by Kelly Thompson

Created on: April 30, 2009

I know this isn't a debate forum, but do we honestly believe this is bad for college football? If the soundest argument against this practice is that "teams only do it because it makes them bowl eligible" then aren't we really complaining about the bowl process?

But no, it really is bad for college football as a practice, for a couple of primary reasons. The first reason that the scheduling of 1-AA oppenents is bad for college football is because of money. Let us not begin our relationship as writer to reader by being naive - college sports are all about making money, and if they stop bringing in a profit, they will be axed. This being the case, the scheduling of 1-AA opponents by major college football programs (OU) actually loses money for both universities. No one travels to the games, no one watches them on T.V. (a) because they are boring and b) because they are not nationally broadcast) and no one cares what happens because in the end the winner is a forgone conclusion. It makes for bad marketing, and leads to bad economics...based on the current economic plight of American society, can we really afford another bubble birst?

The second reason that I feel it is bad for college football is because of injuries. One of the major responsibilities of the NCAA is determining ways to maximize safety for its' athletes. Now I am not going to lie to you and say that I have done statistical research on this and that, but I would wager a bet that there are between 25 and 50% more injuries in games between a DI and DII opponent than between two more evenly skilled opponents. And these injuries happen on both sides of the field. DII players get injured because, let's continue with our honesty trend, they are smaller, less skilled and weaker than players at the DI level. It's naive to think that these players are in DII because they just chose not to take USC up on that scholarship offer and decided to play for Central Missouri State instead. They are playing DII ball for a reason - and it's because they aren't as big, strong or talented. So, the fact is, that that bigger, stronger opponent dominates them physically and this can lead to injuries.

But, players for DI teams get injured in these games as well, don't they? Of course they do! Why, you ask, if they are so much bigger and stronger? Well, it's really quite simple. DI athletes get hurt playing DII opponents because of the pressure to rack of the score and put on a show. They try to beat them by 80 points, they try to dance their way in to the endzone and they try to humiliate the game and their opponents all in the name of impressing the pollsters. And as a result, they get injured to. Because, coupled with their insatiable need for a blowout, is their condescending approach to the game. They don't work out as hard that week, they don't warm-up well and they don't stretch like they're supposed to - because what's the point? They already know they are going to win the game.

The fact of the matter is that promoting DI v. DII games is bad for college football - for the plans, players and for the schools.

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