US College Football (CFB)

[Golden Fox]

8 hours ago, KingsX said:

Your observations are valid.  These changes were unthinkable just a few years ago, and now threaten to overwhelm America's greatest sport.

 

But CFB is merely symptomatic of a society where accumulating and deploying wealth is the only thing that matters, and monetary gain has become the criterion for what used to be judgments of the public good.  As social cohesion exits the field, the whims of the few can and do shape everything -- even which colleges can field the best football teams.

 

I think there is still so much tradition and fanbase attachment to the top 50 or so college teams, it will be hard to kill ... so CFB may emerge only moderately ****ed up.  If it becomes just another arena for billionaires to indulge their whims, well, that's what the NFL has been for a few decades.  Those of us hardcore CFB fans who cherish it as the anti-NFL may drift away.

 

but for now, GO BUCKEYES !!!

/s/

A. Junkie

Interesting thoughts.

 

Maybe we should rename this thread "modern college football is rubbish" and should have started off with a comment that the "game's gone" as there are are actually a lot of parallells to Leicester and the Premier League where money and commercialism is taking over and monetising every aspect of the game and taking it away from the fans that have been a large part of creating the product in the first place.

 

But as a lifelong fan, what choice do you have? Its part of the routine, and you can't just give up on it, and at the end of the day, you get invested watching a game regardless of the nonsense around it.

 

I think the big thing for me is I tend to follow sports through following a particular team. I really struggle to watch anything as a neutral other than finals. Pretty much the only football I've watched this year is Leicester games (and Cambridge Utd's big league cup tie at Fulham), the only NFL full games I've watched are the 49ers games (which is why I love Redzone!), the only NHL highlights have been the Sharks, and the only snooker I've watched is Selby. The exception is probably the CFL which I loved watching random games, but I'm sure once the novelty has worn off, it will just be Argos games! But I have affinity for all those teams through Leicester and living/working in the Bay Area (and a long holiday in Toronto). But it just feels really weird to pick a US College to support. (joking aside, the local team really would be the UC Santa Cruz Bananaslugs, and they aren't exactly in a Power Conference).

 

So I think for me, its that mental block of not having an affinity with any team to want to get into it (and I clearly watch enough sport without looking for more), so it makes it easy to pretend to take a moiral stance, but yeah - I totally get that if its in the blood, everything I've written is annoying, but its not going really going to change anything. So maybe I'll see if I can find somewhere to watch THE Ohio State University and jump on the bandwagon for a few weeks!

[SouthStandUpperTier]

23 minutes ago, Golden Fox said:

But it just feels really weird to pick a US College to support. (joking aside, the local team really would be the UC Santa Cruz Bananaslugs, and they aren't exactly in a Power Conference).

Surely the most local team, and the most obvious choice for you to support/follow, would be the Stanford Cardinals. A very well respected university academically, next year is the centenary of their only football National Championship. The 49ers even won SB XIX in Stanford Stadium, and played a home game there in 1989 after the big earthquake that hit San Fran. Christian McCaffrey played for them too.

[Golden Fox]

8 minutes ago, SouthStandUpperTier said:

Surely the most local team, and the most obvious choice for you to support/follow, would be the Stanford Cardinals. A very well respected university academically, next year is the centenary of their only football National Championship. The 49ers even won SB XIX in Stanford Stadium, and played a home game there in 1989 after the big earthquake that hit San Fran. Christian McCaffrey played for them too.

Yes - that is sort of where I do lean to for a big team - but I can't fully get on board as it just doesn't sit right supporting a team that plays in red with a tree as a logo!

 

[Footballwipe]

Alabama should've been out, they were trashed by Georgia and have been on the wane for a few games now. To not get dropped one place was ridiculous, and tbh Miami getting in over the crybabies of Notre Dame has overshadowed this. BYU gets dropped but not Alabama? Idc about their big wins or beating Georgia in Athens.

 

Something does need to be done though because Tulane and JMU are just cannon fodder for Oregon and Ole Miss. There's basically two good games in the first round. The ACC should step up, and they should have a better tie-breaker of course, but this round is going to be ruined by two massive, dull home wins when it should be all-out excitement.

[KingsX]

16 hours ago, Golden Fox said:

 it just feels really weird to pick a US College to support. (joking aside, the local team really would be the UC Santa Cruz Bananaslugs, and they aren't exactly in a Power Conference).

