We established a few posts ago that I am a football expert but did you also know I’m a 3D expert? I can spin 3D CAD models with a flick of my wrist. I fly around Second Life with an avatar. You might say I live in the 3D world. So, when 3D technology meets football, I am THE person to talk about it.

In my case I went to see the BCS title game between the Gators and Sooners in 3D down in Hunstville, Alabama.  Huntsville is at the center of the universe for the SEC and therefore college football.  I was given a set of “Men in Black“  3D glasses to wear ( Note to old people, they are not blue and red anymore, they are clear). I sat in front of a 5000 inch hi-def digital screen with 800 surround sound speakers.  I’m just estimating screen size and number of speakers but it was definitely more than my friends 61 inch LCD and eight speakers (in your face, Bob!).

It was put on at the Rave cinema using technology from 3ality Digital, Sony, and Fox Sports.  Here are my observations and suggestions for any future games:

1. Put your glasses on after you sit down.  DO NOT STAND while watching the show or risk falling into the next row. If you do stand, at least put your drink down.
2. Expect a headache.  I don’t know that this is from the 3D glasses. It might have come from banging my head after those interceptions. In any case, it could have been prevented if the Rave, got their liquor license before the game. 
3. Having the camera on the fields is great!  I felt like I was walking around with Tim Tebow.  I think a few people tried to touch him. One person in a wheelchair may have been healed.
4. The technology is surprisingly good. It was a sharp picture and I had a feeling like I was there. OK, it has it’s glitches like when the camera loses focus and causes the entire crowd to scream in pain from going cross-eyed.  This only happened a few times and most of us were able to walk it off.  I think the problems I did see were 1/3 technology and 2/3 execution (which is good) so lets talk more about that.
5. We had several policemen at the theater. At first, I figured this was normal since it was football in the south and they might not have know the liquor licence was delayed.  I realized later that it was to go after the cell phone users. Phones must be turned off in a theater!  Those darn geeks are always ruining a good game with their PDAs and text message flame wars.
6. Broadcasters do not ask your viewers to text you comments about the experience during the game.  If one of them gets clubbed by the phone police (see above) they will sue you.
7. Cameramen, is this your first time covering football?   Yes, I know there are 24 players on the field but most football fans like to watch the one with the ball. The cuts to the cheerleaders are great, BUT NOT WHILE THE GAME IS BEING PLAYED. Ok, some of this is Oklahoma’s fault with thier hurry offense.
8. More Cameraman suggestions.  The camera on the field between plays or during breaks is good. The camera on the field during the play is bad. I now know why it is so hard to tackle a small back like Demps and Rainey.  It’s hard to see around a 6’6’’ 300 lb lineman to find them.
9. The crowd wanted to know about doing the SuperBowl in 3D. Yes, I hear it is coming.  You should go if you get the chance. Of course some smart aleck in the back wanted to know if it would be the same cameramen (see above).
10. Digital graphics person, Do not make your graphics (score, stats, logo) like they are 10 inches from my face. I get it.  It is 3D and it is cool.  However, I want to watch football.  Imagine you are at a football game focused on something 50 yards away and then have to focus on your cell phone. It takes a second. You don’t have this with 2D TV and I bet you can fix it in 3D by making the graphics show at a greater distance.
11. For the future football players, walk up to the 3D camera pointing. You wouldn’t think having a 20 foot arm coming out of the screen is cool but it is.  In the future, I wonder who will be the first to spit at the camera.
12. For the sound guys doing the production, be sure Michelle is with her friends before starting.  I spent a good part of the game listening to Michelle’s friends calling her name looking for her. Michelle might have also kept her friend form getting drunk and singing “We are the boys of old Florida” off key (that is the end of the 3^rd quarter for non-gator fans). On second thought, just find a better place for the mic.
13. Rave, the price was $25.  Please don’t nickel and dime us to death with $1 raffles. Now don’t get me wrong, the extra attention was nice but I’d rather not be digging through my pockets in a dark theater.  Just let me pay $30, give me some free Nachos or a coke (ok, Rave, you probably have some contract with someone else – complain to them).
14.  At some point, confetti must be thrown in the air for all 3D games.  This is very cool in 3D.  Big Ten teams, this technology is for you when the snow starts.  The SEC and PAC10 can’t compete (unless they start throwing beach sand at the cameras).

I’m a big college football fan.  I grew up just a few miles from the big horseshoe and saw Woody Hayes punch that guy.  I’ve lived in Florida, South Carolina, and Alabama, big football states.  I’m an expert.  And I’m telling you a playoff for the national championship in College football is a bad idea.

First, let’s look at tradition.  The Big 10 and the PAC 10 used to always play in the Rose Bowl.  It was the granddaddy of all bowls.  Why?  Because that was where the best two teams from the best two conferences played.  Now what is it?  Just another bowl game.  The BCS is the cause of this.

Next, look at graduation rates.  In 2006 the NCAA said that Alabama graduated 44% of its players.  Georgia was at 41% and Texas was 40%.  They were ranked 204, 214, 217 of all schools. These students need more time to study, not less!   And you want them to play an extra game or two?   Shame!

While we are on the topic of our students athletes, what do they want?  They are tired.  They want to go back to the dorms and sit in their hot tubs with their girl friends. Sure, they used to love playing the game but they know college football is a business now. We don’t want to pay them but we want them to work longer hours? That is not right.  If they were to unionize, we would soon put this playoff idea to rest.

We football fans need to realize we are not the only sport.  Basketball season starts right after football season. Some schools like Duke can’t afford a football team and rely solely on basketball to support the school.  Don’t you feel sorry for these underprivileged schools?   And now you want to take even more of their spot light? This is not the fair play I learned about at the Y.

Now, think about what you want. Sure, a playoff sounds good but think it through. Does your wife get mad at you sitting on the couch every Saturday? I know a lot of people out there where one more game will push their wives over the edge.  Who will bring your beer then?  The kids? No, they will go with her and that means you will have to cut your own grass too.

The one and only good thing about the BCS is that ANY team can win.  We all have hope.  Now, imagine a playoff system where only the best team can win.  How will that be fun?  We know that some conferences are stronger than others.  Do you really want to see Ohio State playing EVERY year?  No, we want our team to get a chance sometimes too.  Ok, sure, sometimes Penn State or Michigan are better than OSU in the Big Ten… but what about those of us with teams in weaker conferences like the Big 12?  Would you really want to play a Big 10 team just for a chance at the National championship? No, your odds are better if a sports writer votes you in.

So sports fans, think. A playoff is a silly idea.