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I remember my first college football game like it was yesterday. Gazing across the lot, seeing rows upon rows of trucks, RVs with TVs playing whatever game was on, people under tents swilling liquor and moonshine pulls and girls in sundresses as far as the eye could see. I was severely sunburnt, not entirely drunk enough, and someone threw up and it splattered on my shoes, but I was addicted.
Growing up, I never really watched much college football. I grew up in a terrible state where no one cared about the state’s college football team (it rhymes with Buttgers) as sports coverage was dominated by professional teams. Sure I enjoyed going to the Bronx to see the Yankees, MSG to see the Rangers or the occasional Giants or Jets game, but honestly, I never really got into it that much. Upon arriving on campus, I had never seen school pride. Everyone was completely and totally devoted, regardless of political affiliation, race, sex or creed.
The atmosphere at college football games (pending your team doesn’t have gestapo party laws or you go to BYU) has a feeling of electricity in the air that I’ve yet to ever experience elsewhere. I’ve been to quite a few NFL games, but they just don’t do it like they do for college games. I know that people tailgate and have fun at NFL games, but to me, it’s not a connection like one has with their alma mater. Part of what makes college football great is that the same kids playing on the field are in your class on Monday. In grad school, two former first round picks were students in my class. One day, one of them spotted me out at the bar. He had come back to celebrate being drafted. He remembered me being his GTA, we made small talk, I congratulated him and did a shot with him.
The great part about college football is that every season holds new hope. The team may have fallen short of predictions, won more than they were supposed to, or been a complete dumpster fire like Mizzou’s, but each new fall brings in a chance to see greatness or at least a chance to see improvements. Bringing a key recruit, watching diamonds in the rough mature right before your eyes, or seeing a program legend play makes me nostalgic just thinking about it.
I live for the six to seven home game weekends, the away game parties and the bye weeks spent watching other conference foes. I start talking with my fellow tailgaters around mid-summer to plan our tailgating menu. I’ve locked down a tailgate since grad school and the number of partiers has continued to grow. I also love that my out-of-town friends (those lucky/smart enough to move away postgrad) always come to visit.
I know when August hits that it’s all a waiting game. It’s been tough since EA stopped making NCAA Football a few years back, but I’ve managed. Many of you reading this may have attended a college with solid sports or have a particular allegiance and know what I’m talking about. I can’t wait to smell the sizzling foods on the grill, hear the band play, drink myself back to a 20-year-old undergrad and sing Country Roads..
Image via Aspen Photo / Shutterstock.com
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Madoff
I specialize in damage control, being the drunkest at any and all functions and social assassination. Always appreciate a strong gif game. Follow me on Twitter. Sometimes I put up cool stuff about golfing at the local dirt tracks.
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I had an epiphany the other day that made me realize why college football is the best and better than the NFL.
College football games are on Saturday
NFL games are on Sunday.
Do the math.
I approve this message.
I do agree that CFB is inherently better, however, if Sundays didn’t have NFL games the scaries would be much worse. But it then again reminds you that because you are watching the NFL, it more than likely is Sunday. Vicious cycle…
And god forbid your team lose on Sunday. May as well just give up on having a good week right then and there.
I’m a Lions fan so you can figure out the rest….
Watching college football also reminds all of us of our glory years. NFL football is a reminder that we most likely (I refuse to give up on my dream) won’t ever be professional athletes.
Been preparing my liver for months for the sheer volume of alcohol I will consume while wearing sunglasses to stare at babes much younger than myself and have conversations where I’m way to optimistic about my teams actual chances.
– Me, every year
I personally can’t wait to come and rage again this year. Last year was AWESOME.
Can’t wait to get hammered, go to a power five conference stadium I’ve never been to, and watch my FCS alma mater get spanked by them.
It’s okay Kansas, we’re getting closer to basketball season too.
Win or lose, we still booze #wv
Mediocre seats, a truly awful home schedule, an I can’t wait. Recipes written out, beer and cocktails planned (to be immediately discarded in favor of a keg)- nothing left but the screaming.
And crying after the inevitable and inexplicable loss knocking us out of playoff contention.
That’s what makes it great man.
I’m hoping that this is finally the year where my Bruins don’t choke and actually make it to a high tier bowl game. With the 49ers looking like a steaming pile of rotting dog shit, UCLA is my only hope for a decent football team to root for this year. Otherwise I’ll be relegated to NFL Red Zone and rooting for whoever plays against USC and Bama.
I like UCLA as much as any reasonable person with a disturbing hatred for USC does, but really hoping this is the year our win streak hits double digits.
Setting up for disappointment early, UCLA is going to lose their first game.
Go Cougs buddy.
Go Buffs!
You poor soul
Go Cats! Oh wait, it’s not basketball season yet
Fork ‘Em! Though in all honesty, both our teams will only get 6-8 wins, per usual. Yay football!
As a baylor fan, I will fully embrace this could be the last good season for at least a decade, I will be that guy at the bar/tailgate/stadium every single week this year.