Title: The Worst Thing About This College Football Season Is a Win for Most Teams: A Deeper Look at the State of College Football in 2025
Introduction: The Unlikely Consequence of Winning
As the college football season of 2025 wraps up, fans and analysts alike have observed something strange happening across the league. For many teams, the most notable thing this year isn’t just the victories they’ve earned but how those wins have unintentionally highlighted deeper problems within the sport. While college football teams are traditionally celebrated for their performance on the field, the focus this season seems to be on the results of these games and the unintended consequences of securing a win.
Is it possible that winning, in some cases, might actually be the worst thing that could happen to a college football program this season? From controversies surrounding unfair matchups to the pressure placed on coaches and players, the state of the game has shifted in unexpected ways. What was once a sport about passion, tradition, and competition has become a labyrinth of financial incentives, sponsorship deals, and high-stakes expectations, where the results of a win might not always be what they seem.
Section 1: The Rise of Mediocre Teams in the Spotlight
One of the most frustrating trends this season has been the rise of mediocre teams getting credit for wins that shouldn’t be celebrated. Historically, college football has been a battleground where teams with genuine talent and preparation rise to the top, while others struggle to maintain relevance. However, this season, there’s been a shift where teams with subpar performances are still walking away with wins, making their way into bowl games and even securing higher rankings than they deserve.
Subsection A: The Impact of Scheduling and Rankings
The scheduling system has allowed teams to pad their records against weak opponents, but that isn’t the root of the problem. More so, it’s the way the rankings are structured to reward teams for victories against less-than-competitive opponents. With the College Football Playoff system rewarding conference championships more than ever, teams are finding themselves ranked higher due to the weaker competition they face.
Subsection B: A New Era of “Win at All Costs”
This pressure to win, regardless of the quality of competition, has seen coaches and athletic directors opting for strategic scheduling that ensures teams can stack up wins. This leads to a distorted view of the rankings, where teams that should be underperforming remain highly ranked. The pursuit of a perfect record, for some, now outweighs the pursuit of quality football.
Section 2: The Dangers of Over-Reliance on Transfer Portal Success
Another feature of this season has been the increased reliance on the transfer portal, which has reshaped college football rosters and, in some cases, skewed the integrity of the competition. Teams that once prided themselves on developing homegrown talent are now relying heavily on transfers to fill gaps, sometimes sacrificing team chemistry and long-term success for immediate results.
Subsection A: Quick Fix or Long-Term Loss?
On paper, the transfer portal has been a great tool for players seeking opportunities and for programs looking to bolster their rosters quickly. However, the downside has been a sense of superficiality in how success is measured. Instead of a focus on team-building, many programs are bringing in immediate talent with the sole goal of winning games — often at the cost of a cohesive and sustainable program. The result? Teams are experiencing brief bursts of success that ultimately fail to translate into long-term stability.
Subsection B: The Fragmentation of College Football’s Identity
By focusing solely on instant success, we’ve seen a shift away from college football’s long-standing traditions of developing talent over several years. Programs that would typically focus on nurturing their athletes through four years of development are now at the mercy of the transfer market, diluting the uniqueness of college football.
Section 3: Uncertainty in Coaching – The Fear of Failing Fast
This season has also seen a rise in coaching instability. With the financial stakes in college football higher than ever, coaches find themselves in an increasingly precarious position. They are expected to win immediately, or face the risk of losing their job. This has led to a culture of “fire first, hire second,” where even a few bad games can get a coach fired, regardless of the long-term prospects they offer.
Subsection A: The Pressure of Short-Term Success
The pressure to perform in the first few years as a new coach has led to questionable decisions, such as recruiting players who fit into a specific scheme rather than developing a program’s unique identity. For new coaches, there’s the constant balancing act of achieving instant success while still building a lasting culture.
Subsection B: The Cost of Firing Coaches Too Quickly
The cycle of hiring and firing has proven to be costly for many programs. Not only does this affect the morale of players, but it also disrupts the continuity needed for long-term success. College football’s obsession with wins in the short term often comes at the cost of stability and growth.
Section 4: The Specter of Commercialization in College Football
The commercialization of college football has reached a tipping point this season. Once a sport that was more about passion and regional pride than financial gain, college football is now deeply intertwined with commercial interests. From multi-million-dollar TV deals to NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals that have reshaped the financial landscape for players, the influence of money on the game has never been more apparent.
Subsection A: The Role of NIL in Shaping Team Dynamics
NIL deals have been touted as a way for players to capitalize on their name and fame, but they’ve also created a situation where money often dictates the success of a team. Players from wealthy programs now have more lucrative opportunities to stay in college rather than enter the NFL draft, further tilting the balance in favor of elite teams. This has made the competitive balance even more uneven, as schools with larger financial backing can now dominate recruiting, regardless of their historical performance.
Subsection B: Corporate Influence on Scheduling and Playoff Decisions
The growing commercial influence has also extended to how games are scheduled and how playoff decisions are made. With networks and sponsors dictating the flow of the game, matchups that draw large crowds are often prioritized over those that make the most sense for the competition.
Section 5: The Mental and Physical Toll on Players
While players have always faced pressure on the field, the current climate has amplified this burden. The pressure to win and perform at an elite level, coupled with the financial stakes, has led to an environment where players are pushed to their limits. This takes a toll both mentally and physically, as many players are forced to compete with injuries, while others face the burden of unrealistic expectations.
Subsection A: The Dangers of Overwork and Injury
The increased frequency of games, longer seasons, and higher expectations have led to higher injury rates across college football. From concussions to torn ligaments, the physical toll is unmistakable. However, these injuries often go underreported, with players expected to “tough it out” for the sake of the team.
Subsection B: Mental Health Struggles Behind the Scenes
On the mental health front, college football players are facing a new set of challenges. With the rise of social media, players are now constantly under the microscope, and a single mistake can cost them their reputation and their future. This has led to a rise in anxiety, depression, and burnout, which often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.
Conclusion: The Unforeseen Consequences of Winning
The 2025 college football season has been a paradox: while teams across the country have secured victories, those victories have sometimes obscured the deeper issues facing the sport. From weak schedules to over-reliance on transfers, coaching instability, and the increasing commercialization of the game, it’s clear that winning, in many cases, hasn’t come with the pure joy and satisfaction that it once did.
As college football continues to evolve, it’s crucial to reconsider what a “win” truly means — both for the teams and for the sport as a whole. It’s time to refocus on the principles that made college football great: passion, tradition, and a love for the game. Until that happens, the worst thing about this season might just be how hollow those wins really feel.
