I was jacked for 2002 NC and the 2014 NC, though nice the Scarlett and Gray got hot at the right time this year and sure it's nice but kind of meh. And the sport has lost alot IMO as by whoring more games out of a schedule the Universities and Networks just can't get enough. Really killing decades old traditions and old rivalries. They'll keep pushing for MORE games until they're poking their ass into Groundhog Day
"Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching that satisfaction." Erich Fromm
It's very interesting to read this take. I think a lot of OSU fans are using the additional games as justification why THE GAME doesn't matter and in this circumstance, it's the greatest thing ever and maybe justifiably so. I leaned more towards your take of 12 teams and all these additional games are too much. It watered it down for me. I questioned if I only feel that way because Michigan was on their couch at home, but I don't think that's it.
And maybe it's just because we're old and our time and what we grew up loving is gone.. I loved the importance of the Rose Bowl. The younger generations probably love the extra games and college football lasting longer and all the money thrown around with NIL and it's "free agency." I'm beginning to get worried about the disconnect from players to the school they are supposed to represent as they bounce around. As a UM fan, it was a bit easier to connect to last year's team because the stars were players that came up through the system. The JJ, Sainristil, Colson, Blake Corum, Roman Wilson, etc.
I don't know if I'll connect as much if Michigan is decent in 2025, but then in 2026 they spend a ton of money to bring in high talented seniors from other schools to seal the W.. and apparently their budget is now skyrocketing so it will happen.
When I think about the 97 team or 2003 team or hell, even the Denard days, there was a connection to the players. If I'm a buckeye fan, I'm just not as connected to Will Howard or Judkins as much as the Bosas, the Marvin Jrs, the Chase Youngs or Zeke Elliotts. It's just a different game now.