The 2026 college football season has kicked off with fervor, but attendance at games has become a contentious issue, particularly for the Alabama Crimson Tide. During their season opener against East Carolina, which ended in a commanding 48-10 victory for Alabama, images surfaced showing noticeable empty sections in Bryant-Denny Stadium as the game progressed. This has led to discussions among fans and commentators alike regarding the state of college football attendance.
Sports commentator Colin Cowherd took to social media to voice his criticism of the Crimson Tide's crowd, labeling the attendance as "disgraceful" and questioning whether Alabama can truly be considered a real college football town. His remarks were sparked by the stark contrast between the official attendance figure, which claimed a sellout, and the visual evidence of empty seats late in the game.
Cowherd's post read, "Alabama attendance is disgraceful. Not a real college football town," which quickly garnered attention and sparked a wave of responses from Alabama fans. Many took to social media to defend their team, pointing out that the attendance was significantly higher than that of the USC Trojans, who have also faced scrutiny for their crowd sizes in recent weeks.
USC has been under the microscope for its attendance figures despite winning against both San Jose State and Fresno State. Fans have expressed disappointment over the lack of support at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, especially considering the excitement surrounding the team and their Heisman hopeful quarterback, Jayden Maiava. Cowherd’s jab at Alabama appears to have been a pointed comment in light of this ongoing debate about attendance in college football.
In response to Cowherd's comments, Alabama supporters were quick to defend their home crowd. One fan remarked, "Not only was the attendance DOUBLE that of USC, but it was also the hottest game in the history of the stadium! You are officially a clown." Others shared images from earlier in the game that depicted a fuller stadium, countering Cowherd's narrative.
Some fans pointed out that the images Cowherd referenced were taken late in the fourth quarter, suggesting that the empty seats were a result of the game's outcome rather than a lack of support. One user noted, "This was in the 4th quarter with 2 mins left btw," emphasizing that the dynamic of the game can affect attendance as fans leave early when a game is well in hand.
As the debate continues, Cowherd has yet to address the backlash from Alabama fans publicly. It remains to be seen whether he will discuss the attendance issues further on his radio show, "The Herd," or if he will choose to move on from the topic. The conversation around attendance in college football is likely to persist as teams like Alabama and USC navigate their seasons amid heightened scrutiny.
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