ UCF - the leading running back in the country. He could have gone any number of places, but he *chose* UCF. He's getting (a little) Heisman talk this year as a junior. He will likely be one of the top contenders next year for the Doak Walker and the Heisman.
But... without UCF's rise, Smith wouldn't be there. Period. End of story.
There are a lot of factors, but the money & attention that has come from the television contracts is - by far - the #1 reason in my book.
40 Acres of Burnt Orange
posted on October 18, 2007 1:20 AM — 192.94.94.105 — link — abuse? said:
This may be outta left field, but im wondering why Graham Harrell from Texas Tech isn't getting any Heisman love? The numbers that guy is putting up are sick. I know he hasn't really been playing the cream of the crop when it comes to pass defense's. They say he is a system QB, but even in a system you still have to have the talent to throw the ball accurately and often. Anyone second that?
FanoftheGame said:
posted on October 18, 2007 10:58 AM — 198.211.223.194 — link — abuse?
#11
Good point. With the names that have come up and been dropped from the heisman watch list week after week, you would think that Graham Harrell's name would have at least been brought up for consideration. However, despite his numbers, I think that most people that follow college football view him as a good quarterback, but not a great one. In my opinion, there are alot of cfb quarterbacks that would put up the same or even better numbers in Tech's offense. I think Harrell has showed that he is a great fit in the Red Raider offense more than he has shown that he should be considered as one of the country's best QB's. Passing the football is a large part of playing QB, but there is also alot more to it. At this point, I don't think Graham has showed the rest of the country much more than his ability to pass the football.badgerballer
posted on October 18, 2007 1:51 PM — 70.57.175.199 — link — abuse? said:
What cracks me up is that there are actually people who COMPLAIN about the 'over-exposure'. Are you NUTZ? As I guy who can sit and watch the Lower Brooklyn Academy of Music vs. Sisters of Our Blessed Savior if its on tv, heck, I'll take televised coverage 7 days a week, two or three games a day.Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on October 18, 2007 4:48 PM — 67.97.209.36 — link — abuse?
Good blog on a good subject, but I have to offer a contradictory view. Why isn't Notre Dame the greatest team in the history of the world RIGHT NOW? They get more TV (over)exposure than anyone and yet they suck.
It certainly makes sense to me how UCF and USF are rising on the strength of TV exposure. It's similar to FSU's rise to prominence in the late 70s and early 80s. However, if TV exposure helps, what's wrong with the Irish? By this theory, they should be off-the-charts - in the positive direction. :-)
Zac said:
posted on October 18, 2007 5:07 PM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
Yo, 40 A of BO (Post 11), when a particular player is doing exceptionally well, arguably better than the rest, and isn't getting any attention, that's "upsetting." So, I see that as a fitting topic to go with this thread. No pun intended.
Ramblin Gator (Post 16), it's arguable that TV is a significant factor in a team's overall success, but it's not the only factor. In retrospect to what's been said, one can blame the scholarship reduction, TV, resources, etc., but ultimately it still comes down to talent & coaching. Coaching is not just the ability to teach, but to lead. I can't believe ND isn't getting the talent. Therefore, the issue has to be coaching.
Tomcat said:
posted on October 18, 2007 5:08 PM — 70.249.40.145 — link — abuse?
Yes Sports Fans television does increase exposure for alot of teams, which in turn could help with getting recruits.Not only are more games televised, but there are like 6 to 8 different networks televising games depending on your region and T.V. service.I would like to remind yall that when Barry Sanders had his record setting season at Oklahoma State, only one game was televised.
There are many other contributing factors to consider concerning the crazy so-called upsets.
The scholarship limitations, better coaching and the wild crazy spread passing game.Another big factor is the media & the press sensasionalizing particular teams based upon past accomplishments and alcolades.
Now half way through the season, we have a better understanding of were some teams actually
stand instead of some pre-season hype.
Hookem-HornsTampaGator said:
posted on October 18, 2007 5:43 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
WE ATL:
I'll be pulling for USF. I probably shouldn't, since they recruit the hell out of Gator country, but I can't resist the allure of this underdog story.
