Passion level...

Piscis · Jul 24, 2026

Since we are on the cusp of football season beginning, I have a question for everyone. Am I the only one who has a definitely lower level of passion for the new pro football league with college naming rights compared to the actual college football we used to have? I can't generate the same excitement, passion or level of caring for a bunch of highly paid mercenaries whose loyalty to their team is no deeper than the check they receive and whether or not they feel like they are getting the "love" they think they deserve. I don't even have as strong of feelings towards our traditional rivals anymore. It is hard to build up much animosity when you are comparing your employees to another company's employees. I doubt UPS and Fedex have strong feelings about each other besides being competitors. I can't imagine a fight breaking out between Fedex and UPS drivers over which company is better.

The never ending money squeeze from the school has worn pretty thin as well. Seeing the long time loyal fans who have stood by the team through the good and bad times pushed out so new, higher dollar donors can have their seats or seating area really takes any feelings of affection and loyalty for the program down quite a ways.

If I want the NFL experience, I'll go to an NFL game.

USCEE82 · Jul 24, 2026

It could be that you're not excited because of the team you support

gamecock stock · Jul 24, 2026

Piscis said:
Since we are on the cusp of football season beginning, I have a question for everyone. Am I the only one who has a definitely lower level of passion for the new pro football league with college naming rights compared to the actual college football we used to have? I can't generate the same excitement, passion or level of caring for a bunch of highly paid mercenaries whose loyalty to their team is no deeper than the check they receive and whether or not they feel like they are getting the "love" they think they deserve. I don't even have as strong of feelings towards our traditional rivals anymore. It is hard to build up much animosity when you are comparing your employees to another company's employees. I doubt UPS and Fedex have strong feelings about each other besides being competitors. I can't imagine a fight breaking out between Fedex and UPS drivers over which company is better.

The never ending money squeeze from the school has worn pretty thin as well. Seeing the long time loyal fans who have stood by the team through the good and bad times pushed out so new, higher dollar donors can have their seats or seating area really takes any feelings of affection and loyalty for the program down quite a ways.

If I want the NFL experience, I'll go to an NFL game.

Spot on, my friend.

I feel sorry for the generations behind me. It's just not the same for me prior to NIL. Of course that feeling may be multiplied due to the fact that my exit ramp in this road trip called "life on earth" is not that far away.

Uscg1984 · Jul 24, 2026

While I am still much more interested in college football than all the other sports combined, I have noticed my "passion," as you call it, has diminished considerably over the past few years. Normally, as we enter the fall, my anticipation for college football and the upcoming deer/elk hunting season is roughly equal, creating some difficult decisions about how I will spend my fall Saturdays. This year, most of my anticipation is centered on the hunting season by, say, an 80/20 split. No doubt, the current state of college football is a big part of that, but our miserable season last year is almost certainly a contributing factor. We'll see if some early season football success causes me to turn my attention back to football.

As college football shifts to an "NFL model," they would do well to note one very important difference between the two. With the exception of Green Bay, which is located about 75 miles from the northern edge of the Milwaukee metro, all NFL teams are located in major metropolitan areas - where's it's not all that hard to find 70,000 people willing to drop $1000 or so on a game in any given weekend.

18IsTheMan · Jul 24, 2026

It's hard to be passionate about something when the participants themselves are not passionate.

PrestonyteParrot · Jul 24, 2026

gamecock stock said:
Spot on, my friend.

I feel sorry for the generations behind me. It's just not the same for me prior to NIL. Of course that feeling may be multiplied due to the fact that my exit ramp in this road trip called "life on earth" is not that far away.

CFB has followed the lead as money has corrupted many things. CFB is no longer CFB.
Congress/Senate no longer represents their constituents, Judges no longer practice blind justice, Doctors no longer serve their patients independently of outside influence and practice the Hippocratic oath, etc.

To quote the Oliver Anthony classic song, Rich Men North of Richmond

''It's a damn shame what the world's gotten to
For people like me and people like you
Wish I could just wake up and it not be true
But it is, oh, it is
Livin' in the new world
With an old soul''

JohnnySolo · Jul 24, 2026

I'll be 50 this year and I guess it is the time in life where you start to see more of what's wrong with the world as opposed to what is beautiful. Maybe it's me.
Regardless I don't have passion to watch teenagers that get paid millions of dollars to play a game. Its been a short time since NIL or pay to play began and it's already over run with greed. Extreme greed to the point that the important things do not matter like room, board, food, education, etc. It's another way for this nation to keep people uneducated so that they can be controlled. Kind of like the Chappelle show about reparations. Its incredible Chuck these people seem to be breaking their necks to give this money back to us. Haha wit cho broke azz!!

