The NCAAF Conference Division Structure Debate Verdict

September 17, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Bleacher Fan and Loyal Homer.

Today I have been tasked with deciding whether or not the Big Ten did the right thing during the recent realignment by putting Michigan and Ohio State in different divisions. Of course, I was hoping to be the judge for the “Should a conference with 11 (soon to be 12) teams be called the Big Ten?” debate, but I’ve been told that we’ll be waiting on that debate until we start themathdebates.com. I believe that would be an easier verdict to write, but I’ll play the hand that I’ve been dealt and decide whether or not the Big Ten made the right decision.

As both writers alluded to, rivalries are an integral part of the college sports experience and they are very important to fans at all levels of athletics. Given that, I don’t think there is any way Big Ten leadership could have made a decision that would have pleased all the Michigan fans and/or all the Ohio State fans, let alone college football fans around the country that look forward to the Michigan-Ohio State tilt every season. However, my verdict is not allowed to say “They were hosed either way, so officials did the best they could.”

Bleacher Fan makes some interesting arguments as to why the Big Ten’s decision to put Michigan and Ohio State in separate divisions was the wrong one. He thinks the Big XII’s model, to put its historic rivals in the same division, is the way to go. His best point brings up the possibility that Ohio State and Michigan could meet in the last week of the regular season in a completely meaningless, vanilla game because they know they’ll be matched up against each other the following week in a meaningful conference championship game. While any big-time, historic rivalry will probably always have a bit of fire in it, several consecutive years of back-to-back Ohio State-Michigan games would wear on the teams, fan bases, pundits, and recruits.

However, Bleacher Fan loses me when he writes about “an Ohio State-Michigan game for all the marbles.” Perhaps it would be for all marbles in the eyes of Ohio State and Michigan fans, but nationally it would probably, over time, devolve into a division championship game. Also, in the conference’s thinking, an Ohio State-Michigan “divisional championship” game might take the luster off the cash cow they hope the conference championship game will be for them. Bleacher Fan definitely made compelling arguments for and against his position.

Loyal Homer, true to his character, believes the Big Ten made the right decision in splitting its major rivals across divisions. He is a fan of the SEC model where care seems to have been taken to split nationally significant rivalries across divisions. He confirms the point inadvertently made by Bleacher Fan that putting your rivals in the same division can lead to a lackluster conference championship game, at least from a national standpoint. While this may seem like an insignificant issue to the fan bases of the two rival teams, in the grand scheme of conference alignment it may be the most important issue. He correctly points out that the Big XII championship game, in the eyes of many, is played in October between Texas and Oklahoma rather than in December.

This is a tough verdict. Honestly, I am not sure I like a lot of the consequences of conference realignment and I see and understand both arguments here. However, Loyal Homer wins the argument because history has dictated Ohio State and Michigan are often the two best teams in the Big Ten. If they can eliminate each other before the championship game, is there really any point to having a championship game at all? Congrats, Loyal Homer, and enjoy your prize – a pair of Denard Robinson’s shoelaces!

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Posted by Optimist Prime

The Best Game of THIS Weekend Debate… Historical Rematch Embraces Role Reversal

September 10, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Optimist Prime and Loyal Homer.

While ESPN will likely be spending its time this Saturday morning touting Florida State’s Visit to Norman, Oklahoma as a title fight rematch from 2000, the reality of this game – this upcoming weekend’s best, by the way – is in the seemingly divergent paths these programs are on… in stark contrast to their predecessors a decade ago.

The Oklahoma Sooners have some questions surrounding their presumed dominance of the college football landscape. The Sooners have had many 10+ win seasons in the past decade, but the program has had blemishes, too, and is also coming off of an 8-5 season it would just as soon forget. After struggling with Utah State unexpectedly in the first game of this season, it is fair to the Sooners have a great deal to prove to fans and pundits alike.