I posted several weeks ago that I didn't think they could beat FSU, UM or UF; I was wrong.
USF is a ridiculously balanced team, well worthy of their top 5 ranking. Their only weaknesses are: kicking and depth (perhaps their running game leaves a bit to be desired, but that's easily offset by superstud Matt Grothe).
If they can avoid injury to their key players, especially Grothe, this team CAN beat anyone (not just hang with).
Go Bulls &
GO GATORS!!
posted on October 18, 2007 6:06 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
T-Gator: I hear ya. I kinda like their Cinderella story, too, but I have to default to the standard position of wishing everyone ranked ahead of my team to lose. If they don't, then oh well. Someone will...
The Bulls might be the story of a decent team who keeps winning, then really starts to believe they can beat anyone--the old 'self-fulfilling prophecy'.
This could be the year of the underdog and Cinderella. Kinda reminds you of the early 1980s when Clemson and BYU arose from obscurity to take some crowns.
Zac said:
posted on October 18, 2007 8:59 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
I have to agree with the general sentiment that should USF win out, that's one hell of an upset. To think, they weren't even ranked pre-season, and here they are #2, having played an arguably tougher schedule than those ranked #1.
Rusty Shackleford said:
posted on October 18, 2007 9:20 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
I think Appalachian State's win over Michigan triggered this entire year and what's happening. It gave every team the incentive that no matter who you are, if you are determined enough, you can beat anyone. This entire year has been flip-flop. I mean, My team, Auburn, not only has 2 losses but one of them was to Mississippi State, and they still have a tiny shot at a NC. It's amazing and I love it.
GatorGreg said:
posted on October 18, 2007 9:49 PM — 67.8.90.124 — link — abuse?
Note, I posted this on the polls thread and still stand by it.
Let me preface this statement by saying I graduated from Florida and live in Tampa.
The fan base of USF disgusts me. Not only is this entire town trashy bandwagon fans, but every USF fan acts like they have been Bull fans for all 12 years of its football existence. They buy the shirts, put the flags on their car and do the stupid hang-loose sign while Lil Jon plays between possessions to a crowd most of whom never graduated from high school. All of these so call "fans" are only cheering for USF because they can watch a game on Saturday while enjoying the copious amounts of beer served at RayJ. Only about 10% of these Bull fanatics can actually document ties to the University. Let’s just say these "fans" are so classy, you have them selling fake tickets to home games.
Maybe Rutgers fans can give USF a lesson on how to ride the bandwagon seeing as how most of them have jumped off since last year.
Zac said:
posted on October 18, 2007 11:26 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
Yeah, G-Squared (Post 27), I remember your comment from another thread. Allow me to preface my comment with, "all due respect"...
I didn't like your comment then; I don't like it now. I don't see the majority of USF fans being any different from college football fans anywhere else, including your beloved Gators. I mean, that remark about copious amounts of beer at RayJ's; I was doing the same thing at the Blue Tick tavern; it just happened to be many years ago. It all sounds like fans to me.
Now that selling fake tickets thing, that's asking for pissing off the wrong people. Bullets have flown for less, but the rest of this...
As much as you are a true Gator fan in Tampa, I am a true Mountaineer fan in, of all places, Nebraska. This state is nothing like FL. NE is over 20,000 square miles larger, yet has 1/10 the population. There's no shoreline to speak of, unless you count rivers. There's no professional baseball, basketball, football, or hockey; the nearest NASCAR track is 2 hours away in KC. All there is out here are the NE Corn Huskers. And, of the 1.7 million people who live here, I'd be surprised if more than 20% are graduates or even former NE employees.
People need something to rally around. Nebraskans have been rallying around their team for years. Even this year with all the coaching controversy, people are still filling the stadium in Lincoln.
The people around S FL haven't had the kind of success NE used to have until recent years. They didn't even have a football team to rally around 12 years ago. Now that they've got it, they're enjoying it. Why begrudge them that; why even begrudge the pretenders? After all, there are fair weather fans everywhere. That's why I never wear anything Mountaineer after they've won. It's after they've lost a game, I make certain to wear something which represents my ties with WVU.
