College football fans...don't understand the hype, amirite?

Imagine you love football and your Alma Mater. That's kinda the perfect combination between the two. Some people enjoy things you don't and that's okay. I don't get K-Pop and yet I don't care if there are hundreds of thousands that go their concerts.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Tribalism and entertainment. The most important part, it's FUN.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

College football is a blast!

by Anonymous 2 days ago

College Football to Americans is what Soccer is to Europeans.

by Majestic_Sound8083 2 days ago

Nah, we don't trample and kill so many in football games here like they do in some soccer matches.

by Leading-Set 2 days ago

Exactly. We prefer to gun them down in the school.

by Efficient_Reach_3349 2 days ago

College football fans absolutely clear Europeans when it comes to their respective sports

by Anonymous 2 days ago

If you don't have a good pro team around.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

So... The NFL doesn't do anything for you guys? Or is it more like a regional thing for people who don't have big teams... Like amateurs or lower league games?

by wiegandgeovany 2 days ago

The NFL is higher quality but so much more corporate. College football is deeply personal for fans and alumni, that's why it's similar to European soccer.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

I'm slowly getting there. Always have preferred college hoops over NBA but the NFL is just a marketing ploy now. Even MLB is getting to that point which sucks because I love baseball

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Or is it more like a regional thing for people who don't have big teams This is true ... the college towns not associated with cities. Some of the fan bases are huge. Ohio State comes to mind, I'm in Florida, way more college fans than NFL in Florida.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

College football has historically been the perfect mix of high level play and pageantry/love for the sport. The NFL feels so sterile compared to college ball—it might produce a better television product (though I'd still argue otherwise) but it pales in comparison to the stadium environment in college football.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Soccer is a dying sport full of outside influences trying to ruin its traditions too? Genuinely don't know.

by Vernicerohan 2 days ago

I mean, yes. That is basically every sports league in the commercial era of sports broadcasting.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

It's okay not to get it, not everything is going to be for you.

by Curious_Coast 2 days ago

If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand

by Anonymous 2 days ago

For those that get it no explanation is needed, for those that don't get it no explanation would suffice.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Yep.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

It's all good. I've grown up enjoying it but realize it's just tribalism.

by Character_Shape_6143 2 days ago

Why does that matter? The "bread and circuses" stuff is beyond cringe. People like to have something to root for. That's true. People also like entertainment, which is what it is at its core.

by ActiveFact5916 2 days ago

That's like not doing activities you enjoy anymore because you realized it was just giving you endorphins

by Anonymous 2 days ago

What's wrong with that

by Narrow-Judgment4618 2 days ago

We've evolved as a species to gravitate towards tribalism as a survival technique. Today it's not as needed and often it's pointed at actual damaging things like racism, but it's incredibly fun and healthy when it's pointed at things that don't actually matter, like football! Everyone has tribalism too. Basically every kind of fandom could fall under tribalism. It's a good thing to direct that energy towards "useless" hobbies.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Sometimes people enjoy things

by laylafahey 2 days ago

I used to cringe at football fans and ask them question's trying to figure out why they get so excited and why they choose to like a particular team for some reason even though the players are not loyal to the team at all, and they're not even from the same area as the team etc… it made no sense to me. I was so full of resentment for sports fans because I have never been excited about anything like that in my life unless I just got off of a roller coaster is the only way I could get that excited. I was jealous and bitter. I had never cheered for anything in my life. No high fives no celebrating anything, nothing. I barely even clapped at events you're supposed to clap at. I realized the problem was me. I was bitter grumpy negative Nancy party pooper miserable person. Now I let people enjoy things.

by Hermistonclark 2 days ago

You have a much stronger connection to your alma mater or local team than some professional team that might move away or not even be in your state. Also, the players are trying to prove that they have what it takes to make it at the professional level, so you don't see as many tantrums or half-assed performances from players who just want to cash a check. The NIL era has definitely made off the field drama more prevalent but it's still not nearly as common as in the NFL.