 

 So maybe I'll see if I can find somewhere to watch THE Ohio State University and jump on the bandwagon for a few weeks!

 

I'm sorry to inform you, but UC Santa Cruz has never fielded an American football team.

 

So your choice of a worthy substitute is most righteous.  THE Ohio State Buckeyes welcome your temporary support ... and why not send a check, since that's where the whole thing is going.

[KingsX]

 

Playoff bracket set.  Another tough draw for the Buckeyes -- but well earned by losing to Indiana.

 

Any predictions?

[AndyElZorro]

The Buckeyes will avenge their loss to Indiana in the Championship game. I am a Buckeye fan for two reasons; the first is a close friend who is suffering from MD that used to play for them. His grandfather was also their first QB to play in the Horseshoe. The second reason is that a Buckeye is another word for Conker. What other team could invoke childhood memories of getting your knuckles broken on Braunstone park? And besides, could you imagine a team in the UK being called the Conkers? I know they play in red, but I can look past that at my age.

[SouthStandUpperTier]

On 20/12/2025 at 13:07, AndyElZorro said:

The Buckeyes will avenge their loss to Indiana in the Championship game.

🤔

[KingsX]

Most of my Buckeye friends were really concerned about OSU's weaknesses (o-line, immobile QB) going against the U's great strength (pass rush).  And so it came to pass.  If only Ryan Day could see what the entire fanbase can't miss...

 

Going into the Rose Bowl, the "bye" teams are 0-6 in this playoff format and have mostly had their clocks cleaned.  I expect they will expand the playoff to 16 teams and eliminate the byes.

[Footballwipe]

A great end to a great season. CFP NCG was a brilliant watch and Indiana completing their Leicester-esque title was superb.

 

Also didn't have a photo of Matty Fryatt scoring a penalty against Southend in 2009 being featured on College Gameday, but we are in a strange world these days.

[KingsX]

Major college action now kicked off in Dublin (where the rain has caught the North Carolina traveling support by surprise).

 

Off the field, disaster after disaster caused by greedy, meddling billionaires and their enablers in the courts and college administrations.  At least the players are finally getting paid.

 

On the field, looks like an interesting season without a clear cut favorite.  You have to be impressed by the depth of talent at Notre Dame, Oregon, Indiana and Texas.  My Buckeyes there or thereabouts if a few things come together.

 

Who y'all got?

[CheeseHead]

15 hours ago, KingsX said:

Major college action now kicked off in Dublin (where the rain has caught the North Carolina traveling support by surprise).

 

Off the field, disaster after disaster caused by greedy, meddling billionaires and their enablers in the courts and college administrations.  At least the players are finally getting paid.

 

On the field, looks like an interesting season without a clear cut favorite.  You have to be impressed by the depth of talent at Notre Dame, Oregon, Indiana and Texas.  My Buckeyes there or thereabouts if a few things come together.

 

Who y'all got?

What are the expectations for my Big 10 Fighting Illini? Another average season I suppose..

[Izzy]

17 hours ago, KingsX said:

Major college action now kicked off in Dublin (where the rain has caught the North Carolina traveling support by surprise).

 

Off the field, disaster after disaster caused by greedy, meddling billionaires and their enablers in the courts and college administrations.  At least the players are finally getting paid.

 

On the field, looks like an interesting season without a clear cut favorite.  You have to be impressed by the depth of talent at Notre Dame, Oregon, Indiana and Texas.  My Buckeyes there or thereabouts if a few things come together.

 

Who y'all got?

What about Oklahoma?

 

I watched this yesterday as I love John Gruden and what an amazing set up they've got there.

 

 

[KingsX]

On 30/08/2026 at 05:43, CheeseHead said:

What are the expectations for my Big 10 Fighting Illini? Another average season I suppose..

Illinois Fighting Illini

2025 record: 9-4 (5-4 Big Ten)
Odds to make the CFP: 6.7%   Odds to win the Big Ten: 0.6%   The Athletic 138 ranking: 30th

Will they be better, worse or the same this year? Worse (barely), but they have a favorable schedule.

Pedigree: Illinois has recorded consecutive nine-win seasons for the first time in program history and consecutive winning Big Ten records for the first time since 1992-93. It’s not a historical power (just nine seasons of nine-plus wins, no top-10 finishes since 1989), but the Illini are enjoying a good recent run.

