College Football Fanatics

[lawyerlee]

Where are my college football fanatics at? Come on in!!! :D

I'm an alum of Kansas State University (undergrad), so I cheer for them in football season. I'm also an alum of the University of Kansas, so I follow them too, but I'm definitely loyal to K-State. We had a terrible season last year, but my husband is extremely optimistic about this coming season being much, much better. I'm more cautious, but still hoping for better results. I tend to follow all of the Big 12 teams. And even though I hate some of them immensively (especially some of the South teams) during the regular season, I'll always cheer for a Big 12 victory over another conference. ;) :)

I love college football season. There's just nothing else like it, in my opinion. The tailgating, the school spirit, the rivalries - it's all so much fun!

[UTChick]

Thanks for starting this up. As you can probably tell, I am from one of *those* Big 12 South schools. I love, love, love college football! DH went to the University of Florida and we are always having the Big 12 vs. SEC debates.

The Longhorns had a disappointing season last year (meaning we lost to OU) and they didn't fire Mack Brown (which I was hoping for) but I will always bleed burnt orange. I love my team. In fact, the only down-side to us TTC right now is that if I get pg, we can't go to our favorite sports bar and drink beer while watching games on Saturdays like we have for so many years. Oh well...

Now I can't wait for football season to begin. This is going to be fun!

[Wrighty26]

My hubby and I are both FSU Alumni :D Football season is our favorite time of year... We aren't as crazy as these two:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/1999/bowls/sugar/news/2000/01/04/tallahassee_reax_ap/t1_fans_ap_01.jpg

But we love our Noles :D

[Atlanta_eBride]

Wrighty26, OMG I've SO seen those guys at the games. FH and I use to have season tickets but haven't been to a game in two years - we are having serious withdrawl.

My school (woman's college) didn't have a football team so I adopted FSU since FH went there and just about all of my family. Tailgating there is more like a family reunion.

[cakes]

HUGE Notre Dame fan here. Most of my dad's family went there, so although I didnt go I'm still a huge fan. I've got a link to the countdown on my myspace page :D I cant wait. My little cousin is going to be a freshman there this year and I'm so excited to go visit her for games. We just found out we won (well won the right to buy) 4 tickets to the home opener w/ Michigan State!!!

Countdown (http://und.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/nd-m-footbl-body.html)

[PGirl26]

Wohooo, love college football!!!! GOOOOOO VOLS!!!!! I love the first game of the season, hot and humid, tailgating, hearing the roar of the crowd in Neyland Stadium...the band playing....just gets me allllll kinds of excited...!! Love this thread <3

GO TENNESSEE!!

[lawyergirl25]

ON WISCONSIN!

I'm not a huge college football fan, but when I do watch I'm cheering on the Badgers. :)

[scarlett]

GO BUCKS!

DH and I are huge Ohio State fans. We went to every game (home, away, and bowl) during the 2002 and 2003 seasons. It was fantastic. Since then, we've just gone to all the home games, and a few select away games. I can't wait till the season. I love college football!

UTChick - How's the anticipation there for the UT-OSU game? It should be very exciting. It'll be huge here. We have tickets for this year's game and we're hoping to get tickets for there next year.

[sem426]

lawyergirl GO BADGERS!!
UW ALUM HERE!

I love college football! It's my favorite time of the year!

[UTChick]

scarlett~
I am just excited that the powers that be at UT are finally looking to play challenging teams for our out-of-conference games. No offense to the teams we have been playing, but really...UNT, Rutgers, New Mexico State, etc. My DH has been saying for years that UT needs to be playing more challenging teams in order to get more respect. Of course he is always bragging on Florida playing FSU and Miami as their out-of-conference games. Anyway, it should be an interesting match-up. I hope the 'horns show up!!

[paiger]

Carolina Gamecock fans here!! DH starts a countdown as soon as the previous season ends! We love going to the games and going sports bars to watch the games. Living in NC now his favorite thing to say is that he is a 'real Carolina' fan!
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:9Dlv6wYJTYIJ:www.secsports.com/new/sports/fbc/logos/usc.jpg

[fuzzy]

ardathpaige !! Woo-hoo! GOOOOOOOOOOOOO COCKS!

[Katyanne]

Hello Ladies!!!
YAY!! Football!! I love football!

DH and I love cheering for University of Michigan. We've been able to attend a few games and its always a blast. I'm a geek because I also love watching the halftime Marching band shows ;)

Katie

[jessied1025]

lawyergirl & sem426 GO BADGERS!!

My DH and I love to watch college football especially the Wisconsin Badgers. I love attending the games any chance I get.

[Chimichanga]

On Wisconsin!

I didn't go to UW, neither did DH, but we still enjoy rooting for them. Plus, DH knows many of the players since he's a sportswriter in the Milwaukee area (and they recruit heavily in-state).

For the Michigan fans here - I need some help please.
I'm surprising DH with a trip to see a Michigan game for his birthday. We'll be there Friday through Sunday. If anyone has restaurant recommendations - that would be great! We're not huge bar people and I'd imagine they can get a bit busy, so we'd probably bypass the bars.

TIA!

[Katyanne]

He'll love your birthday present! :)
Are you driving to Michigan or flying? I know that Weber's in Ann Arbor will let you park for free at their restraunt then shuttle you over to the stadium and back if you eat dinner there after the game.
http://www.webersinn.com/restaurant/index.asp They can be kinda pricey though. But if you go on his birthday his meal would be half off.

Damon's http://www.damons.com/
3150 Boardwalk St. Ann Arbor MI 48108 Its only a few miles from the stadium and they have great food.

Where are you staying at while you're there? I have tons of different recommendations for food in Ann Arbor and the surroundig areas. I'm not a huge bar person either :)

Katie

[ee_chick]

Hello ladies!

I'm a proud USC alum, and I love college football! I can't wait for the season to start. DH on the other hand is thoroughly embarrassed by my football behavior. He hides in the office, playing video games so he doesn't have to hear me yell at the TV. :D

I'm hoping for a three-peat, but I know I'm the only one in here so far that is. :)

Fight On Trojans!!!

[Chimichanga]

Katyanne - thanks for the suggestions!! :D

Unfortunately we're going about two months before his birthday. The only game I could get tickets for is in September - his birthday is in November (on thanksgiving). I'm going to do a cute surprise though. :)

We're staying at Best Value Inn & Suites on South State St. We're driving there - leaving Friday morning from the Milwuakee WI area (hopefully will avoid Chicago rush hour).

I'm definitely going to check out those links - thanks so much!! We're probably going to be around the college on Saturday to buy souveneirs and stuff.

[framboise]

Oh you're not the only one ee_chick! I'm cheering for a 3-Pete too! Even with Norm "going pro", I think we've got a great shot. Pete is such a good coach, Reggie can sneak through the smallest holes in the opposing defense & Matt is hot. What more do we need? :D

I'm sorry that your DH doesn't share your passion. My FH & I are equally crazy fans. Trojan football is probably the main reason our families get along so well actually!

38 days until kickoff I believe......

[juliemag]

My hubby and I are both FSU Alumni :D Football season is our favorite time of year... We aren't as crazy as these two:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/1999/bowls/sugar/news/2000/01/04/tallahassee_reax_ap/t1_fans_ap_01.jpg

But we love our Noles :D

LOL --- I have a picture on my desk at work with these guys!!!! Go noles! :D

[calliope_muses]

Roll Tide Roll!

http://members.tripod.com/~drphilgood/images4/ComesTheTide.gif

Dreaming of the day we might actually have a good team again!


