How about college football games in spring?

Harry · July 27, 2014

Have you ever heard an idea that was so crazy it might just work? Thats what happened to me this week when I heard a sound bite from SMU head football coach June Jones.

We already have spring football practice on college campuses all over the nation, but why not actually have a spring football season?

Ill go ahead and say it right now, Jones said in an interview with WDEA-AM, I think the have-nots should go ahead and move to the spring just like the USFL did. I think that theres an opportunity to do a complete other side of that division, and I think that if we dont think that way as a group of have-nots, were going to get left behind.

After thinking about it, this could work.

Jones has a point. With the first-ever college football playoff, the chances of a Conference USA, American Athletic Conference or any other mid-major team getting in is low.

In fact, not every Power-5 conference is even guaranteed a spot under this playoff.

So take your pick from last year: Auburn, Baylor, Florida State, Michigan State and Stanford. One of those will be left out and play in a bowl game that is more meaningless now than it was in the Bowl Championship Series era. Sure the playoff might expand to eight teams. But, even then, it would still be hard for a school like Central Florida or North Texas to jump a second Power 5 school like Alabama or Oklahoma from getting into a playoff spot. So in the end what do the Hear of Dallas, Autozone or Chik-fil-a Bowl really mean? Nothing outside of money grab and chances for fans to take a trip.

Read more: http://kdhnews.com/sports/college/how-about-college-football-games-in-spring/article_8c956330-154a-11e4-b1e3-0017a43b2370.html?mode=jqm

oldguystudent · July 27, 2014

So in the end what do the Hear of Dallas, Autozone or Chik-fil-a Bowl really mean? Nothing outside of money grab and chances for fans to take a trip.

What did any of the bowls mean before the BCS? Pretty much equally nothing except that there were a LOT fewer, so getting into one was a bigger deal. As things sit now, you win six games against such juggernauts as Western Oregon, you're off to scenic Albuquerque where you can be "champion" of the Gildan bowl.

I guess in this modern world, outside the playoffs, the bowl games are a televised advertisement for your program and its potential recruits.

Ben Gooding · July 27, 2014

I look at bowl games as conference pride myself. Granted there are some programs that can't get "up" for these games when being seconds away from a title shot such as Bama in 08 & 13 and Florida in 2012. Not saying that fla or bama didn't prepare to play but most programs take these bowl games very seriously for recruiting purposes and conference pride. Conference reputation is built in the post season and OOC scheduling. CUSA goes 5-1 in bowls the next 3-5 years people will take notice. However, the G5 just can't wither away voluntarily. If we get pushed out due to an "autonomy" ruling or bc we can't afford to keep up then so be it. Flat giving up the idea to potentially one day be "big time" isn't an option IMO. If you think we and most/all G5's struggle to consistently get solid recruits, imagine what would be.

greenminer · July 27, 2014

I'm actually willing to listen to Spring Football discussion, but this article is full of empty points.

oldguystudent · July 27, 2014

So I'm thinking you form P5/G5 pairings. Maybe:

Pac-12/MWC

Big XII/CUSA

B1G/MAC

SEC/AAC

ACC/Sunbelt (This would never fly. Karl Benson and Sunbelt ruin everything)

For each pairing, the last place P5 team gets relegated to the G5 conference and the G5 champion gets promoted to the P5 conference the following season. Just like the English Premier League and Championship League (did I get that second one right?)

Everybody gets a fair shot that way.

Ben Gooding · July 27, 2014

Yes that's correct and yes that would be awesome. This us a system that would create parity and give everyone an equal shot. Vanderbilt/UK, Wazzou/Utah, Boston College/Pitt, Indiana/Illinois, TCU/IA ST would have to find a comfortable seat in their G5 conference bc they would be playing in it a lot.

Christopher Walker · July 27, 2014

So I'm thinking you form P5/G5 pairings. Maybe:

Pac-12/MWC
Big XII/CUSA
B1G/MAC
SEC/AAC
ACC/Sunbelt (This would never fly. Karl Benson and Sunbelt ruin everything)

For each pairing, the last place P5 team gets relegated to the G5 conference and the G5 champion gets promoted to the P5 conference the following season. Just like the English Premier League and Championship League (did I get that second one right?)

Everybody gets a fair shot that way.

This is something once drooled over for yearssss.

MDH · July 27, 2014

I'd be down to watch FCS in the spring, just like I enjoy CFL right now.

UNTLifer · July 27, 2014

Football is to be played in the Fall.

VideoEagle · July 28, 2014

Football is to be played in the Fall.

Yes it is. There are things called basketball and baseball in the spring. There is a reason CFLs tried expansion failed and a big part of it was very few people will watch football anytime but fall/winter.

DT 90 · July 28, 2014

Simple answer..... no.

malonish · July 28, 2014

I love that there is a tag for JUNE JONES IDEA

Cerebus · July 28, 2014

Ill go ahead and say it right now, Jones said in an interview with WDEA-AM, I think the have-nots should go ahead and move to the spring just like the USFL did.

Harry · July 28, 2014

That’s what SMU coach June Jones was doing when he recently suggested the AAC and others left out of the big five conferences (Conference USA, MAC, MWC and Sun Belt) should move their football season to spring.

Sure, there are a multitude of reasons to reject the idea. Yet, it is time more athletic officials at schools on the outside of the power five leagues start studying every possible option.

The AAC, and the others left out of the big five, should be thinking about a future without the power five, who are flexing their muscles and doing what they want with college football.

If those five power leagues, including the Big 12, want to go off and play by their own new set of rules and alignment, there’s probably very little or nothing the non-power five can do about it.

So, just like the power five, the non-power five should start thinking about how best to maximize their advantages.

read more: http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportshomepage2/john-klein-tulsa-football-schedule-in-the-spring/article_e1ae595c-c2bd-56ba-8a65-125680004fc8.html