by No_Handle_7886 2 days ago

Assuming people only like college sports because they're chasing the glory days is pretty disrespectful. People like it either because they're former students and have a personal connection with the school, or because it's just plain fun. The atmosphere is different than the pros, and there's normally some kind of entertainment like the school bands. Plus, it's like a hometown pride kind of thing. I'm not cheering for the city of Detroit, I'm cheering for the state of Michigan, and Michigan will kick your states. Georgia fans will say Georgia will kick your states ass. It's just fun.

by ZestycloseShock5851 2 days ago

Most of them like American football and find a form of identification in their former university. You support your university because you have spent great moments of your life there, it could also be because it is from the region where you live. Another observation I make is that college sports tend to be more genuine than the big leagues, players play mostly for the college and not for the money. Apart from the fact that no university will change its city or identity because it was bought by a tycoon.

by AssistanceOk 2 days ago

Totally agree

by Ok_Branch_723 2 days ago

It's like when people say... some famous/more successful person graduated from the same school as them. People are just looking for connection to validate their choices and lives. Some support the local college team, even if they didn't attend that school.. just to fit in with the tribe

by Alternative-Dot639 1 day ago

It's just a fun thing to do. Something to do.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I only care about one thing. TAKE THE DAMM TRAIN!

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Do you not have anything you enjoy? How do you not understand it?

by Anonymous 1 day ago

My husband is a football fan in general and my daughter likes watching the band at halftime. I just enjoy sports. So we enjoy the occasional college game. But we aren't like a wild crazy fan for a specific team.

by FrameNo1734 1 day ago

It's fun to be a part of something larger than yourself where everyone around you is interested in the same things as you and you're all collectively cheering for the same things. In fact I'd argue that it's necessary for a fulfilling social life. Doesn't have to be college football or sports, could be a book reading club or pottery class or anything. But being around people with shared interests is a wonderful feeling.

by Comfortable_Set 1 day ago

This is not different than you going to a musical and someone else saying "I just don't get why you'd do that". You don't like going to games. That's fine. Other people do. That's also fine. People don't need to explain why they enjoy something. You also assume that you have to be in college to like CFB. It has nothing to do with "glory days" or being in college, it's about being entertained

by ActiveFact5916 1 day ago

I graduated from OSU and I love watching the sport. That's really it. I'm not the type to go to these freezing cold games with no shirt and scream my ass off tho. I just watch from home. Really I think it just comes from loving the sport and the school. That's all.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I'm guessing you understand why some people like sports. Some people like specific sports more than other sports. There are plenty of reasons people can list for why they like a specific sport. There you go. My reasons: I like football more than other sports. I enjoy the intricacies of the many different positions, the complexity of every play call on offense and defense. I like that it isn't just a "run around until someone scores" sport like most of them, and instead it takes more gradual planning and strategies to get to scoring position. I like college football much more than NFL because I went to a college with really good football and tradition. College football has a lot of pageantry and spectacle that NFL doesn't have. Marching bands and fight songs and huge stadiums that are bigger than most NFL stadiums. I like that there's a wider range of talent and strategies in college sports, whereas in pro sports the players are all the best of the best, so upsets are less exciting. College football is a lot more dramatic in a lot of ways with head coaching moves and scandals, recruiting, the way the media handles everything. And last, when you're an alumni of a college, you're much more "tied" to your team than any pro team that's just based on a city or state you may have lived in. You'll always be an alum of that college, so you're stuck with them, for better or worse. In pro sports, people often just choose whatever team they want to follow for whatever reason, and maybe change their favorite teams multiple times through their lives (not for everyone, but many).

by Anonymous 1 day ago

college football produces more hype and more hype moments than nfl for me. players are playing for their lives where as the nfl they already made it so theres no need to take big risks

by everettlynch 1 day ago

Just pride for their alumni or local/state college. It also helps that the atmosphere for college games are on another level.

by Flat_Topic 1 day ago

Oh I've been...and totally loved it...while in college. 😉

by Infinite-Bass 1 day ago

Why shouldn't someone go once they graduate college?