And UTChick - I hope ya'll crush the Sooners this year! Do me a favor and crush Fran's Aggies too, ok? ;)

[UTChick]

And UTChick - I hope ya'll crush the Sooners this year! Do me a favor and crush Fran's Aggies too, ok? ;)

You have no idea how badly we need to beat OU - it is becoming pathetic. One of my good friends went to OU undergrad and law school and I have been hearing crap from him for years. Aggies shouldn't be a problem this year. I know they have a good coach now but I think they are still a little young.

[Mentul77]

I'm with PGirl,

GO VOLS!!! Rocky Top, you'll always be, home sweet home to meeeeeeeeee!

[calliope_muses]

Aggies shouldn't be a problem this year. I know they have a good coach now but I think they are still a little young.

It's not the Aggies themselves I mind so much, but I absolutely HATE Fran. The way he left 'Bama in the middle of the night without so much as a 'goodbye' to the team was crap. I rejoice every time he gets stomped.

My hubby is a Sooner fan and gets so mad when I pull against them - but I can't help it. He and his friends have gotten so cocky that it's kind of fun for me when they get knocked down a peg!

[t3h_wookiee]

BOOMER SOONER!!!

:D

I do have to admit that I'm actually worried this year about the OU-TX game. I'm hoping for 6 in a row, but that Vince Young kid is getting good now. Huge sigh of relief though that Derrick Johnson graduated-man he was AWESOME! Only 'Horn I've ever rooted for in the draft. :)

I'm very excited about this year, and seeing what Adrian can do. I really hope that he didn't get burned out and that he wasn't a one-year wonder (I truly don't believe that he is). I'm also excited to see Paul finally get to start (well I'm assuming he will-Stoops still hasn't announced who is the starting QB yet.) We didn't buy student tickets this year, but we are getting the College Gameday package and watching all of the games. :D And tailgating down at the stadium of course! I can't wait for the season to start!!

[t3h_wookiee]

It's not the Aggies themselves I mind so much, but I absolutely HATE Fran. The way he left 'Bama in the middle of the night without so much as a 'goodbye' to the team was crap. I rejoice every time he gets stomped.

My hubby is a Sooner fan and gets so mad when I pull against them - but I can't help it. He and his friends have gotten so cocky that it's kind of fun for me when they get knocked down a peg!


Man I'm with you there on Fran. I was really pissed off about that too. He has done wonder at TAMU, but still, it wasn't right leaving the way he did! :mad:

I love my Sooners, but I HATE the cocky fans! Especially the ones who go on and on about how much UT sucks or whatever. I just don't understand it really. I'm upset when we lose (especially when we decide to stay on the bus for the bowl games instead of playing.... :rolleyes: ), but I don't get all pissy about it, and I don't get all cocky and gloat when we win.

[UTChick]

I love my Sooners, but I HATE the cocky fans! Especially the ones who go on and on about how much UT sucks or whatever. I just don't understand it really. I'm upset when we lose (especially when we decide to stay on the bus for the bowl games instead of playing.... :rolleyes: ), but I don't get all pissy about it, and I don't get all cocky and gloat when we win.


Good to know...just in case things don't go my way in October. ;) Glad to see an OU fan around...I think it will be fun! :D By they way, DH is a Gator and he and his friends dream up all the ways they would try to woo Stoops back to Florida if they ever met him. However, they are pretty happy with Urban being there this year.

[Camdynlyn]

I bleed red for NC STATE! Always have and always will. I am waiting for our season tickets to come in the mail. I went to school with one of the players that was just picked up by Atlanta Falcons so I am a little bummed I can't cheer for my high school alumni buddy but I will live!


GO PACK! :D

[t3h_wookiee]

Good to know...just in case things don't go my way in October. ;) Glad to see an OU fan around...I think it will be fun! :D By they way, DH is a Gator and he and his friends dream up all the ways they would try to woo Stoops back to Florida if they ever met him. However, they are pretty happy with Urban being there this year.


I think it will too. :D I know so many UT fans, and all of them are great. Mamacita and Delta are two on here, and then another woman from down there too (though she's not on here). I can't say the same for my Sooners fans though. :( Ah well, I'm good at least! :D

Florida would kill to have Stoops back. I was so afraid that he'd actually accept their last offer! I think his wife would kill him though. She adores it here in Norman, and so do his kids.

And hey, even if we lose, I'm cheering for whatever Big XII South team makes it to Houston. And then whatever Big XII team goes to a bowl. :)

[calliope_muses]

Jess, you're the kind of fan I respect and who is so much fun to be around come game time. I love my team too and hate like hell to lose, but I've never understood the outright nastiness I see sometimes.

I don't think I ever divulged the fact that I spent a year at OU (can't honestly say I learned anything, but I had a damn good time!)... When the hubby isn't around I root for them. Especially when they're playing TAMU! ;)

[tgray99]

In fact, the only down-side to us TTC right now is that if I get pg, we can't go to our favorite sports bar and drink beer while watching games on Saturdays like we have for so many years. Oh well...

Now I can't wait for football season to begin. This is going to be fun!
I was pregnant through all of the Aggies' football season last year and it was no fun! Everybody drinking and having a big ol' time and me pregnant. Oh well, DD was worth it!

[t3h_wookiee]

Like the beer bottles being tossed at the other team's fans? Though that was done by the winning team (LSU at the Sugar Bowl...a friend of mine ended up with stitches over her left eye from one). At least there are a lot of good fans out there, like all of us in here right? :)

Didn't know you'd gone here at one point, cool! I think I'm becoming a permanent student right now, lol. 5 years-I graduate in December finally. :D (Oh, and when my best buddy, who graduated from State isn't around, I cheer for OSU even. ;) )

[tgray99]

And UTChick - I hope ya'll crush the Sooners this year! Do me a favor and crush Fran's Aggies too, ok? ;)
Hey now! ;)

I'm a dyed in the wool, maroon bleeding Fightin' Texas Aggie fan. DH and I both graduated from there, class of '99. He's a 3rd generation Ag. We love going to Midnight Yell Practice (a pep rally, more or less) and games. Nothing (in my opinion) beats Kyle Field on an autumn Saturday afternoon.

http://www.utexas.edu/features/archive/2004/graphics/football2.jpg

[calliope_muses]

LOL! :D

Nothing personal - it's really not the team I mind. It's that damn Franchione...

I'm not bitter or anything, huh? ;)

[tgray99]

OK, last post, I swear. I found an interesting article about college rivalries, particularly the A&M/Texas one, written by a Texas professor.

Hook 'Em or Gig 'Em?
Jeremy Waldrop is an Aggie living “behind the burnt orange curtain,” also known as Austin. He’s a homebuilder who drives around town in a maroon pick-up truck. In his wallet, he carries round stickers, about the size of a silver dollar, touting the Aggie call “Gig ’Em.” From time to time, when he spies a Texas Ex bumper sticker, he’ll slyly cover it with a “Gig ’Em” sticker.

According to a researcher at The University of Texas at Austin, Jeremy’s sly jab is an excellent illustration of the impact of college football rivalry and what conditions encourage people to adopt the social norms of their group.

Dr. Rachel A. Smith, an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies in the College of Communication at The University of Texas at Austin, has used college football rivalry as one of the backdrops to her research on social comparison.

“College football rivalries are a potent element in our society,” she says. “Thanks to cable television and the Internet, students may keep up with those rivals long after graduation. In fact, throughout the country, media companies reported that viewers only diverted their attention away from coverage of the Iraq War to watch college football.”

