Alabama, Oregon, FSU, and Ohio State in the Playoff. WOW. The conspiracy theorists are definitely going to call this one a media conspiracy:
4 of the top revenue, fan base, and media market teams.
All of these teams are filled with top NFL talent. In fact, we have reached an era where parody is becoming greater in college football, because the top programs have too much talent.
Many of these programs recruit so well, that they have many NFL prospects sitting on the bench for 2 years before they get their first start. As soon as they do, BOOM, NFL scouts, then draft inquiry... GONE.
As this cycle continues, the great coaches are finding that they must build entirely new, cohesive units, on every side of the ball... every year.
Whereas other coaches are able to develop a team over a few years, it seems as though the top few programs in football are more called to develop NFL talent. (Coach Will "Boom" Muschamp could back me up.)
LSU seems to turnover its defensive personal faster than a Cutco sales team and Alabama's backfield is at worst an on-deck circle for the NFL since Glen Coffee (7 years ago).
That being said... ...why is it 2014 and we still haven't figured out how to properly compensate and mentor these kids?
Yes, I'm talking about those 19 year old guys who are heroes and idols to many.
Some of these guys don't even know how to separate whites and non-whites in their laundry, boil noodles properly, or take care of themselves in general, LIKE MANY 19 year olds!
Some of these guys grew up in situations that were great...
Let's be honest though. Most college football athletes come from impoverished rural and urban backgrounds. (Except QBs, they come from suburbs only, right? How else can you get that perfect hair?)
Many of them will be lucky to have a solid role model take an active presence in their life, until their coach (hopefully).
For some of them football is a mental escape from the rest of their horrific up-bringing. For some, it is an escape from a horrific environment.
Yet, we expect them to practice hard, go to (sometimes) classes, refuse temptation, and learn how to speak well, when a mic is thrown at them randomly. AND, all the time, be perfect role models.
These are things that everyone struggles with on an every day basis, even the most successful people in the US.
And we wonder why some of these players act out? We wonder why many have psychological disorders? Wonder why some of them, break-down, perceive themselves as above the law, or common ethics?
Jameis Winston might be a good person, or a bad person, but right now, in my mind, even if he sold his signature, he is just a young kid, having fun, who is really damn good at football.
If I root against FSU in the playoff, it won't be because I dislike him. It will be because I'm one of those insane Alabama fans that I keep hearing about.
I love the game as much as anybody, but we need to find a solution.
