BEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEBSITES AND YOUTUBE CHANNELS YOU SHOULD BE FOLLOWING IN 2025: BUFFSBLOG MAILBAG REVISITED

[Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from the BuffsBlog mailbag that previously posted, with some additional information added since the publishing of the mailbag. For more mailbag, including CU-related questions (!) check out the mailbag at: https://buffsblog.com/cu-football-and-lawrence-welk-its-a-buffsblog-mailbag/]

Mailbag question: “What are some of your favorite college football websites?” — Dan D. in Mead, Colorado

MGoBlog: The Original Fan Analytics Haven

Every movement needs a trailblazer, and for smart college football fandom, MGoBlog is that pioneer. If you haven’t heard of it, MGoBlog is a legendary independent blog devoted to University of Michigan sports. But calling it “just a blog” is problematic. MGoBlog has become the gathering place for Michigan’s most die-hard, detail-obsessed fans – and it set the template for fan-driven analysis sites everywhere. In fact, BuffsBlog unabashedly aspires to be for Colorado what MGoBlog is for Michigan. Why? Because MGoBlog showed that a couple of passionate fans can create coverage that kicks the ass of the traditional media on both insight and entertainment….which is exactly what we’re trying to do here at BuffsBlog. I mean, just read  https://buffsblog.com/about/

What makes MGoBlog special? For starters, its tone and style are utterly unique: Brian Cook, the founder, basically invented a form of “geeky, gonzo journalism” supercharged with sarcasm and statistics. Seth Fischer, the current editor, carries on this unique approach. One minute you’re reading an in-depth breakdown of Michigan’s offensive line technique, the next you’re catching an absurd inside joke about a fictional receiver named “Tacopants” (MGoBlog lore for an imaginary 11-foot-tall receiver used to explain overthrown balls) or Zoltan “Space Emperor – of Space!.” Cook populated the blog with an oddball vernacular all its own – terms like Unverified Voracity (for link roundups) and references to The Horror (the infamous 2007 App State upset).

Crucially, MGoBlog marries that wit with serious analytical chops. The content assumes fans do care about strategy and nuance. MGoBlog’s weekly game reviews (the famed “Upon Further Review” posts) go play-by-play, grading players and dissecting schemes in almost coach-like detail. Back in 2004 when the blog started, such depth was unheard of outside of coaching circles or nerdy message boards. Brian Cook basically said “screw it, I’m a maniacal fan and I’m going to write the detailed analysis I want to read” – and lo and behold, there were thousands of similarly maniacal fans thirsting for it. By 2011, MGoBlog had become arguably the largest independent team-specific sports blog in the U.S., pulling in millions of page views and even hiring a staff. For context, even die-hard Ohio State fans (grudgingly) respect it – the founder of OSU’s Eleven Warriors site called MGoBlog “one of the largest college sports blogs around… pretty far ahead of everybody else.”

That, my friends, is what we aspire towards.

As an aisde — if you’re interested in helping build this site into the CU version of MGoBlog.com, and are a killer — like, killer — writer, or adept at social media, or a website development star, drop me a line at [email protected] (the email address that explains that it’s an email address). This site is on its way.

Late Kick with Josh Pate: YouTube’s Voice of Reason

If MGoBlog is the nerdy college professor of fan content, then Josh Pate of The Late Kick is the cool TA who can break down the hardest material in plain English. Pate hosts Late Kick, a very popular YouTube show (and podcast) that has quickly become must-watch for college football diehards. Think of him as the antithesis of your typical screaming TV pundit. Josh Pate built his brand on being level-headed, deeply informed, and fan-focused. In his own tagline, he promises: “No debates or hot takes – just a channel for those of us who live for Saturdays”. And he delivers on that promise.

I remember stumbling onto Late Kick around the time Deion Sanders was hired at Colorado. Every national outlet was yelling over each other with opinions on Deion Sanders, but Pate’s coverage stood out – he analyzed the strategy behind Sanders’ roster moves and the context of the hype, instead of just the hype itself. He treated Colorado as seriously as he’d treat Alabama or Ohio State, which for a Buffs fan was refreshing amid the usual SEC-centric noise. And when things went south for CU later in the season, Pate didn’t dunk or spin; he calmly broke down what happened and what it meant for the bigger picture. That kind of even-keeled analysis is gold. It’s no exaggeration to say Josh Pate is one of the most trusted voices in college football media right now – he’s built a tight, loyal community of fans who appreciate that he doesn’t yell into the camera or deal in manufactured outrage. In a world of Skip Baylesses and Kendrick Perkinses, we need more Josh Pates.