18IsTheMan · Jul 24, 2026

JohnnySolo said:
I'll be 50 this year and I guess it is the time in life where you start to see more of what's wrong with the world as opposed to what is beautiful. Maybe it's me.
Regardless I don't have passion to watch teenagers that get paid millions of dollars to play a game. Its been a short time since NIL or pay to play began and it's already over run with greed. Extreme greed to the point that the important things do not matter like room, board, food, education, etc. It's another way for this nation to keep people uneducated so that they can be controlled. Kind of like the Chappelle show about reparations. Its incredible Chuck these people seem to be breaking their necks to give this money back to us. Haha wit cho broke azz!!

I'm hot on your heels at 49 in a few weeks and my emotions track the same.

JohnnySolo · Jul 24, 2026

My father and I combined for 55 years of giving and season tickets. At the most I will hang on to 2 tickets and pay half scholarship just so my kids have an option to go to games. That is if I don't get screwed more than I think i am after the season. I should probably write down my favorite memories of games before I forget them. The surprise wins, the losing streak snap, loudest games, best plays. I still have game worn gloves from Clowney and a few other players. One thing I never did was attend a game on field.

atl-cock · Jul 24, 2026

Uscg1984 said:
While I am still much more interested in college football than all the other sports combined, I have noticed my "passion," as you call it, has diminished considerably over the past few years. Normally, as we enter the fall, my anticipation for college football and the upcoming deer/elk hunting season is roughly equal, creating some difficult decisions about how I will spend my fall Saturdays. This year, most of my anticipation is centered on the hunting season by, say, an 80/20 split. No doubt, the current state of college football is a big part of that, but our miserable season last year is almost certainly a contributing factor. We'll see if some early season football success causes me to turn my attention back to football.

As college football shifts to an "NFL model," they would do well to note one very important difference between the two. With the exception of Green Bay, which is located about 75 miles from the northern edge of the Milwaukee metro, all NFL teams are located in major metropolitan areas - where's it's not all that hard to find 70,000 people willing to drop $1000 or so on a game in any given weekend.

How much support do the Packers get from Milwaukee metro? Without Milwaukee, the Packers would have either relocated decades ago or gone the way of the Dayton Triangles and the Providence Steam Roller.

atl-cock · Jul 24, 2026

I need to find a D-III school to get behind. Emory would be a good option (MBB was national runner-up this just-concluded season). But like most D-III schools, they don't sponsor football. What about Erskine their their revived program?

Lurker123 · Jul 24, 2026

JohnnySolo said:
I'll be 50 this year and I guess it is the time in life where you start to see more of what's wrong with the world as opposed to what is beautiful. Maybe it's me.
Regardless I don't have passion to watch teenagers that get paid millions of dollars to play a game. Its been a short time since NIL or pay to play began and it's already over run with greed. Extreme greed to the point that the important things do not matter like room, board, food, education, etc. It's another way for this nation to keep people uneducated so that they can be controlled. Kind of like the Chappelle show about reparations. Its incredible Chuck these people seem to be breaking their necks to give this money back to us. Haha wit cho broke azz!!

I was going to throw in the age thing too. I am over 50, and have commented before that my passion shifted as I got older.

Continual trips to the games turned fewer and fewer. My kids actually got annoyed at the once a year trips, and pushed for just cooking out and watching at home.

THEN you add in the semi-pro aspect, and that is killing the already dwindling passion.

I still watch the games, yell at the TV, I haven't given up on that yet.

Piscis · Jul 24, 2026

JohnnySolo said:
I'll be 50 this year and I guess it is the time in life where you start to see more of what's wrong with the world as opposed to what is beautiful. Maybe it's me.
Regardless I don't have passion to watch teenagers that get paid millions of dollars to play a game. Its been a short time since NIL or pay to play began and it's already over run with greed. Extreme greed to the point that the important things do not matter like room, board, food, education, etc. It's another way for this nation to keep people uneducated so that they can be controlled. Kind of like the Chappelle show about reparations. Its incredible Chuck these people seem to be breaking their necks to give this money back to us. Haha wit cho broke azz!!

It is "panem et circenses" all over again.

Piscis · Jul 24, 2026

atl-cock said:
I need to find a D-III school to get behind. Emory would be a good option (MBB was national runner-up this just-concluded season). But like most D-III schools, they don't sponsor football. What about Erskine their their revived program?

I work with a guy who went to Mercer. He goes to a couple games a year and from what he describes, it sounds like an old school college football experience. The school really seems to appreciate the fans coming to the game and they have some amenities for before the game for kids. He says the tailgating is pretty easy. The stadium is adjacent to campus, so game days have a real college feel according to him. The atmosphere sounds a lot like my memories of college football from the 1970s.