Ten years ago, it was the Seminoles that were the dominant program teetering on the edge of regression. While the Sooners have filled those shoes thus far in 2010, the Seminoles have quietly stepped into the underdog role Oklahoma relished in 2000.

Sure, the Florida State Seminoles were picked to win their ACC division and even the conference title in some circles. But expectations are still, amazingly, low for this team in its first season without Bobby Bowden and Mickey Andrews at defensive coordinator. Christian Ponder is widely regarded as one of the better quarterbacks currently in the game (much like former Oklahoma quarterback Josh Heupel was in 2000). The team seems to have found some athletes and speed threats like it had in past seasons when the team was dominant. It has only been one week, but this Florida State team just SEEMS different. The players are walking with more confidence and swagger. They seem to believe they can win anywhere at any time. It is exactly the kind of contagious mentality the Sooners used in 2000 to knock the kings of college football of their mountain in the BCS national championships game.

So here we are with the underdog Seminoles hoping to knock off the established power program and reassert itself as a major player in college football. Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher has rightly stated that this Saturday’s game is an indicator of where his team’s building process is. He is right. But if the team wins, Florida State automatically gets launched into the conversation as a great team again. They will skyrocket up the polls, and Bobby Bowden’s new book will take a nose-dive in sales on Amazon.com. Losing, in this case, is almost easier than winning. A win brings back all of the old, unreasonable expectations. Fisher must be mentally prepared to handle that.

A not completely irrelevant subplot to a game that is full of intrigue before the teams even hit the field is the awkward reuniting of the Stoops’s brothers, Bob – Oklahoma head coach – and his brother Mark, his former defensive coordinator – now in the same position at Florida State. The two playfully discuss in the media what it was like to grow up as competitive people and the all of the interesting and disposable throwaway stories that are written before big game. Friendly and awkward rivalry or not – both men want to win. There is no competition like that which exists within the confines of a family. This is no rivalry game, but both men will prepare for it thoroughly… probably a bit more in depth than Utah State and Samford.

Oklahoma should win this game. The Sooners are ranked higher, have higher expectations, and a host of outstanding, blue chip professional prospects. The Seminoles are fighters again, clawing their way back to national respect. In many ways, this game will decide the status of each program. Are the Seminoles really on the rise? Are the Sooners really in decline? This game is more than just a non-conference matchup, it is a serious benchmark for the health and prominence of these two programs. I can’t wait to find out what happens.

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Posted by Sports Geek

The College Coaches Banning NFL Scouts Debate

August 19, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Loyal Homer and Bleacher Fan.

It is plain to see that the NFL is creating quite a mess for college football programs these days. NCAA investigations into schools like Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina – for allegations of improper contact – reveal that the problem of outside interference on college campuses is both very broad and very real.

Alabama head Nick Saban is taking matters into his own hands. He is currently refusing to allow NFL scouts to even attend practices. Other coaches like Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly don’t view scouts as the problem. Kelly has stated that the Irish won’t ban scouts, but will instead attempt to address the situation by better educating student athletes about the issue.

It seems logical that colleges would take steps to keep agents out. But scouts? These guys are not the ones offering cars and houses under the table to amateur athletes. They are the ones with clipboards and stopwatches sweating in the stands trying to earn a living by discovering the next big thing. Scouts help make college dreams of NFL success possible. Are these guys really to blame as well?

Loyal Homer believes scouts do share blame. He will argue that programs are well within their right to ban NFL scouts to preserve their programs. Bleacher Fan, on the other hand, believes scouts should be left to do their job.

One argument will prevail while the other will be shut out faster than a scout with a roll of hundreds at a Crimson Tide practice. Who has the right idea?

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Posted by Babe Ruthless

The Pac-10 Expansion Fail Debate… Follow the Leader

June 16, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Loyal Homer and Sports Geek.