But the real psychosocial consequences of college football rivalries are poorly understood.

Smith set out to gain some insight on whether these rivalries have a significant impact on how students perceive themselves and their classmates. While she anticipated that the timing of her research—in the days preceding a rival football game versus a non-rival game—would likely have an effect on these perceptions, she was just as interested in how the wording of the comparison questions would influence students’ answers.

Her research methodology was simple enough. She surveyed students at a large Midwest university with a strong in-state rivalry, using a short list of questions. To focus attention on the upcoming game, students were asked to list how they showed school spirit.

Two questions were asked: “How similar are (home school) students to (rival school) students?” to assess school comparison; and “How similar do you think you are to (home school) students?” to gauge self-group comparisons.

Half of the surveys reversed the word order, or direction of comparison, asking instead, “How similar are (rival school) students to (home school) students?” and “How similar do you think (home school) students are to you?”

The surveys were conducted at different times during the football season: on a Thursday preceding an in-state rival football game and on a Thursday preceding a weekend without a game.

During the non-game week, study participants perceived moderate similarity between students at their own school and students at the rival school, regardless of the direction of comparison. However, when asked the same set of questions during a rival game week, students perceived less similarity between the two groups—and more important—even fewer similarities when the direction of comparison was reversed and the rival school was mentioned first in the question.

“These findings suggest that rivalry cues trigger us to think more about the unique features of one’s own school, especially on game weekends,” explains Smith.

Social Identity

“When comparing two objects, logic suggests that ‘A’ should be as similar to ‘B’ as ‘B’ is to ‘A,’” she explains. “But psychologically, this symmetry doesn’t always occur.

“It’s a commonly accepted notion that, when doing research on self-group perceptions, the ‘self’ is typically less similar to ‘others’ than ‘others’ are to ‘self,’” Smith says. “In essence, the more you know about ‘A’ (in this case, ‘self’) the less likely it is for ‘B’ (others at your school) to share the same features.”

She predicted study participants would have overall stronger perceptions of similarity between themselves and their classmates during a rival game week. She suspected the similarities between “self” and “other students” would be higher when “other students” was introduced first in the survey question and lower when the direction of comparison was changed to introduce “self” first. But a funny thing happened.

“I was amazed to discover,” she says, “that when comparing themselves to others at their home school during a rival game week, students cited even higher perceptions of similarity than when ‘other students’ was introduced first in the question.

“These responses go completely against the grain of what we expect from a ‘self-other’ comparison,” Smith adds. “They underscore the potency of rivalries: In the context of a rivalry, students’ perceptions of their social group—in this case, their home school—were even more detailed than their sense of self.

“When there is a social rival, such as between college football teams,” Smith says, “individuals may forgo their individual preferences and adopt the social norms of their groups.”

This may explain why some college students across the country demonstrate more extreme fan behavior, such as streaking, painting their bodies or shaving their heads in the name of school spirit.

Posting...

[calliope_muses]

Like the beer bottles being tossed at the other team's fans? Though that was done by the winning team (LSU at the Sugar Bowl...a friend of mine ended up with stitches over her left eye from one). At least there are a lot of good fans out there, like all of us in here right? :)

I heard a lot of that happened down there. Some good friends of ours swore it was the worst college football experience they'd ever had. It really sucks when people feel the need to do that stuff. People just make the school look bad when they act that way. Of course, every school has them. I make the pilgrimige to Tuscaloosa once every year and most of the time I meet up with some great fans and have a really good time. Last year though I got stuck behind a really obnoxious guy who called the other team every name in the book and managed to make all the 'Bama fans around him mad. And it's not like we were playing one of our 'big' opponents - it was Utah State for crying out loud. (No offense to any Utah State fans out there!!) Just ruined it for everyone.

[tgray99]

Rivalries Define Us: Some More Than Others

So it’s fair to say that we often define ourselves in the context of our rivals. Certainly this is true in the case of the longtime Longhorn-Aggie football rivalry—perhaps more so on the Aggie side, which seems to revel in demeaning the longhorns: What other university’s rival is the focus of half its fight song (“The Aggie War Hymn”) and is traditionally followed up with the verse, “Saw Varsity’s Horns Off.”

Second Verse of “The Aggie War Hymn”

Good-bye to Texas University.
So long to the Orange and White.
Good luck to the dear old Texas Aggies,
They are the boys who show the real old fight.
The eyes of Texas are upon you.
That is the song they sing so well,
So, good-bye to Texas University,
We’re goin’ to beat you all to —
Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem!
Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem!
Rough! Tough!
Real stuff! Texas A&M!

The Longhorns, too, mention their longtime rivals in their fight song, to a lesser degree however. “Texas Fight” (better known as “TAPS”) is the official fight song of The University of Texas and is played following touchdowns and extra points at Texas football games.

“Texas Fight”

Texas Fight, Texas Fight,
And it’s goodbye to A&M.
Texas Fight, Texas Fight,
And we’ll put over one more win.
Texas Fight, Texas Fight,
For it’s Texas that we love best.
Hail, Hail, The gang’s all here,
And it’s good-bye to all the rest!

Despite their distaste for each other, Longhorn and Aggie fans know that some of the cherished traditions that contribute to both of their identities are the result of history and this historical rivalry.

It’s the longtime rivalry that prompted the annual Aggie bonfire (which was discontinued after it collapsed in 1999, killing 11 students and one former student). The 55-foot-tall bonfire, started in 1909, symbolized “the burning desire of Aggies to beat the University of Texas in the annual football game.”

“At the very top of the bonfire we perched an outhouse painted orange with ‘t.u. frat house’ written across to represent UT,” explains Ross Epstein, president of the Capital City A&M Club in Austin.

“It used to be that in the weeks leading up to the game you couldn’t find roadway signs in Bryan-College Station with the word ‘Austin’ on them,” he adds. “It was tradition for freshmen to remove these signs and toss them into the bonfire. Eventually, the Texas Department of Transportation tired of replacing the signs and just gave them to students.”

Despite having been discontinued—and in a move that underscores the feelings about this tradition—some current and former Texas A&M students are organizing an unofficial, non-sanctioned bonfire off campus this year. According to a university spokeswoman, this event has no ties to the university and cannot feature the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, the Corps of Cadets, yell leaders and other elements featured in official bonfires of the past.

One of the Aggies’ more bizarre traditions paying tribute to the rivalry is a burnt orange poop-collecting wheelbarrow that follows the Parsons Mounted Cavalry around the field with “t.u.” scrawled on the side. This wheelbarrow is used at all Aggie football games, no matter the opponent.

More recently, Aggies have started sporting either a longhorn sticker with the horns cut off or an inverted longhorn sticker on their vehicles.

Not to be outdone, the Longhorns have their own traditions reserved for Aggie football games. The annual Hex Rally, which began in 1941 when a group of University of Texas students asked a palm reader to place a curse on the Aggies and end a University of Texas losing streak, features thousands of Longhorn fans burning red candles near the steps of the Main Building to hex the Aggies.

Smith suggests, “The rivalry cues must be present to make a person’s social group identity come to the forefront. It would not be surprising if some of the more poignant examples of school rivalries, and their effect on individual behavior, occur when alums live in proximity to the rival university.”

Case in point: Bill Birdwell, former president of the Brazos Valley Texas Exes Club, who runs a dental practice in Bryan, Texas says it’s rare to see a Texas Exes car decal in Bryan-College Station. “It’s just too risky. It’s like asking to have your car keyed,” he says.

