ATLANTA – In this region, they often reference the legacy of former Southeastern Conference commissioner Roy Kramer, who defied college football norms and introduced a conference title game in 1992 that eventually became nearly as significant an event as the national championship itself. For the most prominent conference in college football, this matchup has represented […]
ATLANTA – In this region, they often reference the legacy of former Southeastern Conference commissioner Roy Kramer, who defied college football norms and introduced a conference title game in 1992 that eventually became nearly as significant an event as the national championship itself.
For the most prominent conference in college football, this matchup has represented much in the enduring 30 years since: A catalyst for the SEC’s identity, a singular achievement that has also characterized the postseason whether under BCS or the College Football Playoff, and a lure for fan bases who perceive this showdown almost akin to a mini-Super Bowl.
“I still recall my senior year in high school competing in the playoffs,” remarked Georgia coach Kirby Smart earlier this week. “It was a Saturday night contest and Alabama faced Florida in one of the most memorable SEC championship games. I vividly remember tuning into the radio, awaiting the outcome as I was preparing for our game.”
And someday, at some point, another Kirby Smart will be out there reminiscing about the golden days when the SEC could entirely occupy Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Because here’s the most striking thing that transpired Saturday as Georgia secured a thrilling 22-19 victory in overtime in a matchup where both teams were destined for the playoffs regardless: Despite announcing an attendance of 74,916, the SEC didn’t fully populate the venue – it was far from it, actually.
This was unexpected given that this venue is situated within a city abundant with Georgia fans. Additionally, Texas, having taken a significant step toward joining the SEC, had a chance to secure only its second conference title in 15 years.
Many individuals from these two colossal fan bases scrutinized the chance to witness two esteemed college football programs in a superb stadium competing for an allegedly vital title and thought: “No thanks.” The number of vacant seats? Difficult to determine, but evident enough – especially in the upper level, where numerous rows had more empty chairbacks than attending fans.
This is a new occurrence for the SEC championship game. And it ought to serve as a cautionary tale for all of college football. Even within the SEC, noted for its motto “It Just Means More,” fans have come to view conference championships in the era of a 12-team College Football Playoff as significantly less meaningful.
And they’re not wrong.
For better or worse, the landscape of the sport has transformed. Even the SEC is not exempt. In previous years, SEC fans and officials would scoff at other conferences incapable of filling seats for a championship contest. Now, that reality has shifted to their end as well.
Consider the Big 12 championship game, where at least 25 percent of the arena was vacant, featuring Arizona State and Iowa State. Or the Big Ten championship in Indianapolis, where you could have purchased an upper deck ticket online Saturday afternoon for about $30 – primarily due to Oregon fans’ reluctance to travel across the nation when their team was playing in the playoffs regardless of the outcome.
Even if one believed the SEC would be insulated from these same challenges due to its history and location, Saturday’s events clarified that there is a threshold to how much avarice fans are willing to endure and what their current priorities entail.
And it no longer revolves around watching their team strive for a conference title.
During the height of the SEC championship’s popularity, this matchup was perceived as a momentous occasion because the victor was almost assuredly going to contend for the Bowl Championship Series title. There was typically just one more game to follow, with the SEC championship often posing a more robust challenge.
Upon the adoption of a four-team playoff in college football, fans faced additional pressure when deciding: Should they invest their hard-earned money for the semifinals or save it for the championship? Generally, this did not affect the SEC much because Atlanta was an easily accessible trip for many from the league, and this matchup frequently served as a playoff play-in. It had substantial significance.
However, with the playoff expansion to 12 teams, fans of Texas or Georgia may now have to consider financing three trips to follow their team on the path to a national championship. And these aren’t ordinary road trips: considering flights, meals, elevated hotel costs, and expensive game tickets, it becomes financially unfeasible except for the wealthiest supporters.
This indicates that college football authorities must examine, as this season is evaluated, the role of conference championship weekend within the broader context. The 12-team playoff has arguably made this regular season the most thrilling in decades. However, the championship games did not carry the same urgency, and in the case of Georgia, may even have been detrimental. Despite a spark from backup Gunner Stockton in the latter half, starting quarterback Carson Beck’s arm injury could lead to significant repercussions for the Bulldogs’ playoff ambitions if he isn’t at peak fitness in a few weeks.
It’s unrealistic to expect conferences and networks to completely abandon championship games, as they remain lucrative endeavors, irrespective of the empty seats. Nonetheless, they need to incorporate these games into the playoff framework in some capacity, or they risk losing prestige as fans, players, and coaches shift their focus toward the actual postseason.
Moreover, college football could facilitate fans’ attendance at these events by committing to hosting quarterfinals at campus sites instead of relegating them to traditional bowl games. This approach would also elevate the importance of conference championship matchups, as the winners would secure a home game in the quarterfinals.
These are all solvable issues. The 12-team playoff has increased college football’s relevance at programs like Arizona State and SMU, which previously had little chance of competing for a national title under the old system. Considering all indicators from TV ratings to social media engagement, the sport is thriving.
However, important lessons must be learned. And one significant lesson was visible on Saturday in Atlanta, where many empty seats conveyed a powerful message about how much has changed – even within the SEC.