Three years ago, had the Pac-10 offered an invitation of membership to Texas and the rest of the Big XII, they may have gotten some takers. Ten years, ago, they would have almost certainly succeeded in their quest for REAL expansion (Colorado and MAYBE Utah doesn’t count as REAL expansion). But, timing is everything, and the Pac-10 simply picked the wrong time to pursue its expansion.

Why did the Pac-10 fail in its quest for expansion (at least in terms of stealing six teams from the Big XII)? It was unable to woo Texas away from the Big XII. It is as simple as that. If the Pac-10 had been able to successfully convince Texas to change conferences, all the other ducks would have lined up in a neat little row to follow suit.

As the assumed leader of the Big XII, it is Texas that all the other member schools of the Big XII take their cues from. Where Texas goes, the others will follow.

There are only a few universities around the country who, like Texas, essentially can make their own fortune. Schools like Florida, Alabama, and Ohio State are also among those select few schools. As the “premier” programs in college football, they each enjoy the luxury of not having to depend as much on the success of others to inflate their own reputations.

Or consider the situation from another angle – being the University of Texas means more than being a member of the Big XII Conference. Texas is the only school in the Big XII that can confidently say that.

That is not to imply that Texas doesn’t need conference affiliation. Rather, I am simply implying that Texas will be successful as a program REGARDLESS of Conference. If Texas were to join the Pac-10 or the Big Ten it will find success, just as surely as it will be successful by remaining in the Big XII. It is among the elite programs in the country, and as such it enjoys the privileges of independence in that regard.

For the rest of the Big XII, full of programs that cannot claim the same level of consistent relevance and success (with the only possible exception being Oklahoma), value is determined as much by the company they keep as it is by their own success on the field.

It is more prosperous for teams to hitch wagons to those other teams which attract more (and better) attention. It is good for the schools financially, which leads to better recruiting and exposure, which leads to even more money, and the cycle continues.

Consider Baylor.

In terms of a pecking order within college football programs from the state of Texas, Baylor ranks fourth or fifth at best. In a football rich state, Baylor must compete for recruits against the likes of Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and Houston (just to name a few).

Baylor, as a stand-alone university, will NEVER be able to effectively compete with Texas (for example) on a consistent basis in terms of recruiting four and five-star prospects. However, if a prospect is debating between Baylor or Houston, Baylor can use their Big XII membership as a recruiting tool that Houston (from Conference USA) cannot. Baylor can offer athletes the opportunity to play in the country’s biggest stadiums, against the toughest teams, all with a strong likelihood of getting (at least) regionally televised matchups.

Houston, which plays alongside Rice, UTEP, and SMU, cannot offer the same exposure that Baylor can as a member of the Big XII.

Just as in real estate, it is better to own the worst house in the best neighborhood, rather than owning the best house in the worst neighborhood. So when you consider the “real estate” market of college football today, the best neighborhoods to be in are those that include “elite” programs.

Right now, the Pac-10 neighborhood, without Texas, simply cannot offer the same prestigious affiliation that it once was able to.

For nearly a decade, the Pac-10 has been dominated by one single program – USC. While other programs (such as Cal, Oregon, and Stanford) have found temporary success on a season-by-season basis, the conference has been primarily defined as USC’s neighborhood.

Unfortunately for the Pac-10, USC is currently experiencing a fall from grace. While this fall from grace will probably not damage the school (or its parent conference) irreparably, it has nonetheless further tarnished the reputation of a conference that has struggled in recent years. The drop in stock for USC has corresponded to a drop in stock for the entire Pac-10 conference, and as a result, the allure of competition among the schools in the Pac-10 simply does not provide enough benefit to convince the lesser schools of the Big XII to change the collective allegiance.

Had the Pac-10 been successful in wooing Texas, the situation would have been very different.

Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Baylor, Oklahoma State, and even Oklahoma are far better situation by keeping company with Texas than they would be in joining the ranks of a currently disgraced USC and the rest of the substandard Pac-10.

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Posted by Bleacher Fan

The Notre Dame Conference Affiliation Debate… Making A Big Move, Or Ten

May 31, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Loyal Homer and Bleacher Fan.

