Guts or Glory? | CenLA Tiger's Blog

I've been having a hypothetical discussion with some of the guys at work and think that it's an interesting topic that can be attacked from different angles. Here it is. Say you're a decent high school football player and have the opportunity to choose one of the two following options:

Option 1: Attend a DIV II school and actually play 4 years of college football -or-

Option 2: Attend a DIV I school with a legitimate shot at a BCS title and a ring with little to no chance of stepping on the field. (Not even a "Rudy" chance of playing)

Pro's and Con's

Option 1: (Pro) You'll get to play the sport you love and compete at a level that will challenge you and your abilities.

(Con) Fan turn out will be minimal, your games will never be televised, and there will be no "spotlight", your College/University is unfamiliar to all but those that live in your state. "You played for whom? Where is that?"

Option 2: (Pro) You will win a conference and BCS title, a ring, and you will forever be listed on the championship roster (guaranteed in this scenario) You'll attend all of the games, dress, and rub elbows with future NFL standouts.

(Con) You will be on Squad for your entire career. You will never step foot on the field of play.

I purposely omitted the word "scholarship" from this scenario because it tips the balance unfairly. So which is it..........................................

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July 10, 2008 11:39 PM ET

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Look, Cen. The whole point of playing the game is because it is fun and that's what you love to do. No player who really loves the sport will take the 2nd option. You play the game because you love doing it, not sitting on the bench so you can have your name somewhere for doing nothing.

Take the 1st, because no true competitor wants to sit on the bench.

Undefeated: is Go…

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July 11, 2008 02:08 AM ET

A true competitor also likes to compete against the best and if you take the second option, you'll always be stuck with the thought in your head , "What If".

Also the second option gives a better education most of the time

*LSU*

West Monroe, LA

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July 11, 2008 03:17 AM ET

If there is NO chance of stepping on the field, the school would never take them on the team in the first place.

C-C-C

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July 11, 2008 03:20 AM ET

From the players standpoint of course he wants to play, BUT, what school is ever going to tell a kid "ok, well put you on the team but you'll never play"? It's just way too unrealistic a situation. There would be NO WAY TO KNOW up front that you'd never play.

July 11, 2008 03:32 AM ET

Take option 2.
Then pray that the starter(s) at your position goes to the NFL early or gets injured.

YODA

Total Comments (16721)

July 11, 2008 10:11 AM ET

Cowboys-Celtics-Chisox,

Check some of the DIV I rosters and see how many players are listed as Junior or Senior and are still on the SQD team.

LSU 2007 Roster (BCS National Champions, Ring, 8 televised games, Sports Illistrated cover, etc.)

13 Donnie Chaucer DB 5-11 190 Sr.-SQ Hammond
22 Jeremy Bunting QB 6-0 182 Jr.-SQ Tioga
30 Chad Baniecki FB 6-1 226 Jr.-SQ Seton, Ariz.
38 Anthony Zehyoue DE 6-1 270 Sr.-SQ Baton Rouge
39 Caleb Angelle DE 6-5 230 Sr.-SQ Breaux Bridge
58 Jeremy Benton LB 6-1 228 Jr.-SQ Monroe
88 Donald Hains DL 5-11 243 Sr.-SQ. Diamondhead, Miss.

Now I can agree with your comment about no way to absolutely 100% KNOW that you will not play. On the other hand, if the team is recruiting your position and filling it with 4 and 5 star recruits...........the FBI would call that a clue.

* I have not gone back through each game for the last 3-4 years and checked to see if each of the players listed have ever stepped on the field for a play. The only one I can tell you that is pretty much a lock is the QB from Tioga.