Your writing was enjoyable and I sincerely appreciate the effort. My comment is not a personal attack and was not meant to be. My observation is what it is:
1) Competition is not predicated on level. Examples: Are the toughest professors/college degrees only at D1 schools? Are the greatest rivalries only between D1 schools? I personally know folks who are competitive even when playing at tiddly-winks. It is inherent to believe that the best float to the top at such structures, but that is not necessarily true. In fact, organizational theory could provide an argument to the opposite in many cases based on the organization structures. In this case, D3 is not the same as D2 is not the same as D1AA, etc. I could argue that some parts of D1AA are the most difficult while the same exists for D1A or even D3. Just because a coach doesn't like Jenga doesn't mean he would not be competitive at the Jenga world championships with effort/focus. He just doesn't wish to play that particular game. GD is not the same at each level. Thus, "my ouch".
2) The number of entrants into a tournament does not necessarily indicate the competition. Certainly, they dictate the number of contests in the bracket, but not the competition. The game sets the rules, then the players set the competition. I would submit that for each level, there is certainly competition although some worlds or even levels within them surely have more, but it is not predicated solely on numbers. It is based on the people. Think about it: do you.look forward to a first round game against the number 1 ranked team? Seeing gt_deuce or mfnmyers or miami_jefe or ez or bkdries or blitziscoming or cfbfan or chetty or cjsweat or dukelegend or slid64 or jmurphy or gators06 as your opposing coach BETTER get your juices flowing. If it doesn't, then why are you playing? Do you want to avoid these folks when it matters, or do you want simAI? (not the player...lol) All of those coaches are winners. They are winners for a reason, and it is not because they have no competition and the game they play is easy. Competition makes the game great not the game is great and competition sucks. IMHO. Btw, all due respect to the coaches I did not mention, it was not meant to be all inclusive. Look at HOF voting or top ten rankings in a world/level for more great coaches....etc.
3) D1 rightly gets the most coverage and perhaps respect in GD;however, I would respectfully submit that there are many GREAT coaches at each level who dominate in their respective class. I would also submit that it is not due to a lack of competition. If you think any level is more competitive then I applaud you for playing there. My experience is that there are great coaches at every level, and I wish there were more.
Again, I say this not as a challenge nor to be disrespectful to anyone who provides content or that plays at a high level. I really wanted to clear-up my "ouch" comment as it was not done well on my part. Too much burbon and too much sun....lol....
I have set the tinder, who will add the sparks?