The Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference announced plans Monday to adopt iPad technology to modernize their games.
ESPN PR detailed the news on Monday, which could mark the beginning of more on-field technology being used on college football sidelines.
That may sound like a weird thing to say, and that’s because it probably is, but it’s true nonetheless.
The announcement promises that players will be able to watch broadcast footage and camera angles from the sidelines and end zones.
Ironically, this move to modernize comes after the sign-stealing allegations against the University of Michigan football program last season. The Wolverines, who were in the running for a spot in the College Football Playoff, were accused of stealing opposing teams’ signs to gain an advantage.
Of course, the on-field technology now available for use in these environments mitigates to some extent what happened at Michigan and any similar situations that may arise in the future. Of course, there was the infamous “Wakie Leaks” in the late 2010s, but aside from that and the Michigan drama in 2023, the issue remains largely untouched.
Either way, college football will be revamped, and maybe in the best way possible. It’s hard to imagine modern football without all of this, especially given the widespread use of tablets in the NFL. But it is what it is. This isn’t the only precedent that will be broken in college sports on Monday.
[ESPN PR]