Another day, another Notre Dame joining the Big Ten rumor. Where there is smoke there is fire. Many are speculating that Notre Dame will join the Big Ten when the conference announces anticipated expansion plans this November. There are three main reasons why joining the Big Ten makes the most sense, and major reasons why joining the Big East, or remaining Independent, would be a big mistake.

Reason #1: Money Talks

It is no secret that a substantial influence on Notre Dame’s decision making process throughout the years has been financial gain. The Big Ten offers a very attractive package right now – more attractive than any other conference – given it currently pays each of its programs $22M per season. Even Indiana, the league patsy, gets its price.

Plus, the Big Ten Network is a huge success, especially financially, and any other schools that would join the Big Ten would only make its content more attractive, they would also inflate its dollar value. While the Big Ten may not have all of the hottest TV markets, each of its schools have massive amounts of loyal fans and some of the largest stadiums in the country. Sure, the conference is largely centered in the Midwest, but that does not make its draw too small or make the conference financially unviable. Perhaps in college football’s yesteryear, but no longer.

Reason #2: Great, Historical Rivalries

Joining the Big Ten would not force Notre Dame to give up on its greatest historical rivalries that draw millions of eyeballs every season. In other words, Notre Dame’s regular non-conference matchup with Southern Cal would be safely preserved and become a showcase Big Ten game. Ohio State and Michigan have their long distance, historically relevant games, and so does Notre Dame. Those rivalries are important for each school to draw crowds at home and on television and the Big Ten will preserve, endorse, and grow each important rivalry game.

Also, bear in mind that many of Notre Dame’s most storied and consistent rivalries take place against Big Ten teams like Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, and Northwestern. I am referencing some GREAT rivalries. Take just one, for example, like Michigan State and Notre Dame. Besides just a few hours separating the two schools, 1966 wrote a memorable chapter in the rivalry. Both teams were undefeated and of course met in a game that would decide the national championship. Michigan State jumped out to an early lead only for the Fighting Irish to come fighting back to tie the game and controversially take the national title despite the teams’ identical 9-0-1 records to end the season.

Reason #3: Football Brand Matters

When Notre Dame dominated, its teams were nasty on defense and often featured a steady running attack that wore on opposing teams, allowing an efficient passing game to blow a game open. While speed is a bigger factor now in college football than, say, 20 years ago when Notre Dame’s name still carried an heir of dominance with it, the formula for winning in college football can still be: Dominant Defense + Strong Running Attack + Efficient Passing = Wins. That is the Big Ten’s pedigree, and that is the league where Notre Dame has the best opportunity to win a legitimately respected national power conference in football without comprising its identity.

Why the Big East Makes No Sense

Football is the college athletics cash cow. Period. All of the Big East’s great TV markets – like Philadelphia, New York, and others – do not matter much to Notre Dame’s football program. While the markets may be big, the audiences will not be since the quality of football is so poor. More, Notre Dame does not – ney, CANnot – associate itself with a poor brand of football that doesn’t suit its image. The disaster that is Big East football does not have an appealing brand that Notre Dame would care to be associated with… besides, are tickets really going to sell out for the big Notre Dame-Connecticut battle? Or Notre Dame-West Virginia? Without its history and storied rivalries, Notre Dame is just another football program struggling for notoriety. The Big East kills Notre Dame’s aura.

Why Remaining Independent Makes No Sense

When Notre Dame initially made the choice to become unaffiliated with any football conference it had massive financial incentives spurring the decision. Independence meant a multi-million dollar, exclusive TV contract Notre Dame did not have to share with any other school or conference. All of the money belonged to Notre Dame. It also allowed Notre Dame to have a free schedule where they could maintain a national recruiting presence by playing all over the country. The problem with the decision now is that as college football has evolved, it turns out conferences have plenty of money to go around. The Big Ten pays programs $22M per season, thanks in large part to the success of its own dedicated cable network. Exclusivity does not offer the same advantages it once did, and the need to maintain a national presence with games to fuel recruiting is null. Large institutions like Notre Dame have massive recruiting budgets – and the program would have that budget regardless of conference affiliation. In short, the reasons for becoming an independent have been rendered useless as college football has evolved.

