For many years, the line between the NFL and college football was rather clear. The NFL was considered the premier professional football league in America, while the college game was viewed as a bit of a side show.
Things have changed a great deal in the last couple of decades. The level of play has improved tremendously, which means that even some of the biggest names in the NFL were once considered lower-tier competition than some of the best teams and players in the college game. It’s a different world now, with the professional game providing much better marketing opportunities for the colleges. As a result, smaller conferences like the Mountain West, which has only recently lost a few of its top teams to the NFL, have a much greater influence on the national stage than they would if the NFL hadn’t existed. In fact, there are now more than 500 million reasons to be enthusiastic about college football.
It’s the Popular Sport
Sports have always been a popular pastime in the U.S., and for good reason. Not only does it offer excellent exercise, but it’s also something that can be enjoyed by anyone. Furthermore, betting on sports is a very accessible game, as you don’t necessarily need to have a lot of money to place bets. It’s definitely something that draws in the casual fans.
It Has A Global Reach
College football is now a truly international game, with fans from around the world following the action on game days. There are now more than 300 million reasons to be excited about the game, as worldwide viewership reached an all-time high in 2018.
The sport is so popular in part because of the global reach of the biggest conferences. The most watched sporting event each year is the College Football Playoff, which features teams from the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, and SEC. The games are usually between the two highest-seeded teams from these conferences, which leads to intense rivalries between the schools. These games can draw huge TV audiences worldwide.
It’s An Affordable Pastime
Although it costs a lot to attend college, it doesn’t have to be considered an expensive hobby. The cost of living in a big city like New York or Los Angeles is so high that many students end up financially burdened by going to school in these locations. But for those who come from more modest backgrounds, college football is a great way to indulge in a leisure sport and make some money on the side.
It Has A Long History
College football has been around for more than a century, which makes it one of the longest-running sports leagues in North America. The sport is now so popular that many people are unaware of just how long it’s been around. It started as an extension of the academic year for students, with games often used as a way to help improve teaching methods and encourage student participation in the sport. It was originally called “normal college football,” as games were played during the regular season and typically ended with a championship at the end. Things changed in the 20s, when professional franchises began to form in the sport and expand their horizons beyond the borders of college football. It wasn’t until the 50s that the semi-professional version of the sport took off, which was the start of the golden era for college football.
The Future Looks Bright
With the modern semi-professional era now more than 70 years old, college football is in a pretty good place. It’s evolved a lot over the years, with the creation of all-star games and other gimmicks aimed at attracting casual fans. These days, much of the attention is focused on the NCAA, as it considers college football one of its crown jewels and has taken measures to protect it from being overshadowed by the NFL. But it’s not just the governing body that’s doing their bit to raise the profile of the sport – it’s the fans too. If you’re looking for a way to get into a casual sports conversation with someone, a good topic of discussion is usually the NFL vs. college football rivalry. It’s a game that people either love or hate, but for some reason it always seems to be on their minds whenever they meet someone new.