For many of us, NCAA was more than just a video game, it was an extension of our knowledge, fandom, and experiences in the world of football.
Some love it for the ridiculousness that can be coerced out of an AI, such as exploiting glitches on read options or the fact that the CPU can never figure out how to cover a halfback screen.
Others loved online play, where they could test their skills against friends— and subsequently throw controllers across the room and call the game broken.
Still more (talking about yours truly here) loved the ability to play with and customize rosters.