True/False - College Football was more rewarding and fun in the 50s-70s era

[Townhallsavoy]

Watched the Book of Manning last night.  Was enamored with that family's class and closeness.  Definitely want to provide that type of father figure for my own son. 

But something that caught my eye was the way Ole Miss fans spoke of their school and of Archie Manning.  Perhaps it's just the allure of technicolor film and the picture of fans from yesteryear singing their fight songs, but it seems like college football had much more meaning back then. 

You rooted for your school.  Your "boys."  You went to games for pageantry.  It was culture.  It was tradition.  You went because you wanted to see your team's helmet go up against another SEC team's helmet.  You cheered for a hometown hero.  You were connected to the players because they were going to school just like you were.  You took your kids to the game because it was a safe, family friendly event with colors, cheers, excitement, and general happiness.  You said, "awe, shucks!" when your team lost and hoped you'd do better next week. 

But now, college football is big business.  It's recruiting services.  It's four and five stars.  It's multi-million dollar coaches.  It's school jets going to Oregon or Southern California.  It's primetime TV contracts worth billions.  It's the playoffs.   It's determining a proper champion.  It's pathetic cupcake games just to fill up a 12 game season.  It's college "kids" being treated like NFL stars and under the eye of Sauron known as sports media.  It's about winning.  And if you don't win - and by win, we mean compete consistently for SEC and national championships -  we don't care about anything else you've accomplished.  You're gone.

I guess this is a thread for the old timers, but do you agree? 

[Godfather]

That was before my era but I believe it was.  I think the internet and media have ruined a lot of sports.


We are a nation of want it now, and what have you done for me lately.

[Snaggletiger]

I grew up in part of that era.  It's only ruined now if you let it be.  Let me tell you what I've said to many a Bama fan the last couple of years.  In 2010, Auburn won the MNC.  It was a magical season that only comes along once in a blue moon for some teams.  I was happy to see it in my lifetime.  But whether we won the championship that year, or went 4-8 or 11-2 or 5-7....whatever, my ass would have still been sitting in JHS the following season, watching us open with Utah State.

For me, other than talking to you losers on this board, Auburn football is now, always has been and always will be about Tiger Walk, Samford Hall, the eagle flying, the way the band plays on the street prior to Tiger Walk and the way they come out pre-game.  It's about tailgating with other AU fans (And you people...yeah, you people) It's hopefully still about Toomer's Corner after a big win.  I went to the first 3 games this year and didn't see 5 minutes of Game Day or any of the talking heads.  That was 3 days on the Plains. 

I know all that sounds sappy but that's what it's always been about for me.  Yep, it's huge business now but that's your problem if you let all that get in the way of enjoying the college football experience.     

[Token]

Watched the Book of Manning last night.  Was enamored with that family's class and closeness.  Definitely want to provide that type of father figure for my own son. 

But something that caught my eye was the way Ole Miss fans spoke of their school and of Archie Manning.  Perhaps it's just the allure of technicolor film and the picture of fans from yesteryear singing their fight songs, but it seems like college football had much more meaning back then. 

You rooted for your school.  Your "boys."  You went to games for pageantry.  It was culture.  It was tradition.  You went because you wanted to see your team's helmet go up against another SEC team's helmet.  You cheered for a hometown hero.  You were connected to the players because they were going to school just like you were.  You took your kids to the game because it was a safe, family friendly event with colors, cheers, excitement, and general happiness.  You said, "awe, shucks!" when your team lost and hoped you'd do better next week. 

But now, college football is big business.  It's recruiting services.  It's four and five stars.  It's multi-million dollar coaches.  It's school jets going to Oregon or Southern California.  It's primetime TV contracts worth billions.  It's the playoffs.   It's determining a proper champion.  It's pathetic cupcake games just to fill up a 12 game season.  It's college "kids" being treated like NFL stars and under the eye of Sauron known as sports media.  It's about winning.  And if you don't win - and by win, we mean compete consistently for SEC and national championships -  we don't care about anything else you've accomplished.  You're gone.

I guess this is a thread for the old timers, but do you agree?

