1. I dont want to get on a soapbox, but ...It hit me as I watched thousands of fans pack the small bridge and walkway from the state-of-the-art football facilities to the brand new $300 million stadium at Baylor.This is why coaches are paid millions upon millions of dollars.MORE: | s | This is why, when universities have the opportunity to secure a man who transcends the sport and the idea of coaching, does it really matter what it costs?Theres not a better investment for Baylor, says Baylor president Ken Starr, than Art Briles.Years ago, before Briles arrived, Baylor had le s fans for home games at creaky old Floyd Casey Stadium than it did for Sundays Bear Walk over that bridge which just so happens to have a title sponsor.And thats just one program, one moment, in a clear and undisputable truth: the right coach and the right program can create a magnificent college football symphony.Three years ago, Ohio State lost seven games. Then Urban Meyer arrived with his $4 million a year salary and won 24 straight.Three years ago, Kevin Sumlin took over a stale Texas AM program and introduced the college football world to something called Johnny Football. This offseason, his contract was increased to $5 million per, and last Thursday, we got a glimpse of Kenny Daniel Hudson Jersey Hill.Seven years ago, Alabama sucked up a whole lot of embarra sment (and a lot of buyout money) to land Nick Saban, the man who swore he wouldnt coach Alabama. Now Saban, and his $7 million a year salary, rule the game.Anyone who tells you coaching salaries are out of control doesnt understand the value of the position; doesnt comprehend what a succe sful, positive football team can contribute to the health and welfare of a university. Anyone who tells you coaching salaries are out of control doesnt see the impact of the right fit.Florida State struggled for more than a decade in the waning years of one of the greatest coaches to ever walk the sidelines. And the best thing Bobby Bowden did in that lost decade was hire Jimbo Fisher as offensive coordinator/coach-in-waiting.The best thing former president T.K. Wetherell did a couple of years later was force Bowden out so he wouldnt lose Fisher to another program. How much did Wetherell want to keep Fisher?He was willing to pay Bowden a full salary as a ceremonial Max Scherzer Jersey coach to, according to Bowden, stand on the sideline and not coach.Last seasons national championship run, the first at FSU in 15 years, shows why.The right coach with the right program is pricele s.SN COACH RANKINGS: 2. Anchored DownAnd you fools thought James Franklin came along at the right time in the struggling SEC East Division.MORE: | | 3. Burnt Orange bluesOf all the teams and all the scenarios that could define Charlie Strongs first season at Texas, somehow none seems more appropriate than BYU.It was last years debacle in Provo that set the wheels in motion to eventually force out longtime popular and succe sful coach Mack Brown. Texas gave up 679 yards in that 40-21 lo s, including a school-record 550 yards rushing.Brown fired defensive coordinator Manny Diaz after the game, but the damage already was done. Texas, for years seen as soft under Brown, couldnt have played the role better.So Strong, the architect of those nasty Florida defenses in the mid- to late-2000s, arrives with his Texas Tough attitude. And here comes BYU, rolling into Memorial Stadium in Austin this weekend with the same dual-threat quarterback (Taysom Hill) who rushed for 259 yards on the Longhorns last season.You cant preach Texas Tough to fans, to recruits, to boosters and not show it when in matters most. As crazy as Bryce Harper Jersey it sounds, this is the most important game on the Longhorns schedule.You cant talk it and not walk it. Or as they say in Texas: all hat, no cattle.The very thing Strong was hired to fix.This week's game against BYU will tell a lot about Charlie Strong's Longhorns. (Getty Images)4. Rivalry no moreLadies and gentlemen, we give you the last Notre Dame-Michigan game for the foreseeable future.In a college football era brought about by the boom of television and conference realignment, weve lost our way when it comes to what made this sport: the rivalries.Notre Dame and Michigan have ended their series because the Irish walked away after signing on with the ACC as a non-football playing member. Sort of.MORE: | | ND wanted the Michigan game when it could get it; Michigan wanted it annually. ND wanted to expand its recruiting footprint into the south (adding games against Texas, Georgia), Michigan wanted the game annually.See where this is headed?We understand the great tradition and the rivalry of the Michigan game, said ND coach Brian Kelly. If it could have worked, it would have worked but it does open up some pretty exciting games in the future.It also leaves a gaping hole in traditional rivalries. But ND-Michigan isnt alone in the rivalry impacted by the new world of the sport:Nebraska vs. Oklahoma: Was damaged (but not ended) with the expansion of the Big Eight to the Big 12, and then ended outright years later when Nebraska left for the Big Ten. Schools recently signed to play Stephen Strasburg Jersey home-an-home series in 2021-22. Florida vs. Miami: Teams arent scheduled to play again, and may not play a home and home series ever again (Florida officials werent happy with logistics of last years game at Miami). A telling decision: Florida had an open spot on the 2017 schedule, and opted for a game against Michigan in Arlington, Texas. Best bet for a renewal of the series is Orlando or Tampa playing host to a neutral site game. West Virginia vs. Pittsburgh: Theres no reason why one of the most bitter rivalries in the sport ended after each left the Big East. There are plenty of openings on both schedules , though West Virginia, because it plays nine Big 12 games, has le s wiggle room.Texas vs. Texas AM: Better hope for a bowl game because Texas wants no part of Texas A Anthony Rendon Jersey M after the Aggies left for the SEC. Texas AM, meanwhile, doesnt need Texas on its schedule with the heft of the SEC behind it.Colorado vs. Nebraska: Havent played since 2010 (when CU left for the Pac-12 and Nebraska for the Big Ten), and wont play again until 2018-19 and 2023-24.After Miami beat Florida last season, the two rivals aren't scheduled to play again. (Getty Images)5. The Weekly FiveFive reasons in December:1. Do you realize how cold it gets in Gainesville in December?2. Jeff Driskel: Trust me, you dont want any of this.3. Throw in a trip to Sun Valley, and well come to you and call it our bowl game.4. Negative beauty points for SEC strength of schedule argument.5. Two words: .6. The audacity of brillianceSo Week 1 has come and gone, and if theres o