Sure... under normal circumstances, that's a major factor. But enthusiasm for the program has got to be at a historic nadir with the events of the last couple of weeks, and especially the last 24 hrs.
Missed playoffs
Dominated by main rival at home in last game of the season
Utterly embarrassing sequence of events around the Head Coach's firing that completely dominates sports media
Honestly, if the shoe was on the other foot, I'd have a hard time wearing my Longhorn gear out in public for a while.
Just one more data point for the Bathsheba Syndrome. Every single CFB Head Coach should be required to read this article and teach a class on it for his entire staff: The Bathsheba Syndrome
This matchup had potential to be THE prime example of why bowls should stick around in the playoff era. Even with opt-outs and transfers, people will still watch a 9-3 Texas vs. 9-3 Michigan battle of the bluebloods. So the CFP system screwed the pooch and gave you shitty first round matchups with JMU and Tulane... can I interest you in a contest between the number one and number five all-time winningest programs as an amuse-bouche on NYE before the semi-final games?
Now it just feels gross. People will still watch for the trainwreck, but it won't be good old-fashioned CFB fun as it should be.
My wife picked this one over the weekend and I went in blind. 10 minutes in and was thinking to myself "this feels like some mid-level Kurt Sutter bullshit." Got to the end credits of EP 1 saw his name pop up and laughed. I told my wife, "I'm surprised he didn't horn Katey Sagal into this show." Opening scene of EP 2 and - boom - there's Katey Sagal. Dude is a hack.
It was... fine. I mentioned earlier in the thread that the second act felt rushed on stage, so I guess I liked that they fleshed it out a bit more. There's more connective material between the scenes here to make the sequence of events make more sense. The two additional musical numbers ("No Place Like Home" and "Girl in a Bubble" were absolutely forgettable. That said, if you think "For Good" is annoying noise, you have no heart.
I did enjoy that they got Ryan Reynolds to cameo as Scarecrow at the end.
I've seen rumors online that the moneygrubbing studio is talking about "expanding the universe" in a spin-off about one of the characters or a sequel. Please, God no.
All teams should collectively boycott these meaningless scrimmages. If you don't make the playoffs, shut the season down and come back in the spring.
They ain't come here to play school. So play football.
The only pass I would give is to players going to NFL draft THIS spring.
If you can't be bothered to play Michigan in a NYE bowl as the primary showcase leading into the playoff semifinals, then maybe college football isn't for you. The "meaningless" line of reasoning is bullshit. We had no real shot at the playoff after the UGA loss, so was the aggy game meaningless?
This is a big-time showcase against another blueblood program. Go stick it to the committee by showing out and creating a positive narrative to carry into the spring and next season. It will matter for pre-season ranking which can only help next year's campaign.
Absolutely they matter. My point is aimed at the Texas fans still self-flagellating over that loss. Texas was competitive in that game and got beat by a coach who pushed all in twice with inside straight draws.