It is a mistake to watch only college football’s name brands. The “Power Five” may get the primetime matchups, the Playoff berths and most of the headlines, but the sport’s true beauty lies as much within the other half of the 130 teams in the FBS. Watching Notre Dame on a given Saturday can be enjoyable, but for many others, watching schools in the MAC or the Sun Belt means just as much.
That passion thus creates gameday environments every bit the equal of Notre Dame Stadium this weekend, and then players want to shine in those atmospheres.