What the heck, Greg? They can't all be like you and me.
Lennie Collins
posted on October 18, 2007 11:53 PM — 70.251.186.200 — link — abuse? said:
Ohio State, Boston College, Arizona State, and Kansas are the undefeated teams left. Arizona State and Boston College have byes. Ohio State and Kansas are on tv this weekend. I think Kansas will lose at Colorado.
GatorGreg said:
posted on October 19, 2007 9:17 AM — 66.89.151.21 — link — abuse?
Zac, point taken. After last nights meltdown I guess we will soon see how well these fans stick by their team. I hope they do, but after seeing how this town treated the Bucs after a few bad seasons, I really dont see this USF craze lasting through next year.
TampaGator said:
posted on October 19, 2007 3:29 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
GatorGreg/#27:
I think you're being a bit harsh on USF Fan.
While I agree that they've come out of the wood work--I disagree that most don't have ties to USF.
...I also agree that many of them have shown a "novo riche" atitude--especially after UF lost to AU (...if I had a nickel for every comment made behind my back, yet intentionally in ear shot, at the mere sight of my Gator colors...).
I don't fault them for their enthusiasm--I do however, fault them for their lack thereof before this season--and the jury's still out on how they'll be in the future.
They got their reality check last night--we'll see if they continue with the smarmy remarks behind our backs...
Although I was pulling for them last night, I'm not at all sad they lost; better for UF for recruiting.
....better luck next time Bulls, and...
GO GATORS!!
TampaGator said:
posted on October 19, 2007 3:29 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
GatorGreg/#27:
I think you're being a bit harsh on USF Fan.
While I agree that they've come out of the wood work--I disagree that most don't have ties to USF.
...I also agree that many of them have shown a "novo riche" atitude--especially after UF lost to AU (...if I had a nickel for every comment made behind my back, yet intentionally in ear shot, at the mere sight of my Gator colors...).
I don't fault them for their enthusiasm--I do however, fault them for their lack thereof before this season--and the jury's still out on how they'll be in the future.
They got their reality check last night--we'll see if they continue with the smarmy remarks behind our backs...
Although I was pulling for them last night, I'm not at all sad they lost; better for UF for recruiting.
....better luck next time Bulls, and...
GO GATORS!!
Zac said:
posted on October 19, 2007 5:52 PM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
Hey, everybody, it's another Tomcat "Circle Jerk". Let's see now, S FL beat WVU; WVU beat MD; MD beat Rutgers; Rutgers beat S FL. Just another to add to the list of this wacky football season we're witnessing.
Now, OU Ron (Post 29), if I didn't know better, I'd be willing to think you didn't want your Sooners to meet WVU in the Orange Bowl. Think about it. S FL's loss puts WVU in the driver's seat for the Big East Championship & a BCS bid, IF they win out. Of course, if my team had a choice between a shot at the NC as opposed to a decent bowl bid, I'd know what I'd expect them to do as well. Best of luck!!!
posted on October 19, 2007 6:09 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Gator Greg #27: I don't know any Bulls fans, but I believe what you say. Florida is chock-full of yankees*, and yankees* are the biggest bandwagoners than anyone else in the country.
Are you old enough to remember the biggest bandwagon in CFB history, the University of Coral Gables?
*The term Yankee meant for endearment purposes only.OU-Ron
posted on October 19, 2007 7:06 PM — 72.198.24.199 — link — abuse? said:
Zac, there's a lot of if's has to happen in order for OU to get to the NC game, and one of those if's happened last night. As for OU playing WVU in the Orange Bowl, I think it would be a great game and one to remember. Good luck with the rest of the season. Oh " and one of those if's, GO AUBURN LOL
Zac said:
posted on October 19, 2007 10:13 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
YO!!! War Eagle, I'm a Yankee! Wat ah U tryin ta say, ha? U tawkin ta me? U tawkin ta me? I doan see anyone else around here U kood be tawkin to. U tawkin ta me? Who da F(ahem)ck U tink yaw tawkin to? Well, I'll just...