Consider that travel expenses for the football team in the Big Ten may be dramatically reduced if Notre Dame were to join the Big Ten. Obviously that doesn’t matter much to a huge program with a huge budget, but it sure does matter for the school’s smaller sports that spend more time losing money than making it. While football is a major piece of this puzzle, the impact of a conference move will be felt through the athletics department and the entire department will participate in the decision.

It is time for Notre Dame to evolve and join the conference that best fits Notre Dame’s brand of football, its history, and financial needs. The Big Ten allows Notre Dame to adapt without changing its tradition.

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Posted by Sports Geek

The Notre Dame Conference Affiliation Debate… Never Sacrifice Independence

May 31, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Sports Geek and Loyal Homer.

Notre Dame is a special program, and the world of college football exists to accommodate it. As a top-drawing independent school, Notre Dame has garnered unique privileges that are available to no other program in the United States. Those privileges, however, will hold only as long as Notre Dame REMAINS independent in status.

As one of the games most storied and beloved programs, Notre Dame is synonymous with college football. When the Fighting Irish are successful, so is college football. And, although success was lacking during most of the Weis era, the world of college football has ensured safeguards to help Notre Dame always return to relevance.

The first of those safeguards is an exclusive television contract with NBC. Through at least the 2015 football season, Notre Dame is guaranteed that every one of their home games will be broadcast on national television. This contract has brought the school more than $9M per year, and has generated more than $26M in financial aid and scholarships for students of the university. All of that would be gone, though, if Notre Dame joined a conference like the Big Ten or the Big East.

Notre Dame only gets to keep that television contract because they are not a part of a larger Conference of schools. Many of the major Conferences have either negotiated their own exclusive television contracts with networks, or have created their own network, and the Notre Dame contract would create a conflict of interest. While NBC would retain the rights to Notre Dame’s broadcast, the conference would also retain rights to broadcast the games of any schools within their organization. Unfortunately for Notre Dame and NBC, it would be the conference that wins out, as it would govern the organization for the school.

The second safeguard is a special BCS clause specific to Notre Dame.

Rules for determining an automatic BCS qualification state that only those schools which have won one of the six BCS conferences (the Big Ten, Big XII, SEC, ACC, Big East, and Pac-10) can be guaranteed a BCS invitation. For every other school in the country (including the remaining schools within those BCS conferences), they must hope for an invitation. Every school, that is, EXCEPT Notre Dame.

Within the BCS rules for automatic qualification is an exception EXCLUSIVELY reserved for Notre Dame as long as it remains an independent football program. This exception dictates that Notre Dame is eligible for an AUTOMATIC BCS bid if it finishes the regular season as one of the top eight teams in the BCS standings. No other school in the country (including members of the BCS conferences) has that guarantee.

In 2008, the Big XII’s Texas Tech finished the season ranked seventh in the final BCS standings, and held a record of 11-1 (with the only loss coming to the top-ranked team in the nation). But the Red Reaiders were excluded from the BCS. Likewise, in 2007 it was the Big XII’s Missouri that missed out despite being the top-ranked team entering conference championship week, and finishing the season ranked SIXTH in the BCS, while conference rival Kansas was invited to the Orange Bowl after finishing the season ranked two spots LOWER than Missouri.

Those are only the two most recent examples of what is an almost ANNUAL snub for at least one team in the top BCS standings. As long as Notre Dame remains an Independent program, though, it will never have to worry about a BCS snub. For the Fighting Irish, a top-eight finish EQUALS a conference championship.

