Alabama is #1..... Or NOT??

#2 Alabama beats #1 LSU so they are now #1, right? Makes sense to me. But wait a minute. Over two games between these two teams only one touchdown was scored. Who else did they play anyhow? Did they play #3? How about #7? The debate goes on, as it does every year.

Next on the table is: "Let's have a playoff, then we'll know for sure". One game playoffs are a farce. If Alabama and LSU played again next week, LSU may well win again. It's a crap shoot.

The bottom line is, who cares anyhow? I mean what the fuck is the big deal? Sure, it probably means more money for the school that gets the prize. If one of my alma mater's was #1, I'd be pretty proud.... and I'd even watch a few games. But I'd be pretty proud if they were #2 or #3 too. It's a university for god's sake. The sport is taking on a level of importance far beyond it's true place in the university and in society. It is, after all, just recreation. For those that go on to the "business" of football, it's just entertainment.

It's fabulous that we have pee-wee football programs, junior high football programs, high school football programs, college football programs, semi-professional football and professional football. In the early years, it's great exercise. It's a great place to learn some physical skills and develop some mental toughness. It's a way to prepare yourself for the life ahead. In the later years, for a very small percentage, it's a good way to earn some money while playing a game you love.

I think football should continue at ALL levels, but the importance we put on it(primarily measured by the resources we throw at it) must be scaled back. If we don't get the sports industry under control, it will become the economic "bust". The whole system is not sustainable the way it is currently run. Unfortunately, those in control will continue to run up the bills and the hype until the public turns their back and says "enough". Then the system will go into an uncontrolled collapse costing thousands of jobs causing economic ripples through TV networks, college athletic departments, team owners and the players themselves.

I know what will happen, everyone will cover their eyes ignore what is happening. That's why the dot com bust caught everyone by surprise. That's why the housing bubble caught everyone by surprise. Everyone can see what's going on, but nobody wants to do anything about it. Big changes are coming. You heard it here first.