ESPN's 'Blueprint' a Start, But More Necessary

With scandals at Ohio State and Miami still fresh in the minds of sports fans -- and still months from being settled -- ESPN has a timely backdrop for its "College Football Blueprint for Change," which airs for a half hour beginning at 9 a.m. Sunday on ESPN in the typical spot for "Outside the Lines."

Segments of the session have aired on "SportsCenter" and "College Football Live" this week and an hour-long version of the show is scheduled to air at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday on ESPNU. Re-airs are scheduled at 5 p.m. Monday and at 11 a.m. Aug. 27 on ESPN.

The show, which was edited into a "series" for the nightly shows, features panelists discussing topical issues such as pay-for-play, the postseason, and recruiting and enforcement rules.

Along with host Rece Davis, those involved include: ESPN college football analysts Kirk Herbstreit, Urban Meyer, Mark May, Mike Bellotti, Robert Smith and Rod Gilmore; ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas; current college football coaches Nick Saban (Alabama) and Bob Stoops (Oklahoma); former Big East Conference commissioner Mike Tranghese; and current Tennessee athletic director Joan Cronan.

It's a generally good show and not a bad start in terms of addressing issues. It remains just a start, though.

ESPN can, and should, do more -- and in a more visible fashion. Half an hour on Sunday morning? An hour (sure, several times) on ESPNU? Not enough.

In many ways, ESPN and the media are just as complicit as those breaking the rules for the way they've changed intercollegiate athletics. If change is to come, such topical shows do provide a blueprint, but a structure and more substance must follow.

More regular issue-oriented shows would be nice, perhaps on a regular basis (quarterly?) with different guests, and guests that wield the influence necessary to move toward change.

Again, it's a start (see excerpt below) -- but the topic, and viewers, deserve more.