2 questions, one for Vols fans, and one for those who are also fans of an NFL team

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

I have long argued that college football is far superior to NFL, mostly because of the passion of the fans.

(Though I will say, college football is trying really hard to reduce itself to NFL with the first down clock stoppage rules and NIL "free agency")

But 2 questions:

1) Do you get nervous before UT games? Full disclosure that I very much do, especially before big games.

2) If you do, and you have a favorite NFL team, do you get nervous before they play as well?

I just have a sneaking suspicion no one gets nervous before their favorite NFL team plays. But I know several people, myself included, who get nervous before their college team plays.

 

[vols 30]

College - not like I used to back in the 90s. The losses stuck with me longer and the wins were celebrated more.

The 15 years of suckage and getting older has made me not get real high or low anymore. I'm over the game win or lose the next day.

Pros - not really. Maybe a little during playoffs.

Fantasy - a complete nervous wreck

 

[DaddyChad]

I have long argued that college football is far superior to NFL, mostly because of the passion of the fans.

(Though I will say, college football is trying really hard to reduce itself to NFL with the first down clock stoppage rules and NIL "free agency")

But 2 questions:

1) Do you get nervous before UT games? Full disclosure that I very much do, especially before big games.

2) If you do, and you have a favorite NFL team, do you get nervous before they play as well?

I just have a sneaking suspicion no one gets nervous before their favorite NFL team plays. But I know several people, myself included, who get nervous before their college team plays.

Some college games yes of course.

Nfl I don’t honestly care anyways. Losses have always mattered less.

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

Some college games yes of course.

Nfl I don’t honestly care anyways. Losses have always mattered less.

This is a point I was trying to make as well in a recent discussion. Every game in college is massively impactful to the outcome of your season, hence the passion.

In the NFL you can drop several games and still make the playoffs.

 

[TheVolsFrog]

I get excited for Vols game. Not nervous because at the end of the day I don't have any skin in the game other than bragging rights over coworkers that pullfor other teams
Pull for the Titans but I expect them to lose so no need to get nervous LOL

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

I don’t watch that many NFL games because I’ve spent all day Saturday watching football and monopolizing the tv two days in a row is a little more than I can get away with.

When I do watch NFL games, I might pull strongly for one team over the other if there is a prominent Vol on one of the rosters (ie the Cardinals right now with Dobbs) but mostly I just watch it because I enjoy the game of football. It’s a much more relaxed experience than watching college ball. Even when I’m watching a non-UT college game, I usually find myself throwing in with one side over the other and getting pretty invested. For example: I’m no Notre Dame fan by aaaany stretch, but I was pretty bummed when they lost to OSU at the last second. I can’t imagine feeling that strongly about any non-playoff NFL game, and that’s two teams I don’t particularly care about (ND and OSU).

How I feel before, during, and after UT games is on a different planet from anything I could ever imagine feeling from an NFL game. ANY NFL game.

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

Very nervous for Vols games, especially big games.

Pretty nervous for NFL games, especially big ones. My Cowboys are playing the 49ers Sunday night and I'm definitely nervous for that one.

It makes sense though, in college 1 loss can potentially ruin your season. I know my NFL team can lose 3-5 games and still have a good season and make the playoffs. But the NFL is a lot more competitive and obviously has fewer teams.

It's the same reason I'm a huge college basketball fan. I don't have to pace my living room and shout at the TV and scream and jump up and down when something good happens. It's a lot more chill because March is really all that matters. And it's over in 2 hours.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

College - Nervous? That's what alcohol is for. I'm less nervous now because I'm rarely at games so I can indulge more in relaxing adult beverages.

NFL - I'm only a little nervous if I've placed a "stupid bet" with a kid or friend that will wind up in me having to do/wear something dumb. It's all in fun though.

Addendum: High School - If I know and usually love a kid playing football or softball or whatever, I'm really nervous watching them if I'm lucky enough to get to go.

 

[volfannga]

1) I do get nervous sometimes when our Vols play
2) I worked in Chicago early in my career and had fun following the Bears. Slowed my NFL watching to spend more time with the family but when the kneeling started I quit the NFL.

Go Vols!

 

[vegasvolfan]

I have long argued that college football is far superior to NFL, mostly because of the passion of the fans.

(Though I will say, college football is trying really hard to reduce itself to NFL with the first down clock stoppage rules and NIL "free agency")

But 2 questions:

1) Do you get nervous before UT games? Full disclosure that I very much do, especially before big games.

2) If you do, and you have a favorite NFL team, do you get nervous before they play as well?

I just have a sneaking suspicion no one gets nervous before their favorite NFL team plays. But I know several people, myself included, who get nervous before their college team plays.

