Why College Football Is Better Than Pro Football

My roommate is a huge sports fan.  He is a Giants fan, and their recent run at greatness has really gotten him rabid about the NFL.  The other day I asked him whether he liked college or pro football.   He thought about the question for a second, then said pro. 

I was shocked.  I mean, c'mon.  There is NOTHING like Saturdays in the fall.  From a guy that grew up in South Carolina, the heart of the SEC, it was amazing to hear that the NFL had claimed his heart over the college game.

Me, I am so-so about the NFL, but I LOVE college football.  For the cheesy reasons ("the passion and the pageantry"); for the sportsmanship reasons (these athletes REALLY care about their teams success, not about getting the right numbers for the next contract); and for the rivalries  (no NFL game can compete with the intensity of Alabama-Auburn, Florida-Georgia or even OSU-Michigan).

And last but not least, the fans.  College football fans, to me, truly represent some of the best attributes about sports fans (asides from the occasional violent confrontations that are deplorable).  They travel long distances and endure tough home crowds to cheer their team on the road.  They have the most elaborate tailgates you will ever see, all in preparation of their Saturday trip to their own personal temple of football.  Especially in the SEC (and if you haven't been here, boy, you haven't lived), the constant factor of amazement is the amount of support the fans give their teams, and what they pour into savoring each fall Saturday.

My NFL experiences have not included polite fans.  They have not included incredible tailgates.  They have included fans who half-cheer for the players, while wondering about their fantasy numbers.  And they have stadiums half full of fans, who show fleeting respect for their team.

But I wanted to see what the readers on this site thought.  What do you prefer:  College or Pro?  Is is Saturdays or Sundays for you?