This self-described ostentatious longhorn adds it’s probably easier doing business as an Aggie in Austin than it is for a Texas Ex in Bryan-College Station.

“There are some people who simply refuse to do business with Texas Exes.” He jokingly adds, however, “Lucky for me, there are enough Aggies who don’t brush or floss to keep me in business.

“Seriously though, I admire the Aggie traditions. I have a lot of respect for them. And where else can you live where you can provoke an Aggie every day.”

About this time each year, Birdwell starts wise cracking and making bets with his Aggie friends and patients about the annual face-off.

“We have a great time of it,” he says. “I’ve even written poems to friends about Texas winning the game.

“Back when the Southwest Conference existed and we shot for the Cotton Bowl each post season, I used to plant bluebonnet seeds in the front yards of some of my Aggie friends to suggest that they’d be going to the Bluebonnet Bowl instead of the Cotton Bowl,” Birdwell recalls. (The Bluebonnet Bowl was a less prestigious bowl game.)

“Although the presence of a rivalry may motivate people to assert their group loyalty and group norms, people need some social support from their group to do so,” suggests Smith. “A lone A&M student may not face a crowd of UT fans, but get a couple A&M fans together—and now they have enough support to ‘fight’ the rival.”

It can be intimidating for Longhorns to live in Bryan-College Station. With a population of about 133,500, nearly half of whom are students; the prevailing color is maroon. (Austin has a population of about 656,500—nearly five times the size of Bryan-College Station—which may dilute the potency of the Longhorn presence here.)

“I hate to say it, but many of our Texas Exes have become closet longhorns, with only 75 to 100 showing up at our annual scholarship banquet,” Birdwell says.

Conversely, the Capital City A&M Club, with about 1,400 dues-paying members, is one of the strongest in the nation with more than 250 events each year.

“Living in Austin, we’re constantly bombarded by all things burnt orange,” says Epstein. “So we rally around each other through dozens of activities each month, such as breakfast meetings, golf tournaments, fish fries, etc. We seek each other out wherever we are.”

Societal Applications and Broader Contexts

While Smith’s research on group behavior in the context of college football rivalries and the rivalries themselves are captivating, her findings have deeper societal applications.

In fact, she recently returned from Namibia, where she does HIV prevention work as part of an ongoing research project.

“We must understand when individual preferences and group practice collide, what makes a person choose one over the other,” she says. “If social norms pressure a woman to breastfeed her children, than a mother living with HIV may feel greater pressure to continue breastfeeding her babies, even though she knows that she may transmit HIV to her child. If we did not understand these social pressures, then we could design a persuasive campaign focused on mothers’ individual preferences, when that’s not the issue.

“The more we understand about social pressures, such as social norms, even stigma, and the relative weigh of these social pressures in decision making, the better we can design interventions to change social pressures when that needs to be our focus.

“People may think, feel or behave based on their group identity or social norms,” Smith says. “The key to accessing this group identity may be group identifier, or the presence of those ‘not like me,’ but, instead, the presence of the enemy.”

[tgray99]

LOL! :D

Nothing personal - it's really not the team I mind. It's that damn Franchione...

I'm not bitter or anything, huh? ;)

OK, I lied...this is my last post!

That's ok, I cheer for anyone playing Texas and I change the channel when sportscasters start talking about Texas football. (I live in Houston, we get Aggie and Texas football news). I don't mind people who went to Texas, I just have a problem with the idea that they're so fabulous. Texas is having a great era, the Aggies will again soon and Texas will have a bad one.

ETA: Tee hee! My posts made the Google ads at the bottom be about A&M! :D Whoop!

[numberlady]

I see there are otherNOLE fans in the house!! I have been going to Florida State games since 1980 and love them still. I can't wait for the season to begin :D

[UTChick]

“Texas Fight”

Texas Fight, Texas Fight,
And it’s goodbye to A&M.
Texas Fight, Texas Fight,
And we’ll put over one more win.
Texas Fight, Texas Fight,
For it’s Texas that we love best.
Hail, Hail, The gang’s all here,
And it’s good-bye to all the rest!



We usually (at least on the student side) replace those last two lines with a little something different. ;)

I graduated in '99 also. In fact, I love telling people that I got to go to Kyle Field for the last Southwest Conference Championship game when the Longhorns played the Aggies. It was a blast!! I will never forget us being four orange-shirted 18 year-olds in the sea of maroon. :D

I haven't been back for a Hex Rally in years, but they diluted them quite a bit after the bonfire tragedy. It just seemed wrong to put a curse on a University/team who had suffered such a loss. Like I said, I haven't been back for one in years, so I don't know how they do it now, but that year it was much more solemn.

[rangerwendy]

BOOMER!!! SOONER!!!

Another Sooner fan here. Can't wait til the season starts. And I too am a little worried about the UT game this year. I just keep thinking "We can't win forever, right?" Of course, the bad thing is we live in Austin. So I love to go to work on Fridays in my OU gear. I dread the day we lose because I will never hear the end of it. But my husband went to UT LAW (way better than OU's law school, I hate to admit) so we root for them unless they are playing OU. Then it is OU all the way!!

[t3h_wookiee]

Yay!! Another Sooner! :D

Yeah UT Law is awesome. OU is great, and a LOT cheaper, but it isn't as good.

[cyd_96]

Another Aggie here! Glad to see you paved the way tgray99!

Football season is going to be great! I follow all the teams/conferences and have favorites and "not-so favorites" in each!

I get really excited when the first few games come out and the season projections! And then a deep depression come the end of the first week in January. Why must it be so short? Why can't it be like pro-baseball? That always seems to be going on!

The Big 12 is going to be tough. Each team is getting better every year (and gets a more expensive coach every year)....I figure everyone will be gunning for OU - and t.u. (sorry UTChick, it's the way I was raised to say it! ;) ) It's harder to be on top and stay there.....playing the upsetter is much easier and a role I hope A&M plays this year!!!!

Speaking of expensive coaches....who's the most expensive now that Saban's gone pro?

[kristin9903]

Yet another Aggie! WHOOP!!! (and class of 1999, too! :))

I agree, the big XII's getting tougher to play in, but I think the Ags have a decent shot this year. I will root for any Big XII team that's not playing us, in theory. In reality, it makes me just a little happy to see the Horns lose.

At home, we have a total reversal of the stereotype about sports. My husband has NO interest in football at all. We only have one TV, so he can't stand college football season!

[tgray99]

Yeah, my DH will watch some but doesn't get nearly as into it as I do. I scream at the TV on occasion.

I'm pretty sure I saw Reggie McNeil on the freeway the other day. He was in an SUV. I think he's from Houston so it's possible, right? :D I used to dislike him, all that "Real Deal" crap got on my nerves but now I like him.

[boilermaker]

I'm a little late to the party, but can I join as well? College football season is my favorite time of year. I'm a huge Purdue and Notre Dame fan...and DH cheers for Ohio State when they aren't playing Purdue.

Our first game is late this year..Sept 10th.

[tgray99]

The Aggies' first home game this year is September 17. I have hopes that it will be cooler but I think I'm deluding myself. DH's Corps of Cadets outfit is having a reunion that weekend and we want to go up. Crappy thing is (not sure if this is true of other big football schools), if I want to bring our baby into the stadium in a Snugli, we have to pay for a full priced ticket. How crappy is that? She'll take up no room and not even watch the game, she'll be 4 months old but she has to have a ticket. :rolleyes:

[t3h_wookiee]

Here if the baby is under a year you don't have to buy a full ticket, unless you bring them in a bucket seat.

