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John Tamanaha

MSNBC.com contributor John Tamanaha tackles the hot topics in college football. From title contenders and Heisman hopefuls to coaches on the hot seat and recruiting battles, no issue is out of bounds.



Pats-Colts? Give me college football instead

Posted: Friday, November 02, 2007 12:32 AM

 

With the entire hubbub surrounding Sunday’s showdown between the Patriots and Colts, we were reminded of yet another reason why college football is superior to the NFL.

 

What really does the New England-Indianapolis game mean? Sure, one club will fall from the ranks of the undefeated, leaving only the other. Of course, it will be interesting to watch Peyton Manning and Tom Brady battle it out. But what does the game really mean in the grand scheme? Won’t they eventually play again to determine who goes to and wins the Super Bowl … just like they did last year?

 

Seriously, that game will have lost three-fourths of its significance by this time next week. Both teams will make the playoffs. Both could even drop a couple more games and still be in prime position to make a strong run at the championship.

 

I’m not saying it’s not a big game, but it’s not Arizona State-Oregon BIG.

 

If you injected the Pats-Colts matchup into the world of college football, the loser would instantly join dizzying daily debates regarding several one-loss teams and each of their chances to jockey for position in what is always a wacky race toward December. And the winner would STILL be fighting to stay alive for four more weeks. That might not be everyone’s idea of fun, but I certainly enjoy all the drama, bickering and banter.

 

Yeah, it’s certainly up to each person’s own opinion. You know … some people like the USC Song Girls, while others prefer the Raiderettes.

 

But, I’ve been to four NFL games so far this season, each in a different stadium, and I’ve struggled to stay awake every time. True, some of that has to do with being at a college game on Saturday and then staying up late to watch more games replayed on ESPN and FSN, but most of it has to do with an environment that is a lot less likeable and far less passionate.

 

When you add it all up, college football comes out way ahead in my book. You’ve got zero training camp holdouts, more than one kind of offense, two teams in Los Angeles (not zero), plenty of three-overtime games, a lot more four-down territory, touchdown plays with 15 laterals, 41-point-underdog winners, and even 43-game win streaks with no bitterness.

 

Sometimes I suspect that the NFL isn’t trying very hard to compete (especially since it locked up all these fantasy football nuts a few years ago and certain things don’t matter anymore). Hey, I know why live mascots and marching bands aren’t part of the gameday experience at your typical NFL game, but the New York Giants don’t even have cheerleaders. I mean … c’mon.

 

If given the choice, wouldn’t you take … Jim Tressel’s sweater vest over Bill Belichick’s hoody … the Georgia Bulldogs over Georgia Frontiere … “Macho” Harris over “Pacman” Jones … Cal vs. Stanford (“Big Game”) over Raiders vs. 49ers (“Bad Game”) … Lou Holtz’ ludicrous pep talks over Chris Berman’s loud highlights … Oregon’s hundreds of uniform combos over the NFL’s lame series of throwbacks … Heisman hopefuls over fantasy studs … and LSU at Alabama over New England at Indianapolis?

 

C’mon, the Pats and Colts will play again in January. But, this might be the only time Les Miles and Nick Saban ever go toe-to-toe. You know how those two guys never sit still for very long.

 

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Comments

I am SOOO in agreement with you on this. The NFL is BORING (snooze) compared to college ball. When was the last time you saw a 4th down conversion attempt in the NFL (except out of sheer last-second desperation),let alone FIVE in one game (and all successful), including a fake field goal? Two-point conversions? Forget it. A quarterback who not only runs the ball but is the leading rusher on his team? Not likely. College coaches do crazy things, unlike their ultraconservative NFL counterparts, and you will see far more variety on offense. Plus where in the NFL do you see the kind of spirit that you get on a typical college campus on Saturday? Keep your NFL, I'll take the NCAA any day. (GO DAWGS!)

Ben Robertson, Windsor NS (Sent Friday, November 02, 2007 2:39 PM)

The college game is fun.  But there are to many blowouts and lopsided games.  The talent is much more even in the NFL and therefore there the games are more competitive week in and week out.  Unless, the Pats are involved of course.

Marques (Sent Saturday, November 03, 2007 5:55 PM)

Yeah and the little league is more exciting than MLB. hehe, even the worst NFL team's second stringers fresh off a redeye flight would beat the snot out of the best College team. the NFL's playoff scheme is better, it allows a high percentage of teams to make the playoffs - there are no favorites, no dumb polls, no rating that would allow undefeated or 1 loss teams to miss the playoffs. And the teams with the most regular season wins don't always win the superbowl. College football is amateurish and boring.  

