Its really quite unfortunate that Panini already has released a college version of this set, as I think that it has some of the best cards that they make each year. For whatever reason, they seem to think that diluting a product with a worthless NCAA branded high end product is beneficial overall, while I contend that its a waste. Although Black gold has some seriously ugly cards combined with the winners, the college version hurts the splash that this makes.

Here are some of the nicer looking cards from last year:

2015 Black Gold Marcus Mariota Sizeable Signature Auto Patch RC

2015 Black Gold Stefon Diggs NFL Shield Auto Patch RC 1/1

2015 Black Gold Dan Marino Jumbo Patch Auto /25

2015 Black Gold Jerome Bettis Auto

But, as we have seen with Black Gold, the garbage ruins the rest of the product:

2015 Black Gold David Johnson Auto RC

2015 Black Gold Jeremy Langford Metal Auto RC

2015 Black Gold Davante Adams Jumbo Patch Auto RC

Last year’s set was an improvement, but the absolutely horrible box configuration and pricing was prohibitive to opening this stuff. It made it another in a long line of group break products, to the point where there are very few singles available. Very few people opened 2015, and with a college product added this year, it could be even more of a bloodbath. Bottom line, Panini’s products dont really measure up to people breaking alone, as the quality of the box content just never comes to fruition unless you hit the top guy. If you dont, good luck.

The Sizable Signature cards are among my favorite sets that Panini makes, as I love the acetate approach with a silhoutette style design. I also like a lot of the other cards in the preview, as the similar type of acetate design works really well as a way to get the relics and autographs together without interference in the presentation.

As good as those cards are, OF COURSE we have the typical posed photograph shit show that Panini has made their trademark. I cannot understand why this is a thing. I just cant. I hate it so much as the players look stupid, and therefore the cards look stupid. Panini needs to fucking stop trying to make the players look vulnerable. This is the goddamn gridiron, not the Victoria’s secret fashion show. I swear to god, I will continue to be a harsh critic until Panini’s design team decides to pull their fucking head out of their fucking ass.

Similarly, why are these stupid ass hood ornaments back for another year? They are poorly designed and the gimmick isnt even that good to begin with. I mean, I dont understand the lame ass metal symbols to begin with, and the giant boxes that obscure 75% of this card makes little sense.

All in all, this is as close to a pure singles product as you can get, as its clear that boxes will be a kick in the nuts for a breaker. Im sure Dak and Zeke will continue to carry the hobby for this year, but could you imagine what might happen if Panini actually made great content and great products? Yeah, me neither.