 Last season was a historic year for the Southeastern Conference by topping an accumulated attendance of over seven million fans, first time ever for a conference. Expect the SEC attendance to rise further over the next couple years with additions by Texas A&M, Mississippi State, and LSU. By 2015, Texas A&M will have added on nearly 20,000 seats to its capacity. After the expansion, Kyle Field will be the largest capacity stadium in the SEC at 102,500 and will have the highest capacity in the state of Texas. Also if no other schools have further additions, Texas A&M will rank third overall nationally in capacity. In 2014, Mississippi State is also expanding the capacity of Davis Wade Stadium up to 61,337 and LSU is increasing capacity of Tiger Stadium to over 100,000. Despite a disappointing season, attendance for Missouri increased in 2012 when compared to the 2011 season. The Tigers went just 5-7 last year and failed to reach a bowl for the first time since 2004. The 2012 season was the first year in the SEC for Mizzou so that surely played a factor in their boost.
2012 Southeastern Conference Attendance Stats | Average Attendance Per Home Game
1. Alabama 101,722
2. LSU 92,626
3. Georgia 92,703
4. Tennessee 89,965
5. Florida 87,597
6. Texas A&M 87,014
7. Auburn 82,646
8. South Carolina 80,001
9. Missouri 67,476
10. Arkansas 66,176*
11. Ole Miss 57,066
12. Mississippi State 55,628
13. Kentucky 49,691
14. Vanderbilt 37,860
Accumulated home attendance: 7,371,125
Average attendance per home game: 75,216
| Capacity Percent
1. Texas A&M 105.36
2. Mississippi State 100.99
3. LSU 100.09
4. Georgia 99.95
5. Alabama 99.90
6. South Carolina 99.69
7. Florida 98.93
8. Arkansas 98.72
9. Missouri 95.03
10. Auburn 94.51
11. Ole Miss 94.20
12. Vanderbilt 93.37
13. Tennessee 87.81
14. Kentucky 73.50
| *Two home games played at Little Rock in lower capacity stadium.
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With football being the most popular sport in America and the legions of passionate college fans, attendance and capacity of stadiums in college football keep rising. The 2012 accumulated attendance of 48,958,547 fans at all 644 NCAA schools is the third-highest total in history including home games, neutral-site games, and postseason. The SEC had the highest average attendance per home game in 2012 and the Big Ten was the second highest. It makes sense with both conferences having the top five college football stadiums in capacity. The SEC is the first conference with over seven million fans in accumulated attendance for a season. Expect attendance in the Southeastern Conference to rise further over the next couple years with stadium expansions by Texas A&M, Mississippi State, and LSU. As for individual schools, Michigan still reigns supreme in college football attendance by packing the Big House over capacity at an average of 112,252 per home game for 2012. The last time home attendance was below 100,000 for the Wolverines was October 25, 1975 vs. the Indiana Hoosiers and there have been 244 consecutive 100,000-plus crowds since then. In 2012, Michigan State at Michigan drew 113,833 fans, the highest attendance for college football last season. Notre Dame plans to add buildings and over 3,000 premium seats in and around their stadium. Notre Dame Stadium first opened in 1930 and was last expanded in 1997. The increase in seating would move the Irish up a couple spots in capacity and average attendance rankings. The project still has a lengthy process to go through and may take up to six years before completion. Eastern Michigan had the most dismal attendance average at only 3,923 with a season high of just 6,001. EMU only filled Rynearson Stadium, a capacity of 30,200, at 12.99 percent capacity for 2012. Only home attendance statistics were figured for the rankings below; neutral sites were not included. If a school claims multiple home stadiums, then attendance stats from those venues were also included. For example, Arkansas played at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock as a designated home site so it counted, but neutral site games such as Florida vs. Georgia at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville did not count. Northern Illinois also designates Soldier Field as a home stadium. Note that attendance averages including neutral sites for conferences are listed under the conference comparison stats, but were not figured into any of the other stats or rankings. All statistics were compiled from information provided by the schools and NCAA. FBS Home Attendance Averages 2012 Statistics includes teams in transition to the FBS in 2012 and 2013. Conferences are listed according to the 2013 alignment. The top five conferences in average attendance according to the 2012 alignment are listed under the conference comparison. Top 126 School, Average, Game High, Opponent
1. Michigan 112,252 - 113,833 (Michigan State)
2. Ohio State 105,330 - 106,102 (Nebraska)
3. Alabama 101,722 - 101,821 (6 schools tied)
4. Texas 100,884 - 101,851 (West Virginia)
5. Penn State 96,730 - 107,818 (Ohio State)
6. Georgia 92,703 - 92,746 (6 schools tied)
7. LSU 92,626 - 93,374 (Alabama)
