Topic: Why I no longer watch “power 5” football

[thelonderee]

When we were actually building a program, I paid attention to the larger schools. I loved seeing us in the conversation every so often and dreaming of a time when we might get to a higher level. Now that we have weathered almost 20 years of mediocrity and are largely irrelevant, the system itself has created new ways to keep smaller programs in their place while the rich get richer. This is why I no longer watch games from “power 5” conferences. I’ve found myself not caring how any of these games play out, including any of the bowl games or supposed playoff games. This refreshing article from ESPN explains the bias we all know has existed for years. It’s nothing new and likely won’t lead to any changes, but it’s good to see that someone gets it. And who knows ... if enough people lose interest and the money starts to dry up, they will be forced to invite more people to the table:

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30563882/college-football-playoff-2020-committee-remains-disappointingly-predictable

[CoachMaclid]

When we were actually building a program, I paid attention to the larger schools. I loved seeing us in the conversation every so often and dreaming of a time when we might get to a higher level. Now that we have weathered almost 20 years of mediocrity and are largely irrelevant, the system itself has created new ways to keep smaller programs in their place while the rich get richer. This is why I no longer watch games from “power 5” conferences. I’ve found myself not caring how any of these games play out, including any of the bowl games or supposed playoff games. This refreshing article from ESPN explains the bias we all know has existed for years. It’s nothing new and likely won’t lead to any changes, but it’s good to see that someone gets it. And who knows ... if enough people lose interest and the money starts to dry up, they will be forced to invite more people to the table:

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30563882/college-football-playoff-2020-committee-remains-disappointingly-predictable

I'm kinda the same way.  20 or even 10 years ago I watched any and all college football that was available. Since we were passed over in 2014, my college football watching has been significantly diminishing over time.  This season, I was pretty much just watching Marshall and Coastal games.  I have absolutely zero interest in the CFP this year.  Coupled with the issues with our own program, I can see my interest in college football in total starting to crack.

[herd2win]

There are only about 6 teams that get regular attention on the networks. I hate how our season ended but how would it feel to be Coastal and not even get a sniff of a NY6...Cincy not given the opportunity for a championship.

Live to see the G5 break off and go to a 16 team playoff...that would be fun.  I agree about the lack of interest in watching the P4 games .

[Herdmeister]

I find myself watching Marshall and CUSA and other G5 teams. I seldom ever see any other football including NFL. I have zero interest for pretty much the same reasons as the the author of this thread

[herdorbust]

This year I would always watch Liberty or Coastal if they were on and could care less about the P5’s. I just wish Marshall had a new coach that put an exciting product on the field.

[puma]

Outside of my alma maters, I gave up on P5 football years ago. There are only 5, maybe 10 programs that are at all relevant, and that doesn't include where I went to school. It's frustrating to know that they'll never get over the hump.

Even the G5 feels the same way at times. It's the AAC show and then everyone else.

I travel a lot for work (spend a lot of time at hotels and sports bars mid-week) and I will say that the Sunbelt and MAC have really grown on me. Both have a lot of parity and programs tend to make up for a lack of size and depth with speed, aggressive play calling, and offense. It may not be the highest tier of college football but it's fun and ESPN does a good job hyping up irrelevant games.

[98HerdAlum]

A G-5 Playoff system with the top 8 G-5 schools fixes this problem.  G-5  football teams are not National Championship contenders.  It's that simple.  Cincinnati is a good football team and on any given day they could upset a team like Oklahoma (especially in a bowl game where the Sooners would lose 4-5 players that are getting ready for the draft and another 8-10 seniors that have packed it in and are ready for real life).  That upset could happen but the reality of the situation is that Oklahoma is a much better team than Cincinnati.  If the Bearcats had to play a schedule that had Iowa State, Texas, Oklahoma State, TCU, WVU, Baylor, Texas Tech, they would likely have 3-4 losses at the very minimum.  I just thinks it's time for these G-5 teams to see themselves for what they are and that is the second tier of D-1 football.  Accept what we are and use it to our advantage.  No more useless bowl games, instead an 8 team playoff to determine the G-5 Champion would be a lot of fun. According to final CBS rankings, it would look like this:

1. Cincinnati vs 8. Marshall
2. Coastal Carolina vs 7. Boise St
3. BYU vs 6. San Jose St
4. Louisianna vs 5. Tulsa

[puma]

I can't imagine any scenario where Cincinnati would opt out of the Peach Bowl against Georgia to play in a G5 playoff. Even without an NY6 berth, the AAC has a few P5 tie-ins with decent exposure and payouts.

[MUther]

I can't imagine any scenario where Cincinnati would opt out of the Peach Bowl against Georgia to play in a G5 playoff. Even without an NY6 berth, the AAC has a few P5 tie-ins with decent exposure and payouts.

How about where the other G5s refuse to schedule AAC unless they tow the line?  The AAC cannot function as a 'tweener for very long and they won't always have a "Cincy" if they can only schedule P5 teams OOC.  We have power as a group but none if we don't act together,

And once the P5 is no longer obligated to offer us the Peach Bowl they aren't going to.