If you crave substantive discussion and a national perspective that still respects each fanbase’s passion, Late Kick is your jam. (Pro tip: it’s on YouTube, so if you have YouTube Premium you can listen to episodes like a podcast during your commute – more on the necessity of YouTube Premium for CFB fans in a bit!)

Hardcore College Football History: Where the Past Comes Alive

Ever find yourself waxing poetic about the days of leather helmets and wishing someone would dig into the real old-school era of college football? If so, the Hardcore College Football History channel on YouTube is about to be your new obsession. This hidden gem (only about 7–8k subscribers so far) scratches an itch that mainstream coverage never will: it explores the origins and evolution of the sport, in all their gritty, fascinating detail. We’re talking really old school – the channel’s videos focus primarily on 1869 through 1990, the eras when American college football was basically being invented out of the muck of rugby scrums and brass-knuckle brawls. It might sound esoteric, but trust me, if you love college football, within minutes you’ll be riveted by the stories and context this channel provides.

The videos are filmed in the basement of a Nebraska Corndogs fan’s house. Despite their inglorious origins, however, the videos are fantastic. They combine history with college football better than 99% of college football content, and they’re an easy way to learn about college football’s history over the past 100 years. One of the videos that I highly recommend is the video on the Single Wing offense, which dominated college football from 1910 to about 1945. The single wing offense also happens to be the offense coached by my youth football coach, Dan Rushing, which we used to great success in the Longmont Junior Football League in the late 1980s. Hajek Chevrolet Football (and the Rushing family) forever!!!!

What sets this channel apart is its passion for storytelling. The narrator’s tone is enthusiastic and a bit dramatic – in a good way. He might open a video with a hook like, “What’s the most unbelievable team feat in college football history?” and proceed to tell you about the 1899 Sewanee Tigers, a small-school team that went 5-0 in a six-day span, traveling by train and shutting out all opponents (look it up, it really happened!). By the end you’re fist-pumping for a team from 120 years ago. That’s the magic of HCFH: it reminds us that the sport’s past is as epic as any modern game. And along the way, you pick up awesome bar trivia knowledge (e.g. which rule change in 1910 finally legalized the forward pass properly, or how “11 deaths in 1909” led to a massive overhaul in 1910). The channel’s motto could be “Love college football? Love history? This channel is both together!”  – it unabashedly caters to history nerds and football nerds alike, which, it turns out, is a delightful combination.

I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first – would black-and-white photos of turn-of-the-century teams really hold my attention? But the production values (while modest) are solid: there’s archival imagery, clear explanations of old rules (with diagrams), and a narrative through-line that connects those dusty events to the present day. After watching a few videos, I not only learned a ton (I can now explain why touchdowns are 6 points instead of 5, for instance), but I also gained a deeper appreciation for the sport.

GFed’s Stadium Tours: The Road Trip of a Lifetime

If you’ve ever daydreamed about visiting every famous stadium in the country, GFed is living that dream (and maybe a touch of the nightmare) for you. GFed is a content creator who has dubbed himself “the internet’s Stadium Tour Guide”, and that pretty much captures it. His YouTube channel (and TikTok) is all about college football road-tripping on steroids: he travels to campuses across the nation, gives you stadium tours, ranks the venues, and – here’s the wild part – attempts something he calls the “Walk-On Challenge.” What’s that? Essentially, GFed tries to sneak or talk his way onto the field of every Division I football stadium in America, filming the whole escapade. It’s part urban exploration, part fandom, part prank, and it’s wildly entertaining in a way that only a college football nut would attempt.

