You hear the arguments all the time. People who believe that the best college team in the country could take on the worst NFL team—and win.
People say that teams like the 2008 Detroit Lions or the 2006 Oakland Raiders would lose to a dominant college team like the USC teams of Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart or Penn State with Kerry Collins and Ki-Jana Carter.
I think this reasoning is absurd. Absolutely ridiculous.
Not only would the NFL team win, but they would win by 30 to 40 points. They might win by 50 to 60 points. They would most likely have a shutout and would probably come close to 600 yards of total offense.
Here's why: Every single college football team, no matter how good this team is, has a weakness at some position. It's probably not going to be at any of the skill positions, like quarterback, running back, or wide receiver. It's probably going to be one of the lineman or maybe a defensive back. But one of the players on the college team is going to be a big weakness.
The transition from college to the NFL is not an easy step. Fantastic players in college don't just become superstars in the NFL. Many struggle to even perform as average players.
Take Reggie Bush, as an example. He dominated the game of college football. He was one of the greatest college running backs of all time. He was so good at college football that he knew that he could go to the NFL after his junior year and probably succeed. But guess what happened?
He didn't succeed. Not right away. There was a point, halfway through his first season, where he ranked last in the NFL in yards per carry. And this is one of the greatest college players of all time!
Quarterback Matt Leinart is another example. He won the Heisman Trophy and a national championship with USC. But he doesn't even have a starting job in the NFL right now. He lost his starting job on the Arizona Cardinals, and this was before they were one of the best teams in the NFL.
Now take your worst NFL team. The Detroit Lions hold that honor this year. Every man on their roster has played college football before. Every man on their roster could go back to the game of college football and dominate. They could probably set records.
An NFL team is comprised of the best of the best in college football. The top college players go on to the National Football League. The rest live a normal life, with a normal job. Players in the NFL are too good and have too much experience to lose to 20 and 21-year-olds.
NFL scrubs were the best of the best in college. NFL starters were unbelievable players in college. NFL superstars were usually among the greatest players in college football history.
Your average starting lineman for a No. 1 team will not even make the NFL. If he does, he probably won't be a productive starter.
Take the sad story of Winston Justice, former USC offensive lineman. He was drafted by the Eagles and was asked to make one start in 2007, against the Giants. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora recorded six sacks against him. SIX sacks! In one game! Yes, Osi is a Pro Bowler, but it just goes to show that the talent in college is nowhere near the NFL's talent.
If the college guys had a chance anywhere, it would be at the skill positions. But seriously? Does any NFL player come into the league and make an immediate impact? A few do. A very few do. But the majority of players will sit on the bench for a year or two before being thrust into the game. They're just not ready, physically and mentally.
The linemen would be completely dominated. Many would sustain injuries during the game as well. The receivers would be physically dominated as well, especially going across the middle for passes. The running backs would struggle running up the middle, and the quarterback would be physically battered.
The NFL team is so physically dominant that you could take the 22 best college players in the nation and I do not believe that they would emerge victorious. Not a chance.
14 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Edgar Antonio Nunez 7 months ago
Bryn, love your work, but this question pops up just about every year there's an NFL team with an 0-X or 1-X record. The answer's NO. I was thinking of doing this topic, researched it, and saw it done several times over. No dis intended.
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Ian Sheppard 7 months ago
This is definitely a hot topic and you covered it pretty well. I've always wondered what would happen with a number 1 college team and the number 32 NFL team (which would be tough considering how many times the no. 1 team in College Football has lost this season). I do agree, though, that the NFL team would probably win and win big.
But wouldn't it at least be fun to watch?
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Bryn Swartz 7 months ago
It would be awesome to watch. I think the NFL players would have the psychological advantage. Big time. They would try to deliver big hits, early, to set the tone. It would be a Steelers-Ravens type of game.
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craig 7 months ago
i'd put a pay check on the best 22 college players going up against the 2008 Detroit lions. one game, with the normal crowd that the lions draw. the difficult part wouldn't be picking a winner between the college team and the lions, it would be picking the best 22 college players. although there are a couple high draft picks that flop in their rookie season, there are the same number that step up and perform.
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Bryn Swartz 7 months ago
The Lions have a few close losses to decent teams. The college guys wouldn't stand a chance. If anything, Detroit has more pride. They would not want to lose. Absolutely not.
Think about what Calvin Johnson himself would do.
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Sayre Bedinger 7 months ago
It would be interesting to say the least to pit the 1st team College All-Americans against the NFL team that gets the number one pick in the draft. I still think the NFL team would prevail, but there's always that Any Given something phrase.
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Bryn Swartz 7 months ago
I think a game like that would have an actual NFL score. You know, like not 66-0. Maybe 24-10.
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Christian Karcole 7 months ago
I completely agree. You've said everything exactly right. Another great job here. Bravo
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Sean Crowe 7 months ago
Every once in a while there's a college team that could give someone like the 2008 Lions a run for their money, but for the most part I agree.
That said, if you had the best college team play the worst NFL team every year, there'd be at least one upset a decade...
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Bryn Swartz 7 months ago
I really don't think upsets would happen. Maybe the scores would be closer than I realize, but I don't see an NFL team losing ever. You don't think that on the offensive and defensive lines the NFL players would dominate?
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Michoel Botwinick 7 months ago
Agreed that the college team wouldn't stand a chance!
But a lot of NFL players who are successful now in the league were not outstanding in college, and some of them weren't even starters. Three players come to mind: Quintin Mikell and Jamaal Jackson of the Eagles, and Willie Parker of the Steelers.
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D B 7 months ago
Bryan for your infromation they used to take the best college football players in the nation and play them agains the best team in the league. Take for example 1958 the group of College all Stars took on the 1957 Championship Lions and actually beat them 35-19. So sorry you should research a little more before you write an article.
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Bryn Swartz 7 months ago
Hey, cool stat. It's 100% irrelevant but it's interesting.
I don't see how more research could be needed because I have no facts wrong.
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Craig Swartz 7 months ago
Hey D, BRYN is not talking about college all-stars. He's talking about the best TEAM in college football. Maybe you should read an article before you comment on it.
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