The decision for Notre Dame is simple – remain independent and GUARANTEE a highly lucrative television contract and a special exemption within the BCS rules, or willingly throw those GIFTS away by joining a conference such as the Big East or Big Ten, where instead of having special privileges RESERVED for it, Notre Dame would have to COMPETE for them and risk the snub of losing that competition.

As long as those rights are reserved exclusively for the University of Notre Dame, it would be FOOLISH to willingly give them up in order to join conference play.

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Posted by Bleacher Fan

The NCAAF Super Conference Debate Verdict

May 14, 2010

Read the opposing argument from Loyal Homer and Sports Geek.

Change is inevitable.

The Conference structure that we know in college football today is not the same as it was ten years ago, and it will not remain indefinitely as it is today. Schools will come and go, Conference alignments will shift, and as some Conferences rise into dominance, others will fall into obscurity.

With that perpetual shift, Sports Geek correctly identifies the inevitability of not just Conference re-alignment, but of Conference expansion. Even if the Big Ten does not expand tomorrow, despite the many rumors to the contrary, it will happen at some point in the (probably near) future, and the Super Conference will emerge.

Loyal Homer, in anticipation of this change, raises many valid questions regarding the fallout from the emergence of such a conference.

How will the other Conferences compete?

Will the result be the folding of some “lesser” Conferences?

What will happen to the BCS?

All of those are outstanding questions, but as Sports Geek highlights, the answers to those questions do not necessarily imply doom for college football. The winner of this debate is Sports Geek.

Yes, other Conferences will be forced to step up to the plate and expand themselves in response to the creation of a Super Conference, or otherwise face the possibility of folding as their schools defect into Super Conferences. It would not be the first time that a Conference had to fold, though. In fact, just within the last 15 years, two Conferences have already folded as a result of Conference Expansion elsewhere in the nation – the Southwest Conference (which had been in existence since 1914) closed in 1996, followed by the Big West Conference which closed its doors in 2000.

Yes, the Super Conference will also have a major impact on the BCS format. But when you consider the fact that the VAST majority of college football fans would like to see the BCS done away with, perhaps the Super Conference would help speed that process along.

The important thing to remember here is that these changes can ALTER the game, but they do not RUIN it. For every Conference rivalry that is lost by the closing or realignment of one Conference, another is created. When Penn State left the Independent ranks to join the Big Ten in 1993, they were walking away from the Penn State-Syracuse game, which historically was one of college football’s biggest rivalries. As much as college football may now be suffering from the absence of that one rivalry (although Syracuse would HARDLY be considered a worthy opponent today), new rivalries sprung up to capture the attention of football fans and replace the old ones. One of the biggest games each year now is the Penn State-Ohio State game, which often plays a major role in deciding the Big Ten Championship, as well as carrying BCS implications.

While the “history” may be lacking from some of these newest rivalries, they are no less competitive and compelling than their now-retired predecessors once were.

It is ultimately the fans who will determine the success or failure of the organization. Fans of Notre Dame (for example) will remain fans whether the school plays independently, or joins a conference such as the Big Ten. While Conference structure and rivalry can help to enhance the fan experience, it is not the source of it.

It is love and support for the TEAM, not its CONFERENCE, that ultimately sells tickets and merchandise.

There is just no indication that the Super Conference would ruin college football. Expansion is a process that the sport has undergone many times in the past. When it does occur, the schools, players, coaches, and fans all adapt and move on without missing a beat, as though the new format is the way they have been playing the game all along.

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Posted by Bleacher Fan

The NCAAF Super Conference Debate

May 13, 2010

Read the opposing argument from Loyal Homer and Sports Geek.

We have been hearing the rumors (and denials) for months. One day, they may be about Notre Dame, the next it could be Texas, but the rumors are all essentially the same: Will the Big Ten expand?

The Big Ten (at least according to the rumors) seems eager to bring some new Universities into their organization. Teams from conferences such as the Big East and Big XII all appear as likely targets for the Big Ten’s growth, and the latest speculation points even to the possibility of the conference swelling to 16 teams, essentially creating a “Super Conference.”

