College football matches on Saturday concluded with several lopsided halftime scores: 59-0, 49-0, and 48-0.
In the world of college football, money often talks louder than the final score. Last Saturday saw a rare occurrence, with three major teams - Minnesota, Florida State, and Texas Tech - holding halftime leads of 48 points or more. This hasn't happened since September 10, 2016, but the reason remains the same: financial gain.
Texas Tech, for instance, was paying Kent State $1.5 million for their game, yet the large sum didn't console Kent State as they found themselves trailing 48-0 at halftime. Similarly, Minnesota led Northwestern State 59-0, Florida State led East Texas A&M 49-0, and Texas Tech led Kent State 48-0 during the break.
The practice of bigger programs offering guarantees to smaller ones for playing as underdogs is a longstanding tradition. Minnesota paid Northwestern State $500,000, and Florida State paid East Texas A&M $450,000 for their games. Texas Tech, on the other hand, was paying Kent State a hefty $1.5 million.
Not all big payouts guarantee one-sided scores or wins, though. Notre Dame, ranked No. 2, lost a game they paid Northern Illinois $1.4 million for, and Penn State was only leading FIU 10-0 at halftime despite paying them $1.6 million.
The imbalance in scholarships and resources is evident, and coaches like Mickey Joseph of Grambling State understand this. They are set to face Ohio State, potentially leading to more one-sided scores. Grambling State will receive $1 million from Ohio State for playing the game on Saturday.
Last season, Kent State faced a worse halftime deficit, with Tennessee leading 65-0 against them on Sept. 14, 2024, en route to a 71-0 win. However, University of Minnesota's coach P.J. Fleck is expecting a smaller halftime deficit for their game against Northwestern State in September 2024.
In conclusion, college football's financial games continue to be a prominent feature, with smaller programs receiving significant payouts to play as underdogs. While the scores may be lopsided, the financial gains provide a lifeline for many of these teams.
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