8. Tennessee 89,965 - 102,455 (Florida & Alabama)
9. USC 87,845 - 93,607 (ND, Oregon, & Hawaii)
10. Florida 87,597 - 90,883 (South Carolina)
11. Texas A&M 87,014 - 87,429 (LSU)
12. Nebraska 85,517 - 86,160 (Michigan)
13. Oklahoma 85,243 - 86,031 (Notre Dame)
14. Auburn 82,646 - 86,721 (LSU)
15. Clemson 81,427 - 84,523 (South Carolina)
16. Notre Dame 80,795 - 80,795 (6 schools tied)
17. Wisconsin 80,006 - 80,587 (Minnesota)
18. South Carolina 80,001 - 85,199 (Georgia)
19. Florida State 75,601 - 83,429 (Florida)
20. Michigan State 75,382 - 79,219 (Notre Dame)
21. Iowa 70,474 - 70,585 (six schools tied)
22. UCLA 68,481 - 83,277 (USC)
23. Missouri 67,476 - 71,004 (UGA, ASU, & Bama)
24. Arkansas 66,176 - 74,615 (Alabama)
25. Virginia Tech 65,632 - 65,632 (6 schools tied)
26. BYU 61,161 - 63,489 (Oregon State)
27. Washington 58,617 - 66,202 (USC)
28. Oregon 57,490 - 58,792 (Washington & Stanford)
29. Texas Tech 57,209 - 60,879 (Texas)
30. Ole Miss 57,066 - 61,797 (Texas)
31. Arizona State 56,835 - 71,004 (Oregon)
32. Oklahoma State 56,557 - 57,779 (West Virginia)
33. West Virginia 55,916 - 60,101 (Kansas State)
34. California 55,876 - 63,186 (Nevada)
35. Mississippi State 55,628 - 57,831 (Tennessee)
36. Iowa State 55,274 - 56,800 (Kansas State)
37. North Carolina State 54,106 - 55,145 (Citadel)
38. North Carolina 50,286 - 62,000 (NC State)
39. Kansas State 50,278 - 50,912 (Texas)
40. Louisville 49,991 - 55,386 (Kentucky)
41. Kentucky 49,691 - 54,553 (Georgia)
42. Rutgers 49,188 - 52,798 (Louisville)
43. Arizona 47,931 - 51,901 (Arizona State)
44. Miami (FL) 47,719 - 62,781 (Notre Dame)
45. East Carolina 47,013 - 49,023 (Appalachian St)
46. Virginia 46,650 - 56,087 (Penn State)
47. Minnesota 46,637 - 50,805 (Syracuse)
48. TCU 46,047 - 47,894 (Texas Tech)
49. Illinois 45,564 - 47,981 (Indiana)
50. Colorado 45,373 - 46,893 (UCLA)
51. Utah 45,347 - 46,307 (USC)
52. Indiana 44,802 - 48,880 (Ohio State)
53. South Florida 44,130 - 69,383 (Florida State)
54. Georgia Tech 43,955 - 64,778 (Florida State)
55. Purdue 43,588 - 50,105 (Michigan)
56. Oregon State 43,424 - 47,249 (Oregon)
57. Stanford 43,343 - 50,360 (USC)
58. Pittsburgh 41,494 - 48,032 (Virginia Tech)
59. Kansas 41,329 - 46,601 (South Dakota State)
60. Baylor 41,194 - 44,856 (Sam Houston)
61. Syracuse 37,953 - 40,394 (Pittsburgh)
62. Vanderbilt 37,860 - 40,350 (Florida)
63. Boston College 37,020 - 44,500 (Notre Dame)
64. Maryland 36,023 - 40,391 (Wake Forest)
65. Northwestern 35,697 - 47,330 (Nebraska)
66. Boise State 35,404 - 36,864 (BYU)
67. Connecticut 34,672 - 37,279 (Temple)
68. UCF 34,608 - 40,478 (FIU)
69. Navy 32,363 - 35,671 (VMI)
70. Army 32,305 - 39,492 (Boston College)
71. Air Force 32,015 - 38,927 (Navy)
72. Fresno State 30,915 - 36,240 (Air Force)
73. San Diego State 30,879 - 50,596 (Hawaii)
74. Washington St 30,252 - 33,598 (Eastern Wash)
75. Hawaii 30,031 - 31,632 (New Mexico)
76. UTEP 29,374 - 40,137 (Oklahoma)
77. UTSA 29,226 - 39,032 (Texas State)
78. Cincinnati 29,138 - 46,026 (Virginia Tech)
79. Wake Forest 28,912 - 31,162 (Clemson)
80. Duke 28,170 - 33,941 (North Carolina)
81. Houston 27,247 - 32,207 (Texas State)
82. Temple 26,580 - 35,145 (Rutgers)
83. Arkansas State 26,398 - 31,243 (Middle Tenn)
84. Louisiana Tech 25,841 - 40,453 (Texas A&M)
85. Southern Miss 25,751 - 34,140 (East Carolina)
86. ULM 24,981 - 31,175 (Baylor)
87. Marshall 24,896 - 33,436 (Ohio)
88. Memphis 24,371 - 39,076 (Tenn.-Martin)
89. Nevada 23,432 - 30,017 (Boise State)
90. Louisiana 22,865 - 29,758 (Tulane)
91. New Mexico 22,307 - 28,450 (Southern)
92. Ohio 21,844 - 25,893 (New Mexico State)
93. SMU 21,292 - 32,016 (Texas A&M)
94. Troy 20,952 - 29,013 (Mississippi State)
95. N. Illinois 20,877* - 52,117 (Iowa at Soldier Field)
96. Toledo 20,552 - 28,115 (Bowling Green)
97. Rice 20,325 - 32,718 (Houston)
98. Utah State 20,054 - 25,513 (Utah)
99. Old Dominion 20,037 - 20,068 (7 schools tied)
100. Tulsa 20,020 - 24,236 (Fresno State)
101. Wyoming 19,555 - 22,627 (Air Force)
102. Colorado State 19,250 - 25,814 (Fresno State)
103. Texas State 18,945 - 33,006 (Texas Tech)
104. North Texas 18,927 - 22,259 (Texas Southern)
105. Tulane 18,085 - 28,913 (Ole Miss)
106. Kent State 17,880 - 21,657 (Ball State)
107. Middle Tennessee 17,738 - 21,067 (ULM)
108. Western Kentucky 17,415 - 23,252 (S. Miss)
109. South Alabama 16,794 - 23,789 (Troy)
110. Central Michigan 16,036 - 35,127 (Mich St)
111. Bowling Green 15,632 - 17,071 (Miami-OH)
112. Miami (OH) 15,333 - 19,326 (Ohio)
113. UAB 15,271 - 28,612 (Troy)
114. UNLV 15,208 - 20,565 (Nevada)
115. Western Michigan 14,579 - 22,536 (E. Illinois)
116. New Mexico St 14,247 - 25,211 (New Mexico)
117. FIU 13,634 - 15,685 (Akron)
118. Florida Atlantic 13,459 - 15,405 (FIU)
119. Buffalo 13,242 - 17,021 (Pittsburgh)
120. Ball State 12,930 - 16,397 (South Florida)
121. Idaho 12,582 - 14,755 (New Mexico State)
122. Georgia St 12,309 - 18,921 (South Carolina St)
123. Massachusetts 10,901 - 16,304 (Indiana)
124. San Jose State 10,789 - 15,494 (BYU)
125. Akron 9,275 - 10,102 (Bowling Green)
126. Eastern Michigan 3,923 - 6,011 (Kent State)
*Northern Illinois attendance averaged 15,670 without Soldier Field included.