If either team is competitive, I get anxious. I think nervous implies something different. If we aren’t any good, it sort of takes the excitement out of it and turns it into validated frustration or surprise if we do well. With my Titans, I am borderline apathetic at this juncture. Could be the Bengals though, so still holding out for hope lol

 

[AurantiacoFan]

I have long argued that college football is far superior to NFL, mostly because of the passion of the fans.

(Though I will say, college football is trying really hard to reduce itself to NFL with the first down clock stoppage rules and NIL "free agency")

But 2 questions:

1) Do you get nervous before UT games? Full disclosure that I very much do, especially before big games.

2) If you do, and you have a favorite NFL team, do you get nervous before they play as well?

I just have a sneaking suspicion no one gets nervous before their favorite NFL team plays. But I know several people, myself included, who get nervous before their college team plays.

I have not gotten nervous about anything related to sports since I guess I was around 23 or 24 years old and began my professional career.

When I was a kid before college, I think I got nervous for both the Vols and Dolphins.

Once I reached college, I think it was only the Vols.

Now it is just an enjoyment. Not judging, but for me I cannot relate to caring so much that I would get nervous about some young kids playing a game that are not related to me.

With that said, I was so nervous I had to get up and leave during one of my oldest daughter's college tennis matches. I had flown almost clear across the country to watch her, and then could not watch. My wife sent someone to check on me, and send me a message that it would break our daughters heart if she ever found out. As a result, I went back down to sit next to my wife and stared at the person's back in front of me for what seemed like an eternity.

 

[Volprofch05]

I have long argued that college football is far superior to NFL, mostly because of the passion of the fans.

(Though I will say, college football is trying really hard to reduce itself to NFL with the first down clock stoppage rules and NIL "free agency")

But 2 questions:

1) Do you get nervous before UT games? Full disclosure that I very much do, especially before big games.

2) If you do, and you have a favorite NFL team, do you get nervous before they play as well?

I just have a sneaking suspicion no one gets nervous before their favorite NFL team plays. But I know several people, myself included, who get nervous before their college team plays.

I think there’s a big disparity between regular season and postseason in college/NFL. Regular season generally matters more in college because of the rivalries, except of course for the cupcake games. There are no cupcake games in the NFL.

For postseason, I could care less about bowl games. However, if my team is in the NFL playoffs, I’m on pins and needles, win or go home! Obviously, getting into the NCAA playoff would be super nerve racking, but only 4 of a trillion teams get in.

But I enjoy both college and NFL a lot and want my teams to win all games!

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

1) Yes
2) No unless it’s a playoff game or a must win game to make the playoffs.

Part of the nervousness before a UT game is that we know with the current playoff configuration that just one loss puts us behind the 8 ball. Not the case in the NFL. Teams with records barely above or sometimes even below .500 can still make the playoffs.

 

[LWSVOL]

I have long argued that college football is far superior to NFL, mostly because of the passion of the fans.

(Though I will say, college football is trying really hard to reduce itself to NFL with the first down clock stoppage rules and NIL "free agency")

But 2 questions:

1) Do you get nervous before UT games? Full disclosure that I very much do, especially before big games.

2) If you do, and you have a favorite NFL team, do you get nervous before they play as well?

I just have a sneaking suspicion no one gets nervous before their favorite NFL team plays. But I know several people, myself included, who get nervous before their college team plays.

I used to be nervous and get upset or way too overjoyed about games. That stopped 33 years ago when Bama beat UT 9-6 in a game UT should have destroyed them. Sat in my seat 45 minutes after the game depressed watching Bama fans celebrate in Neyland.

Went home and it came to me, I had zero control over the outcome of games. Coaches and players decide the outcomes and letting my emotions destroy the enjoyment of watching a ball game was very silly. So, no more nerves before games. No more depression over losing. Glad when we win but let it go soon. Just watch the kids compete.

As far as NFL never watch a game and don't have a team.

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

I used to be nervous and get upset or way too overjoyed about games. That stopped 33 years ago when Bama beat UT 9-6 in a game UT should have destroyed them. Sat in my seat 45 minutes after the game depressed watching Bama fans celebrate in Neyland.

Went home and it came to me, I had zero control over the outcome of games. Coaches and players decide the outcomes and letting my emotions destroy the enjoyment of watching a ball game was very silly. So, no more nerves before games. No more depression over losing. Glad when we win but let it go soon. Just watch the kids compete.

As far as NFL never watch a game and don't have a team.

Interesting perspective. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Kylo]

I have long argued that college football is far superior to NFL, mostly because of the passion of the fans.

(Though I will say, college football is trying really hard to reduce itself to NFL with the first down clock stoppage rules and NIL "free agency")

But 2 questions:

1) Do you get nervous before UT games? Full disclosure that I very much do, especially before big games.

2) If you do, and you have a favorite NFL team, do you get nervous before they play as well?

I just have a sneaking suspicion no one gets nervous before their favorite NFL team plays. But I know several people, myself included, who get nervous before their college team plays.

