This weekend’s showdown between two of college football’s powerhouse programs is expected to be a thrilling spectacle, with the nation’s attention fixed on the gridiron. However, despite the high stakes, the matchup feels surprisingly lacking in urgency.
Take a step back to 2013, and the significance of this game would have been monumental. The loser would have faced an uphill battle to secure a national championship, with every remaining game taking on a must-win quality. Fast-forward to today, and the landscape has shifted dramatically.
With the College Football Playoff (CFP) now the ultimate goal, the pressure has been alleviated from individual games. Both teams can afford to drop this contest and still find themselves in the CFP come season’s end. In fact, one team could potentially lose three games and still secure a spot.
While fans of both teams will undoubtedly be invested in the outcome, the losing side will wake up Sunday morning feeling surprisingly optimistic about their season prospects. This lack of consequence undermines the significance of games like this, which once defined the college football experience.
The expansion of the Playoff field was intended to increase the importance of regular-season games. Instead, it has led to a warped perspective, where games like this weekend’s clash are reduced to mere exhibitions. If the CFP is the ultimate goal, then let’s make it truly matter, rather than diluting the significance of these marquee matchups.
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