| By Conference School, Average
ACC
Clemson 81,427
Florida State 75,601
Virginia Tech 65,632
North Carolina State 54,106
North Carolina 50,286
Miami FL 47,719
Virginia 46,650
Georgia Tech 43,955
Pittsburgh 41,494
Syracuse 37,953
Boston College 37,020
Maryland 36,022
Wake Forest 29,912
Duke 28,170
Accumulated home attendance: 4,366,728
Average attendance per home game: 48,519
Big East
Louisville 49,991
Rutgers 49,188
South Florida 44,130
Connecticut 34,672
UCF 34,608
Houston 27,247
Temple 26,580
Memphis 24,371
SMU 21,292
Accumulated home attendance: 1,971,004
Average attendance per home game: 34,579
Big Ten
Michigan 112,252
Ohio State 105,330
Penn State 96,730
Nebraska 85,517
Wisconsin 80,006
Michigan State 75,382
Iowa 70,474
Minnesota 46,637
Illinois 45,564
Indiana 44,802
Purdue 43,588
Northwestern 35,697
Accumulated home attendance: 5,842,112
Average attendance per home game: 70,387
Big 12
Texas 100,884
Oklahoma 85,243
Texas Tech 57,209
Oklahoma State 56,557
West Virginia 55,916
Iowa State 55,274
Kansas State 50,278
TCU 46,047
Kansas 41,329
Baylor 41,194
Accumulated home attendance: 3,757,598
Average attendance per home game: 58,712
Conference USA
East Carolina 47,013
UTEP 29,374
UTSA 29,226
Louisiana Tech 25,841
Southern Mississippi 25,751
Marshall 24,896
Rice 20,325
Tulsa 20,020
North Texas 18,927
Tulane 18,085
Middle Tennessee 17,738
UAB 15,271
FIU 13,634
Florida Atlantic 13,459
Accumulated home attendance: 1,885,007
Average attendance per home game: 22,988
MAC
Ohio 21,844
Northern Illinois 20,877
Toledo 20,552
Kent State 17,880
Central Michigan 16,036
Bowling Green 15,632
Miami (OH) 15,333
Western Michigan 14,579
Buffalo 13,242
Ball State 12,930
Massachusetts 10,901
Akron 9,275
Eastern Michigan 3,923
Accumulated home attendance: 1,122,254
Average attendance per home game: 14,963
Mountain West
Boise State 35,404
Air Force 32,015
Fresno State 30,915
San Diego State 30,879
Hawaii 30,031
Nevada 23,432
New Mexico 22,307
Utah State 20,054
Wyoming 19,555
Colorado State 19,250
UNLV 15,208
San Jose State 10,789
Accumulated home attendance: 1,815,983
Average attendance per home game: 24,213
Pac-12
USC 87,845
UCLA 68,481
Washington 58,617
Oregon 57,490
Arizona State 56,835
California 55,876
Arizona 47,931
Colorado 45,373
Utah 45,347
Oregon State 43,424
Stanford 43,343
Washington State 30,252
Accumulated home attendance: 4,179,703
Average attendance per home game: 53,586
SEC
Alabama 101,722
LSU 92,626
Georgia 92,703
Tennessee 89,965
Florida 87,597
Texas A&M 87,014
Auburn 82,646
South Carolina 80,001
Arkansas 68,046
Missouri 67,476
Ole Miss 57,066
Mississippi State 55,628
Kentucky 49,691
Vanderbilt 37,860
Accumulated home attendance: 7,371,125
Average attendance per home game: 75,216
Sun Belt
Arkansas State 26,398
ULM 24,981
Louisiana 22,865
Troy 20,952
Texas State 18,945
Western Kentucky 17,415
South Alabama 16,794
Georgia State 12,309
Accumulated home attendance: 963,942
Average attendance per home game: 20,082
Independents
Notre Dame 80,795
BYU 61,161
Navy 32,363
Army 32,305
Old Dominion 20,037
New Mexico State 14,247
Idaho 12,582
Accumulated home attendance: 1,547,668
Average attendance per home game: 35,992
Conference Comparison
Average attendance per home game
SEC 75,216
Big Ten 70,387
Big 12 58,712
PAC-12 53,586
ACC 48,519
Independents 35,992
Big East 34,579
Mountain West 24,213
Conference USA 22,988
Sun Belt 20,082
MAC 14,963
*according to 2013 alignment
Average attendance including neutral sites
SEC 75,538
Big Ten 70,040
Big 12 59,004
Pac-12 53,679
ACC 49,910 (not including Pitt and Syracuse)
*according to 2012 alignment Top 5 Capacity
1. Michigan 109,901
2. Penn State 106,572
3. Tennessee 102,459
4. Ohio State 102,329
5. Alabama 101,821
Top 5 Capacity Percent
1. Oregon 106.46
2. Nebraska 105.49
3. Texas A&M 105.36
4. Oklahoma 103.81
5. Ohio State 102.93
Next up: TCU 102.33 & Michigan 102.14 | Other Articles: Follow College Football Universe on Twitter & Like us on Facebook.