Yes. Nervous before every UT game. Zero nerves for the Titans. Even when they went to the Super Bowl.

 

[LWSVOL]

Lmao at boycotting the NFL. If you like Football, you watch the NFL. Especially on Sunday nights and Monday when it's the only game on. No one buys it

You don't get any cool points for saying you boycott

I don't like it and don't watch it.

I do record lots of college games each weekend. Sundays ( and several days after) are spent watching those games. Enjoy college football as long as it doesn't become too professional I will always enjoy watching. Just don't like professional stuff and I've never thought of it as boycotting.

 

[NighthawkVol]

I have long argued that college football is far superior to NFL, mostly because of the passion of the fans.

(Though I will say, college football is trying really hard to reduce itself to NFL with the first down clock stoppage rules and NIL "free agency")

But 2 questions:

1) Do you get nervous before UT games? Full disclosure that I very much do, especially before big games.

2) If you do, and you have a favorite NFL team, do you get nervous before they play as well?

I just have a sneaking suspicion no one gets nervous before their favorite NFL team plays. But I know several people, myself included, who get nervous before their college team plays.

1) Yes.
2) Not really, with a few exceptions...the Titans AFC Championship appearances and one Super Bowl appearance.

I agree with your premise.

 

[wmcovol]

Even when I was a Titan season ticket holder, it was never a passion for me. That’s why when I decided I’d had enough, I didn’t miss it.

 

[NEO]

I have long argued that college football is far superior to NFL, mostly because of the passion of the fans.

(Though I will say, college football is trying really hard to reduce itself to NFL with the first down clock stoppage rules and NIL "free agency")

But 2 questions:

1) Do you get nervous before UT games? Full disclosure that I very much do, especially before big games.

2) If you do, and you have a favorite NFL team, do you get nervous before they play as well?

I just have a sneaking suspicion no one gets nervous before their favorite NFL team plays. But I know several people, myself included, who get nervous before their college team plays.

NFL loss will not end season due to wildcard etc and playoffs. One loss now to East rival can end sec champ hopes so college games mean more but next year when it goes to 12 it will be much more like nfl.

 

[Jaxon_Vol2017]

I've never been nervous over a NFL game. I'm nervous every week about the Tennessee game. The Georgia State debacle ruined me.

 

[Voltopia]

When I was young, I got more excited than nervous - and I got very, very excited. I had trouble sleeping before big home games, especially UT-Florida. In the 2000s, that excitement transformed into a gnawing nervousness. "Would they finally put it all together this year?" (Answer: no.) Then in the 2010s, the nervousness ebbed, replaced by a growing indifference. I still watched, still followed UT, but the losses became familiar and numbing. I thought that's where I was - until late 2021 and 2022. All of a sudden, I was excited again; and the years of indifference had stripped away much of the nervousness I used to feel. No nerves, just a different kind of enjoyment. I enjoyed believing in Tennessee being good again.

I do still get nervous during games, but it's not at all like it used to be. I've learned to disengage. But when the stakes are high - when Florida grabbed that onside kick last year for example - I can still pucker with the best of them.

As for the pro question, there's only three instances of nervousness I can ever recall, neither with NFL teams because I think the NFL is one long boring beer commercial. Twice when the San Antonio Spurs had Game 7s, and once with the Predators - but never the NFL. And honestly, none of those moments compared to having trouble sleeping the night before Tennessee-Florida during the 90s. It's hard to care about a commerical product featuring a bunch of super wealthy people playing on behalf of a company that can leave at the drop of a hat.

 

[cherokeeeVOL]

College - Yes absolutely, although I’ve toned it down a good bit lately.

NFL - Nope, I’ve become more of a casual fan. I’ll watch on Sundays some but I’m no longer a die hard fan of any team.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

I have long argued that college football is far superior to NFL, mostly because of the passion of the fans.

(Though I will say, college football is trying really hard to reduce itself to NFL with the first down clock stoppage rules and NIL "free agency")

But 2 questions:

1) Do you get nervous before UT games? Full disclosure that I very much do, especially before big games.

2) If you do, and you have a favorite NFL team, do you get nervous before they play as well?

I just have a sneaking suspicion no one gets nervous before their favorite NFL team plays. But I know several people, myself included, who get nervous before their college team plays.

If you've ever been to a NFL game in NYC, KC, Chicago, Boston(Foxboro), Detroit ,etc., you might rethink the passion argument

I love my Tennessee Vols above all else but the college game isn't far superior for one simple reason: The NFL is the best of the best.

 

[Daniel_Lincolns_Foot]

I’m a Tennessee alum and Lions fan. UT games make me more nervous overall because of the implications of everygame—one or two losses making or breaking the season—and that starts day 1 and lasts the entire season.

Now, for the NFL, those “make or break” implications probably aren’t going to come until the second half of the season. It happens eventually, though, and that same nervousness that plagues you from day 1 with college shows up on Sundays, too.