There is one basic premise to this column: college football is infinitely superior to the pro version.
This college football season is already shaping up to be a great one. Texas was just upset by Stanford, UCLA has beaten Michigan and Alabama, and anyone who watched Nebraska's overtime win against the Irish of Notre Dame (or any game involving Virginia Tech's human-highlight-film Michael Vick) has to be excited for another year of NCAA football. So, having said all that, it shouldn't be a difficult task to show why the college game is better than that of the NFL.
First, it's just that much more fulfilling to watch athletes who aren't getting paid (or at least who aren't supposed to be getting paid). These athletes are playing for the love of their university and of football while at the same time trying to get an education. At the very least they're trying to prove their ability to the pros. That's still better than the mega-bucks deals the pros are playing for.
Also, free agency in the NFL is terrible. The Cowboys, 49ers and Packers were all decimated by free agency following their Super Bowl runs. And in the NFL, players are also forced out by their team's management. How bad was it to watch Joe Montana play for the Chiefs following his career in San Francisco? Great college players will forever be synonymous with their schools.
The rivalries in college are much better. The Bears and the Packers are nice; its fun to watch the Cowboys and the Redskins; any Raiders-Chiefs game is exciting. But to see real hatred and rivalry, go watch Florida vs. Florida State, USC vs. UCLA, Michigan vs. Ohio State or Oklahoma vs. Texas. Those schools' fans are born to loathe their rivals. It's not just a game, it's a blood feud.
That brings up my next point. Fans of college football are better. They're not just rooting for their city's team; they're rooting for their Alma Mater, their extended family. Even if they didn't attend that particular university, they at least are part of a grassroots movement in their state. Anyone who has ever been to Alabama should know that. Or have you ever walked through Knoxville, Tenn. on a game day? It's like a sea of orange and white. Those are real fans
The upsets in college are more fulfilling. I've already mentioned the Stanford-Texas game. Remember a couple of years back when Virginia stopped FSU on the last play of a game and gave the Seminoles their first ACC loss ever? Or when Boston College destroyed Notre Dame's chance at a national title with a last second field goal? By contrast, how often do the Bengals actually upset any real contenders? Almost never.
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Now that you're excited about college football, here's what you need to know about the current season. Nebraska and Florida State should continue their dominance from the previous decade and play each other in the Orange Bowl for the national title. Also, look for Wisconsin, UCLA and Miami to contend.
As for sleepers, I like TCU and its Heisman candidate LaDanian Tomlinson to possibly go undefeated in the WAC. I also like the Sooners of Oklahoma to contend with Texas for the Big XII South title.
For this week, check out the Michigan Wolverines, ranked number 10 in the latest AP poll and coming off a defeat at the hands of UCLA, play undefeated 19th-ranked Illinois. The game should go far to determine who's going to challenge Wisconsin for the Big Ten title.
Also, check out 16th-ranked Notre Dame, fresh off games against Nebraska and Purdue, travel to East Lansing to play undefeated and number 23 Michigan State. The Irish's schedule gives them no breather, and Michigan State will be looking for the slight upset.
