1. Deion Sanders Takes Over the Conversation
In 2023, Deion Sanders, also known as “Coach Prime,” dominated headlines in the world of college football. After a disappointing 1-11 season, Sanders was hired by the Colorado Buffaloes to bring much-needed change to the program. His arrival immediately sparked national interest, and his recruiting efforts were applauded. Sanders signed two five-star recruits, a first in the program’s history. However, controversy surrounded his methods as many players either left the program or were forced out. Despite the turbulence, Sanders’ roster showed promise with early-season victories. Unfortunately, the Buffaloes struggled in the latter half of the season. Sanders now shifts his focus to rebuilding the roster for future success.
2. Tragic Car Crash Mars Georgia’s Championship Celebration
Georgia’s celebration of back-to-back national championships took a tragic turn when two members of the program lost their lives in a car crash. Offensive lineman , 20, and Chandler LeCroy, a member of the recruiting staff, were killed in a late-night accident in Athens. The crash occurred just hours after a parade and ceremony at Sanford Stadium. The incident left the Georgia football community reeling, and their loss was deeply felt by the entire college football world.
3. The Stunning End of the Pac-12 Conference
In a shocking turn of events, the Pac-12 Conference as it was known came to an abrupt end. Colorado’s announcement of its departure to the Big 12 was followed by the departures of UCLA and USC. This marked the beginning of the downfall of the once-storied conference. Within a month, Utah, Arizona, Oregon, and Washington also left, leaving the Pac-12 in a state of uncertainty. Legendary coach expressed his disappointment, criticizing the decisions made for financial gain rather than academic or athletic considerations.
4. Michigan Caught in Sign-Stealing Controversy
Michigan found itself at the center of a major controversy during the 2023 season. The program was under investigation for alleged sign-stealing, with coach Connor Stalions resigning amid the investigation. The accusations involved impermissible, in-person scouting of opponents over multiple seasons. The Big Ten conference took action against coach , suspending him for the remainder of the regular season. Michigan continued to perform well under interim coaching, eventually seeing Harbaugh return for the Big Ten Championship Game.
5. Florida State’s Controversial CFP Snub
Florida State’s undefeated season and ACC championship were not enough to secure them a spot in the College Football Playoff. Despite being a Power Five conference champion, the Seminoles were overlooked due to a season-ending injury to their quarterback, . The CFP committee argued that Florida State was a “different team” without Travis, leading to their decision to include one-loss Alabama instead. This decision sparked outrage in Tallahassee, with head coach Mike Norvell expressing his frustration and questioning the validity of the evaluation process. The CFP is set to transition to a 12-team format in 2024.
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