I just read this whole thread from start to finish for the first time.  This has to be the bitchiest thread on all of BP.
I for one haven't played any version of this game for some three years.  I had an original Xbox, and didn't have the money back then to buy a whole new console when they stopped publishing it for the one I had.  Now that I do have the money, an HDTV and a better lot in life I miss my college football game.  I'm also in the market for a BluRay player, so I'll probably be buying a PS3 and making this game the first one I buy to go with it.
I don't care if it's unrealistic.  I don't really care if it's not the best possible version of the game they could make.  I bought the new version of this game every year for a long time, and I have no doubt this one will beat the hell out of any version of it I've played before.  It's only a video game though.  If I want to see something that looks realistic I'll watch real football.  If I want to experience something that feels realistic I'll play real football.