[scarlett]

The Aggies' first home game this year is September 17. I have hopes that it will be cooler but I think I'm deluding myself. DH's Corps of Cadets outfit is having a reunion that weekend and we want to go up. Crappy thing is (not sure if this is true of other big football schools), if I want to bring our baby into the stadium in a Snugli, we have to pay for a full priced ticket. How crappy is that? She'll take up no room and not even watch the game, she'll be 4 months old but she has to have a ticket. :rolleyes: It's the same here too (Ohio State). Luckily, this season, the baby will be inside me and go to the games that way :) Although it will be quite an adventure to get to our upper deck seats when I'm 8 months pregnant. I'm not sure what we'll do next season b/c I don't want to miss any games and we sit with my ILs so they're probably out as babysitters.

[trm98]

http://www.dmedina.com/pictures/tamu/aggiefootball/aggiefootball.jpg
REd, White and Blue- First game after the Sept. 11th tragedy


Another Aggie here!!! Class of '98!! I think we might be a surprise this year. I sure do miss seeing them play. Darn Direct TV for getting new cards! It was the only way I could see college football up here in Canada!

I also attended U of Tennessee, but the Vols just couldn't live up to my first love...Aggie football. I will root for them in SEC however. But, Big 12 against anyone else...Big 12 all the way.

I also love great rivalries in other conferences...UM v. OSU, ND vs. USC, UF vs. UT, Bama vs. Auburn/UT, All the FL teams against each other...

I can't wait for the kick off!!

[tigger8402]

Its a must, gotta go with the Hometown boys, UNIVERISTY OF MARYLAND! :D We aren't ones to go to the games and get all into it like alot of people but My grandmother and I sure do root from home in the AC!!! We also keep up with all of the ACC teams just because she wants to. :rolleyes:

http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/md/graphics/best-back-at-byrd.gif

[tgray99]

Whoop! I'm happy another Ag is here! I think we'll surprise the conference this year too! Anything is better than that debacle that happened in Waco last year. :rolleyes: I was there and wanted to crawl under a rock!

Love the red white and blue out! Kids from my hometown (Baytown) organized it.

[lml41981]

I don't follow football all that much, but I cheer for Lehigh's team just because I went there (we're Patriot League). Our big rivalry is Lehigh/Lafayette, which can get ugly. Most people tend to take it in stride, seeing as how it really is just a football game...but there are those few who take it a bit too seriously.

The entire week before Lehigh/Lafayette is a big drunkfest, though. It's really disgusting. Students come to class with huge pitchers of booze and professors just act like everyone is sober. The Friday before the game is pretty funny...the marching band (who are generally the most drunk out of anyone) will parade around campus and through classes playing the fight song and our rally songs. My favorite (and their favorite) song is:

Bring out that old silver goblet
With Lehigh upon it.
And open up another keg of beer - MORE BEER
Oh we all came to college
but we didn't come for knowledge,
So let's just get drunk while we're here.

Strangely, I don't really drink much (did most of my drinking during freshman year and it just got old)...I just like the song because the tune is nice and I think it is fun. I had a friend whose goal was not to let himself get sober from the Sunday after the previous week's game ended until the Sunday after Lehigh/Lafayette. Blech...not my idea of fun.

[LittleFredPunkinHead]

I am so excited for football season!

We just got our U-Michigan season tickets in the mail on Saturday, yay! And, my sister and BIL were finally able to get season tickets too, because the University is changing its ticket pricing and offered a one-time transfer option. My husband has some friends who had multiple sets of tickets and wanted to drop some of them, so he hooked my sister up with them. On top of that, one of our best friends just bought a house less than a block from the stadium, and they have plenty of room in the yard for tailgating.

And finally, Hart and Henne are returning. Our fabulous freshmen are now sophomores. Hooray!

[paiger]

On top of that, one of our best friends just bought a house less than a block from the stadium, and they have plenty of room in the yard for tailgating.

damn, that is freakin' awesome!! i am so, so, so jealous!! that is the most perfect way to tailgate...bathrooms, cable, tvs, free...and the list goes on.

[boilermaker]

I'm with Ardath...that is awesome that you can tailgate there befroe every game!

I'm also jealous of all the season ticket holders. We're 6 hours from Lafayette, so we only make it back for one game each year...and we try to go to the bowl game also. I would love to live closer and have season tickets!

[tgray99]

We live an hour and half from College Station and usually only make 1 or 2 games a year (and my best friend owns a house there!) :rolleyes: It's darn near impossible to get season tickets because they're sold out and have been forever. Besides they're friggin' expensive so we usually wait until midway thru the first quarter and buy them from a scalper. They're desperate by that time anyway.

[LittleFredPunkinHead]

Thanks Ardath and Boilermaker! We are feeling darned lucky! :D

I hear you on the ticket thing, tgray. I lucked out because when I graduated, Michigan was guaranteeing new grads season tickets, and as long as you kept renewing you always had them. If you didn't though, and later decided you wanted to get tickets, you had to go onto the waitlist. Which is huge. We joke sometimes that my husband married me for my tickets. ;) (He's an alum and a bigger fan than me even.)

[nekopie76]

I am not a college football fan ( :eek: ) but I saw this on Yahoo and thought of you guys.

http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/college

It is a Pick-Who-Is-Going-To-Win fanasty league. I was in one last year (for pro football) and loved it. It is so much fun!

Anyway, I just wanted to pass along the info! :)

[polkadot]

and where is the SEc i have to have someone to talk smack with? I am sure Lora (Miss Tenn.) will be here shortly...

There is nothing that gets me more excited about football than Tiger Stadium itself..

www.tigerstadium.com/quotes.htm

the place is unbelievable....i get goosebumps just thinking about it...
http://giftshop.lsusports.net/assets/storeimages/productimages/PAAAIAEGJLLPHJBN_L.jpg

30 days till LSU football 2005

sorry i got ecited for a minute :D

[boilermaker]

It won't let me copy the poll, but USA Today released their preseason top 25:

. Southern California (13-0)

Points: 1,547 (60 first-place votes). Final 2004 ranking: 1. Outlook: No school has won three national titles in a row. But with QB Matt Leinart, RB Reggie Bush and WR Dwayne Jarrett among nine returning offensive starters, there's an abundance of talent on that side. The defense has experience issues but still plenty of talented players. Opens: Sept. 3 at Hawaii (ESPN2, 7 p.m. ET).

2. Texas (11-1)

Points: 1,405 (2). Final 2004 ranking: 4. Outlook: Longhorns' first trip to the Rose Bowl was memorable as they edged Michigan. QB Vince Young is one of the nation's most dynamic players, and, although the defense will miss LB Derrick Johnson, plenty of experience returns. Ohio State and Oklahoma are among the first five opponents. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette.

3. Tennessee (10-3)

Points: 1,259. Final 2004 ranking: 15. Outlook: RB Gerald Riggs and QBs Erik Ainge and Rick Clausen lead an experienced offense, and DT Jesse Mahelona is among the nation's best. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. UAB.

4. Michigan (9-3)

Points: 1,242. Final 2004 ranking: 12. Outlook: QB Chad Henne, RB Mike Hart and WR Steve Breaston are back to pace an experienced and productive offense. Opponents scored 75 points in last year's final two games, and improvement defensively is a must. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. Northern Illinois (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET).