Imagine a slightly mischievous, energetic guy showing up at, say, Clemson’s Death Valley or the Rose Bowl on a non-game day, and seeing if he can, through charm or sheer bravado, get past security for a quick toss of the football on the hallowed turf. GFed has done this at dozens of schools – from powerhouse programs to obscure mid-majors. Sometimes he succeeds, sometimes he gets denied and has to abort mission. Either way, you get a fun tour of the stadium facilities and the campus atmosphere. It’s the kind of offbeat, fan-oriented content you’ll never see on ESPN. I found myself watching his “Walk-On Challenge” attempts like a mini-heist film: will he persuade the old equipment manager to let him in?  The suspense is real (at least for us college football dorks). And beyond the hijinks, GFed often showcases the unique charms of each venue – student section layouts, cool statues, local traditions, etc. It’s catnip for those of us who consider places like Notre Dame Stadium or the Big House to be bucket-list pilgrimage sites.

GFed’s channel isn’t only about sneaking into stadiums. He also does more straightforward content like ranking stadium experiences (he claims to have visited all 133 FBS stadiums, so he’s got receipts) and vlogging on game days. His personality is a big part of the appeal: he’s enthusiastic, a little goofy, and totally unabashed in his love for college football culture. Watching him, you kind of feel like you’re piling into an old SUV with your buddy on a cross-country stadium tour. It’s highly entertaining, especially if you enjoy shows like ESPN’s old College GameDay crowd shots or the YouTube channel “Stadiums USA”. GFed basically took that concept and added a personal, gonzo twist.

The Buffs YouTube Tsunami and Why YouTube Premium is Your Friend

By now you might be thinking, “This is all great, but I’m a Colorado fan – what about content about the Buffs specifically?”

The past 2 years at CU has been unlike anything I’ve ever seen in terms of media content. Thanks to the Deion Sanders phenomenon, there’s been a sheer tsunami of Buffs-related YouTube content pouring forth daily. It’s exhilarating… and overwhelming. On one hand, we’ve never had so many people talking about Colorado football – from national voices to local vloggers – but on the other, how do you filter the signal from the noise?

Some of it the content been fantastic – we get to see team meetings, locker room speeches, the raw moments that make you feel like you’re part of the journey. Each of Well Off Media, Reach The People Media, and Thee Pregame Show offer their own view of the program. However, it’s important to remember that this kind of coverage is all part of the CU State Sponsored Media. It’s fascinating, and offers insight into the program, but it’s rarely controversial and rarely tells a story that Deion Sanders doesn’t want to have out in public.

We also have local outlets like DNVR Buffs doing podcasts and analyses, plus every national podcast suddenly doing Colorado segments. It’s been a content bonanza. However – and this is a big however – not all content is created equal. With the hype came a lot of… let’s say questionable stuff. Dozens of clickbait YouTube channels popped up with sensational titles like “SHOCKING Coach Prime News!” that often were just regurgitating old quotes or baseless rumors. Sorting through the fluff to get to the good stuff became a daily task for fans.

My strategy? I embraced being a modern fan and invested in YouTube Premium. I’m only half-joking when I say YouTube Premium is essential for CU fans now. Why? Because when you have literally dozens of Buffs videos to potentially watch each day, you cannot be sitting through ads every 30 seconds. With Premium, I can throw on the latest “Well Off” vlog or a Late Kick segment about Colorado while I’m cooking or commuting, let it play in the background (yes, background play is a lifesaver), and not worry about my phone screen staying on or an ad interrupting Deion Sanders’ pregame talk. Also, given how much content there is, I often watch on 1.25x or 1.5x speed (sorry, but time is of the essence when you’re consuming CU content). Premium makes that smoother, too. Honestly, it’s the best $15 a month a hardcore fan can spend – consider it an investment in your fandom sanity.

Ultimately, with the almost unlimited amount of CU content, curation is key. As BuffsBlog readers know, we try to follow a similar philosophy here: we’ll leave the breathless newsbreaking to others and focus on what matters. YouTube fandom can be the same way. If you curate wisely (and get that sweet ad-free experience), the volume of CU content becomes a blessing rather than a curse. I will say, it’s been fun to have so many voices in the mix – the energy on YouTube on a big Buffs game week is electric.

These are just a few of our favorite college football-related websites. What other websites / youtube sites should I be aware of? Drop a comment below! (and bonus points if your answer is BuffsBlog)