College Football '11: The More Things Change . . .

Image via WikipediaAs the new college football season opens, it should surprise no one that the game is no longer played with leather helmets in front of spectators wearing raccoon coats and waving pennants, just like in those old Hollywood movies (The Marx Brothers in "Horse Feathers" comes to mind).

Even Knute Rockne, George Gipp and Bernie Bierman wouldn't recognize the massive stadiums, media coverage, and big budgets that makes the game such a lucrative proposition today.  The only ones not in on the windfall are the players who train year-round to star on Saturdays.  It's a wonder they're getting much studying done, let alone graduating with honors.

But there's always more money to be made.  That's why schools with football pedigrees jump conferences and sign lucrative TV deals to stay competitive.  Never mind that the nearest opponent in your new league might be half a continent away, or that the name of your new conference no longer reflects the number of teams in it.

• The Big Ten now has 12 schools, with the addition of the University of Nebraska.  They've also split into two divisions, inexplicably known as "Legends" and "Leaders".  And for the first time, they will play a championship game in Indianapolis in December.
• The Pac 10 has become the Pac 12, with Colorado and Utah coming in from other conferences.
• The Big 12 is down to ten schools with the departure of Colorado and Nebraska.  They were able to persuade the University of Texas to stay, but Texas A&M has announced its intention to leave, probably for the Southeastern Conference.
• Boise State and Texas Christian are also changing conferences, while Brigham Young is going the Notre Dame route as an independent.

Another thing Amos Alonzo Stagg might not recognize about college football today is how many programs have been embroiled in scandal, and only now is the NCAA getting around to punishing those schools for their alleged misdeeds.  They have resulted in Southern California giving up its 2004 national championship and Reggie Bush's Heisman trophy, North Carolina and Ohio State forfeiting games and losing coaches, and Miami of Florida possibly sinking its football program.

But there's one thing coaches like Bear Bryant, Bud Wilkinson and Darrel Royal might appreciate.  For the past six years, a team from the Sun Belt has won the BCS national championship, and the team defending it this time is Auburn.  Look for another school from the SEC to win it all this year.

So while such things as drop kicks, Minnesota Golden Gophers championships and Ronald Reagan announcing games on the radio are no longer part of college football, it's nice to know that some things never change.