Do you not agree that saying "I voted for the guy who finished 8th" might fall short of saying "yeah, I voted for the guy who won it"? I agree that it's a stupid thing, but that doesn't mean it's not a thing.
Or think about it like this.....40 years ago, there were fewer voters. Yet today, the votes are seemingly funneled for 2-3 players only. How would that happen with more voters organically?
I kind of do disagree. Saying you are unoriginal and went with the crowd is hardly a badge of honor. This is not some brag. In the modern media landscape, a column about why you voted for Desmond Ritter is far more likely to draw attention and web traffic. There's simply just about nothing interesting or notable about saying that you voted like four hundred other people. It's all but a non-squinter unless you think people are wired in a strange, strange way.
Here are some ways that it would happen organically that don't involve bragging about group think:
-We have more access to info. Simply put, we can see ALL the stuff. Back then, people were working with incredibly uneven data and visuals.
-We have more unified conversations. Simply put, ESPN and Fox churn through a TON of college football talk. And while it's a cacophony, some tones do emerge. The teams have numbers, the highest ones lead the shows and discussions, people take cues.
-Smart people can interact. Voters have so, so much access to the conversation about the award and the arguments for everyone. And if lots of people read the same arguments, a lot of people are often convinced of the same arguments.
-A coalescing of candidate type: We're in an era where we have efficent, prolific QBs who can also run and play for top teams (Johnny football is a good example). That tends to be a type that dominates these fields. Multi-talented backs or backs with good stories sometimes break through. Also the odd defensive player. Davonta Smith was interesting because he was far and away the most standout guy at his position statistically and arguably the top player on the best team.
-The No. 1 way: Through the years, we've cut and cut the breadth of the sport we consider truly important.
You look back, Toledo going 12-0 at one point mattered to someone. And putting up bonkers numbers for Tulsa in the MVC could get you second place.
These days, there’s a great chorus that they’re basically playing HS teams. At some point, the sport turned attention to the top squads. And if you didn’t get your team to that level, it would take something mammoth to be considered, along with the old rule that a bad big game could sink you. Well, if you’re not on that top team, it likely means you had a dud against a top team along the way. These are all good ways it could happen.
