Over the past few years NCAA football has significantly changed. With conference realignments, introduction of the transfer portal and increased playoff among other changes, the same excitement still remains at the start of every season. People never know how each season is going to turn out and no season is ever exactly the same.
Every year there’s random teams that somewhat shock the world with their performances. Last year it was a toss up between Boise St. with their star Heisman contending running back Ashton Jeanty, or Arizona State and their trio of running back Cam Skattebo, quarterback Sam Leavitt, and wide receiver Jordan Tyson.
This year there were a few teams who people thought would be dark horses such as Kansas State and their up and coming quarterback Avery Johnson, and Georgia Tech and their big transfer class. The beauty of college football though is that you never know what’s going to happen or who’s going to step up in the biggest moments.
“A team that really stuck out to me was the University of South Florida Bulls,” senior Josh Sanchez said. “They’ve always kind of been one of the more decent lower tier groups, but I feel there’s a different vibe around the team this year. Byrum Brown is a dawg and it’s his team. I think they can go far and win against a tough Florida Gators team. He outdueled DJ Lagway, who is one of the best teams in College football.”
On the contrary, every year there’s a team that’s ranked high but when the pressure gets high, the cookie crumbles. Some teams are known to fold under pressure and sell when the stakes are the highest.
“In my opinion I think it’s going to be Texas Tech,” Sanchez said. “They play in a weak Big 12 where the best teams in Texas and Oklahoma are gone so there’s no real competition besides the sundevils of Arizona State. I like their roster and they have some good players but I don’t think they’re going to be battle tested enough when the time comes.”
It has been nothing short of a ride recently with the hometown Wisconsin Badgers. The hiring of Luke Fickell has brought with lots of controversy. Every year there seems to be some type of excitement with bringing in recuirts but then when the season is over there’s just disappointment.
“I don’t know what to feel anymore,” junior Noah Hergert said. “Every year it’s the same, we bring in good recruits from either the transfer portal or highschool, but then nothing ever happens. Nothing! We can never win the big games or anything.”
At the end of the day, it’s always going to be about who wins, and every year there’s going to be controversy, great plays and defining moments and that’s what makes the wildness of college football so beautiful. In the end though, only two teams can make it and one can win it.
“The two teams that are going to make it are in my opinion is Oregon and Ohio State,” sophomore Cooper Wichman said. “I say Ohio State because they just have so much talent on the team. Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs are the two best college football players right now and they’re on the same team, it’s self explanatory. Then Oregon because I feel this year they have the experience to go along with the talent. But I think Ohio State are the clear favorites to catch the dub.”
The reason why people love college football is because for a majority of the audience is the same age or around the age of the people playing. They are some of the most athletic people in the world and being coached by, atleast sometimes, the smartest football minds just below the NFL level. There’s never no telling of what can happen, and that’s why people love college football.
