10. College football starts a week earlier
Sure, the NFL has preseason games. I'll be the first to admit that the first preseason game is always exciting for me simply because it means the end of the late summer abyss in the annual sports calendar.
But let's face it: After week two of the NFL preseason, I'm pretty much over it. The coaches are sparing their best players, and nobody really seems to be playing to win.
College football always starts on Labor Day weekend, a full week before the NFL regular season. Whoever said "all good things come to those who wait" must not have been a college football fan.
9. Saturdays vs. Sundays
To me, there's nothing better than going to bed on Friday night knowing that you have nothing to do on Saturday except watch college football.
On the weekends when my team is on the road, I make sure I have all the food and drinks necessary so that I don't have to get out of my chair unless nature calls or I need a refill.
One day I'll get one of those relief tubes like the Astronauts have. If I also get a butler, I won't have to get up at all!
On Sundays in the South, there's usually church first thing in the morning. Then, if you're like me, Sunday is the day that the wife usually presents you with the "honey-do" list that you feel compelled to do since you sat on your duff all day Saturday.
Even if you find a few hours to watch your favorite NFL team, you still have it hanging over your head that it's back to work in the morning. That feeling always tends to take the wind out of my sails.
8. Better Rivalries
I will concede that there are some good rivalries in the NFL, but the lack of institutional tradition results in a void of true emotion.
The NFL will never have an Ohio State vs. Michigan, a USC vs. UCLA, an Egg Bowl, or an Iron Bowl.
‘Nuff said on this subject!
7. Stadiums
I've been fortunate enough to have been to many college as well as NFL stadiums around the country, and there's no comparison. NFL stadiums are generally in a downtown or commercial area with little to no character outside of the venue.
The majority of college stadiums are on a college campus, which generally provides an environment that is peaceful yet energetic. This is especially true if you attended the college that you are seeing the game at-great memories!
6. Tailgating
Tailgating is the backbone of the college football experience. I know there are plenty of NFL tailgaters, but again, there is no comparison.
Most college football games have more people tailgating than the actual stadium capacity. The only time I've ever seen anything close to this in the NFL was in Green Bay.
I have also found that the setups at college football tailgate parties are much more elaborate. Most of the tailgate parties I see at an NFL game have corporate sponsors.
5. Players
Do I really have to go into detail here? I know that there are a handful of arrogant prima donnas in college football, but the vast majority of them play for pride. It's also fun to watch a player come in, basically as a high school kid, and watch him develop into a young man.
I think Nick Saban said it best. (Paraphrasing) "The decision to return to this level came down to this question: Do I want to coach a bunch of immature, undisciplined football players...or do I want to coach college?"
4. Marching Bands
One of the most noticeable environmental differences between a college football game and an NFL game has got to be the marching band. The beating of the drums alone stirs up nostalgia from my old days in the student section.
3. Fight Songs
NFL teams have cheers, but few, if any, have a full-blown fight song. Once again, these traditional tunes are what really get the crowd fired up-even when their team is playing poorly.
This could have been merged with No. 4, but I felt it was significant enough to give fight songs their own ranking.
2. Bowl Season
The holidays are always a festive time of year, but the cherry on top has got to be the college football bowl games. Even the small, pre-Christmas bowls give you a reason to have a few lagers on a Tuesday night while your wife is at the mall-again!
There's nothing better than finishing a big New Year's Day meal, loosening the old belt, and plopping down on the couch to watch the first few January bowl games. It's much better than making small talk with the relatives!
1. The Fans
The other reasons in this list all feed into why college football fans are better than NFL fans. The common denominator, however, is passion. Just like the players, college football fans are much more passionate about their team.
One of the reasons for this is that most NFL teams are city-based. If you grew up in an NFL city, then you are probably a big fan of that city's team. That's normal. You might even be a huge fan!
But the main difference is that many college football fans actually spent several years as a student in the respective institution. Being an alumnus of a college or university makes you part of a family, and even the crusty old Microbiology professors who are not big into sports will normally cheer for their Alma Mater on game day.
This passion is especially evident when you have a large university located in a small town. The university is usually the heart of the town, the largest employer, and the cornerstone of the regional economy.
Being the nucleus of the community generally leads to much stronger emotional ties for sports fans and non-sports fans alike.
Deanna Clover
Damaris Lewis
Did You See That?
College Football Top 25 Review
Comments (20) Add A Comment
Found this great list and thought I would share. Enjoy!!
Brockone76
Gillette, WY
Total Comments (350)
The only thing I'd add is that the NFL has the major revenue to make their stadiums insanely comfortable. (seats, food/drink, bathrooms, etc. JUMBOtrons) But there is a special feel to being on campus. I call it a tie on #7
cmelton22
Snellville , GA
Total Comments (100)
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Jagator
Gator Country, FL
Total Comments (943)
NCAAF has no playoff (OK - I admit - I am instigating here)
NCAAF Conference Titles mean more compared to NFL Division winners. Since the NFL expanded the wild card teams, winning your division doesn't carry as much significance.
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Frellin Cold In, AK
Total Comments (6833)
Recruiting versus a draft.
Crimson02
Total Comments (425)
Brockone, you had me at hello. Another example is coaches. Tell me, who is more fun to watch and listen to: Pete Carroll or Bill Bilicheck (spelling?)?
