In less than two weeks, the hysteria surrounding realignment will finally subside. Actual college football games, the reason many tolerate the direction the sport is barreling toward, will take center stage.
There will be upsets and missed extra points and a smattering of ridiculousness every Saturday, just like always. It will feel chaotic and comforting. More importantly, it will feel very normal.
While we still naturally step back into this ritual, the damage of the latest run of realignment has been done. The reality is simple: 12 months from now, things will be different for all parties.