You say you’re ready for college football season. But are you prepared?
That is one of the catchphrases used with players by Mel Tucker, the dynamic head coach of the Michigan State Spartans. He’s also the figure who has electrified the rivalry with Michigan and upended the pay grade at the highest levels of NCAA coaching.
Tucker was hired in February 2020, when the sports world and world at large were at the brink of major transformation. That he became the first MSU coach to beat UM in his first two seasons – earning a $95 million contract extension along the way – almost is secondary to stupendous changes that have happened in that period.
Namely, the NCAA has begun allowing athletes to profit from their name/image/likeness, the transfer portal has become a superhighway of players jumping teams, coaches are getting nine-figure contracts and brand-name universities are building super-conferences, fueled by silly money from TV networks.
It’s happening at a dizzying pace, and it’s challenged MLive’s collegiate sportswriters to keep up.
“I mean, it's a multibillion-dollar business – the coaching changes, the salaries, the massive TV deal that the Big 10 just put together,” said Matt Wenzel, MSU football writer. “There’s a little bit of a mini soap opera to go with it, but we cover all angles.”
The transfer portal and NIL have upended the power structure in college football. Alumni are pouring cash into programs, athletes are making deals to get paid and coaches are managing rosters like NFL general managers. It’s made off-the-field reporting as important as Xs and Os and game results.
“It’s become transactional, and gives us more topics to talk about,” said Aaron McMann, who covers UM football for MLive. “The added money that's coming into both of these athletic departments has changed the way everything happens. Recruits are asking the coaches, ‘What can you do to put more zeros in my bank account?’”
Covering college football is equally compelling on the field. That’s the fun part for fans, beginning this weekend – MSU takes on Western Michigan on Friday evening, UM host Colorado State on Saturday afternoon.
Last season was a wild, satisfying ride for Spartans and Wolverines fans – both were undefeated and ranked in the Top 10 when they played their annual rivalry game. The Spartans won that game, but Michigan redeemed itself by beating Ohio State, winning the Big 10 and earning a berth in the college football playoffs.
Michigan is ranked #8 and MSU #15 entering the season. Expectations are high, and with so much money at stake for coaches and athletes, so is the pressure to win.
“Mel said it when he was introduced as the head coach – the days of having 5-6 years to build this up are gone,” Wenzel said. “If you're making almost $10 million a year as a coach, I think fans should expect success. It's a big money business, and results are what matters.”
In addition to winning on the field, coaches also have to win their locker rooms. Players are watching, since riding the bench may affect their earning potential and the transfer portal is open 24/7. That balancing act may have been reflected in Michigan Coach Jim Harbaugh’s curious decision to start one quarterback in the season opener, and a second quarterback in Game 2.
While all of these factors keep our reporters hopping and add drama to an already high-interest topic, our writers know what interests you – fans and readers – the most.
“At the end of the day, most fans and alums and donors really only care if their team wins,” McMann said. “I think that's why folks love college football. They love the pomp and circumstance. They love rooting for their alma mater – no matter who's putting on the uniform.”
🎧 In this episode, college football is back. John Hiner and Eric Hultgren talk with Aaron McMann who covers the University of Michigan and Matt Wenzel who covers Michigan State to discuss the multi-billion dollar soap opera that is college football. Listen here on Spotify or here on Apple.
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John Hiner is the vice president of content for MLive Media Group. If you have questions you’d like him to answer, or topics to explore, share your thoughts at editor@mlive.com.
