The NFL Vs. College Football By: James Polacci 

Football is the most popular sport in America, with the two biggest leagues being the NFL and the NCAA, the big question most football fans get asked is which is better? Both leagues are similar but have distinct differences that give each other a very separate identity.

College football is full of energy and tradition. The atmosphere in the stadium is loud, with marching bands, cheerleaders, sound effects, and mascots creating a party-like environment. Many schools have long rivalries, and fans often feel strong pride in supporting their team. According to the NCAA website, more than 48 million people attended college football games in 2022. This really shows how popular the division is, in comparison, the 2022 baseball world series brought in 262,885 fans, not even a tenth of the college league.

The NFL focuses on professional skill and big-time events. Every athlete in the NFL is an absolute master of the sport who was drafted after a college career, so the games are faster and more precise. Many fans enjoy watching the highest level of football where small mistakes can decide a game. The NFL is also very easy to follow on television. Every week, games are shown nationally on Monday and Saturday night, The Super Bowl brings in over 100 million viewers every year. Which makes it the largest sports event in America. 

There are also differences in variety. College football has hundreds of teams, so fans see many different playing styles. Games can feel unpredictable, with some teams pulling off surprising wins. The NFL only has thirty-two teams, but each game is usually competitive because the talent is evenly spread across the league. This balance is something many fans like about professional football. On average NFL players are much more skilled and experienced than college players which makes the game much more analytical. Some people enjoy the technicality of the NFL over college football, but some people prefer the raw spirit and simple plays of college football.

When asked how the skill level of players affects the entertaining part of the game, Taylor Hakobyan, a loyal Ohio State fan and a sophomore at Hillgrove High School stated, “ I think with college football, skill difference between players, or possible skill difference between players definitely excites most people because you're definitely more known depending on how good you are. So if a good wide receiver is going against a good defensive back I think that’s always going to get hyped up where the difference of the NFL is that they're all pretty much pretty good and there's little players who are better than all” From this quote it’s safe to assume that most college fans really enjoy the skill gaps in the league where it seems some players are much more advanced than others, as opposed to the NFL where all players have essentially mastered their positions.

Ultimately the choice comes down to personal taste. If someone personally prefers tradition, school pride, and unpredictable games, college football is the best league for you to watch. If someone prefers top athletes, sharp analytical plays, and huge events, the NFL is probably the answer. No matter which league sports fans prefer, it is undeniable that both have areas where they succeed and fail in, which means no matter what a fan may like when it comes to football, there is a league and a team for them waiting to come and join the family.