The 2012 FBS Consensus All-America Team was released earlier on Monday by the NCAA. The team is dominated by SEC players with 10 selected. The Pac-12 has the next most with seven. After the top two, there is a drop off of athletes from other conferences. The ACC is the only other conference that placed multiple players with just two. The Big East and Sun Belt are not represented at all on the team. The SEC also has 11 players listed on the FWAA All-America Team, one component of the consensus. Three 2011 Consensus All-Americans made this year's team: Alabama C Barrett Jones, Wisconsin RB Montee Ball, and Georgia OLB Jarvis Jones. Alabama is the team with the most players listed at four. Texas A&M and Stanford are the only other teams with multiple selections, three and two respectively. 13 of the 25 players on the College Football Universe All-America Team made the consensus team as well. The CFU team was selected before the end of the season after weeks 10 and 11. The Consensus All-America Team is compiled from five teams of All-Americans picked by the following organizations: American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News, and Walter Camp Football Foundation. 2012 FBS Consensus All-America Team
| Offense
WR—*Marqise Lee, Southern California, 6-0, 195, So.
WR—*Terrance Williams, Baylor, 6-2, 205, Sr.
TE—*Zach Ertz, Stanford, 6-6, 252, Sr.
OL—*Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina, 6-3, 295, Sr.
OL—*Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M, 6-6, 310, Jr.
OL—*Chance Warmack, Alabama, 6-3, 320, Sr.
OL—David Yankey, Stanford, 6-5, 301, Jr.
C--Barrett Jones, Alabama, 6-5, 302, Sr.
QB—Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, 6-1, 200, Fr.
RB--Montee Ball, Wisconsin, 5-11, 215, Sr.
RB—Kenjon Barner, Oregon, 5-11, 192, Sr.
RB—Ka'Deem Carey, Arizona, 5-10, 197, So.
PK—Cairo Santos, Tulane, 5-8, 160, Jr.
Returner/All-Purpose—Dri Archer, Kent St., 5-8, 175, Sr.
Defense
DL—*Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina, 6-6, 256, So.
DL—*Bjoern Werner, Florida St., 6-4, 255, Jr.
DL—Damontre Moore, Texas A&M, 6-4, 250, Jr.
DL—Will Sutton, Arizona St., 6-1, 267, Jr.
LB—*Jarvis Jones, Georgia, 6-3, 241, Jr.
LB—*Manti Te’o, Notre Dame, 6-2, 255, Sr.
LB—C.J. Mosley, Alabama, 6-2, 232, Jr.
DB—*Dee Milliner, Alabama, 6-1, 199, Jr.
DB—*Phillip Thomas, Fresno St., 6-1, 215, Sr.
DB—Jordan Poyer, Oregon St., 6-0, 190, Sr.
DB—Eric Reid, LSU, 6-2, 212, Jr.
P—*Ryan Allen, Louisiana Tech, 6-2, 215, Sr.
* Indicates unanimous first team selection.
Three running backs were named since Montee Ball and Ka'Deem Carey each made three first teams.
| Breakdown of selections by conference:
SEC, 10
Pac-12, 7
ACC, 2
Big Ten, 1
Big 12, 1
C-USA, 1
Ind, 1
MAC, 1
MWC, 1
WAC, 1
| 2012 FWAA All-America Team
Offense
QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, 6-1, 200, Fr.
RB Kenjon Barner, Oregon, 5-11, 192, Sr.
RB Jonathan Franklin, UCLA, 5-11, 195, Sr.
WR Stedman Bailey, West Virginia, 5-10, 195, Jr.
WR Marqise Lee, USC, 6-0, 195, So.
WR Terrance Williams, Baylor, 6-2, 205, Sr.
OL Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina, 6-3, 295, Sr.
OL Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M, 6-6, 310, Jr.
OL Jake Matthews, Texas A&M, 6-5, 305, Jr.
OL Chance Warmack, Alabama, 6-3, 320, Sr.
C Barrett Jones, Alabama, 6-5, 302, Sr.
Defense
DL Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina, 6-6, 256, So.
DL Chris Jones, Bowling Green, 6-1, 293, Sr.
DL Damontre Moore, Texas A&M, 6-4, 250, Jr.
DL Bjoern Werner, Florida State, 6-4, 255, Jr.
LB Arthur Brown, Kansas State, 6-1, 231, Sr.