5. Oklahoma (12-1)

Points: 1,223. Final 2004 ranking: 3. Outlook: After coming up short in consecutive national title games, the Sooners bade farewell to 2003 Heisman winner Jason White. Following a spectacular debut season, RB Adrian Peterson returns to carry the mail, but OU needs to settle issues at QB and on defense. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. TCU (ABC, noon ET).

6. LSU (9-3)

Points: 1,109. Final 2004 ranking: 16. Outlook: Les Miles succeeds Nick Saban in Baton Rouge and inherits an experienced team that looks like one of the SEC's best. QBs JaMarcus Russell and Ryan Perrilloux, a true freshman, will battle. Rest of backfield is deep and veteran-laden. Same can be said for defense with upperclassmen virtually everywhere. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. North Texas.

7. Virginia Tech (10-3)

Points: 1,090. Final 2004 ranking: 10. Outlook: Defending ACC champ figures to contend again as long as QB Marcus Vick, suspended last season, is the leader he needs to be. He'll be working with a veteran backfield. If OL and secondary can be properly shored up, the Hokies could be looking at another BCS trip. Opens: Sept. 4 at North Carolina State (ESPN2, 7:15 p.m. ET).

8. Miami (Fla.) (9-3)

Points: 1,080. Final 2004 ranking: 11. Outlook: Three ACC losses was not the way the Hurricanes wanted their debut in the conference to go. An experienced defense, featuring multifaceted CB Devin Hester, might have to carry the load for a while until new QB Kyle Wright gets his feet wet. Opens: Sept. 5 at No. 12 Florida State (ABC, 8 p.m. ET).

9. Ohio State (8-4)

Points: 1,033. Final 2004 ranking: 19. Outlook: Three Big Ten losses in October knocked Bucks out of conference race last year. But with QBs Troy Smith and Justin Zwick and WRs Ted Ginn Jr. and Santonio Holmes returning along with defense full of experience, OSU should be in the conference mix. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. Miami (Ohio) (ABC, noon ET).

10. Iowa (10-2)

Points: 1,014. Final 2004 ranking: 8. Outlook: Under coach Kirk Ferentz, the Hawkeyes have established themselves as a Big Ten and national power. QB Drew Tate emerged as a star last year, but establishing a running game and filling holes along the defensive front will be keys. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. Ball State.

11. Florida (7-5)

Points: 910. Final 2004 ranking: 25. Outlook: QB Chris Leak should excel in new coach Urban Meyer's offense. A key will be successfully replacing TB Ciatrick Fason. The Gators get Tennessee and Florida State at home, and while ex-coach Ron Zook was criticized for game-day decisions, he left a lot of talent behind. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. Wyoming.

12. Florida State (9-3)

Points: 879. Final 2004 ranking: 14. Outlook: Seminoles face the season without QB Wyatt Sexton (Lyme disease) and CB Antonio Cromartie (knee). Freshmen Drew Weatherford and Xavier Lee look to step in at QB. TB Leon Washington should lead ground assault. LBs lead defense that allowed fewer than 20 points nine times last season. Opens: Sept. 5 vs. No. 8 Miami (Fla.) (ABC, 8 p.m. ET).

13. Georgia (10-2)

Points: 838. Final 2004 ranking: 6. Outlook: QB D.J. Shockley, who backed up David Greene for three years, gets his shot. He has solid RBs in Thomas Brown and Danny Ware behind him and an experienced line in front, but WRs are largely unproven. DT Kedric Golston helps anchor an experienced defensive front. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. No. 19 Boise State (ESPN, 5:30 p.m. ET).

14. Louisville (11-1)

Points: 758. Final 2004 ranking: 7. Outlook: High-scoring Cardinals head for the Big East and are an immediate threat for a BCS berth. QB Brian Brohm got lots of experience backing up Stefan LeFors a year ago, and RBs and WRs are solid. Offense might have to carry the day early as defense gains more experience. Opens: Sept. 4 at Kentucky (ESPN, 3:30 p.m. ET).

15. Auburn (13-0)

Points: 723. Final 2004 ranking: 2. Outlook: Tigers' best season in decades fell short of a national title, and now QB Jason Campbell, RBs Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams and DB Carlos Rogers are gone. Little-used sophomore Brandon Cox takes over at QB, and although the receiving corps is experienced, the defense might have to carry the load early. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. Georgia Tech (ESPN, 8:45 p.m. ET).

16. Purdue (7-5)

Points: 616. Final 2004 ranking: not ranked. Outlook: QB Kyle Orton has departed, but sometime-starter Brandon Kirsch should smoothly step in for a team that has an abundance of experience. In a scheduling quirk, the two Big Ten teams the Boilermakers don't play are two of the best, Michigan and Ohio State. Opens: Sept. 10 vs. Akron.

17. Texas A&M (7-5)

Points: 366. Final 2004 ranking: not ranked. Outlook: Last year's 6-1 start wasn't sustained after Aggies were upset by Baylor. But this is a maturing team, with 17 starters back, including dynamic QB Reggie McNeal, and should be even more dangerous as the comfort level with coach Dennis Franchione's system rises. The opener will tell a lot. Opens: Sept. 3 at Clemson (ABC, 8 p.m. ET).

18. Arizona State (9-3)

Points: 304. Final 2004 ranking: 20. Outlook: Sun Bowl MVP Sam Keller takes on QB responsibilities full time after filling in for injured Andrew Walter in postseason. RB situation in flux after Loren Wade was charged in connection with shooting death of former ASU player Brandon Falkner, but the receivers are experienced. Opens: Sept. 1 vs. Temple.

19. Boise State (11-1)

Points: 303. Final 2004 ranking: 13. Outlook: Broncos enter this season with a 26-game winning streak in Western Athletic Conference play. QB Jared Zabransky has an experienced cast around him. A win at Georgia would get them off to a great start. Opens: Sept. 3 at No. 13 Georgia (ESPN, 5:30 p.m. ET).

20. California (10-2)

Points: 293. Final 2004 ranking: 9. Outlook: Most important tasks are replacing QB Aaron Rodgers and RB J.J. Arrington. Nate Longshore and junior college transfer Joseph Ayoob will battle for the QB job, and Marshawn Lynch, who averaged almost 9 yards a carry in 2004, is expected to step into Arrington's spot. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. Sacramento State.

21. Texas Tech (8-4)

Points: 247. Final 2004 ranking: 17. Outlook: Senior Cody Hodges looks like the next QB to put up outlandish numbers in coach Mike Leach's high-flying offense following the departure of Sonny Cumbie. Some retooling of the OL will be necessary. Defense has been improving. Opens: Sept. 10 vs. Florida International.

22. Boston College (9-3)

Points: 237. Final 2004 ranking: 21. Outlook: Eagles finished tied for first in their final year in the Big East, and as they enter the ACC, they're attempting to extend their streak of bowl appearances to seven. QB Quinton Porter returns the controls after redshirting last year. Defense looks strong up front behind E Mathias Kiwanuka, who was Big East defensive player of the year. Opens: Sept. 3 at BYU (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET).

23. Virginia (8-4)

Points: 210. Final 2004 ranking: 23. Outlook: Impressive defense features Butkus Award finalist Ahmad Brooks, one of the nation's top LBs. QB Marques Hagans and TB Wali Lundy look for a big senior years and will likely have to deliver if UVa is to compete with ACC powers. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. Western Michigan.

24. Alabama (6-6)

Points: 194. Final 2004 ranking: not ranked. Outlook: Crimson Tide were off to a good start last year, then QB Brodie Croyle hurt a knee and they dropped six of nine. His health will be a key, but the defense was one of the nation's best and almost every key contributor is back. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. Middle Tennessee.

