Unraveling the Tension Between Football and Academics in the College Football Playoff

Impact on Penn State

Penn State, one of the eight first-round playoff teams, has navigated this situation with careful planning. Back in April, they moved winter graduation to Sunday to accommodate potential playoff guests. The school also kept the dorms open until Sunday for students staying to attend the game. During finals week, some players will miss meetings to complete final assignments for their grades. Despite the added stress, the athletic academic headquarters at Penn State is working hard to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Notre Dame, another playoff team, made a similar move in August. By starting and ending exam week earlier, they were able to prepare for their Friday game. However, with 140 tests being moved to Thursday due to hosting the game, it was a complex logistical challenge. The school's faculty athletics rep, Tricia Bellia, emphasized the need to balance football and academics in these uncharted waters.

SMU's Approach

SMU, on the other hand, aligns its finals with the semester's class schedule. This allows the team to keep their morning practice routine while taking finals in the afternoons. But, as SMU faculty athletics rep Paul Rogers pointed out, it still presents challenges in preparing for the biggest game of their lives while also focusing on academics.

The school's flexibility in exam timing and location, made possible in the post-pandemic world, has helped alleviate some of the pressure. There are more online tests and alternative options for completing exams, but it still requires careful management.

Other Considerations

Most schools are intentional about not scheduling competitions during finals to minimize the impact on academics. The four playoff teams in finals this week have given themselves a break in men's and women's basketball and hockey. The unsung heroes during this time are the academic counseling and support units, who work closely with players to identify those in need of help.

Even after finals end, there is more work to be done. Assessing the transcripts of incoming transfers becomes a massive task, especially during the transfer portal window. Faculty athletics reps play a crucial role in facilitating communication between the academic and sports realms and ensuring the academic success of athletes.

While the playoff adds academic stress, there are also concerns about the physical and mental toll on the players. Penn State, accustomed to a different rhythm with bowl games after the regular season, is now facing an intense football schedule straight through. Each playoff win extends the season and eliminates potential downtime between academic terms.

From an academic perspective, it's clear that this is a challenging time for the players. But as former players have emphasized, this is a lifetime highlight. Striking the right balance between football and academics is a complex task that requires careful planning and support from all sides.