Whats better, College football or the NFL

[Snoogans]

Kinda borrowing from chris' idea. I get into the discussion alot, when people who are stupid ask me how I can like college football more then NFL. Maybe the whole part about every game mattering, everyone playing their guts out cause they still have something to prove and earn, and the fact that you can have 2 teams who are like 2-9 and the game to end the season means more then anything to the players, schools and fans because they are playing their rivals. Gee why would every game being like a playoff game be better then multi millionaires mailing in the first 4 games of a season?

Anyway, What do you think. i know im gonna get killed on this poll, but Im gonna leave it public so that I can see the people who actually know the deal.

[J.Clints]

I will always vote for a College sport over Pro.

[mildly amusing]

i love the NFL but i would say that most of the time watching college football is more fulfilling for me as a fan...there's just something about big schools with football tradition and the rivalries and the kids who love to play even though they'll never turn pro that makes saturdays awesome....i don't think the NFL could ever match the feeling that surrounds a game like Penn State vs. Ohio State...

[Ritalin]

The NFL is a hundred times better than college football, but I'm not from the South so I don't have a strong allegiance to any one college football team.

I take that back: I LOVE any team playing against Notre Dame. Go Michigan!

[cougarjake13]

i grew up in the north, in new york where theres no dominant or even good college football teams in the state to root for


so i never got into college football much until i moved down here




i really like both but the NFL is still tops for me

[danner1515]

I'll watch both, but I pay much more attention to pro just because I find it a lot easier to follow. I'm a pretty casual football fan, and there are just way too many teams and conferences in college for me to bother with. NFL is much more accessible for me.

I live in Alabama too, so I'm definitely in the minority among the people I know.

[razorboy]

College football. Among other things, the rivalries, the larger variety of offensive/defensive systems and playing armchair GM scouting the NFL stars of the future.

[led37zep]

With College ball there is more of a loyalty to the school and the team. All of the athletes and a large majority of the fans went to the school and have a vested interest in seeing it succeed. There is real connection between the team and the fans based on a shared experience.

Where as the pro's are just hired guns, often not living in the city, not from the city and are really only there for the cash (often only for a few years till they can get a better deal in another city).

College football also has real rivalries, real history, and the games seem to mean more to the players.

[A.J.]

At least with the pros, there's a playoff system: you know, like every other major sport. In college, one loss during the season means you go from vying for a national championship to ending up in some meaningless Bowl Game along with the other also-rans.

"Yayyy...we're playing in the Tampax Tampon Bowl!!"

[Snoogans]

At least with the pros, there's a playoff system: you know, like every other major sport. In college, one loss during the season means you go from vying for a national championship to ending up in some meaningless Bowl Game along with the other also-rans.

"Yayyy...we're playing in the Tampax Tampon Bowl!!"

As much as that sucks, it also adds to part of college football. You get alot better debates and alot more talking over that kinda shit. And I dont think any bowl game is meaningless, esp not to the schools. If you are a weak school with a shitty program, its gonna mean the world to you to make one of those bowls.

And the fact that one loss can end your season makes the regular season that much better then a league where half of it is mailing in half the season

[A.J.]

As much as that sucks, it also adds to part of college football. You get alot better debates and alot more talking over that kinda shit. And I dont think any bowl game is meaningless, esp not to the schools. If you are a weak school with a shitty program, its gonna mean the world to you to make one of those bowls.

I get what you're saying and it's definitely more meaningful to smaller schools on the way up. But to me, Bowl Games are the equivalent of wearing a "Boston Red Sox: 2003 Wild Card winner" t-shirt. Yeah, making the post-season is great. But otherwise I don't care unless my team is going after a championship.

People shit on the NIT all the time compared the NCAA tourney. People also forget that the NIT is older and was the more respected of the two. Yet for programs on the way up, it's a great way to get tourney experience and exposure for the program...like you were saying. Look at UCONN. They were garbage until 1988 when they won the NIT. They made that Elite Eight run the year later and were soon a national powerhouse.

Oh, and that's right: the NCAAs and NIT are PLAYOFF systems.

Make no mistake Snoogs: I know what you're saying. I have hardly any interest in football. I have even less in a non-playoff system.

[Snoogans]

I get what you're saying and it's definitely more meaningful to smaller schools on the way up. But to me, Bowl Games are the equivalent of wearing a "Boston Red Sox: 2003 Wild Card winner" t-shirt. Yeah, making the post-season is great. But otherwise I don't care unless my team is going after a championship.

People shit on the NIT all the time compared the NCAA tourney. People also forget that the NIT is older and was the more respected of the two. Yet for programs on the way up, it's a great way to get tourney experience and exposure for the program...like you were saying. Look at UCONN. They were garbage until 1988 when they won the NIT. They made that Elite Eight run the year later and were soon a national powerhouse.

Oh, and that's right: the NCAAs and NIT are PLAYOFF systems.

Make no mistake Snoogs: I know what you're saying. I have hardly any interest in football. I have even less in a non-playoff system.

first of all football and basketball are completely different. If you could play football games every other day, you could make a tourney where 64 teams can play it in 2 or 3 weeks. That cant happen in football.

