Why Are NFL Scores Lower Than College (Logic Behind It)
Football at its highest level is played in the National Football League (NFL), and you might think that everything is better and bigger there. For the most part, you would be right. However, the scores in NFL matches are lower than in college football, which is unexpected, especially if you don’t know why. Stick with me, and you will learn exactly that in this article.
The NFL scores are lower than in college because the skill difference is considerably narrower in comparison. Offensive players are often the most skilled, and as a result, they will play against less skilled defensive players. In the NFL, everyone is skilled, so there will be fewer scores altogether.
That being said, it’s no wonder that the scores are higher in college football. If they were the same as in NFL, the matches would be very short, and a real competition and understanding on which team deserves the win couldn’t be made.
In contrast, if NFL games would have as high scores as in college football, the matches would be extremely long, even as long as in baseball. Overall, that’s not something people want, especially the players, as it’s much more physically demanding than baseball.
The massive talent gap in college football isn’t the only reason why NFL scores are lower. Experts say that other things are at play, even though the varying skill level is the most notable. Other things include;
- Coaches in the NFL won’t take many risks: Understandably, the NFL coaches won’t risk plays as much as college coaches because they simply can’t. There are millions at play in the NFL, so the stakes are higher, meaning less risk.
- NFL teams are equal in skill: There is a huge variety between team skills in college football, not only positions. Therefore, one team might annihilate the other, whereas the next couldn’t have a chance. This makes the matches pass at a much higher rate.
- There are more plays in college football: Risk, big skill differences, and other things allow more different plays for college football. This makes it very difficult for the defense to prevent the offense from scoring efficiently.
- The defense adapts better in the NFL: There are fewer varieties of offense in the NFL, making it easier for the defense to familiarize and adapt their plays accordingly. In college football, the styles, skills, plays, and coaches vary so much that it’s nearly impossible to adapt properly.
- NFL defense is faster than college defense: The defensive players are mainly strong in college football. However, the NFL level requires speed on the side, making the defensive players so much more effective.
Considering all of this, it’s no wonder that the NFL scores aren’t as high. The competition is much more equal, whereas differences in college football are astronomical.
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How Much Better Is NFL Than College
So college football scores are higher than in the NFL because the skill level is higher and more equal there, whereas the gap between everything, including skills, is wider in college football. This begs the question, how much better is NFL than college football?
A fraction of high school football players advances to college teams, wherefrom a smaller fraction advances to NFL, where they still might not succeed. Therefore, NFL players are drastically better than college football players in terms of skill, strength, speed, and everything else.
This was very well and clearly put to numbers by James Warren, and I quote:
Out of the best and most athletic high school football players, only 1 out of 20 will make it to college football. Then, take 1 out of 50 of the most skilled and athletic college football players, and they will advance to the NFL. Out of the NFL players, a fraction will see significant play time.
James Warren
That being said, every player in the NFL is faster than 98% of college players, and under 2% of college football players will make it to the NFL.
On top of that, it’s a different thing to make it to the NFL. I have a friend that went the same route, but only in ice hockey and advanced to the National Hockey League (NHL), which is easier to get than in the NFL. The struggle is real, so imagine what’s it like in the NFL.
Why Do College Football Players Struggle In the NFL?
Alright, so the NFL is astronomically more difficult to succeed than in college football. Still, all NFL players have been college football players, so why the vast majority won’t reach that level, and when they do, why do most of them struggle?
College football players struggle in the NFL because they transitioned from a lower level of play to the highest, making the competition drastically more difficult. Thus, they face opponents with better game intelligence, are faster, stronger, and are more skilled than the previous opponents.
Think about something you are good at and where you often win other people. Now, imagine that the people you often win are replaced with better than the same level as you with considerably more experience. It would be a miracle if one didn’t struggle.
Some college football players that get to the NFL will push through the struggle and gain incredible fame, respect, and fortune, whereas others will drop quite fast, and their dreams will shatter. NFL is a rough level to play football at, but the potential rewards are well worth the risk and effort.
Is College Football More Popular Than the NFL?
Even when NFL is superior to college football in every way, it doesen’t automatically mean that it’s more popular. If you have followed any football, you know that college football is extremely popular, especially compared to other sports and their collegiate level. So, is college football more popular than the NFL?
Overall, the NFL is more popular than college football. The Superbowl final got over 112 million views in 2022, whereas the college football final got 22 million views in the same year. However, college football has more attendees during a year than the NFL, although there are considerably more teams.
As you might know, college football is extremely popular, but the answer is way higher than I anticipated when I first heard it. The National Football League (NFL) is the most popular sport by spectators in the United States. However, college football is the second!
That’s right, college football is more popular than baseball (MBL), ice hockey (NHL), basketball (NBA), and soccer (MLS). Yet, it loses to the NFL, which doesen’t surprise me.
My Favorite Football Equipment
Thanks for reading this article. I hope it brought you great value you can implement in your life. Finally, below you can find my favorite football equipment that I think would serve you well on the field!
- Football: I like to get quality things at once, so I don’t need to replace everything after a short while. And for that reason, Wilson “The Duke” Football is the only choice for that. You can get this authentic NFL football as an official game ball or a cheaper metallic edition version. Whichever you might choose, The Duke is the only official football in the league’s history, making it the best choice.
- Cleats: Cleats play an important role in football as they are the traction between you and the field. There is no better than the Nike Vapor Edge Pro 360, and for a good reason. The cleats feature a lightweight, short upper, supporting lacing system and a wide stud layout for fast speed and reliable traction. Oh, and all the various designs are beyond stunning!
- Gloves: No matter whether you throw or receive the ball, you can say goodbye to your performance if you don’t have proper gloves. Enter Seibetron Receiver Gloves equipped with various benefits, such as excellent grip on the fingers and palms, great durability, and a green light for machine washing!
- Fan Equipment: If you’re a fan more than a player, you don’t want to miss Fan Equipment by Fanatics. You can find items from various sports that bear your favorite team’s logo, such as jerseys, gift ideas, or other surprising things.