I've been to a couple Georgia Southern games and they really have a 1980-1990 South Carolina game feel. Crowd is big enough to feel like a real game day but small enough that parking and tailgating near the stadium is pretty easy. The problem with Georgia Southern games is, they are in Statesboro, which isn't exactly a charming town and the stadium is not really campus centric, so the "college feel" is not real strong.

If I lived close to Charleston, I think I would go to Citadel games.

Gr8spur · Jul 24, 2026

You're not alone. It's not the same anymore. I've been very vocal about my dislike (putting it mildly) for the new Transfer Portal rules and NIL. They have disemboweled the passion that lay in the belly of many a college football fan. I'll still watch. But my enthusiasm for it all has been greatly diminished. Such a shame.

Gr8spur · Jul 24, 2026

Someone famous once wrote, "The love of money is the root of all evil." By George, I think they were right.

Go Gamecocks · Jul 24, 2026

JohnnySolo said:
I'll be 50 this year and I guess it is the time in life where you start to see more of what's wrong with the world as opposed to what is beautiful.
Maybe it's me.

It's choice. And don't forget that your influences are a part of the recipe.

Go Gamecocks · Jul 24, 2026

Gr8spur said:
Someone famous once wrote, "The love of money is the root of all evil." By George, I think they were right.

His name was Paul (not the Beatle).

3USC1801 · Jul 24, 2026

I’m in the same boat, @Pisces. The interest in college sports has not only waned since NIL and the portal, but I’m getting to the place where the enjoyment has about ceased.

Uscg1984 · Jul 24, 2026

atl-cock said:
How much support do the Packers get from Milwaukee metro? Without Milwaukee, the Packers would have either relocated decades ago or gone the way of the Dayton Triangles and the Providence Steam Roller.

I would assume Milwaukee represents the vast majority of their support.

atl-cock · Jul 24, 2026

Uscg1984 said:
I would assume Milwaukee represents the vast majority of their support.

The Packers would play at least half of their games in Milwaukee in decades past.

Milwaukee had an NFL team of their own 100 years ago - the Milwaukee Admirals. This was in addition to the Packers up the road.

But as long as the folks in Green Bay can keep up with the ever-increasing demands of the NFL, e.g., stadium amenities, fan base support, etc., all is well.

Cockpride · Jul 25, 2026

It sucks

Traildust57 · Jul 25, 2026

Sgt Barnes: " there's the way it ought to be and there's the way it is......and when the machine breaks down, we break down!"

Tngamecock · Jul 25, 2026

Piscis said:
Since we are on the cusp of football season beginning, I have a question for everyone. Am I the only one who has a definitely lower level of passion for the new pro football league with college naming rights compared to the actual college football we used to have? I can't generate the same excitement, passion or level of caring for a bunch of highly paid mercenaries whose loyalty to their team is no deeper than the check they receive and whether or not they feel like they are getting the "love" they think they deserve. I don't even have as strong of feelings towards our traditional rivals anymore. It is hard to build up much animosity when you are comparing your employees to another company's employees. I doubt UPS and Fedex have strong feelings about each other besides being competitors. I can't imagine a fight breaking out between Fedex and UPS drivers over which company is better.

The never ending money squeeze from the school has worn pretty thin as well. Seeing the long time loyal fans who have stood by the team through the good and bad times pushed out so new, higher dollar donors can have their seats or seating area really takes any feelings of affection and loyalty for the program down quite a ways.

If I want the NFL experience, I'll go to an NFL game.

I get what you are saying and agree.

I think for me it just feels like if we’re winning, great and I’m excited. But if we’re losing, it’s like I don’t really care and put it behind me easily because of the team for hire reasons. That’s why when I see someone committed, I could care less until they actually show up for practice one day.

Swayin · Jul 25, 2026

Stoked for the season and still love following my alma mater. Everything exists in a state of change - I can either choose to stop supporting my Gamecocks or not dwell on the things I can’t control, so … Go Cocks!

atl-cock · Jul 25, 2026

Tngamecock said:
I get what you are saying and agree.

I think for me it just feels like if we’re winning, great and I’m excited. But if we’re losing, it’s like I don’t really care and put it behind me easily because of the team for hire reasons. That’s why when I see someone committed, I could not care less until they actually show up for practice one day.

Yes - commitment really isn't.

SuperCock99 · Jul 25, 2026

I have like 0 hype for this season and totally expect to be middle of the pack at best.

there is no desire to win big at football here.

Forkcock · Jul 26, 2026

I'm 63 and get excited every year. No matter what happens, I watch or listen to every game. It will be that way until the day I die. Go Cocks!

rockingamecock · Jul 26, 2026

Lurker123 said:
I was going to throw in the age thing too. I am over 50, and have commented before that my passion shifted as I got older.

Continual trips to the games turned fewer and fewer. My kids actually got annoyed at the once a year trips, and pushed for just cooking out and watching at home.

