The final week of the regular season in college football is always one to remember.  Rivalry week, a tradition going on for over a century, where heated rivals do battle between the white lines.  This year once again delivered, but it isn’t the on-field product getting the most coverage. 

The flag plant, a symbol of domination over a hated rival, not much screams college football more than petty moves like this.  Over the weekend we witnessed not just one example of this tradition, but four.  Michigan, NC State, Arizona State, and Florida all planted, or attempted to plant flags on the center logo after the game.  Each of these led to brawls.

After a shocking upset of number two ranked Ohio State, the fourth in a row for the Wolverines, they tried to celebrate with a flag at mid-field.  The ensuing brawl escalated to the point of pepper spray being brought out and at least two Michigan players were maced. 

When asked about it after the game head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes Ryan Day said “I don’t know all the details of it … But I know that these guys are looking to put a flag on our field and our guys weren’t going to let that happen.”

Day supported his players’ reactions, a sentiment that was echoed across the nation with even Florida State head coach Mike Norvell being the one to rip the flag from the ground.

While most coaches support the actions of their players, it doesn’t mean they approve of the action.

Head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels Mac Brown, who also had a flag planted against them said “I had said two years ago that [flag planting] was disrespectful … you need to compete, but you need to do it with composure.”

The big issue being raised with flag planting is not with the action itself but with the expected reaction of the opposing team.  As we saw this weekend, four flag plants, four fights immediately following. 

Some, like with the court storming controversy that erupted earlier this year, want rules to prevent this sort of thing.  The NCAA already clearly does not support fighting as Michigan and Ohio State were both hit with 100k fines as a result. 

As far as rules against planting a flag, it makes very little sense to me.  Player and fan safety is of course very important, but taking away the freedom for these players to express themselves after a statement win only hurts the sport.

Flag planting will not go away any time soon and it shouldn’t, college football has been and always will be a place of extreme passion, both for the fans and the programs.  If planting flags are banned there will be more ways for teams to disrespect each other after big wins.  It makes college sports what they are, as opposed to the pros where it is more buttoned up. 

Baker Mayfield, the most famous offender of flag planting put it best, “let the boys play.”