Peterson: Thankful for college sports game-changers, even though they could have started long ago – Des Moines Register

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Well have had a lot thrown at us, by the time Iowa State opens the football season against Northern Iowa on Sept. 4 at Jack Trice Stadium. The grand re-opening of stadiums, a return of the wonderful smells that go along with tailgating, and players taking advantage their pandemic-allowed Super Senior season.

By then, the player opportunity for name, image and likeness compensation that the NCAA should have figured out at least a year ago, finally will be a thing. And by the time we hear the sweet sound of foot kicking football at the start of a game, plans will be moving even more steadily toward the 12-team playoff thats going to make college richer, while also adding a layer of teams to the Alabama-Clemson-Ohio State trio that seem to always headline the college football playoffs.

More: Name, image, likeness compensation: It's a revolution, but NCAA, Congress, Iowa Legislature leave coaches, athletes in limbo

Theyre game-changers that could have been pushed forward last year, until the focus rightfully shifted to figuring out how best to safely play sports amid a coronavirus pandemic that rocked everyones world.

I looked back on stuff that was in the news a year ago around this time:

My initial reaction?

See ya, Cy-Hawk 2020, a reality that followed by 24 hours the cancellation of the 2020 Iowa State Fair.

Talk about a one-two punch to the gut, former Iowa State coach and Iowa player Dan McCarney said a year ago about a game that had been played consecutively since 1977. Those are fabrics of the State of Iowa. Even non-football fans look toward that special Saturday every season, that special fall tradition of the Iowa-Iowa State football game.

No State Fair. No Cy-Hawk. No trash talking among fans that I vowed I would never miss.

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Whats changed? Cy-Hawk lives again. Sept. 11. Jack Trice Stadium at 2:30 p.m. Cyclones athletics director Jamie Pollard said about a month ago that the stadium will be back to 100 percent capacity. Tailgating for all six home games will be allowed. Kinnick Stadium is open for business, too. Fans are ready to rock again. Business establishments like restaurants and hotels cant wait to greet fans. For many of us, the season cannot get here quick enough.

Some players even threatened to opt out of the 2020 football season, if demands for protection such as long-term medical coverage wasnt addressed. Players were vocal. Iowa football players brought up disturbing issues that eventually led to longtime strength coach Chris Doyles departure.

Whats changed? Administrators not only are listening, theyre acting. Sometime in July, student-athletes everywhere will have an opportunity to cash in on their name, image and likeness in whats being hailed as a revolutionary decision that could alter athletes lives.

Would it be surprising to see recognizable mugs of Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Breece Hall plastered on a billboard between Des Moines and Ames? Absolutely not. Id be surprised if Iowa basketball player Jordan Bohannons podcast doesnt soon include a money-paying sponsor or two.

Its long past time college athletes have an opportunity to at least see what their brand might be worth on the open market.

The nitty-gritty of that discussion obviously became overshadowed last year. Administrators had a tough enough time figuring out a 2020 playoff field among schools that didnt play the same number of games or comparable competition, than how to add eight more teams to the mix.

Whats changed? Momentum for a 12-team playoff not only increased in recent weeks, its likely happening.

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"The four-team format has been very popular and is a big success, a four-person working group within the College Football Playoffs, combined to say in a statement. "But it's important that we consider the opportunity for more teams and more student-athletes to participate in the playoff.

After reviewing numerous options, we believe this proposal is the best option to increase participation, enhance the regular season and grow the national excitement of college football.

Opinion: College Football Playoff's expansion to 12 teams is long overdue and complicated

More discussion will lead to more discussion and eventually, possibly in five years, the playoffs will be increased to 12 teams.

No fans. Only families from players and staff were admitted. Its a picture I never again want to see. Fall is about stadiums full of fans, not what transpired on the Cyclones Opening Day. Fall also is about experiences outside the stadium pre-game traffic jams and mingling. Fans were robbed of that last in 2020.

Whats changed? College football is open for business again.

Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson has been writingfor the Des Moines Register for parts of sixdecades. Reach him at rpeterson@dmreg.com, 515-284-8132, and on Twitter at @RandyPete.

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Peterson: Thankful for college sports game-changers, even though they could have started long ago - Des Moines Register