Four Reasons Why You Should Be More Excited for College Football than the NFL

Are you an avid sports enthusiast who eagerly anticipates the beginning of the football season? Even though the NFL receives a lot of attention, there are many reasons to be enthusiastic about college football as well. The first of these is the easiest; the new NCAAF begins to play before the biggest professional sports league in the world, allowing you to get your football fixed this autumn with a little bit less waiting.

Heading into the new season, the Georgia Bulldogs are the back-to-back reigning national champions. They thrashed the TCU Horned Frogs by a score of 65-7 inside Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium. Next season’s NCAAF betting odds have made the reigning champions the +200 favorites to make it a three-peat next season, and no one would be surprised should they manage to live up to the billing.

With the new college football season just around the corner, here are four reasons why should be more excited for its return rather than the NFL’s.

The Atmosphere

A college football game has the most electrifying and energetic atmosphere of any sporting event. The enthusiasm and passion for the sport are palpable throughout the stadium, from the marching band to the student section. NFL games, which place a strong emphasis on corporate sponsorship and celebrity entertainment, can, in contrast, appear monotonous and commoditized.

College football remains one of the last bastions of pure sport, where tradition and community are held in high regard. With enthusiastic fans that often exceed capacities of well over 100,000 who are dedicated to their school and team, college football has a unique and special atmosphere that simply can’t be replicated in the supposed ‘Big Leagues’.

The Rivalries

College football has some of the most intense and historic rivalries of all sports. From Ohio State and Michigan to Army and Navy, these games are steeped in tradition and history. Fans get just as fired up about the rivalries as the athletes do, making for a thrilling game day experience.

Regional players who grew up with a strong sense of pride for their school make up a significant part of college football rosters. This increases the emotional involvement a player has in each game, especially when playing a rival. The fact that these students are competing for more than just money and the reputation of their university further adds to the intensity of campus rivalries.

Finally, collegiate rivalries can last for decades or even centuries, which only heightens the emotional investment of both players and supporters. Overall, compared to their NFL counterparts, college football rivalries are simply unparalleled in terms of fervor, intensity, and historical relevance.

The Upsets

There are a few significant upsets in college football every season. In college football, anything can happen, from a small, underdog team toppling a behemoth to the top-ranked team falling to an unranked foe. Every game is worth watching because of this unpredictability, and something about it makes upsets even more intriguing.

While there have been some unexpected victories in the NFL as well, there always seems to be more excitement and anticipation when college teams compete. Perhaps it’s because college athletes haven’t competed in as many seasons, so we don’t have as clear a picture of what to anticipate from each battle. Or maybe it’s the unadulterated zeal that college athletes typically bring to the field.

In any event, there is unquestionably something electrifying about seeing a squad that is supposed to be outmatched triumph. In college football lore, upsets like Appalachian State’s victory over Michigan in 2007 or USC’s victory over Stanford in 2013 will live on forever, which is a big part of what makes the game so unique.

The Passion

College football players play for the love of the game and their institution, not for fame or fortune. This enthusiasm is contagious and is evident both on the field and in the crowd. Fans have a strong emotional bond with the game and a sense of community since they are just as committed to their team as the players are.

There is an enthusiasm and energy surrounding college games that is often lacking in the NFL. One reason for this could be the intense rivalries and traditions that come with college football. Fans have deep connections to their alma maters or hometown teams, and the history and pageantry surrounding college football games only serve to increase the passion.

The emotional engagement of supporters can be further increased by the fact that college players are frequently perceived as playing for the love of the game and their institution rather than for financial gain. Regardless of the causes, it is undeniable that college football fosters a degree of fervor and commitment unequaled at the professional level.