It doesn't matter if i'ts popular or not. Auburn is there for a primary reason, education. The sooner that the NFL (and other pro sports) realize that they should just take anyone who can play at the level, without forcing them to "go to college" and enter the charade that is SEC academics, the better.
The airport isn't primarily there for education at Auburn. Even so, I don't see a reason to stop training on Friday due to football on Saturday. If the students and instructors can't handle the air traffic on Friday they will be in trouble later on.
"SEC academics"? *sigh* Sorry, but it's been a problem since forever and at all universities with a big football program. My father talks about universities having remedial math, English and even reading for some of the college football players back in the late 60's.
I think it's cute you believe the NFL is forcing people to go to college. Only a very small percentage of college football players ever make it to the NFL. Universities
love college football. Plus the vast majority of football players that do make it to the NFL need more training. Colleges would resist athletes skipping college more than the NFL would want that. Football, and sometimes basketball, generally pay for all of the other sports on campus. Tennis team, gymnastics, soccer, volleyball, softball, and more. All paid for by football. Without football they would have to find another way to fund those other athletic programs.
Football is popular, which means it attracts more college students. Yes, colleges use football to attract students. Our youngest daughter was only interested in going to a school with a Division I football team. She is on a merit scholarship, missed straight A's by 2 points in one class her freshman year, got an exemption to study abroad this summer after just her freshman year and they only accepted students after their sophomore year, so she's no academic slouch. She just happens to like football.
We have a university here in the Atlanta metro area, Kennesaw State (KSU). KSU was mostly a night school when I moved to Atlanta in 1990. Then it grew to a more regular college. More recently they added a football team. It was done to A) attract more students and B) keep alumni better tied to the school (in the hopes for more donations from alumni).
Oh, I neither played football nor am I a huge fan. I enjoy watching a game every so often, but never held season tickets. I only saw 4 or 5 games while at college and Bo Jackson was playing the first couple of years I was at Auburn. I just realize it's very important to many other people.