College Football is here, and with it are some storylines that dominate the offseason. Storylines such as how many SEC teams will make the College Football Playoff, how the transfer portal will affect teams, and new coaches have and will continue to be headlined now and throughout the season.
Although these storylines and topics are important, they aren’t the only topics that should be discussed. Here are three that nobody is (but should be) paying attention to.
1. ESPN vs FOX
ESPN or Disney is the primary sponsor of the SEC, while FOX is the same for the Big 10. It is in ESPN’s best interest if the SEC teams are ranked high, while it is in the best interest of FOX for the Big 10 to be higher. In a world where the rankings are determined by people who watch and consume media the same way all of us regular fans do, it will be interesting to watch to see how much (if at all) ESPN really pushes SEC teams and FOX pushes Big 10 teams in their pregame and weekly coverage.
This is especially true now with a 12-team playoff. Will we get far enough to where ESPN starts to bash the Big 10 (other than Paul Finebaum who already does)? Will College Gameday even travel to the Big 10 this year? From a money standpoint, there is a real chance that they don’t because it is no longer financially beneficial.
2. Who Will Become America’s Team?
Most years, there is a team that either rises from the ashes or is a G5 team that shocks the nation and becomes America’s team. Last year, it was Colorado, at least early on, when they jumped out to a 3-0 start with wins over TCU, Nebraska, and Colorado State. Before that, it was TCU’s run to the National Championship game.
Some years, the team lasts for an entire season (Boise State 2009/TCU 2022), while other times, reality hits, and the team fades (Colorado 2023). This year’s question will be who the team will be and how long it will last.
My guess is Texas State may not turn any heads early, but if they are 8-0 Late in the season, watch out for them as the dark horse team that could win a playoff game in the first round and become America’s team.
Other candidates include Boise State, Colorado, and Memphis.
3. Which Coach Will Get Fired First?
It’s sad that this has to be a talking point, but in today’s game, where literally millions of dollars are being poured into programs for NIL and other purposes, a coach can’t have a bad season. Donors and boosters demand success, which means that every year, the leash gets shorter and shorter for players.
This year, a coach is likely to be fired in the first three or four weeks of the season. Whether it be losing to a rival, dropping a game to an FCS opponent, or just starting 0-3, someone will not have a job before the conference season really begins.
The early candidates to receive the bad news are in no order:
- Dave Aranda – Baylor
- Kalani Sitake – BYU
- Sam Pittman – Arkansas
- Mike Norvell – Florida State
- Sonny Cumbie – Lousiana Tech
- Will Hall – Southern Mississippi
Week 1 College Football Head Coaches Hot Seat
Billy Napier Warm
Sam Pittman Heating Up
Dave Aranda Steaming Hot
Sunny Counbie Burning Hot
Mike Norvell Very Warm— @AlecCFB (@CFBAP2024) August 27, 2024
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