Despite its myriad of problems, sport still appointment viewing
PSU point/counterpoint
Trending
How do you feel about the
overall state of
college football?
The sport of college football is still thriving in spite of itself.
Yes, there are plenty of things not to like as Cory is pointing out -- the complete lack of governance, reckless NIL, $30-plus million rosters throughout the Top 20 and, maybe worst of all, the transfer portal that teaches players all the wrong messages about commitment and perseverance.
There's no doubt the model not only for college football but college sports in general is broken.
But then you turn around and see an announced crowd of 108,489 at Beaver Stadium for Penn State vs. Marshall.
Ohio State drew 101,120 for its opening game with Ball State.
Neither game was expected to be close, and they weren't: The combined score of the two games was 101-3.
Shame on the Buckeyes for giving up a field goal.
Notre Dame-Wisconsin drew 75,939 at Lambeau Field -- a neutral site.
Fans endured nearly two-hour delays due to lightning and a power outage for Clemson's visit to LSU -- which was sold out (102,231) --- and SMU at Florida State.
I could go on.
Whether the current landscape is sustainable will be determined in time. Certainly it needs leadership.
For now, though, fans continue to support their favorite teams in droves, and many of the nation's biggest stadiums have been expanded or are under expensive renovations.
We've also seen newcomers to the old-boys club crash the party such as SMU, Texas Tech and the latest darling, Indiana.
We may not like it, but there's no denying the sport is still popular and relied upon to keep their schools' athletic programs afloat.
Lucrative TV revenue, sponsorship, gate receipts, merchandise and deep-pocketed donors are making sure of that.
It's a lesson in tradition and loyalty as fans have maintained their weekly pilgrimages -- often driving more than two hours each way, sometimes staying at the forced-fed two-night minimums of pricey State College hotels.
Many have kept up this routine for most of their adult lives.
The draw is so strong it apparently doesn't matter that there may only be one or two marquee home games per year.
No offense to Marshall and Buffalo and the non-conference gifts James Franklin unknowingly left Matt Campbell. Never mind the home schedule also includes Purdue and Rutgers.
College football is clearly the second most popular sport in America -- second only to the hallowed NFL, which has the country eating out of its hand.
We may not like what's going on, but we're all watching.
Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.