Expansion of that magnitude would not affect only the Big Ten. The impact of a change like this would likely alter the entire landscape of college football as we know it today, but is that change good for college football?

Would the creation of a “Super Conference” ruin college football?

Loyal Homer will argue that a Super Conference would ruin college football while Sports Geek will argue that this would not negatively impact the game or the NCAA.

Would you want YOUR school participating in a 16-team goliath conference?

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Posted by Bleacher Fan

The Tim Tebow as a Pro QB Debate

March 30, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Loyal Homer and Babe Ruthless.

Despite Thom Brennaman’s recommendations, I have not yet had the opportunity to improve my life with twenty minutes – or even just five minutes – in Tim Tebow’s presence. What I have had the opportunity to do is to watch Tebow go on to complete one of the greatest careers in the history of college football. He has won a Heisman Trophy, has been named the AP Player of the Year, and has broken several college football records, all capped off with two BCS National Championships.

In addition to his remarkable performance on the field, Tebow is generally regarded as a person of high character. But even with his on-field dominance and all around good-guy persona, there has not been a more polarizing character coming out of the college football ranks for a very long time.

There is just no such thing as a middle-of-the-road opinion on Tim Tebow. Whether fan, analyst, scout, or player, EVERYONE has an opinion on Tebow – and they are almost ALL extreme.

Even now, as we get ready for the NFL Draft (which is only one month away) the Tim Tebow debate continues to rage on, and it has NFL analysts and scouts chiming-in with their assessment of Tebow.

Following a highly-publicized Senior Bowl performance where Tebow was clearly uncomfortable while running a “pro-style” offense, his draft projection came into question. Many scouts and analysts in the anti-Tebow camp have discussed the problems in Tebow’s throwing mechanics, citing that as a major obstacle that will prevent him from becoming a successful NFL quarterback. They have been very vocal about criticizing his play, arguing that his success in the college game will not translate into NFL success. Adding to that criticism are the recent comments from a former Florida Gators teammate of Tebow’s, wide receiver Deonte Thompson, who implied that Tebow was not a “real” quarterback.

For his part, Tebow has put forth a great amount of effort in changing his throwing motion, but many question whether or not it will be enough.

On the flip side of this issue are many other well-respected voices in the NFL who believe that Tebow has proven himself a winner. They whole-heartedly believe Tebow will be a success in the NFL ranks. Former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy even went so far as to use the word “great” in his assessment of how Tebow will perform as a pro.

Now it is time for The Sports Debates to weigh-in on the Tebow debate: Will Tim Tebow be successful as a quarterback in the NFL?

Babe Ruthless will argue on Tebow’s behalf by trying to prove that Tebow will make the transition into the NFL and become a successful quarterback. Loyal Homer will argue to the contrary, providing evidence that Tebow will not find success among the professional ranks.

Finally, before we begin, let us all bow our heads and pray…

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Posted by Bleacher Fan

The Tim Tebow as a Pro QB Debate… Tebow’s Time To Shine

March 30, 2010

Read the opposing argument from Loyal Homer.

Let’s role play for a minute (don’t worry, it’s nothing kinky). I will take the role of an NFL scout, and you will act as an NFL general manager. As the draft approaches our team has a gaping hole at the quarterback position and I come to you with this news –“We have found a hidden gem in this year’s draft.”

This player is incredible. He has the physical tools of a young Donavan McNabb, the leadership of Drew Brees, and media presence of Peyton Manning. He has proven he can handle the pressure of big game situations. He has national awards and multiple national championships to boot. Oh, and here is the kicker, he is actually underrated. He might even be around until the third or fourth round.

Does that scenario sound too good to be true? Well it’s not. Tim Tebow matches the criteria above, and yet we are still debating his ability to be a pro quarterback in the NFL.