LB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, 6-2, 255, Sr.
LB Jarvis Jones, Georgia, 6-3, 241, Jr.
DB Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State, 6-2, 185, Sr.
DB Dee Milliner, Alabama, 6-1, 199, Jr.
DB Eric Reid, LSU, 6-2, 212, Jr.
DB Phillip Thomas, Fresno State, 6-1, 215, Sr.
Special Teams
K Cairo Santos, Tulane, 5-8, 160, Jr.
P Ryan Allen, Louisiana Tech, 6-2, 215, Sr.
KR Dri Archer, Kent State, 5-8, 175, Jr.
PR Venric Mark, Northwestern, 5-8, 175, Jr.
 It looks like college football's top conference, the SEC, will soon be getting its own television network as reported Thursday by USA Today. The move for an SEC Network channel lags behind actions by other conferences like the Big Ten Network and Pac-12 Network that formed their own television station. Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive did not officially announce that the SEC would have its own cable channel, but he did strongly hint at it and said that an announcement will be made in the near future. Slive said, "Given the networks that have been developed, is there room for any more? And the answer is 'At least one." The Pac-12 Network is still rather young being launched just late summer 2012. But the Big Ten Network which debuted in 2007 has been labeled as successful and a cash cow. The SEC is widely thought of as the most popular football conference in the NCAA and should have plenty more wiggle room to bring in additional TV money. The SEC is behind the Pac-12, Big Ten, and ACC in annual revenue for TV-rights deals. There is much speculation of how the SEC Network will develop and there are plenty of further details that still need to be worked out. Source: USA Today
Television networks like Fox and especially ESPN have looked for college football as a thriving market for new media revenue. The BCS, despite controversy, has created more of a national stir for the sport and the upcoming college football playoff means even more money. Earlier this fall, the TV rights for the college football playoff in 2014 was secured in a negotiation with ESPN reportedly for $470 million dollars annually and $5.64 billion for the full length of the 12-year deal. The current contract with ESPN for the Sugar, Orange, and Fiesta bowls as well as the BCS national championship is worth about $125 million annually. "Because of college football's widespread popularity and the incredible passion of its fans, few events are more meaningful than these games," ESPN President John Skipper said (SI.com).
Fox and ESPN also made a deal earlier in the year with the Big 12 Network on an agreement reportedly worth $2.6 billion dollars over 13 years. Basically, the networks need the content and the schools need more money. As the saying goes, a win-win situation for both sides. I am actually surprised that the SEC does not generate more TV money from their success and fan following in college football. The SEC only tops the Big 12 for national television revenue of the top five conferences listed below. College football is the second most popular sport in the United States, tied with baseball, which is a signal that there is even more room to bring in the dollars. Everything involving money in college football from coaches' pay to television deals have skyrocketed in recent years and it does not look to go down. Even contract buyouts involving coaching changes may cost colleges around $50 million this season alone (USA Today). I have no problem with large coaches' salaries or athletic facility upgrades as long as funds do not come from sources like student funding to pay for football or other sports. A major issue is that of 120 athletic departments in the FBS, only 19 percent reported a profit in 2011 and per-student funding has significantly dropped over the last 21 years, 79.1 percent in 1980 to 56.7 percent in 2011 (WSJ). However, college football cannot necessarily be blamed for the inability of college sports to profit since most schools with top notch football programs report a profit in athletics. According to the Wall Street Journal, "At Louisiana State University, where football is profitable and conference-rights revenue has surged, officials recently agreed to transfer $7.2 million a year from sports to academic programs hurt by budget cuts."
Also noteworthy, no conference lost money on bowls in the 2011-12 season and the lowest payout for a conference was the Mountain West with over $1 million while the highest was the SEC with nearly $31 million. The BCS games had a payout over $192 million and the non-BCS bowls paid better than $98 million; after expenses, college football bowl payouts totaled around $281 million and a net revenue of almost $180 million. This money too is often used to fund other athletics at the schools.
The influx of money into college football should not necessarily be viewed as a bad thing or another reason for student-athletes to be paid. As long as the money is allocated properly, college football can actually help universities in academics and other sports programs that lack funds. But programs that overspend or lack the ability to sustain the revenue rise in comparison to others may have an issue with keeping up and ultimately could be detrimental to the either the academics at the school or the athletic programs. Otherwise, it is okay to raise and spend money, just do it within the means of the budget.
Annual revenue of national TV-rights deals for five major collegiate conferencesCurrent Deal, Previous Deal 1. Pac-12 $350 million, $57 million 2. Big Ten, $271 million, $62 million 3. ACC, $245 million, $70 million 4. SEC, $205 million, $57 million 5. Big 12, $192 million, $80 million $25.5 billion in rights fees into college conferences and their member schools over the next 15 years. Source: SportsBusiness Journal Factbook & SNL Kagan as reported by the Wall Street Journal in print. | | | Bowl payouts for 2011-12 season
Highest per conference: SEC, $30,826,027
Lowest per conference: Mountain West, $1,066,190
BCS Bowls: $192,004,432
Non-BCS Bowls: $98,512,458
Net-revenue from bowl payouts: $179,896,463
Source: Football Bowl Association Media Guide 2012-13 | |
The Big 12 outpaced the SEC in average salary pay per coach according to a USA Today report. The SEC still has the top paid coach, Alabama's Nick Saban, and they have eight coaches in the top 25 of the highest paid. The Big Ten has five of the top 25 salaries for coaches and the Big 12 has four. The SEC actually saw a decrease in average salary since last season, but that is partially due to new coaches hired for relatively low pay for the conference such as Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze ($1,505,500) and Arkansas coach John L. Smith ($850,000). The SEC average should rise at least some by next season since Arkansas is likely to be shelling out more money for a new coach. The popularity of college football and the money frenzy dedicated to winning has skyrocketed the pay of coaches in the FBS. There are 66 coaches making at least $1 million, 42 at least $2 million, and 13 at least $3 million. That is up drastically from 2006 when 42 coaches made at least $1 million, only 13 at least $2 million, and just one at least $3 million. According to USA Today: "Coaches' pay has even outpaced the pay of corporate executives... Between 2007 and 2011, CEO pay — including salary, stock, options, bonuses and other pay — rose 23%, according to Equilar, an executive compensation data firm. In that same period, coaches' pay increased 44%."
