The NFL is fantastic. No one is debating this simple fact. However, there is something the college game has which isn’t present in the professional game.

Is it the quality of play? Far from it.

If there is something college football has which the NFL lacks in large part it is the overall atmosphere during games. Each school has their own traditions and rituals they partake in before, or during, games which makes the college game extremely special.

At Iowa, at the end of the first quarter, 70,000+ football fans turn their attention from the field to UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital as a sign of support and solitude. They call it the Hawkeye Wave.

For the players, they too have their own rituals. Is there one more famous than the Notre Dame players coming out of the locker room and everyone hitting the “Play Like A Champion Today” sign??

If you are looking for a truly unique entrance onto the field, look no further than to Virginia Tech when they play Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” as the players storm the field.

Just check it out for yourself, courtesy of the ACC Network:

Goosebumps. Every. Single. Time. pic.twitter.com/6F5yRrduas

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) September 3, 2023

Some NFL teams have come close to replicating this type of environment at their games. The one which might come closest would be the Pittsburgh Steelers playing the Styx song “Renegade” at a critical moment during the game.

But as great as “Renegade” has been for the Steelers faithful, it just doesn’t hit as hard as some of the aforementioned college traditions.

College football might not be the best football on the field, but it certainly has tradition, both on and off, which makes the overall product one-of-a-kind.

What is your favorite college football tradition? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned to FFSN for all your sports needs by the fan…for the fan!