I agree, I would prefer some kind of playoff. But most years, there is usually a pretty clear champion in college, at least to the majority of people. Its only the years that there isnt that they blow it up so huge it seems like its every year.

the bowl system isnt bad for getting excitement and meaning into every game. Even if you make a playof, then everyone is gonna argue about how to make it, or that they got snubbed from it if its say only 8 teams. Its always gonna be that way, so i enjoy the way it is for the fun it brings

[Snoogans]

i do believe as we move foward, that there will be less clear champions just because of how the schools are starting to get closer together in talent with the new scholarship rules

[marky2bucks]

College football easy. I think the main reason is the the players are not spoiled assholes. College athletes are playing for the privilege, not for the money. Every game matters and the rivalries are real and deep. I went to Penn State and those games were ten times more intense than any pro game. It seems like pro teams have more bandwagon fans, while college fans are in it for life.

[TheMojoPin]

College sports (all of 'em) suck. Give me the pros over what's 85% amateur hour any day of the week.

And the "every game mattering" system is a sham.

[ahhdurr]

College football. I went to Rutgers and NJ never had a team.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

NFl, less teams to follow, and 2 loses doesn't deny you the championship

also all the gr8 talent leave college to go to the pros early

[Snoogans]

NFl, less teams to follow, and 2 loses doesn't deny you the championship

also all the gr8 talent leave college to go to the pros early

you cant even leave for 3 years. At most, you miss 1 year. Its not like basketball fool

[El Mudo]

At least with the pros, there's a playoff system: you know, like every other major sport. In college, one loss during the season means you go from vying for a national championship to ending up in some meaningless Bowl Game along with the other also-rans.

"Yayyy...we're playing in the Tampax Tampon Bowl!!"



You just completely contradicted yourself. You say there's no playoff system, yet go on to describe how one loss during the season means you end up in "some meaningless bowl game"


Is that not the definition of a "playoff"?

[King Hippos Bandaid]

you cant even leave for 3 years. At most, you miss 1 year. Its not like basketball fool

I dont care enough about college football to know that

College Football is cool because its football, but nowhere near the excitement of a NFL game

[A.J.]

You just completely contradicted yourself. You say there's no playoff system, yet go on to describe how one loss during the season means you end up in "some meaningless bowl game"


Is that not the definition of a "playoff"?

So the regular season is essentially a "playoff"?

I was talking about making a postseason appearance compared to having a playoff system where teams with losing records can still have a shot at the national title.

Let's use your Terps as an example. They lost last week, right? No chance for a national championship but they will probably make a bowl game. Are you that psyched to play in the Papa John's Bowl (for example)? I'm not insulting your team, I'm just saying (to me) this BCS system makes it all seem anti-climactic.

I was also trying to make the point that college football would be a lot more interesting to the disinterested fan like me were there some kind of NFL-style playoff system.

[El Mudo]

So the regular season is essentially a "playoff"?

I was talking about making a postseason appearance compared to having a playoff system where teams with losing records can still have a shot at the national title.

Let's use your Terps as an example. They lost last week, right? No chance for a national championship but they will probably make a bowl game. Are you that psyched to play in the Papa John's Bowl (for example)? I'm not insulting your team, I'm just saying (to me) this BCS system makes it all seem anti-climactic.

I was also trying to make the point that college football would be a lot more interesting to the disinterested fan like me were there some kind of NFL-style playoff system.



Yes, because a bowl game is still a bowl game, and sometimes they have really really good matchups. There lots of fun, and they mean something to alumni and the kids in the program, even if it means nothing to no one unconnected.

I never thought they had a shot at a national title anyway, because they weren't/aren't all that good, at least compared to the better programs. If we win the ACC title, i'm pretty happy, and anything beyond that is gravy. I'm happy if we are competitive in the ACC, beat the teams I hate (Clemson, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia before they started ducking us), and have a chance to win the conference at the end of the year

The beauty of college football for me is that every single regular season game matters. Cal probably had some sort of outside shot at a national title, but pooped today at Maryland. West Virginia probably would have gone to the title game last year, but they pooped at Pittsburgh (and thank the Lord for THAT) in what should have been a walkover. You just never know.

I just hate how the NFL has basically foisted this whole system of mediocrity upon us. There's no originality in the play calling, or the systems. EVERY SINGLE GAME looks exactly the same. Its the football equivalent of McDonalds (a McDonalds without a tasty McRib)

[mildly amusing]

I went to Penn State and those games were ten times more intense than any pro game. It seems like pro teams have more bandwagon fans, while college fans are in it for life.

QFT i didn't even go to penn state but going to one game made me a fan for life...100K fans inside 50K fans tailgating, every bar in town packed with fans chanting...WE ARE.......PENN STATE....it's an energy and excitement that the NFL could never match...

[spoon]

QFT i didn't even go to penn state but going to one game made me a fan for life...100K fans inside 50K fans tailgating, every bar in town packed with fans chanting...WE ARE.......PENN STATE....it's an energy and excitement that the NFL could never match...

Let's not be retarded, we all know the feel of actually going to the games are different, IT'S FUCKING COLLEGE!