There are many people disgruntled with the pay of corporate executives and how they have increased in relation to other jobs. I wonder if people are just as disgruntled about the large salaries of major college football coaches. Put your vote in about it on the fan poll at the bottom.
Top Three Average Coaches Pay per Conference in College Football
1. Big 12, $3 million
2. SEC, $2.7 million
3. Big Ten, $2.3 million
FBS average: $1.64 million
*averages are approximate. Top 25 Highest Paid Coaches in Major College Football by Total Pay
1. Nick Saban, Alabama, SEC, $5,476,738 2. Mack Brown, Texas, Big 12, $5,353,750 3. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma, Big 12, $4,550,000 4. Urban Meyer, Ohio State, Big Ten, $4,300,000 5. Les Miles, LSU, SEC, $3,856,417 6. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa, Big Ten, $3,835,000 7. Steve Spurrier, South Carolina, SEC, $3,585,000 8. Gene Chizik, Auburn, SEC, $3,577,500 9. Chip Kelly, Oregon, Pac-12, $3,500,000 10. Gary Patterson, TCU, Big 12, $3,467,926 11. Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State, Big 12, $3,275,000 12. Brady Hoke, Michigan, Big Ten, $3,046,120 13. Todd Graham, Arizona State, Pac-12, $3,000,000 14. Mark Richt, Georgia, SEC, $2,925,340 15. Bo Pelini, Nebraska, Big Ten, $2,875,000 16. Jimbo Fisher, Florida State, ACC, $2,750,000 17. Gary Pinkel, Missouri, SEC, $2,700,000 18. Bret Bielema, Wisconsin, Big Ten, $2,640,140 19. Dan Mullen, Mississippi State, SEC, $2,600,000 19. Jed Tedford, California, Pac-12, $2,600,000 21. Mike London, Virginia, ACC, $2,556,460 22. Charlie Weis, Kansas, Big 12, $2,500,000 23. Will Muschamp, Florida, SEC, $2,474,500 24. Larry Fedora, North Carolina, ACC, $2,448,605 25. Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech, ACC, $2,445,700 Next Up: Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M, SEC, $2,436,300 Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech, ACC, $2,428,000 Steve Sarkisian, Washington, Pac-12, $2,425,000 Brian Kelly, Notre Dame, Ind, $2,424,301 Lane Kiffin, USC, Pac-12, $2,406,505 Source: USA Today
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 Quinton Patton La. Tech Today is the release of the College Football Universe Offense All-America Team and my official nominations for the FWAA All-America Team. Special teams players are included as well. Even though the SEC had the most players listed with six (two on special teams). There are no skill players from the SEC listed as an All-American other than in special team positions. The Pac-12 has the second most on the All-America team with two Heisman contenders, Oregon RB Kenjon Barner and USC WR Marqise Lee. Alabama is the only school with multiple players selected due to their highly talented offensive line. The hog mollies on the O-line make up for some of the explosiveness that the Tide lack in skill players. The three players selected are also NFL prospects. Guard Chance Warmack is currently the highest rated at sixth on ESPN Mel Kiper’s Big Board. Center Barrett Jones was the Outland Trophy winner for best interior lineman last season and is a favorite to win it this season; he is also my nomination for the 2012 Outland. However, the top NFL prospect at offensive lineman and possibly the best in college is from another SEC school. Texas A&M OT Luke Joeckel is skilled and physically gifted enough to transition into the pros. Joeckel has been instrumental in helping QB Johnny Manziel extend plays this season, especially last week against Alabama. North Carolina running back Giovani Bernard is the only player from the ACC on the All-America Team. Bernard is an explosive all purpose player that is worth watching. There are a couple of players from non-BCS conferences on the team. Louisiana Tech WR Quinton Patton had 21 receptions against Texas A&M earlier this season and is a factor in the high powered Bulldogs offense. Tulane kicking specialist Cairos Santos is the other non-BCS representative. There are three quarterbacks under honorable mentions that had to be noted due to their outstanding seasons, but only one could be selected to the All-America team. Johnny Manziel was the closest to making the list and if it was not for the season that Collin Klein is having, he would have easily made it. I vote on the Maxwell Award for College Player of the Year and am still considering Manziel depending how each play out the remainder of the season.
