Good morning, from the North Coast.
I was talking with my football circles about defensive fronts, evolutions of attacking protections, etc etc. In that talk I was able to source a clip from the 06' game on a particular front Texas used.
20 years on September 12th, to the date. It's incredible because I remember the hype that entire off-season for the rematch.
I came to BP to see what discussion there might be because I don't keep up with rosters like I used to. With the advent of the transfer portal, it feels like a part time job anyway. A farcry from when you practically knew the 2 deep year over year.
Now.... nothing. I don't know the extent of contributing factors in decline - if it's the medium of forums themselves that has shrunk in popularity? Perhaps those who were so passionate in this community have moved on or left us? (RIP & Godspeed)
But I do know this, from my perspective at least; The expanded playoff system (pinch of death in regional integrity/recruiting) has all but crushed what excitement I used to feel for the few calendar circling games you had a year. Especially those big, OOC games.
I went back to check the 2006 thread and here I am now, 20 years later in this vacant lot. My God... how things have changed so much. I'm not convinced for the better either.
These games have been watered down in value. In turn, the degree of importance, including all of the anxiety, anticipation, excitement and hype (you know, the fun build up to these games?) that comes with such high stakes, has seemingly evaporated.
I feel like I've lived through the death knell of college football as I, and countless others, knew and loved it for 100 years. What stands in it's stead looks* like the same thing to my eyes, but my heart sees it as something of an imposter now.
www.cbssports.com