THEN you add in the semi-pro aspect, and that is killing the already dwindling passion.

I still watch the games, yell at the TV, I haven't given up on that yet.

I'm much older than you and my situation matches yours almost exactly. I've been pulling for the Gamecocks almost my entire life. We lived only 15 minutes from WB and went to home games and several road games for years. Since the Spurrier days it has become less and less fun every year. We now live up in Greenville county and the chances of us attending another game are pretty much non existent. Thank God for TV coverage.

gamecock stock · Jul 26, 2026

rockingamecock said:
I'm much older than you and my situation matches yours almost exactly. I've been pulling for the Gamecocks almost my entire life. We lived only 15 minutes from WB and went to home games and several road games for years. Since the Spurrier days it has become less and less fun every year. We now live up in Greenville county and the chances of us attending another game are pretty much non existent. Thank God for TV coverage.

Same here, Rock. I had season tickets for decades. But stopped about 15 years ago. My children, as a birthday present several years ago, wanted to take me to a game. That was nice. And they have been doing that ever since. But physically, it's tougher now. Watching on TV is a Godsend for me. I could not go to church today because of back pain. But I am forcing myself to go to a memorial service this afternoon for a man who was a regular customer to my Dad's retail shop and was a pallbearer at my Dad's funeral in 1969.. Going to the games is just entertainment to me. Last year may have been the last time for me. But going to this memorial service is a "must do" to me, pain or no pain, because I know my Dad would expect that from me.

KingWard · Jul 26, 2026

My interest has definitely waned in the past five-six years, even before the onset of NIL and wild-card transfers. I'll still observe Carolina, but my granddaughter is about to enter Wofford. My Dad graduated from there. I'll keep up with them.

CreekSnake · Jul 26, 2026

A friend of mine’s family had season tickets at Georgia for years.6 seats 25 rows up that was split down the middle by the 50 yard line.I could not believe it when he told me he was giving up those tickets.He said he was older and fighting the crowd just became too much.Now at 69 yrs old I totally understand .I’m fine watching from home or even listening on the radio.I’d much rather be in the woods or on the water and catch a replay later.I always tell my kids and grandkids ,”life is not a spectator sport.”I don’t want to spend the rest of my healthy years watching somebody else do something unless it’s my grandkids.

gamecox4982 · Jul 26, 2026

I use to schedule my Saturday tee time based college football. I no longer do that.

atl-cock · Jul 26, 2026

CreekSnake said:
A friend of mine’s family had season tickets at Georgia for years.6 seats 25 rows up that was split down the middle by the 50 yard line.I could not believe it when he told me he was giving up those tickets.He said he was older and fighting the crowd just became too much.Now at 69 yrs old I totally understand .I’m fine watching from home or even listening on the radio.I’d much rather be in the woods or on the water and catch a replay later.I always tell my kids and grandkids ,”life is not a spectator sport.”I don’t want to spend the rest of my healthy years watching somebody else do something unless it’s my grandkids.

Baseball and WBB are a lot easier to maneuver in Athens than football.

gamecock stock · Jul 26, 2026

KingWard said:
My interest has definitely waned in the past five-six years, even before the onset of NIL and wild-card transfers. I'll still observe Carolina, but my granddaughter is about to enter Wofford. My Dad graduated from there. I'll keep up with them.

Congrats. Along with Furman, Wofford is probably among the top 2 academic universities in the state.

kidrobinski · Jul 26, 2026

KingWard said:
My interest has definitely waned in the past five-six years, even before the onset of NIL and wild-card transfers. I'll still observe Carolina, but my granddaughter is about to enter Wofford. My Dad graduated from there. I'll keep up with them.

Well good luck and safe travels. I love football and I’ve got my heart invested in the Gamecocks; too much water under the bridge now to just toss it aside. Don’t go to games very often anymore for reasons mentioned by others in this thread; last one I went to was 2024 LSU with my son. Sat surrounded by a couple of former high school coaches, good football people from my era; despite the final outcome it was one of the most enjoyable games I’ve attended. Carolina football to me is a perpetual novel, each season a chapter. Can’t say that my interest has waned a bit truthfully; seasons are short and the wait between is long. Passion might not be what it was when I was younger but my interest continues unabated.

atl-cock · Jul 29, 2026

gamecock stock said:
Congrats. Along with Furman, Wofford is probably among the top 2 academic universities in the state.

What is a "non-academic" university?

gamecock stock · Jul 29, 2026

atl-cock said:
What is a "non-academic" university?

I didn't want anyone to think I was referring to athletics and think I rate Furman and Wofford ahead of us.

Piscis · Jul 29, 2026

atl-cock said:
What is a "non-academic" university?

Auburn

Gamecock Jacque · Aug 1, 2026

atl-cock said:
What is a "non-academic" university?

Clemson.

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