Great to Good: The Crybaby Culture of College Football | KULP
College football is built on excellence—on the relentless pursuit of greatness. But a growing trend is threatening that standard. Instead of rewarding elite performance, the sport is increasingly embracing mediocrity, allowing teams with multiple losses to feel entitled to a playoff spot.
Take coaches like Lane Kiffin and Shane Beamer, for example. Their complaints about missing the College Football Playoff, despite losing to unranked teams, highlight a troubling shift in mindset.
Instead of demanding higher standards—such as winning big games and staying undefeated—they’re focused on expanding access.
Even Nick Saban, a vocal advocate for championship-caliber football, has argued for teams with multiple losses to be included in the Playoff. The contradiction is hard to ignore.
The ongoing expansion of the playoff isn’t about rewarding the best teams—it’s about TV ratings and inclusivity.
But in the process, the sport is losing its edge. If teams with two or three losses can still get in, where’s the urgency to be flawless? The more the bar is lowered, the less incentive there is to strive for true greatness.
Legends like Bear Bryant, Joe Paterno, and Bobby Bowden built their dynasties on one principle: winning at the highest level.
What would they think of a system that prioritizes participation over excellence?
The playoff should be about identifying the best team in the country, not just handing out invitations to anyone who meets a minimum threshold.
At its core, college football’s appeal has always been tied to its do-or-die regular season.
Every game matters. Every loss stings.
But, as the playoff expands, that drama is being diluted. If a two-loss team can still make it in, why should an undefeated season carry the same weight?
The “Crybaby Culture” taking place in college football highlights a trend where mediocrity is accepted and even rewarded, at the expense of striving for true excellence. It’s a shift that undermines the very essence of competition and achievement.
No team ranked outside the top six has ever successfully navigated a gauntlet of elite opponents to win a national championship.
Whine all you want—the goal is to crown the best team, not just build a bigger playoff bracket.
If you couldn’t get through your own schedule without multiple losses, how are you supposed to beat a lineup of the best teams in the nation?
Instead of expanding the playoff, why not tweak the current model to better emphasize the importance of the regular season?
Imagine a system where the Big Ten and SEC each get automatic bids for their top two teams, while their third and fourth-place finishers play in a high-stakes conference championship Saturday matchup for a final spot.
Every team plays nine conference games, with an annual Big Ten vs. SEC showdown in Week 1 to set the tone for the season.
For decades, college football thrived on its high stakes and its razor-thin margin for error.
But, the same generation raised on participation trophies is now running the sport—and they’re diluting everything that made it special.
If college football keeps prioritizing inclusion over competition, it risks losing its identity altogether.
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He has been recognized for his work as a photographer and has also contributed to various publications including PennLive and The Weather Channel.
Brad is an Air Force veteran, coach and competitive runner that grew up a Nittany Lions fan as his family is originally from the State College area.
His diverse skillset and experiences provide for interesting perspectives on the college football, and sports topics of the day.
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