The College Football Landscape

Scandals, suspensions, lightening strikes, and garish new uniforms. That has summed up the start of the College Football Season, which got under way in earnest last weekend. It's a brave new season — one that has yielded more questions than answers so far.

For those that enjoy College Football, this doesn't seem like a great time. But as we get into the season, there are a few pressing issues that fans must watch.

First, how will scandals — past, present, and future — impact the game? This was not a good summer for College Football fans. Ohio State imploded, with coach Jim Tressel being fired and star Terrell Pryor heading to the Oakland Raiders. The USC Trojans were further sanctioned and Reggie Bush had to give back his Heisman Trophy. Then there was the Miami Hurricanes, who still don't know the extent to which they'll be punished. Of course, Oregon and Alabama were also mentioned in scandals, though nothing has thus far been proven.

If you add in the scandals of a year ago, including the fact that Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton was nearly ruled ineligable (and still might be at some point in the future), you have to wonder if any major program succeeds without cheating? This seems to be a systemic problem, and I predict we haven't heard the last of scandals this year.

Second, how long with College Football exist in its current structure? This year we begin the PAC-12, with Colorado and Utah entering the fray, and the new Big-10, with Nebraska on board. Already Texas A&M seems poised to jump to the SEC next season, and there are rumors that Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State will soon move to new conferences as well. It seems that the current system is undergoing a massive change.

The consensus seems to be that, within three years, there will be four super conferences (Pac-12, Big-10, SEC, and Big East/ACC) that will form the core of the top level of college football. This group, some say, will move out of the NCAA and form a new league that will include a playoff system, effectively ending the bowl system that has reigned for years. We appear to be at the dawn of a new era, and I think that leaves questions about everything, including what happens to Notre Dame and up-and-coming programs like Boise State.

Third, is this finally the year for Boise State? With a watered down group at the top and scandals taking the shine of some big name programs, it might be time for the underdog to shine. Boise State continues to fill that role and, after a nice win to start the season versus Georgia, it appears they're in position to be at or near the top of the BCS standings again. This could be the year that David gets a chance to meet Goliath on the field.

And finally, what's up with the uniforms? If nothing else, the first weekend of college football proved a horror for the eyes. The Maryland uniform was the most abrasive, but it was hardly alone. I'm not sure what these teams are thinking, but I have to hope that someone looks at game tape, goes blind, and thinks better of it. Yikes!