Jerry Klingel, Riverhead, NY (Sent Sunday, November 04, 2007 3:30 AM)

I agree that College Football has its exciting moments and provides good entertainment value.  However, it has several significant drawbacks, which include too many meaningless bowl games, no playoff system, and too long between the end of the regular season and the bowl game (57 days last year with Ohio State).  In addition, too many high profile players, including Heisman trophy winners, flame out in the NFL and there are too many uncopetitive games between football factory schools and Sisters of the Poor schools.  In the NFL, about 75% of the games are decided by 14 points or less, there is a true playoff system without a long wait, and people of questionable skills usually do not last very long.  I do like the college game, but it really needs to address some of these issues, especially a playoff system, to be a better entertainment value.

John Cutler (Sent Sunday, November 04, 2007 8:21 AM)

It's true.

I've been saying this exact same thing for years.  College ball offers more excitement, passion and tension than the NFL ever will.  Part of the reason is the many different trophies and goals that each team can have, part of the reason is college crowds are much more fun without being beligerant.

I think the biggest part is that for many of the players on college teams they are playing for pride, fun and the spirit of the game.  Many won't go on to play in the NFL so I see many playing as if it's their last game. (and at the end of the season it may be)

Once football becomes a job and you have the spoiled babies crying because some other guy has a bigger contract than them, it loses a lot of it's appeal.

Dennis, Grand Rapids MI (Sent Sunday, November 04, 2007 11:56 AM)

The reason this game is so big, (besides being the two best team) is that the winner will have a one-game lead AND the tie-breaker for home field advantage in the playoffs.  If you think Indy wants to play outside in the New England winter...  well you see the reasoning there.  This game will have a huge impact on who makes it to the Superbowl.

Chip Smith (Sent Sunday, November 04, 2007 5:39 PM)

Excellent, couldn't agree more. Give me Saturdays in the fall all year-round!

Frank (Sent Sunday, November 04, 2007 10:11 PM)

i quit watching pro games altogether, theres no excitement any more. i wish we could role back to the montana rice and lott era. that was always fun and superjoe and the like always came through and was as entertaining to watch, ahh the good ol' days  

philip weirick (Sent Monday, November 05, 2007 7:52 AM)

Every year, you're guaranteed at least one "wouldn't-believe-it-if-you-didn't-see-it" moment in college football.  This year alone has had enough such moments to last a decade or more.  Even lower-division college football is more fun than the NFL...especially after that one play.  15 laterals?  Are you freakin' kiddin' me?!

Robert, Columbus, OH (Sent Monday, November 05, 2007 1:44 PM)

Even with the screwed up BCS, I will take college ball over the NFL every time!  Much more excitement, drama and unpredictability!  You really hit the nail on the head. (GO BUCKS!)

Matt Romelfanger, Fort Wayne IN (Sent Wednesday, November 07, 2007 10:32 AM)

I couldnt agree with you more. I watched the Colts & Pats on Sunday...only pro game this year. No comparison to Ala/LSU or Auburn/LSU or so many others we have had this year.

Rod Spain, Columbus GA (Sent Friday, November 09, 2007 7:40 AM)

The NFL is way over-hyped, every week and every year. Only occasionally does a game live up to the hype. Both NFL & college can be potentially boring , but because of the larger number of teams and players in college, you get more overall excitement and unpredicatability. Of course the players are better in the NFL, but from a pure entertainment perspective, college is better if only because of new, different players every couple of years. NFL-snobs who put down the college game probably don't watch it, so how would they even know?

Tony, Realityville USA (Sent Wednesday, November 14, 2007 2:34 PM)

I DISAGREE  ! BRETT FAVRE AND THE GREEN BAY PACKERS ARE FAR FROM BORING! they are the most exciting young  team in the nfl AND THE INDY- NE  GAME MENT MORE AS THE WINNER WHEN THEY DO PLAY WILL HAVE HOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE  PROBABLY BECAUSE OF THIS [YOUR WORDS HERE BORING]  THE DIFFENCE BETWEEN PLAYING OUTSIDE IN MID JANUARY  COMPARED TO PLAYING INDOORS IS HUGE!  PACKERS RULE AND MAX WAS COOL!

SCOTT SIELEMAN OELWEIN IOWA (Sent Friday, November 16, 2007 10:05 AM)

Agree completely!!  College football is so much more exciting.  So many more teams to follow and to choose from, and teams don't play the same team two or three times in one season.  In addition to everything you mentioned, college football is for the schools, for the universities, and for the players to also get an education at the same time.  NFL is nothing but players making way more money than they should, and it's getting to absolutely insane levels.  Plus, a lot of people have a specific university they can associate with a lot more than some NFL team just based out of a given city, so that makes it more fun as well.

I'll take college anytime over pro, in most sports.

Nick, Chicago, IL (Sent Friday, November 30, 2007 11:00 PM)

The NFL has never been the same since Pete Rozelle ritired and Paul T. gave the candy store away with free agency in 1993.  The owners are wussies for not standing up to the players!

Jimmy Roberts, Arkadelphia, AR (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 2:57 PM)



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