by ActiveFact5916 1 day ago

College sports are more affordable for game tickets, usually closer to home, and have a higher turnover for players that makes it more dramatic and interesting for a lot of people. All sports require emotionally "buying in" and usually having other people around who are into the same sports and teams you are; in college towns, it's college sports. College sports also tend to be a big part of the local economy especially for smaller towns with teams, so supporting them over obsessing over big pro sports teams in the state tends to feel like you're supporting the local community a lot more. It's way cooler when the underdog wins than when trained professionals do the job they're paid to do well.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I enjoy college ball more than the NFL.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

This is what I don't understand. These are college kids. You rather watch teenagers than professionals? NFL players are faster stronger, better. What is the appeal of college game over pros?

by Sufficient_Long 1 day ago

More variability in outcomes for that exact reason. It's time for a game winning field goal. Do you want to watch the $2 million/year kicker who's made that his entire purpose in life? Or do you wanna watch a hungover sophomore doing it to pay his way through school?

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Yes the pro. Pros are best in the world at what they do. That's why so many people watch it.

by Sufficient_Long 1 day ago

Why does it matter that they're stronger? The playing field is level regardless. College kids play other college kids. It's still football at the end of the day Also if you saw a legit college team you wouldn't call them "kids"

by ActiveFact5916 1 day ago

I don't really know. To me it's just more appealing, maybe it's because they're kids and not overpaid crybabies. I still watch and like the NFL- but perfer college. I also feel like the atmosphere in college football, tailgating and fan engagement, is a lot better than NFL

by Anonymous 1 day ago

To be fair, in the age of NIL money, even these kids can be overpaid crybabies. Plus they have the option to move to a team of their choice through the transfer portal if their coach even looks at them funny.

by BarracudaFormer 1 day ago

The games are normally more entertaining because of the level and the spirit and atmosphere around it is different But these are still insanely high level players that are very, very skilled.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

The Option lmao

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I was a hugeeee college football fan. It use to ruin my weekend of my teams lost. While I still enjoy big games on TV I just don't care as much when they lose. I'm 38 and I noticed my passion dropped considerably during COVID, kinda realizing it doesn't matter that much. I much prefer watching games on my TV at home regardless the weather.

by Rutherfordsadie 1 day ago

From all the things that don't matter in life, college football matters the most. That's the sweet spot.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I record EVERY college game broadcast. I then have a week to sort it out and look for interesting games. Closely matched teams, in-state rivalries(Iowa Iowa State), historic matchups (WI MN) and just plain rivalries (Army Navy or even Harvard Yale). If you like football, and I love football, these will be the best games you'll see all week.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I have a friend who loves CFB more than the NFL. I remember him saying it's because you can see more ridiculous plays than the NFL. They are amateurs in comparison to the NFL players, but they are willing to do more different plays rather than the same rushing or passing. And he also worked for the UH football team.

by Derek81 1 day ago

It isn't "reliving their glory days", they like the team and cheer for it and enjoy watching games.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

College sports tend to be most popular in states that do not have major league sports, such as Alabama. I graduated from UA and went to a lot of games when I attended. I want them tp win like almost everyone else who graduated from there. However, I have not followed the team much since I graduated and left the state.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

It's just football no different than pro teams but all the commercials are ruining it. 30 seconds of the game for a 3 minute commercial break I think people should boycott honestly

by OkBack4969 1 day ago

You get to hang out with your friends and drink all day then each sports. People like that stuff

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Not unpopular and not uncommon. Many people don't understand the big deal about college football. Or pro baseball. Or the ballet. Or basketball. Or opera. Take your pick.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

We're not Vulcans here, not everything is logical.

by tyresecummerata 1 day ago

It's fun OP, why can't you let people have fun?

by tpouros 1 day ago

College sports in general is a different breed but college football might as well be a religion. The product is improving IMO too, which makes it easier for me to watch moreso than the NFL. Maybe it's because the kids are playing to make it to the next level so they're actually trying. I feel that with basketball at least.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I realized a while back (because I also didn't get it) that there's an underlying hype in personally knowing or having a personal connection to someone going to war in front of you. Football is also great

by Trantowdelta 1 day ago

Players are paid now. You're a few years behind

by ActiveFact5916 1 day ago