Casagrande: Stop being so negative. Time to celebrate college football

This is an opinion column.

Enough already. Every morning, I open my inbox to find message after message lamenting the state of college football. Whether I’m talking to neighbors, friends, or family, the sentiment remains the same: NIL is allegedly ruining the game, loyalty is dead, and the transfer portal is out of control. It feels like I’m surrounded by Eeyore, everywhere I turn.

A Call for Positivity

To all the cynics out there: it is time to stop. As someone who usually trends toward the cynical, I am officially leading a pep rally to save your spirits. The game has evolved, and while it might look like a mutation of the sport you once knew, it is time to wake up and embrace it.

The sun is rising on a new season that looks like nothing we have ever seen. If you are being honest, the sport has always been defined by its imperfections. It is an outlaw game played with a loose interpretation of rules, and that is exactly what makes it incredible. Nebraska coach Matt Rhule hit the nail on the head at Big Ten media days, pushing back on the narrative that college football is broken. He argued that the game is as great as it has ever been, noting that viewership remains near record highs. With more teams in the mix for national championships than ever before, the access is better, and the stakes feel higher.

New Opportunities, Same Passion

If you need proof that anything is possible, look at the recent College Football Playoff. Watching Indiana break the traditional guardrails of predictability was a sign that the old barriers have crumbled. Now, more programs are hunting for their own moment in the sun, and the hope generated by that uncertainty is what makes the sport fun.

I realize there are valid structural concerns, and if you are truly fed up, your wallet and attendance are the ultimate barometers for change. However, there is no evidence of a boycott; instead, TV audiences are growing. The expansion to a 12-team playoff in 2024 has only kept more fanbases invested deep into November.

What to Expect in Alabama

This year, the SEC is cutting down on non-conference patsies, meaning more entertainment for the fans. Locally, the excitement is building. In Tuscaloosa, a generational quarterback competition is set to be resolved by September, and shifting outside expectations might just foster a new fighter’s mentality for the Tide. Meanwhile, Auburn is turning the page with Alex Golesh bringing fresh energy and a dual-threat quarterback in Byrum Brown. Despite recent struggles, Jordan-Hare Stadium remains one of the most vibrant environments in the country—it is a sport that is clearly alive and kicking.

Governance issues and roster churn will eventually stabilize as leadership catches up to the current reality. In the meantime, I invite you to email me with your complaints. I would be happy to publish your thoughts, but expect a healthy dose of optimism in return. This is the most exciting time of the year, so let’s get ready for the kickoff.