2012 College Football Universe Offense All-America Team | | Marqise Lee Highlights vs Arizona State 2012 Barrett Jones on ESPN CFB Daily Nov 5, 2012 | Honorable Mentions QB Johnny Manziel (6-1 200 Fr) Texas A&M, OT Jake Matthews (6-5 205 Jr) Texas A&M, QB Colby Cameron (6-2 205 Sr) Louisiana Tech, WR DeAndre Hopkins (6-1 200 Jr) Clemson, RB David Fluellen (6-0 215 Jr) Toledo, WR Cobi Hamilton (6-3 209 Sr) Arkansas, QB Marcus Mariota (6-4 211 Fr) Oregon, WR Terrence Williams (6-2 205 Sr) Baylor, TE Jack Doyle (6-6 251 Sr) Western Kentucky, OT Taylor Lewan (6-8 308 Jr) Michigan, and TE Kyle Carter (6-3 247 Fr) Penn State.
 Here is the release of the College Football Universe Defense All-America Team and my official nominations for the FWAA All-America Team. The Southeastern conference dominates the Defense All-America team with six players nominated. There are standout players in the SEC that nearly every college football fan knows of like Jarvis Jones and Jadeveon Clowney, but the conference has plenty more highly talented defensive players. Notre Dame and Alabama are the only two programs that have multiple players listed on the team. Of course, Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o is the leader for most of the defensive player awards and he is a contender on many Heisman Watch lists, but people often forget about his teammate Stephon Tuitt; he is a big defensive end that has played some at DT and is good at getting pressure on the quarterback. The Crimson Tide also boast two skilled defensive players on the All-America team. Dee Milliner is a very talented cover corner and linebacker CJ Mosely is a well rounded defender. Milliner was named the Defensive National Player of the Week for his performance against Michigan and he is tied for fourth in Alabama history with 29 career pass break ups.Western Kentucky DE Quanterus Smith may be one of the most underrated defensive players in college football. Smith leads the nation in sacks and not all those takedowns were against inferior competition; he had three sacks against Alabama which is considered one of the best offensive lines in college football. The Hilltopper pass rusher recently just set a Sun Belt conference sack record and career best with five against FIU. There are some honorable mentions included that were barely left off the team and I unfortunately were not able to nominate them. The College Football Universe Offense All-America team and my FWAA offense nominations will be released next week.
2012 College Football Universe Defense All-America Team: | | Quanterus Smith Highlights Sack Leader 2012 Dee Milliner Highlights vs Michigan 2012 | Honorable Mentions CB Jordan Poyer (6-0 190 Sr) Oregon State, OLB Khaseem Greene (6-1 230 Sr) Rutgers, MLB Arthur Brown (6-1 228 Sr) Kansas State, DE Damontre Moore (6-4 250 Jr) Texas A&M, DT Johnathan Hankins (6-3 317 Jr) Ohio State, FS Ed Reynolds (6-2 207 Jr) Stanford, DE Bjoern Werner (6-4 265 Jr) Florida State, MLB Kevin Minter (6-2 242 Jr) LSU, DT Sheldon Richardson (6-4 295 Jr) Missouri, and DE Sam Montgomery (6-4 245 Jr) LSU.
2013 SEC Football Schedule (Conference Games Only)
Week by Week
Aug. 31
Ole Miss at Vanderbilt
Sept. 7
South Carolina at Georgia
Sept. 14
Alabama at Texas A&M
Mississippi State at Auburn
Vanderbilt at South Carolina
Sept. 21
Auburn at LSU
Tennessee at Florida
Sept. 28
Ole Miss at Alabama
Texas A&M at Arkansas
Florida at Kentucky
LSU at Georgia
Oct. 5
Arkansas at Florida
Ole Miss at Auburn
Georgia at Tennessee
Kentucky at South Carolina
LSU at Mississippi State
Missouri at Vanderbilt
Oct. 12
Alabama at Kentucky
South Carolina at Arkansas
Florida at LSU
Missouri at Georgia
Texas A&M at Ole Miss
Oct. 19
Arkansas at Alabama
Auburn at Texas A&M
Florida at Missouri
Georgia at Vanderbilt
South Carolina at Tennessee
LSU at Ole Miss
Oct. 26
Tennessee at Alabama
Kentucky at Mississippi State
South Carolina at Missouri
Vanderbilt at Texas A&M
Nov. 2
Auburn at Arkansas
Georgia vs. Florida (Jacksonville)
Mississippi State at South Carolina
Tennessee at Missouri
Nov. 9
LSU at Alabama
Arkansas at Ole Miss
Auburn at Tennessee
Vanderbilt at Florida
Missouri at Kentucky
Mississippi State at Texas A&M
Nov. 16
Alabama at Mississippi State
Georgia at Auburn
Florida at South Carolina
Kentucky at Vanderbilt
Nov. 23
Mississippi State at Arkansas
Kentucky at Georgia
Texas A&M at LSU
Missouri at Ole Miss
Vanderbilt at Tennessee
Nov. 30
Alabama at Auburn
Arkansas at LSU
Tennessee at Kentucky
Ole Miss at Mississippi State
Texas A&M at Missouri
The 2013 SEC Championship Game will be played on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
*Saturday dates listed are subject to change based on television selections.