It did seem that way, but in reality you're not far removed from that atmosphere.  You were a high school teacher not long ago, correct?  Unless you taught at some 6A super school, it's basically the same thing.  About 10 years ago I loved college football...would rather watch it than any other sporting event.  Still love it, but in the last few years, I've started attending high school games again.  Generally speaking, high school football is a better game than college football.  You play with what you have.  No paying kids to transfer to your school.  Coaching means a lot more.  It's one area vs another area.  And it seems like, the smaller the school, the better the games/rivalries. 

[Saniflush]

That was before my era but I believe it was.  I think the internet and media have ruined a lot of sports.


We are a nation of want it now, and what have you done for me lately.

I know what you want now.

[Ogre]

For me, other than talking to you losers on this board, Auburn football is now, always has been and always will be about Tiger Walk, Samford Hall, the eagle flying, the way the band plays on the street prior to Tiger Walk and the way they come out pre-game.  It's about tailgating with other AU fans (And you people...yeah, you people) It's hopefully still about Toomer's Corner after a big win.  I went to the first 3 games this year and didn't see 5 minutes of Game Day or any of the talking heads.  That was 3 days on the Plains. 
 

Thanks for the input WarTim.  Does your lovelly wife feel the same way?

[Snaggletiger]

Thanks for the input WarTim.  Does your lovelly wife feel the same way?

Nope.  It's all about fashion for her.  She goes to the games to critique fashion.

Whoa, what a pass

Look at what she's wearing.  Seriously? 

Wow, Marshall made that guy look silly

Oh, now that's cute.  I love those beads with blouse.

Come on Coach, why is Jake still in there?

I can't believe the sundress and boots thing is still in style

Are you even watching the game?

What?  Oh sure I'm watching...a hat?  Really?  A hat?

[Saniflush]

Thanks for the input WarTim.  Does your lovelly wife feel the same way?

She likes her picture taken while on the cruise.

[Kaos]

Manning sucked. 

He sucked at Ole Miss which never won anything while he was there. 

They were celebrating that school like it was relevant because once in 30 years they played in January in the Cotton Bowl.  Big fat furry deal.  How many times has AU played in January in the last decade. Last two? Last 30?

Manning's best team at that redneck school lost to Sullivan, pre-Heisman Sullivan, at that in the only worth a crap bowl he ever took them to. 

And then he lost forever in New Orleans.  Archie was a big loser. 

Peyton is a better player. Eli is a better player.  Both have won Super Bowls, but neither did doodly squat of anything in college other than rack up stats.  Peyton won the SEC because Bowden wasn't smart enough to just let them score so we could get the ball back with enough time to kick a SEC-winning field goal.  Eli... pfffftttt. 

I like Peyton ok, but the rest of that "first family" and sentimental string music pap smear is just horse crap.  It can blow me.

[Kaos]

I can't believe the sundress and boots thing is still in style

Yummy.

[GH2001]

Manning sucked. 

He sucked at Ole Miss which never won anything while he was there. 

They were celebrating that school like it was relevant because once in 30 years they played in January in the Cotton Bowl.  Big fat furry deal.  How many times has AU played in January in the last decade. Last two? Last 30?

Manning's best team at that redneck school lost to Sullivan, pre-Heisman Sullivan, at that in the only worth a crap bowl he ever took them to. 

And then he lost forever in New Orleans.  Archie was a big loser. 

Peyton is a better player. Eli is a better player.  Both have won Super Bowls, but neither did doodly squat of anything in college other than rack up stats.  Peyton won the SEC because Bowden wasn't smart enough to just let them score so we could get the ball back with enough time to kick a SEC-winning field goal.  Eli... pfffftttt. 

I like Peyton ok, but the rest of that "first family" and sentimental string music pap smear is just horse crap.  It can blow me.

Cooper - is that you?

[Kaos]

Cooper - is that you?

Can't stand a Manning. 

Tolerate Peyton.  Impressed me much when I met him after he stomped Alabama in Birmingham as a sophomore.  But the rest?  Overhyped.  Over, over, over hyped. 

That "documentary" was such garbage. 

[Snaggletiger]

She likes her picture taken while on the cruise.

Warn meter.  Consider it spiked.  Don't make me...what?  My house is burning?  I GOTTA' GO!!!!

[chityeah]

One thing hasn't changed. That's Peyton's constant whining and crying. Just want to slap him.

[Kaos]

To the original point, Manning aversion aside...

It seemed more fun back then because I was a kid. I wasn't aware of all the things that make it terrible. 

