21 days.
That’s it.
We’re only 21 days from the start of 2015. Where did 2014 go? Check that. Where did the college football season go???
Seems like only yesterday when I was standing on the field in Cheney preparing for college football’s season opener. The game between Eastern Washington and Sam Houston State was the kickoff to all of college football’s 2014 season. But, that was on August 23rd. Today is December 11 and the regular season of college football is over. And, the end of the season brings with it memories. Some we remember. Some…we don’t. And, that’s where season highlight videos come in.
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The Mississippi State Bulldogs had a historic year. Reaching the #1 ranking for the first time ever. They now hold the distinction of being the first team to be named #1 in the inaugural College Football Playoff Rankings. Achievements to be celebrated. #HailState released their 2014 regular season highlight video today:
Like the Bulldogs, other teams are compiling their highlight videos right about now. YouTube is a great resource for these teams and athletic departments to share the videos with fans. I’ve selected a few below:
Cincinnati Bearcats
Charlotte 49ers
Eastern Illinois Panthers
South Florida Bulls
Minnesota Gophers
As the popularity of videos continue to grow, the highlight package can be a great way to connect with fans. A reminder of the high points of the season can always stir fans’ emotions, even if a season didn’t equal a team’s goal of a championship. Come March and April when Spring Football kicks in, these highlight videos will serve to reinvigorate the passions of fans everywhere.
One key element that is often missed is the thumbnail. Like what you see in the Minnesota video above, a great thumbnail can be an attention-grabber. It’s the first thing viewers see when they look at your video. That image of redshirt sophomore Maxx Williams leaping over two Eastern Illinois defenders is a great image for the Gopher football’s 2014 season. It makes me want to click the video. Mississippi State’s is a great image as well.
Expect to see more highlight videos over the next month or so. If you find a great one, send them my way. The bowl season and playoffs will be over soon. The videos will be all we have left of an exciting regular season.
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