Why they’re interesting: The Illini are moving up the Big Ten food chain. After 10 consecutive sub-.500 seasons from 2012-21, they’ve had three eight-plus-win seasons in the last four years. Also, the retooled defense under new defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck (former Montana head coach) will be worth watching. Plus, there’s the biggest scoreboard in college football.

Who is the coach? Bret Bielema, 56, is 37-26 in five years at Illinois. He has won in the Big Ten before, going 68-24 in seven years at Wisconsin and taking the Badgers to two Rose Bowls. Bielema’s five-year stint at Arkansas (29-34 from 2013-17) wasn’t great, but he has a long enough track record over 17 years (134-84) that you know what you’re getting.

Who is the QB? Katin Houser (No. 41 in QB Tiers) is an East Carolina transfer who threw for 5,306 combined yards and 37 touchdowns in 19 starts the past two seasons. He offers some Big Ten experience, having started seven games at Michigan State in 2023. Last season, Houser had the 20th-best off-target rate in the FBS, per PFF.

Key player: Fifth-year defensive back Matthew Bailey (27 career starts) leads an experienced secondary that will be the strength of the Illini defense (that position group was a reason Bielema wanted to tweak the defensive scheme). Bailey led Illinois in tackles in 2024 and 2025. Nobody on the team has taken as many snaps in an Illini uniform (2,123).

Game to circle: Oct. 24 vs. Oregon. The Illini have notched home wins over ranked teams each of the past two years. The home date against the Ducks will likely be their first such opportunity this year.

 

On 30/08/2026 at 08:01, Izzy said:

What about Oklahoma?

Oklahoma Sooners

2025 record: 10-3 (6-2 SEC)
Odds to make the CFP: 27.4%   Odds to win the SEC: 8.6%   The Athletic 138 ranking: 10th

Will they be better, worse or the same this year? Better. Little stands in the way of a return to the Playoff.

Pedigree: Blue blood all the way through. Oklahoma’s 960 wins rank sixth in college football history, and the Sooners are rarely irrelevant. Their two losing seasons under fifth-year coach Brent Venables sit among eight seasons in the past 11 years with 10 wins or more.

Why they’re interesting: Last year’s CFP appearance was the Sooners’ first since 2019 and fifth overall. Does it mean 2024’s disastrous 6-7 finish was an aberration? The Sooners beat five ranked opponents, including three by one score, and their schedule is again brutal, including three CFP teams from a year ago plus Michigan and Texas.

Who is the coach? Venables, who is 32-20 at OU, has found more solid footing by leaning into his strength as a defensive mastermind. The Sooners were ultra-disruptive on defense last year under the 55-year-old former OU and Clemson defensive coordinator.

Who is the QB? John Mateer (No. 16 in QB Tiers and No. 70 in the Freaks List) came with offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle from Washington State last year and had a promising debut season disrupted by a September hand injury. Healthy and hulking out in offseason workouts, he is set up for stardom in his final season of college football.

Key player: Senior safety Peyton Bowen anchors a loaded secondary that aims to create more chaos after the Sooners recorded nine interceptions a year ago.

Game to circle: Who are we kidding? It’s Texas in Dallas on Oct. 10. The Longhorns have won the past two meetings. The Red River Rivalry needs no extra spice, but Sooners wide receiver Parker Livingstone may provide it this year. He was Arch Manning’s roommate at Texas and posted 29 receptions for 516 yards last season before being shown the door as the Longhorns made room for top transfer Cam Coleman.

[bovril]

I enjoy college football for many reasons not least hearing very sensible people with sensible British accents saying things like "got a really good feeling about my West Oklahoma Fighting Ninja Slugs. Go Helicarionidae! 

[CheeseHead]

Looking forward to the big American football game this weekend. It’s the Buckeyes vs the Illini! 5pm UK time, perfect. Come on the Orange And Blue!
 

According to the bookmakers there is only a 5% chance that Illinois wins it. Oh well…

[CheeseHead]

I'm happy that Illinois beat the 4-TD spread 

 

That Jeremiah Smith is some player. I guess he'll be taken very early in the NFL draft next year

[Pliskin]

Texas made hard work of it….. Simmons nearly blew it in more ways than one…..