8 simple reasons why we still love college football heading into 2026 season

Sporting News celebrated its 140th anniversary ahead of the 2026 football season with content overflowing with all the reasons we love college football. All-decade All-America teams. Teams of the decade. Greatest teams ever. Greatest personalities ever. Greatest sport ever? That unconditional love has been tested this offseason with everything off the field. We spent most of the offseason yapping about district court rulings about player eligibility – a battle that continues into Week 1 with players who played during the NFL preseason. You couldn't go a day without hearing about Brendan Sorsby in June or the Protect College Sports Act in July. Name, Image and Likeness. Transfer portal. College Football Playoff expansion. It's a series of collisions at dysfunction junction, but the good new