| Team by Team ALABAMA
Sept. 14 at Texas A&M
Sept. 28 OLE MISS
Oct. 12 at Kentucky
Oct. 19 ARKANSAS
Oct. 26 TENNESSEE
Nov. 9 LSU
Nov. 16 at Mississippi State
Nov. 30 at Auburn
ARKANSAS
Sept. 28 TEXAS A&M
Oct. 5 at Florida
Oct. 12 SOUTH CAROLINA
Oct. 19 at Alabama
Nov. 2 AUBURN
Nov. 9 at Ole Miss
Nov. 23 MISSISSIPPI STATE
Nov. 30 at LSU
AUBURN
Sept. 14 MISSISSIPPI STATE
Sept. 21 at LSU
Oct. 5 OLE MISS
Oct. 19 at Texas A&M
Nov. 2 at Arkansas
Nov. 9 at Tennessee
Nov. 16 GEORGIA
Nov. 30 ALABAMA
FLORIDA
Sept. 21 TENNESSEE
Sept. 28 at Kentucky
Oct. 5 ARKANSAS
Oct. 12 at LSU
Oct. 19 at Missouri
Nov. 2 vs. Georgia (Jacksonville)
Nov. 9 VANDERBILT
Nov. 16 at South Carolina
GEORGIA
Sept. 7 SOUTH CAROLINA
Sept. 28 LSU
Oct. 5 at Tennessee
Oct. 12 MISSOURI
Oct. 19 at Vanderbilt
Nov. 2 vs. Florida (Jacksonville)
Nov. 16 at Auburn
Nov. 23 KENTUCKY
KENTUCKY
Sept. 28 FLORIDA
Oct. 5 at South Carolina
Oct. 12 ALABAMA
Oct. 26 at Mississippi State
Nov. 9 MISSOURI
Nov. 16 at Vanderbilt
Nov. 23 at Georgia
Nov. 30 TENNESSEE
LSU
Sept. 21 AUBURN
Sept. 28 at Georgia
Oct. 5 at Mississippi State
Oct. 12 FLORIDA
Oct. 19 at Ole Miss
Nov. 9 at Alabama
Nov. 23 TEXAS A&M
Nov. 30 ARKANSAS
OLE MISS
Aug. 31 at Vanderbilt
Sept. 28 at Alabama
Oct. 5 at Auburn
Oct. 12 TEXAS A&M
Oct. 19 LSU
Nov. 9 ARKANSAS
Nov. 23 MISSOURI
Nov. 30 at Mississippi State
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Sept. 14 at Auburn
Oct. 5 LSU
Oct. 26 KENTUCKY
Nov. 2 at South Carolina
Nov. 9 at Texas A&M
Nov. 16 ALABAMA
Nov. 23 at Arkansas
Nov. 30 OLE MISS
MISSOURI
Oct. 5 at Vanderbilt
Oct. 12 at Georgia
Oct. 19 FLORIDA
Oct. 26 SOUTH CAROLINA
Nov. 2 TENNESSEE
Nov. 9 at Kentucky
Nov. 23 at Ole Miss
Nov. 30 TEXAS A&M
SOUTH CAROLINA
Sept. 7 at Georgia
Sept. 14 VANDERBILT
Oct. 5 KENTUCKY
Oct. 12 at Arkansas
Oct. 19 at Tennessee
Oct. 26 at Missouri
Nov. 2 MISSISSIPPI STATE
Nov. 16 FLORIDA
TENNESSEE
Sept. 21 at Florida
Oct. 5 GEORGIA
Oct. 19 SOUTH CAROLINA
Oct. 26 at Alabama
Nov. 2 at Missouri
Nov. 9 AUBURN
Nov. 23 VANDERBILT
Nov. 30 at Kentucky
TEXAS A&M
Sept. 14 ALABAMA
Sept. 28 at Arkansas
Oct. 12 at Ole Miss
Oct. 19 AUBURN
Oct. 26 VANDERBILT
Nov. 9 MISSISSIPPI STATE
Nov. 23 at LSU
Nov. 30 at Missouri
VANDERBILT
Aug. 31 OLE MISS
Sept. 14 at South Carolina
Oct. 5 MISSOURI
Oct. 19 GEORGIA
Oct. 26 at Texas A&M
Nov. 9 at Florida
Nov. 16 KENTUCKY
Nov. 23 at Tennessee
*Saturday dates listed are subject to change based on television selections.
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 Arkansas AD Jeff Long I do not like to keep harping on one topic, but Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long’s recent statement made at the Northwest Arkansas Touchdown Club definitely calls for one more harp on this. "I also want to be clear I remain steadfastly behind this group of young men and this coaching staff," Long said. "Supporting this team is the best course of action for the short term and long term... I will fulfill my commitment to the players and coaches for this season, and I will not abandon them." Apparently, what Long does not understand is that he has abandoned them and Arkansas by refusing to do his job, which is to fire John L. Smith as soon as possible. As I suggested before the Rutgers game, they need to go with an interim coach that will draw less negative attention and begin the search for a real head coach that people and players can respect. Smith is hurting the program in the short term and long term. Seriously, how many recruits do you think want to come to Arkansas after watching him on television? He has made a mockery of Arkansas with his statements and the performance of the team. After the 58-10 thumping by Texas A&M, the Razorbacks are now 94th overall in points per game and allow 40.6 points per game, 116th overall. Standing at 1-4, the Hogs would have to win five of the remaining seven games to even make it to a bowl. To be in this position after winning 21 games the last two seasons is astonishing. There is no doubt that Arkansas football is in shambles. Fans and the community have a right to demand a better result on the field and for the team. It is rather obvious, more than ever, that Smith needs to go. Does it mean that they will win more games this season? No, but I am thinking about the long term which is recruiting and the face of the program... so should Jeff Long.
John L. Smith Wants the Media to Smile John L. Smith Says the University of Arkansas is a State of "Alabama" Program Another Embarrassing John L. Smith Interview
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