Tim Tebow is the complete package. He possesses a wealth of talent and the three “I”s – intensity, integrity, and intelligence – as well. His style of play is physical, intense, and unpredictable. Although he is not the prototypical speedy scrambling quarterback (like Michael Vick or Vince Young), he is still a threat to tuck the ball and fight for yardage on the ground, especially in the red zone. Even his critics, including Mel Kiper, Jr., admit he is great at moving with the ball in his hands. The fact that Tebow is a one-man-wildcat offense should be an offensive coordinator’s dream because his skills open up the field and make it difficult for opposing defenses to prepare.

Still many of his detractors sell him short and view him as a tight end or fullback rather than a quarterback. I will admit that he could play those positions, but he will ultimately be more valuable bringing his unique style of play to the quarterback position. Some analysts have even made comparisons between Tebow and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ goal line legend, Mike Alstott. That is not a negative, either. Obviously, I think he is capable of much more, but at the very least I will agree that he would be formidable on the ground. His intense, physical style of play can also get him hurt. But the best quarterbacks mix it up with the defense every now and then for the benefit of the team (see Peyton Manning throwing blocks on running plays).

Some of the best attributes Tim Tebow brings to the table are his intangibles. A front office that drafts Tebow can breath easy knowing they are not going to wake up to ESPN reporting that he shot himself in the leg at a strip club or started a vicious cat fighting ring in his back yard (I figured dog fighting was overdone, and Tebow strikes me more as a cat man anyway.) Don’t get me wrong, Tebow will make headlines for his off-the-field actions, but those headlines are more likely to be about his faith or community involvement. Recently, he made headlines for asking for a moment of prayer before taking the Wonderlic Exam at the NFL combine. While this brought him the ire of some in the media, and at least one cat call of “shut the [fudge] up!” from another would-be draftee, it’s telling of his character. If the biggest distractions surrounding your quarterback – who is often the face of a franchise – are his requests for prayer and what Bible verses he has on his eye black, it is a safe assumption that the coach and owner are not going to lose a whole lot of sleep worrying about their quarterback’s personal life (the Steelers’ front office should get hazard pay for their loss of sleep due to the shenanigans of Ben Roethlisberger and his apparent life coach, Charlie Sheen.).

Tebow’s leadership is also a major attribute. He has been a vocal leader on championship teams since his high school days. Carolina Panthers’ head coach John Fox said of Tebow’s leadership in high school and college, “You look at those types of things and he’s shown the ability to lead men, albeit young men, but they’re still men. In fact, that might be harder.” His ability to lead can anchor any number of teams that seem to be adrift in their division without passion or vision. Teams like Carolina, Buffalo, and Cleveland could all use a strong leadership presence to breathe new life into stagnant offenses.

The man even turns negatives into positives. Take the criticism about his throwing motion for example. It is perceived to be his Achilles Heel and is touted as the biggest weakness of his game. Sure, Tebow had a throwing motion slower than a 1920s windup baseball pitcher. And yes, all that time would give blitzing defenders an eternity to see how much turf they could force feed the rookie quarterback. But he has made all that a virtual non-factor by creating a new, more compact delivery. Let that set in for a minute. The guy hears criticism about a weakness and takes proactive steps to fix it. He could have pulled a prima donna act and declared there was nothing wrong with his mechanics. But instead he responds with action. That impresses me, and it appears to be impressing NFL teams, as more seem to be taking the QB more seriously every day.

In the end, no one will know how he will turn out until he’s given a chance, but it seems increasingly clear that he will be given a chance at quarterback. When it comes to predicting NFL success analysts get it wrong just as much, if not even more, than they get it right. Six other quarterbacks were selected before Tom Brady the year he was drafted. It is always a guessing game. In the end, the only basis for evaluating how a player actually performs in real life situations is to take a look at their college days. Tebow was the best of the best at Florida. The smart money is on his unconventional success in the NFL.

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Posted by Babe Ruthless

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