I base my call on how each game actually plays out, not by the bands, fight songs and a lion getting passed to the top of the stadium.

[lleeder]

QFT i didn't even go to penn state but going to one game made me a fan for life...100K fans inside 50K fans tailgating, every bar in town packed with fans chanting...WE ARE.......PENN STATE....it's an energy and excitement that the NFL could never match...

I had the same reaction when I went to Freaknik.

[mildly amusing]

Let's not be retarded, we all know the feel of actually going to the games are different, IT'S FUCKING COLLEGE!

I base my call on how each game actually plays out, not by the bands, fight songs and a lion getting passed to the top of the stadium.

the question was "what's better" to me better is what's more exciting....i can get more excited about college games...and i'm not talking about just FUCKING COLLEGE students...there is an allegiance to team that sticks with college fans...those games are packed with adults who find it exciting....

and as for how each game game plays out....look at the players...there's more excitement surrounding guys in college...take Vince Young and Reggie Bush....they're not busts in the NFL yet everybody wanted to see them in college, now unless you're a fan of that team, nobody gives a shit...

[A.J.]

Yes, because a bowl game is still a bowl game, and sometimes they have really really good matchups. There lots of fun, and they mean something to alumni and the kids in the program, even if it means nothing to no one unconnected.

I never thought they had a shot at a national title anyway, because they weren't/aren't all that good, at least compared to the better programs. If we win the ACC title, i'm pretty happy, and anything beyond that is gravy. I'm happy if we are competitive in the ACC, beat the teams I hate (Clemson, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia before they started ducking us), and have a chance to win the conference at the end of the year

The beauty of college football for me is that every single regular season game matters. Cal probably had some sort of outside shot at a national title, but pooped today at Maryland. West Virginia probably would have gone to the title game last year, but they pooped at Pittsburgh (and thank the Lord for THAT) in what should have been a walkover. You just never know.

I just hate how the NFL has basically foisted this whole system of mediocrity upon us. There's no originality in the play calling, or the systems. EVERY SINGLE GAME looks exactly the same. Its the football equivalent of McDonalds (a McDonalds without a tasty McRib)

Fair enough my friend.

[sailor]

love college ball, but the nfl is a ton better.

[cougarjake13]

last night as i was driving home from work i had to pass by ray jay where usf was about to play kansas


kinda made me sad that i was no longer a college student, there was a lot of hot young 20 something chicks all whored up in their usf bulls attire

[spoon]

I officially changed my mind (thank you Ed Hochuli), NFL football fucking blows.

Can someone change my vote please? Hanging chad.

[ozzie]

The lack of a playoff, or any reasonable way of determining a "National Champion" is a joke, as is allowing the schools to make their own deals with non-conference opponents, and essentially make their own schedule except where committed to play conference games. College football is the only sport at any level that "votes" for their two title game participants, and, worse, allows the coaches of the schools that have a financial interest in the games to vote.

As a college football fan, it is embarrassing, and impossible to defend.

That said, I still love the game, and think the competition and excitement of the college game is still better (IMO) than the NFL.

Sure, there are rookies that add excitement and interest to the NFL, trades, free agents, coaching / coordinator changes... but for the most part, it's the same product rolled out week after week, and year after year. The NFL is set up to create parity. Last place teams get higher draft picks and an easier schedule. Ideally, they seem to want everyone to be 8 - 8 at the end of the year. There are few "must see" games during the regular season. Most years, there are a few 6 - 7 teams that still have playoff chances with three weeks to play. The NFL loves it because more cities and fans stay interested to the end, but it makes the regular season games that much less important.

The college game is more unpredictable. Teams play with more emotion and passion. Coaches have a bigger impact through recruiting to control their own destiny. Teams rise and fall often. Upsets are frequent. New players and stars emerge every year. Programs like South Florida are created from scratch, and become National Powers within 10 years. One motivated coach or AD can resurrect a dead program in the same manner. The rivalries are more intense, and the fear of losing is palpable every week. Bragging rights last 365 days. You get ONE shot at beating your rival. The Jets get two chances to beat the Patriots, and a chance to face them again in the playoffs.

Most NFL players are chosen by the team. Few choose what team they play for. They're hired guns, and many have no loyalty to the city or team they represent. College players have a choice, and many choose to play for a particular coaching staff, or for a school they grew up wanting to play for, and relationships and loyalties run deeper. Fans and Alumni embrace kids that choose to play for their team, and the interest in following recruiting is becoming huge. National signing day is becoming almost as big as NFL draft day, or the day the new Madden game comes out.

NFL playoffs are great, and have more meaning than the bowl games. That doesn't mean the games themselves are better or more exciting, but the lack of any real meaning to anything other than the BCS game, gives the NFL an edge come January.

IMO, the NCAA is happy with the status quo, but the fans and networks want more. They're running out of viable excuses not to have a playoff, or to take control of setting the schedules. Once they correct this problem, I have no doubt that the college game will rule the ratings from September to the end of the season.

[Freakshow]

Lets see the NFL have a top 10 team win 3-2. (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hERQKua09qqMltGmi3maQpltDy2QD936QBL00) College FTW...