freerepublic
Several college football programs have raised eyebrows this season with noticeably empty seats in their stadiums. A photograph capturing the Oklahoma Sooners' home game against the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday has gone viral, and similar images from other venues are surfacing online.
The trend gained attention earlier this year when USC kicked off its 2026 season in front of a sparse crowd, and now more games are reportedly suffering from low attendance. Observers are questioning why some teams are struggling to attract fans to watch in person.
Jason Whitlock, a former ESPN analyst, thinks he has the answer. In his view, the sport's regular season has lost its significance, conference championships no longer capture interest, and longstanding rivalries have been watered down. Whitlock points to the playoff system, mega-conferences, and the transfer portal as factors that have damaged college football.
Key Analysis
Critics echo Whitlock's concerns, arguing that mega-conferences and the expanded transfer portal have hurt the sport and that the situation may deteriorate further. They also highlight practical issues: television networks schedule game times to maximize viewership, often at the expense of fan comfort and player welfare in extreme heat. Additionally, shifting campus demographics—with women making up over 60% of enrollment at many schools and a growing number of international students—mean fewer students are invested in football. Rising costs for tickets, parking, and hotels add another barrier, leaving many fans feeling priced out.
Originally reported by freerepublic.