College Football Is Better Than The NFL And It's Not Even Close
Jake Yono
10/15/24
JY Journalism
After years of watching football, both at the pro and college levels, I’ve come to a solid conclusion: college football is way better than the NFL—and it’s not even close. There’s something special about it, from the tailgating, crazy stat lines, and unique pregame shows, to the fight songs and custom environments that come alive as the game unfolds. College football has this energy that the NFL can’t replicate. And even though the NFL might be “professional,” in my opinion,the game itself is the only thing professional about it. That’s what I want to dive into here.
Yeah, the NFL is the highest-grossing professional sports league by far, and sure, it had 93 of the top 100 most-watched TV programs in 2023. But college football is just better—and here’s why. For one, it’s more unpredictable. A team can blow up from nowhere with a breakout star and completely change the playoff picture. Or a new coach can flip the script on an entire program. In the NFL, it’s a different story. Star quarterbacks stay with top teams for years, and they build dynasties that are almost guaranteed to make it to the conference championships. It’s the same teams and same players, year after year, which makes it way less exciting to watch. But in college football, new stories and upsets are alwayspopping up.
Take the last 10 Super Bowls, for example. Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes has been a part of 8 of them. That’s insane! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to take anything away from the NFL or the talent on display, but it gets a little boringcompared to college football. In college, there are dynasties too, sure, but it’s so much more unpredictable and exciting.Usually, a Power 5 team wins the national championship, but it’s always switching up. Since 2000, 10 teams outside the SEC have won the national championship. Yes, the SEC is still dominant, producing over half the champions during that time, but it’s not a given who’s going to win. That uncertainty is what makes it so fun. In the NFL, you pretty much know who the contenders are going to be every year, which just doesn’t have the same thrill.
Another reason college football blows the NFL out of the water is the overall experience—for the players, coaches, and especially the fans. A Saturday in college football is just a whole different vibe. It’s an entire day of excitement compared to the NFL’s more “business-like” atmosphere. College football games are played on Saturdays, in the middle of the weekend. Fans can enjoy the games without worrying about work the next day. Plus, you’ve got "Pac-12 After Dark" games, where you can watch top teams like Oregon, Boise State, and Colorado under the lights. It’s a full day of football. If you’re a fan going to a game or watching at home, it all kicks off with College GameDay at 9:00 a.m. on ESPN. Fans are camping out, tailgating, and having an amazing time. Meanwhile, in the NFL, pregame shows are filmed in a studio, with none of that same energy or fan involvement. And since most games are on Sunday, people have to worry about waking up early for work on Monday.
And let’s be real: the passion for college football is unmatched. Both from a football and a non-football standpoint, there’smore to it. The NFL season is 17 games long, which usually sorts out who’s contending and rebuilding pretty early. There aren’t many surprises. In college football, though, the regular season is only 12 games, and teams fight for a shot at the College Football Playoff until the conference championships. This season especially, with the playoff expanding to 12 teams, it’s going to be wild. It keeps you guessing all the way through. By the end of the NFL season, there are only a handful of teams fighting for playoff spots, and usually, their odds of making a deep run are slim. But in college, every game matters, and it leads to way more excitement.
From a non-football perspective, the emotional connection fans have with college teams is on a whole other level. NCAA fans feel a lifelong bond with their school’s team, whether because their parents rooted for them or because they went to the school themselves. You learn to be a fan while you’re in school, cheering from the student section, and that bond stays with you for life as an alum. With the NFL, it’s not the same. Sure, fans grow up rooting for a team, but what has that NFL franchise done for them? Maybe they’ve brought joy through winning seasons, but the emotional tie doesn’t run as deep as it does with a college team that’s been a part of your life and identity.
To wrap things up, I’m not saying the NFL is terrible, and I’m not saying college football is perfect. But I will say this: the atmosphere around college football is miles better than the NFL. It’s raw, unpredictable, and filled with passion—everything you want from a sport. College football just means more, and to me, that’s what makes it the better game.