College Football: The soul of America's Football Obsession
There is no doubt that football is the most popular sport in America, and while the National Football League (NFL) might feature the glitz and the glamour it’s college football that is truly the heart and soul of the sport. Considered the driving force for helping establish the rules of American football, the college football scene is not exclusive to those who attend college.
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Unlike the NFL, which is limited to 32 markets across the United States, college football stretches to every state and every city or town that is home to a college or university. While many appreciate the NFL as the finished product, the fact that in the United States there is no feeder system for NFL teams, the collegiate football level serves those who are diehard fans of the sport.
Those diehard fans, and there’s many of them across the United States and beyond, are what keep the traditions of college football teams alive. From traditional games, to team colors, college football teams are deeply connected with their local community regardless if they’re successful or not. Fans can create an electrifying atmosphere sometimes bringing the same passion as Europe’s soccer fans. Many fans support a particular school because they might have some family ties to that particular institution, but that isn’t the only reason. From cheering for a local team, to being a fan of a school’s colors, and even to being a fan of college players that are hoping to one day make it to the NFL are just a few reasons why college football has its supporters.
College football also serves as a preview of what is to come to the NFL as college football players, particularly the top ones, seek a path to the NFL via the entry draft every offseason. The excitement that surrounds the draft each season, based on the performances of players on the college football scene is what gives fans hope that their NFL team can plot a path to success by drafting the top college football players.
Of course, as with many sports, betting on college football futures is a big part of the game with the amount of games each week providing bettors plenty of options and markets for various types of bets. One popular category is College Football Futures, though bettors can also place wagers on point spreads, money line winners, and even on players whom they think will win the iconic Heisman Trophy.
One difference between collegiate football and that of professional football at the NFL level is that players are not paid for their participation in the sport. It’s a controversial fact that colleges use the likeness of players to the benefit of schools, while players, who are often from poverty-stricken families does raise the controversial point if college players should be paid for their services.
Regardless of the issues with college football, there is no denying that the sport’s deep roots in local communities are what fuel the love for the sport and the record attendances teams across the country attract each and every gameday.
