As an alum of “The” Ohio State University this piece is nothing but pure truth blazoned in the removal of all “M”s from campus and the refusal to say the name of The Team Up North leading to that game every season
I lived in Southern New England, which in spite of the Patriots was clearly dominated by the NFL in terms of football and sports interest the entire time. College football existed but beyond Notre Dame and to a far lesser degree Boston College, it simply didn't matter that much. Moving to the midwest (a college town to boot) where the rivalries speak to regional conflicts sometimes two centuries old has been eye opening at minimum for me in terms of how much more compelling college football can be. The conference realignment, I fear, will do untold damage in the future. For now, what makes college football special still exists and for that I am occasionally grateful, though also aware of how college football is operated can have profound effects on me, an individual who has nothing to do with the games.
College football has mattered for much longer than the NFL. Football as we know it was developed as a game played by universities, and universities also developed the modern structures of the sport up to and including the manner in which stadiums are constructed and designed (Yale Bowl). Rivalries then have existed in many cases over a century; Ohio State/Michigan started so long ago that there were substantial numbers of people alive when it started who recalled the political battles involved with Michigan's entry to the US (which Ohio was a principal actor in). There is always a sociocultural context to all the major rivalries and big players. Notre Dame being an independent team for so long and why they matter directly ties into waves of immigration to America and integration. MIzzou/Kansas shouldn't require much explanation for anyone who passed high school social studies, etc etc etc
As an alum of “The” Ohio State University this piece is nothing but pure truth blazoned in the removal of all “M”s from campus and the refusal to say the name of The Team Up North leading to that game every season
I'm glad some other people understand.
I lived in Southern New England, which in spite of the Patriots was clearly dominated by the NFL in terms of football and sports interest the entire time. College football existed but beyond Notre Dame and to a far lesser degree Boston College, it simply didn't matter that much. Moving to the midwest (a college town to boot) where the rivalries speak to regional conflicts sometimes two centuries old has been eye opening at minimum for me in terms of how much more compelling college football can be. The conference realignment, I fear, will do untold damage in the future. For now, what makes college football special still exists and for that I am occasionally grateful, though also aware of how college football is operated can have profound effects on me, an individual who has nothing to do with the games.
I think it's a cultural institution in the places not big enough for a pro sports franchise.
The transitory nature of the players is actually a benefit...it allows hope to blossom every year.
College football has mattered for much longer than the NFL. Football as we know it was developed as a game played by universities, and universities also developed the modern structures of the sport up to and including the manner in which stadiums are constructed and designed (Yale Bowl). Rivalries then have existed in many cases over a century; Ohio State/Michigan started so long ago that there were substantial numbers of people alive when it started who recalled the political battles involved with Michigan's entry to the US (which Ohio was a principal actor in). There is always a sociocultural context to all the major rivalries and big players. Notre Dame being an independent team for so long and why they matter directly ties into waves of immigration to America and integration. MIzzou/Kansas shouldn't require much explanation for anyone who passed high school social studies, etc etc etc