College football changes: fans and athletes react to new season

College football is undergoing significant changes, particularly due to conference realignment. The Pac-12 has seen a major exodus of teams, leading to its reduction to just two remaining members, Washington State and Oregon State. This shift is largely attributed to the decisions made by former commissioner Larry Scott, who pursued ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful strategies, such as expanding the conference to China and investing heavily in real estate in San Francisco. As a result, many prominent teams have migrated to the SEC and Big 10, which now dominate the landscape with lucrative television deals. This consolidation has created a scenario where only a few powerful conferences hold sway, pushing smaller schools further into obscurity. The loss of these smaller programs threatens the rich tapestry of college football, which is built on regional rivalries and unique traditions. Fans and athletes alike are concerned about the implications of this realignment. The traditional rivalries that have defined college football for decades are at risk, as teams are now grouped in ways that do not reflect historical connections. The cultural significance of these matchups is being overshadowed by the financial motivations driving the changes. Ultimately, the ongoing transformation of college football raises questions about the future of the sport. As the focus shifts to a few elite conferences, the national appreciation for smaller teams and their unique contributions may diminish, leading to a more homogenized and less diverse college football experience.