And this is where Denero pulls his spring loaded .25 auto. God, he was intense in Taxi.
Oh, yeah, College Football, well, we'll just see about how "Bullish" those S FL fans are about their team……ahem……yeah.
Lynn zook said:
posted on November 3, 2007 9:30 PM — 24.148.211.161 — link — abuse?
the replay official in the Alabama/LSU game is a joke. James Allison.Is he point shaving or betting on games? How ridiculus can one man be. At this point, start of the 4th quarter he has overturned 3 of 4 plays called on the field and the last one was ridiculus. Is he trying to be part of the game? James Allison sucks and should be investigated. Either the guy has no qualifications or is point shaving on betting on the games. He isn't able to see on tape what the officals obviously see on the field.
Do they allow blind men to work replay jobs?
This guy is a joke. Jmames Allison is a Joke.
Someone needs to lose a job and James is inept at his.
Makes you think that NCAA College Football is like wrestling. Predetermined and James is the pawn who has to orchestrate it.Lynn zook said:
posted on November 3, 2007 9:30 PM — 24.148.211.161 — link — abuse?
the replay official in the Alabama/LSU game is a joke. James Allison.Is he point shaving or betting on games? How ridiculus can one man be. At this point, start of the 4th quarter he has overturned 3 of 4 plays called on the field and the last one was ridiculus. Is he trying to be part of the game? James Allison sucks and should be investigated. Either the guy has no qualifications or is point shaving on betting on the games. He isn't able to see on tape what the officals obviously see on the field.
Do they allow blind men to work replay jobs?
This guy is a joke. Jmames Allison is a Joke.
Someone needs to lose a job and James is inept at his.
Makes you think that NCAA College Football is like wrestling. Predetermined and James is the pawn who has to orchestrate it.Lynn zook said:
posted on November 3, 2007 9:41 PM — 24.148.211.161 — link — abuse?
did you see the catch and subsequent replays of the alabama catch by number 11/
that cost alabama the game. that was awful.
for the record I am a Notre Dame fan that happened to change the channel in time to see that pitiful call.
They showed over and over again what a great catch that was and to have that overturned, I was hopfull when the Alabama QB fumbled that he would over turn that as well. Just becasue he had screwed the one on the catch up so bad, I thought .....he could reverse this one too. He actually got that one right.FromVT said:
posted on November 3, 2007 9:51 PM — 76.30.254.215 — link — abuse?
Fomr what I saw live action it was a great catch. But after seeing the replay it looked to me like the ball hit the ground and and moved in the receivers hands. My understanding of the rule is that it is an incompletion based on that.
I did not go to a college that even had a football team, I just love college football. To me the call looked correct by reversing it to an incompletion.
I am curious if anyone knows the rule about a def lineman jumping offsides (inducing a an off lineman to move). Is that offsides in college? I ask because #71 on LSU seemed to be playing like it should be offsides, he did that twice when the def lineman jumped. I don't know the rule so I am asking if anyone here knows. Pretty sure that the pros call it offsides.
Lynn zook said:
posted on November 3, 2007 9:57 PM — 24.148.211.161 — link — abuse?
I know that it is a rule in the pros. If a defender jumps and invokes an offensive linemen to move it is a penalty. I don't think it has made it to college yet.
As a matter of fact, I think it was the Colts game last weekend where a Carolina defender moved and the colt offensive linemen wasn't induced to move, but he moved anyway pointing at the guy. I didn't think that was the spirit of the rule but they called defensive offsides.
As you know, I have a problem with officials anyway.
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Tom Blogical
said:
posted on October 17, 2007 3:49 PM — 24.95.77.153 — link — abuse?"Heck, more than once this season we've had five straight days of televised college football. (And just a few weeks back - six straight days of games on TV!)"
Ohhhhhhh yeah...and the endorphins are still circulating through my bloodstream...
Great post, Kevin.