College football has had a challenging offseason, highlighted by debates over the College Football Playoff expansion, Lane Kiffin’s connection to the NFL and LSU, and ongoing concerns regarding tampering related to player transfers and NIL deals.
As week zero has passed, college football is back in full swing starting Thursday and continuing through the long Labor Day weekend. This return serves as a reminder of why there is so much to appreciate about college football compared to the NFL.
Let’s explore a few reasons.
WEEK ONE UPSET SPECIAL: THESE THREE COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAMS SHOULD BE ON UPSET ALERT THIS WEEKEND
These games matter
It’s just the first week of the season, but each game has significant implications for many teams due to the limited spots available in the College Football Playoff. In the NFL, about 44% of teams qualify for postseason play, as 14 out of 32 make the playoffs.
In college football, however, only 12 out of 68 eligible teams from major conferences like the Big Ten, SEC, ACC, Big 12, and Notre Dame make the playoff, with one slot designated for a Group of 6 team. So, while not all programs have a realistic shot at the playoffs, the pressure is on; only 16.1% of those top-tier teams can expect to play in the postseason.
For instance, in the 2025 NFL season, teams like the 9-7-1 Green Bay Packers and the 8-9 Carolina Panthers made the playoff. In the NFL, if you hover around .500, there’s a solid chance you could still qualify. Sure, the games are important, but a loss in the opening week of the NFL often carries little consequence.
But in college football? Every game carries weight. The expanded playoff structure might allow a couple of losses this season, but a misstep in week one can significantly hinder a team’s chances. Take Notre Dame in 2025; they lost their opener to a playoff contender in Miami and then fell to another playoff team, Texas A&M, missing out on the 12-team field.
LSU and Clemson both have genuine chances to reach the playoffs. While losing their matchup on Saturday won’t eliminate them, it complicates their paths significantly. Clemson has an easier schedule but must defeat Miami next month, while LSU faces formidable opponents like Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Alabama, making an early setback tough to recover from.
This all highlights the importance of upsets. Rankings in college are subjective and can shift dramatically based on unexpected outcomes. For example, if the Los Angeles Rams, favored as a top NFL team, were to lose to the New York Giants at home, the loss wouldn’t weigh more than any other regular-season defeat.
Now, consider a scenario where Wisconsin takes down Notre Dame this Sunday. That would be a game-changer for the season, regardless of how unlikely it may seem. It’s this unpredictability that adds excitement to college football.
Chaos
While the NFL undeniably features higher quality football, with players who are generally stronger and faster, and coaching that often surpasses college caliber, this leads to its own issues. NFL defenses, in particular, have become exceptionally adept.
The league has introduced several rules to alleviate this competitive gap, such as adjustments to kickoffs to boost field position. They even revamped how kickers utilize the ball, enabling longer field goals. With modern kickers capable of making attempts from 65–70 yards, offenses can find themselves in field goal territory after just modest gains.
Additionally, rules to overly protect quarterbacks have been implemented to keep star players healthy, while penalties for illegal contact have favored offensive play. However, despite occasional thrilling NFL games, college football retains a greater unpredictability and excitement.
Moving the ball is generally easier in college, leading to more high-scoring games and numerous unpredictable comebacks. The idea of “Pac-12 after dark” became a social media joke, which speaks to the chaotic nature often seen in college matchups.
Rivalries
Yes, the NFL has its rivalries, with games like Cowboys-Commanders or Packers-Bears, which hold deep meaning for fans. However, the significance of these matchups can’t compare to the traditional rivalries in college football.
Think about Texas-Oklahoma, Alabama-Auburn, Michigan-Ohio State, and Army-Navy. Each of these rivalries carries immense importance; beating a rival can redefine a team’s entire season even if the overall performance was underwhelming. In the NFL, it’s hard to see a coach facing the same fate based solely on rivalry records, while in college, a coach who repeatedly loses to a major rival can quickly find themselves on the hot seat.
Unique Settings
The NFL often features similar luxury stadium designs, but there are some standout exceptions. That said, it’s hard to rival the rich environments of college football venues that include the Rose Bowl, Tiger Stadium, and others nestled in breathtaking locations, such as Colorado’s home turf at the base of the Rockies.
These college venues come with vibrant atmospheres and unique traditions that simply don’t exist in the NFL’s cookie-cutter stadiums designed mainly for corporate networking.
With college football season upon us, fans should cherish this experience and remember how special it is, especially when compared to the alternative of watching NFL games.