But if you don't think Bama was cheating and things weren't just as bad back then, talk to Pat Sullivan about his recruitment.  Look up Don Fuell.

Back in those days it was EXACTLY like it is now.  Bama cheated.  Rampantly, blatantly with complete impunity.  If something was said about it, Bryant tossed the NCAA a bone and told them about a Bama player who'd been recruited by Auburn and allegedly offered something.  And AU went on probation. 

That lying, cheating, whoring, drunken wad of distilled tobacco constantly narc'd on other programs and got a pass for his own.  They were invincible.  They didn't even hide the graft. Didn't even try. 

[CCTAU]

Manning sucked. 

He sucked at Ole Miss which never won anything while he was there. 

They were celebrating that school like it was relevant because once in 30 years they played in January in the Cotton Bowl.  Big fat furry deal.  How many times has AU played in January in the last decade. Last two? Last 30?

Manning's best team at that redneck school lost to Sullivan, pre-Heisman Sullivan, at that in the only worth a crap bowl he ever took them to. 

And then he lost forever in New Orleans.  Archie was a big loser. 

Peyton is a better player. Eli is a better player.  Both have won Super Bowls, but neither did doodly squat of anything in college other than rack up stats.  Peyton won the SEC because Bowden wasn't smart enough to just let them score so we could get the ball back with enough time to kick a SEC-winning field goal.  Eli... pfffftttt. 

I like Peyton ok, but the rest of that "first family" and sentimental string music pap smear is just horse crap.  It can blow me.

Bitter. Party of one. Your table is ready.

[CCTAU]

I think LESS TV in that era meant that the game experience on campus was much more sought after.

Now we have the game experience in front of our 50".

[GH2001]

To the original point, Manning aversion aside...

It seemed more fun back then because I was a kid. I wasn't aware of all the things that make it terrible. 

But if you don't think Bama was cheating and things weren't just as bad back then, talk to Pat Sullivan about his recruitment.  Look up Don Fuell.

Back in those days it was EXACTLY like it is now.  Bama cheated.  Rampantly, blatantly with complete impunity.  If something was said about it, Bryant tossed the NCAA a bone and told them about a Bama player who'd been recruited by Auburn and allegedly offered something.  And AU went on probation. 

That lying, cheating, whoring, drunken wad of distilled tobacco constantly narc'd on other programs and got a pass for his own.  They were invincible.  They didn't even hide the graft. Didn't even try.

Agree

No scholly limits then thus enabling bear to sign as many players as he wanted. Even if he didn't want them. Just so Auburn and Tennessee couldn't have them. It's true.

[dallaswareagle]

For me back then was going to games with my dad, we went every Sat that he could afford tickets. Saw Pat throw his first pass and didn't understand why the crowd went wild on a pass that he overthrew by 10 yards. Sat in rain storm and watched us play LSU. Yes we all love Auburn and for what it stands for. Its easy being an Auburn fan, we are simply better than most and most definitely better than what's across the state. I don't mean better in football, football is game and we are better at living. We make fun of the inbreeds, but their living and their lives are depended on their football program. Auburn sucked last year and I prolly wore my AU shit more than in 2010. I travel back when I can and always make the first home game. Every time I enter stadium and walk up the ramp to see the field I stop and smell where I am. Just for that tiny moment I am a kid again standing next to my dad.

[Snaggletiger]

I think LESS TV in that era meant that the game experience on campus was much more sought after.

Now we have the game experience in front of our 50".

You just hit on something.  I actually think the ESPN's have toned it down this year because a couple of years ago, you could literally catch a college game every night of the week.  You're saturated with college football now.  Great in some respects but it can take away some of what the game is all about if you let it.  But back in the "Get the hell off my lawn" days, there were a couple of games on TV on Saturday.  We were lucky if we got Auburn once or even twice a year on the regional telecast.  Any road games and some home games the parents didn't take me to were caught on the radio.  Gary Sanders and Gusty Yearout.  "It is blocked....It is blocked.  Picked up on the run by David Langner...". 

The rest of the news you got about Auburn or college football in general was on the odd highlight show on Saturday or Sunday or what you read in the Sunday paper.  You may not have seen one highlight of Nebraska but you read that they rolled some poor Tulsa or Kansas 72-3.  The Shug Jordan playback show on Sunday was required viewing, win or lose.