25. Pittsburgh (8-4)

Points: 193. Final 2004 ranking: not ranked. Outlook: Dave Wannstedt returns to his alma mater and should bring some toughness to the defense. Ex-coach Walt Harris left a veteran team behind, led by QB Tyler Palko, WR Greg Lee and LB H.B. Blades. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. Notre Dame (ABC, 8 p.m. ET).

[tgray99]

2. Texas (11-1)

Points: 1,405 (2). Final 2004 ranking: 4. Outlook: Longhorns' first trip to the Rose Bowl was memorable as they edged Michigan. QB Vince Young is one of the nation's most dynamic players, and, although the defense will miss LB Derrick Johnson, plenty of experience returns. Ohio State and Oklahoma are among the first five opponents. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette.

BARF! Can you say "OVER-RATED?"

17. Texas A&M (7-5)

Points: 366. Final 2004 ranking: not ranked. Outlook: Last year's 6-1 start wasn't sustained after Aggies were upset by Baylor. But this is a maturing team, with 17 starters back, including dynamic QB Reggie McNeal, and should be even more dangerous as the comfort level with coach Dennis Franchione's system rises. The opener will tell a lot. Opens: Sept. 3 at Clemson (ABC, 8 p.m. ET).

WHOOP! I doubt we'll finish this high but it'd be fantastic if we do! GIG 'EM AGGIES!!

21. Texas Tech (8-4)

Points: 247. Final 2004 ranking: 17. Outlook: Senior Cody Hodges looks like the next QB to put up outlandish numbers in coach Mike Leach's high-flying offense following the departure of Sonny Cumbie. Some retooling of the OL will be necessary. Defense has been improving. Opens: Sept. 10 vs. Florida International.


Another case of an entirely OVER-RATED school! Plus their fans are horrible, I hate going to see games in Lubbock...they throw things and get into fights.

[lawyerlee]

Fantasy Football has gone over really big with the NFL football fans, so I wondered if you guys might be interested in doing Yahoo's College Football Pick 'Em Game. I think it sounds like fun. :)

Welcome to Yahoo! Sports College Football Pick'em, a weekly game that lets you show your smarts by picking the winner of this year's regular season games.

All you have to do is enter your selections each week. You'll get points for every correct pick you make while we do all the hard work of gathering the results, and computing the point totals and standings.

I started a thread for it here:

Yahoo's College Football Pick 'Em Game (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?p=101287#post101287)

[lawyerlee]

Here is a chart of the USA Today/Coaches Poll:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/lawyerlee2/College%20Football%2005/8505CoachesPoll.jpg

(I just took a screen shot of the page, so I don't know why they bother to try to make it difficult. :rolleyes: ;))

[UTChick]

BARF! Can you say "OVER-RATED?"




Hey, hey, hey! Just cause we choke every time we have to play Oklahoma (in the last 5 years) and come up short on the National Title run even though we consistently have one of the best recruiting classes every season does not mean we are over-rated! ;)

[cyd_96]

tgray99 - I'm with you on the Aggies. Amazing we're #17, when we ended the season not ranked AND a big loss to the Volunteers. Can I tell you I went to the Cotton Bowl and our seats were right next to the Vol band? I had "Rocky Top" going through my head for weeks! All of us in that area refrained from singing a long, there's a part of the song where they sing "Good 'ol Rocky Top - whee/whoo - Rocky Top Tennessee" - all the Aggies chimed in for the "whee/whoo" every time. It became hilarious. The Vol fans enjoyed it as well - or they might have just been pitying us!

Here are my brother and I, before the game (thus the smiles) with the band in the background (please ignore me in the picture - I hate pictures where you have to lean back. Simultaneously you're trying to avoid the double chin, but you have to make sure you're not showing your nostrils to the whole world!):

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d627b3127cce9337f14a12bc00000016108QcN3DZuxcg

Don't think t.u. is overrated - Vince Young is amazing. Now, not that I would wish an injury on anyone (especially ANYTHING career ending - no sarcasm with that) BUT, two sprained ankles and two sprained wrists (at the same time because he can run or pass) wouldn't be a bad idea.

Texas Tech - hmmmm, my mom always told me, when you don't have something nice to say, don't say it at all. And I'll leave it at that!

[tgray99]

OK, so I was a little harsh on Texas and Texas Tech. It does bug me that a team like Auburn who finished 13-0 last year is so far down when Texas had a worse record and is ranked number 2. I've always suspected that they have someone on the inside . ;)

Go OU.

Tech as a team isn't so bad. I don't quite understand a top 25 ranking but whatever. Their fans are the ones that mess it up for them. Throwing tortillas? Punching out a major aide to the Governor (who happens to be an Ag?) Ripping down their own goal posts when they beat us? Grow up...

My hubby and I were at the Cotton Bowl too. :rolleyes: We actually stayed at the Tennessee hotel. That was fun. We rode up in the elevator to get into our room with a few of the players. They're HUGE!! Actually, the Tennessee fans were really nice and we had some great talks with a few of them. They're a lot like Aggies, only they wear orange! I strongly believe that the Aggies freeze up during nationally televised games (which doesn't bode well for our opener against Clemson that's on ABC!)

[calliope_muses]

Here is a chart of the USA Today/Coaches Poll:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/lawyerlee2/College%20Football%2005/8505CoachesPoll.jpg



Hot Damn! I'm excited to be in any poll at all, even if we are #24. Of course, I hear that some of our fans are already placing bets on when Brodie's knee will blow out again... Helluva way to support your team, eh?

[cyd_96]

OK, so I was a little harsh on Texas and Texas Tech. It does bug me that a team like Auburn who finished 13-0 last year is so far down when Texas had a worse record and is ranked number 2. I've always suspected that they have someone on the inside . ;)

Oh - don't get my Tech statement wrong, I agree with you completely! I don't like them one bit - so I was biting my tongue, so to say! Some of my friends are Red Raider fans, but I forgive them ;) . They're harmless, but in general terms, they are my least favorite team!

[tgray99]

Yeah, my parents and all of my mom's family are huge Tech fans. I catch sh!t whenever the Ags lose to them. :rolleyes: They act like they've never won a game before in their lives.

[polkadot]

I love rankings....

6. LSU (9-3)

Points: 1,109. Final 2004 ranking: 16. Outlook: Les Miles succeeds Nick Saban in Baton Rouge and inherits an experienced team that looks like one of the SEC's best. QBs JaMarcus Russell and Ryan Perrilloux, a true freshman, will battle. Rest of backfield is deep and veteran-laden. Same can be said for defense with upperclassmen virtually everywhere. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. North Texas.

yeah...for the SEC...

and i know Lora will be here soon, she just had her little peanut..so i'll give her a break...but this will make her happy...


3. Tennessee (10-3)

Points: 1,259. Final 2004 ranking: 15. Outlook: RB Gerald Riggs and QBs Erik Ainge and Rick Clausen lead an experienced offense, and DT Jesse Mahelona is among the nation's best. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. UAB.

i am thinking rematch of the SEC championship o few years ago when Clausens bro. was the QB....

GEAUX TIGERS

[Lisa&Jason]

A dedicated ND fan here. My husband & I have been die-hard fans for years. (We live in the ND area and I happen to work at ND, so I guess that means I'm biased, LOL!)

But, it should be an exciting year for us!