EastCoastKeith
Total Comments (2161)
Brockone, take this one to throwdown 'ville. You obviously have my vote.
EastCoastKeith
Total Comments (2161)
Ideas are just flowing... It's Tuesday night and I am sitting here watching Temple-Ohio. I'd watch this before watching an NFL play-off game any day of the week.
EastCoastKeith
Total Comments (2161)
thx for posting, brockone...this list is great. i completely agree.
DoIt4Johnny
Total Comments (250)
Sorry college blows.
(while comparing it to NFL of course)
LOVERnottaFIGHTER
Total Comments (6515)
So...does that mean you want a big fat (or phat) cookie?
LOVERnottaFIGHTER
Total Comments (6515)
1. Passion
The appeal of college football is rooted in the simple notion that your team represents you, your state, your alma mater, and your youth. The NFL represents what, exactly? A bunch of 25-year-old millionaires who will dump your town the minute their agent secures a better offer. There is no loyalty in the NFL. College football is all about loyalty.
2. 25-year-old millionaires
Speaking of which, college football has none. What the game does have, instead, is humility. You want the bling and the talk? Have at it. We'll stick with guys who are still happy to get their names in the paper.
3. Rivalries
Army-Navy. Ohio State-Michigan. Alabama-Auburn. Texas-Oklahoma. Penn State-Pitt. Harvard-Yale. No matter the division, there are rivalries that go 365-24-7. You revel in victory and agonize in defeat. What does the NFL offer in comparison? Dallas-Washington? How big can a rivalry be when they play it twice a year?
4. The postseason
That's right. I'm defending the BCS. Well, not exactly. I'm defending the lack of a playoff. Better yet, I'm going to let Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez defend it for me.
"In Division I [-A] football, every game is a playoff," Rodriguez said. "Once you lose one game, you're mostly out. If you lose two, you're definitely out. We got 12 playoff games. Teams take that approach. That's probably why there's so much interest. You stub your toe, you can never get back in it."
Those ugly December games when Peyton Manning plays one series and sits out, as if it were August? In college football, games in August are played as if they're in December.
5. Overtime
It's simple. In college, both teams get the ball. In the NFL, you can lose the game without one side of your team stepping onto the field.
6. Stadiums
Think about this: Which sport has 16 stadiums that average more than 80,000 in attendance? The NFL has one. Which sport has four stadiums that average six figures in attendance? It ain't the Sunday one.
7. College halftimes
NFL halftime means a break. College halftime means tradition. Marching bands dot the I in Ohio or at least rouse the emotions by playing the fight song. Either way, it's an inestimable part of the college football experience. NFL halftime means, um, time to make a sandwich.
8. JoePa
Joe Paterno has been at Penn State as assistant (beginning in 1950) and head coach (since 1966) for 58 seasons -- thats longer than most NFL coaches have been alive.
9. Traditions
Checkerboard end zones. Aggies kissing their girls after a touchdown. Nittany Lion roars. Boats on Lake Washington anchoring at a Husky game. The flaming spear at midfield. The Sooner Schooner. Touchdown Jesus. Traditions are the imprimatur of every college team and its fans. As long as the NFL is operated out of one office in New York, tradition will be disallowed.
10. Eternal Youth
College football reconnects you with the kid you were, when Monday morning meant only a political science class, not the resumption of the mortgage chase. That's why you go back to campus every fall.
I only gave 10 reasons? Sure you don't want 20?
PSUeng02
Wilkes Barre , PA
Total Comments (82)
Its amazing how many memebr of the round table follow each other around the boards and blogs!
Another one is we can realte to the college athletes, they dont seem so out of touch....
84
Total Comments (7228)
The identity of the pro team is in management and players. A pro player can change teams and fans will buy the hat or jersey of the new team. NFL, NBA, MLB, does not matter.
The identity of college is in the town and University. The fans are loyal to the team regardless of personell.
Crimson02
Total Comments (425)
Pro football is a business, college football is a game.
bpcarman
Mobile, AL
Total Comments (4766)
I have multiple and when i say multiple i mean a S*** load of Penn State apparal. Whether it be hats, shirts, shorts, jackets. A college player can make a fan go out and buy whatever number they have. I just bought a Clark jersey and lookin to buy a Maybin jersey soon.
PSUeng02
Wilkes Barre , PA
Total Comments (82)
11. Ticket prices
The highest cost of a ticket at Penn State this season is $56 (face value) The Lions are the in line for a National Championship. The highest cost of a ticket at the Bengals this season is $100. The Bengals are 0-6. Where would you rather be?
PSUeng02
Wilkes Barre , PA
Total Comments (82)
Is it that or are we among the few still on FN?
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Frellin Cold In, AK
Total Comments (6833)
I agree with the list. Most NFL players play with no heart. In college the kids are still excited bout it and it shows. NFL is full of over-paid self-conceded ****. There are a few exceptions but they are hard to find. Back to the subject even with the flawed BCS system college football will always rule over the pros. Reading the list reminded me of why i stopped watching pro football.
JTCDawg
Oklahoma City , OK
Total Comments (32)
Very well put, and welcome to FN.
I just can't watch a game without being, for lack of a etter word... disgusted.
Seeing a player celebrate when his team is out of the game, the prima donnas trying to get their name in the headlines, the self promotion... just disgusting.
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Frellin Cold In, AK
Total Comments (6833)
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