Comic book fans are buzzing today with the news that Marvel and Sony have worked out an arrangement to have Spider-Man crossover into the Marvel Cinematic Universe alongside Marvel’s Avengers, featuring Captain America, Iron Man and Thor. I won’t bore you with the details, but it’s a pretty big deal. It got me thinking if Marvel and Sony can put aside differences to make this happen, maybe there is hope for the college football world as well.
Texas and Texas A&M, and other traditional rivalries
With college football’s realignment in recent years we saw a number of great rivalries tossed aside. It is time to bring them back. I have been long been supportive of the idea of Texas and Texas A&M getting back together for a series in the future, and have been encouraged by comments from the current head coaches Charlie Strong and Kevin Sumlin mentioning that idea even in passing. Every time I bring it up though I am countered by fans of both schools saying they do not care if the rivalry is ever renewed, but when it is -- and it will some day -- they will be the first to start the trash talking.
Oklahoma and Nebraska?
Pittsburgh and West Virginia?
Utah vs. BYU?
Yes please.
Brent Musburger and the big games
Brent Musburger being taken off the top broadcast team at ESPN to make way for Chris Fowler was one thing, but to relegate the broadcasting legend to the lowly confines of the SEC Network was uncalled for. College football needs more Musburger calling big games each and every Saturday. He does not need to be the top play-by-play guy, but there is absolutely no reason he should be calling a late-November game between an SEC team and their FCS opponent.
Conference vs. Conference Scheduling Agreements
A couple of years ago the Big Ten and Pac-12 had come to an agreement for a conference vs. conference scheduling agreement to fill non-conference schedules in each conference. That idea was later scrapped when the Pac-12 decided it was too much of a hassle with the conference moving to a nine-game scheduling format on top of other scheduling obligations and goals. Who is to say the idea cannot be revisited again though?
I have been suggesting the ACC and Big Ten take their basketball idea to the gridiron for a while. With both conferences having 14 members each, this could work out in theory. Why not give it a try?
And hey, if the Pac-12 wants to get back into the mix with the Big Ten, it is never too late.