In the United States, college football is not only a sport; it has become a tradition that sparks passion and loyalty among fans. Every NCAAF season, everyone troops to the exact location to feel the electrifying aura that game day projects. And so, it is safe to say that football has a particular spot in American hearts.
However, the players, coaches, and fans’ expectations come with college football. The issue is that many are unaware of these expectations’ intensity and how they affect each person.
Thus, in this article, we shall look into what these expectations mean and the pressure they put on footballers.
What Accounts For The Growing Dependence On Playoffs?
Anyone who knows anything about college football knows that the playoffs or busts have become much more critical now than in previous years. This could be traced to the College Football Playoff(CFP), a four-team tournament first introduced in 2014.
This rising prominence is because the tournament determines who goes home as the national champion. Thus, getting a spot in this elite squad poses a massive accomplishment for any college football program.
When first introduced, the CFP displaced the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) as the system for determining football champions. Now, with only four slots, the competition for being the champion is tight, and the stakes are much higher.
Why Is There A Need To Have Realistic Goals?
Understandably, any footballer would wish to join this elite group. But even with that, it is necessary to have a clear and realistic goal. This accounts for the perfect balance between ambition and realism.
First, understand that not every player can be a contender each year – the slots available are too limited for that. Another thing you should know is that various factors can affect a team’s chance at success, with injuries having a more significant say. Also, college football is uncontrollable, so expectations should be tempered based on that.
Once you recognize that the journey to the playoffs can get very long and challenging, you will learn to take joy in the little achievements you garner. As a result, celebrating a winning season and a bowl game appearance can become a more enjoyable accomplishment.
What Are Some of College Football’s General Impacts?
Increased Pressure On Players and Coaches
The “playoffs or bust” mentality is a tricky thing as it builds some kind of pressure on both the coaches and players of the teams. For the players, it’s about how best to display their skills and strengths even under the pressure of reaching the playoffs. As for the coaches’ job positions are not guaranteed if they cannot lead their teams to ‘victory.’
Therefore, if a team fails to achieve the desired result, the “bust” part of the equation begins. A cloud of disappointment descends, and everyone plays the blame game. But what many don’t know is that the pressure takes its toll on everyone and makes it almost impossible to meet up in the long run to such high expectations.
Financial Implications
One primary reason college football playoffs are a big deal, besides the championship, is the revenue it comes with. College football is a significant and booming market with very substantial financial incentives. The playoff games include various collaborations like merchandise sales, sponsorships, and TV contracts.
There is also the bad side whereby a team fails to meet expectations and the school faces repercussions. Such universities usually experience a drop in the sales of tickets, alumni donations, and merch revenues.
Thus, considering how much financial potential it holds, universities push their players to win to elevate the school’s overall value.
Increased Burnout Risk
Coaches, players, and fans with the playoffs or bust mentality tend to experience burnout. Burnout is when people experience an overall mental or physical collapse caused by stress or overwork after some time.
This is something the relentless pursuit of playoff success could result in. It could end with the three groups getting exhausted mentally and emotionally because of the constant pressure to meet up.
For coaches, it may begin with working extended hours and ignoring rest. For players, it starts as they push beyond their limits and capabilities in their pursuit of perfection. And this continues until burnout happens.
The Thrill Of The Journey
To avoid the potential negative impacts that college playoffs hold, it’s important not to lose focus of the game’s intrigue. Look beyond the tournament to see that it’s not only about the competition. It’s also about the thrill behind it and a sense of togetherness among teammates and fans.
This way, everyone finds fulfillment in the game, regardless of whether it’s a win or a loss. While playoffs are the main prize, that is not the only way to achieve a sense of accomplishment in college football.
Conclusion
The expectations of college football are beyond just the surface value. It has so much more impact than many realize. Thus, it is important that many understand that the heart of college football lies in the love for the game itself and not just the playoffs.
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