[Wrighty26]

I know the stupid NCAA ruling effect a bunch of other schools too, but just thought I would post this from Sports Illustrated:

(just a note-- FSU DOES in fact have full support from the FL Seminole Tribe- in no way are the school offending/acting in a hostile manner)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Gov. Jeb Bush criticized NCAA officials on Tuesday for their decision to penalize Florida State for using an American Indian nickname and symbols, saying they instead insulted the university and a proud Seminole Tribe of Florida.

The NCAA's finding that the school's Seminoles nickname is "hostile and offensive," instead of honoring American Indians has the opposite effect, the governor said, because the tribe supports the school's use of its name.

"I think it's offensive to native Americans ... the Seminole Indian tribe who support the traditions of FSU," Bush said on his way into a Cabinet meeting. "I think they insult those people by telling them, 'No, no, you're not smart enough to understand this. You should be feeling really horrible about this.' It's ridiculous."

Meanwhile, attorney Barry Richard, who successfully led the legal challenge on behalf of Republican George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential recount in Florida, has agreed to represent the school in its case against the NCAA, Florida State President T.K. Wetherell said Wednesday.

"We recognize this is an emotional issue in Florida, and in other parts of the country there are people who feel just as strongly being opposed," NCAA spokesman Bob Williams said Tuesday. "We believe this decision was made on sound ground legally though as I said before there is an appeal process in place."

The school's board of trustees are scheduled to meet Wednesday in emergency session to discuss elements of its formal response to the NCAA.

The university has until Feb. 1 to make a formal appeal to the NCAA executive committee.

Florida State, Illinois and Utah are among 18 schools with an American Indian nickname or logo that will be prohibited by the NCAA from displaying them in postseason events, starting in February.

The nicknames will not be allowed on team uniforms and mascots will not be allowed to perform at games, the NCAA announced Friday. Cheerleaders and band members will also be barred from using American Indians on their uniforms beginning in 2008.

The costuming and rigging of the school's symbols, Chief Osceola and the Appaloosa horse, Renegade, are designed by the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida.

Bush said he fully agrees with Wetherell, who will sue the NCAA if their decision on the use of Seminoles is not rescinded.

"How politically correct can we get?" Bush asked. "The folks that make these decisions need to get out more often."

"If you have the Seminole Tribe and Gov. Bush on your side, how can you go wrong?" Florida State University Vice President Lee Hinkle said Wednesday.

Bush said the NCAA must have better things to do that sit around worrying about the nicknames adopted by its member institutions.

"You know what they ought to be worried about? The graduation rates of most college athletes," the second-term Florida governor said. "Maybe if they had some suggestions on that, that universities could apply and could implement, they could be doing a service to all of us."

Williams noted that student-athletes, on the average, graduate at a higher rate than the average student.

[lawyerlee]

In case you guys are interested, there is a discussion going on about the NCAA ruling in News & Politics. Here is the link:

NCAA Bans Native American Mascots (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?p=112127#post112127)

[Wrighty26]

Thanks Lawyerlee, I had no idea!

[amberfiddles]

it's great to be a TENNESSEE VOL!

:)

i'm a ut alum and so is DH (not to mention we met at a ut f-ball game). we bleed orange! and i also cheer for my home-state team, osu, since ut/osu never meet in regular season play.

it will be interesting to see who fulmer starts as QB this season.

[wendalah]

I CANNOT be the only one representing the Pac 10 here????????!!!!!!

[Atlanta_eBride]

I CANNOT be the only one representing the Pac 10 here????????!!!!!!

LOL! ;)

[MrsBrooke]

War Eagle!!!!!


I can't possibly be the only Auburn Tiger in the house!! Can't wait for another exciting year of SEC football, although I can't imagine that my team will have as great a season as we did last year!! Will still be cheering them on though, as always!

[tgray99]

War Eagle!!!!!


I can't possibly be the only Auburn Tiger in the house!! Can't wait for another exciting year of SEC football, although I can't imagine that my team will have as great a season as we did last year!! Will still be cheering them on though, as always!
What's War Eagle??

I love learning about other universities' traditions!

[wendalah]

Seriously NOBODY is Pac-10?
I mean, I know I am from the school whose team is #1 ranked and all, and that's a tough act to join ;) hee--but there has to be somebody else out there besides me!

ETA nevermind--I see ee_chick is in here. I wasn't looking closely enough. LOL. Three-peat!

[framboise]

Oh you're not the only one, wendalah. I'm here too! I posted fairly early in the thread, but sometime after ee_chick. It's funny because I actually came in here today because I saw your avatar in the "What are you reading?" thread. I couldn't tell for sure if it was Pete since it's pretty small, but I thought so. I figured anyone devoted enough to put Pete in their avatar must have stopped by here!

I can't believe it's gameday two weeks from tomorrow! I am soooooo excited for this season! Fight On! :D

[polkadot]

Originally Posted by MrsBrooke
War Eagle!!!!!


I can't possibly be the only Auburn Tiger in the house!! Can't wait for another exciting year of SEC football, although I can't imagine that my team will have as great a season as we did last year!! Will still be cheering them on though, as always!


What's War Eagle??

well yeah at least there is another SEC fan around here....well tgray

War Eagle is one of the mascots...or one of the two things Auburn fans...may yell at a football game.(we think they cant decide on a mascot ;) ) I on the other hand as an LSU fan know that the real tigers live in BATON ROUGE...

Mrs. Brooke i am just joking around..gotta talk a little SEC smack ;)

tgray i am sure brooke wil ltell you the history behind it

[wendalah]

Framboise: ee_chick made that avatar for me! Hee hee! Glad to see another Trojan fan in here!!!!!

[polkadot]

OMG i jsut realized who was in that picture...now that is loyalty...

i dont love our new coach(les miles @ LSU) yet have yet to see what he can do for us but after Nick Saban....he has VERY large shoes to fill...


GEAUX TIGERS

[lawyerlee]

i dont love our new coach(les miles @ LSU) yet have yet to see what he can do for us but after Nick Saban....he has VERY large shoes to fill...
I think you will when you see what he can do. He comes from the Big 12, so I'm pretty well acquainted with his former team and coaching abilities, and the hubby and I are both big fans of him. :)

[tgray99]

Which Big 12 school did he come from?

We all know that the Big 12 is the best conference in the country!

http://graphics.fansonly.com/confs/big12/graphics/big12-05-site-logo.gif

And how old do I feel that the Big 12 is 10 years old...I was at A&M when we still had the Southwest Conference!

Speaking of schools that can't figure out what their mascot is...we count as one of 'em! We're the Texas Aggies. An Aggie is an Agriculture major (the A in A&M). We take an American Collie named Reveille to games as the "mascot." On a great deal of our paraphernailia we have a big Army looking guy we call Ol' Sarge.

Sarge: http://olarmycycling.com/images/Ol_Sarge_small.gif
Reveille: http://www.cvm.tamu.edu/cgr/images/reveille.jpg
There's nothing that represents an "Aggie."

Yup, we're weird and completely obsessed with tradition. And I LOVE it!

Gig 'Em, Ags!

[calliope_muses]

War Eagle!!!!!


I can't possibly be the only Auburn Tiger in the house!! Can't wait for another exciting year of SEC football, although I can't imagine that my team will have as great a season as we did last year!! Will still be cheering them on though, as always!

Let's hope so! ;)

Roll Tide!

[ee_chick]

I CANNOT be the only one representing the Pac 10 here????????!!!!!!


That's the way it always is, wendalah. The Pac 10 gets no love. (Talk about media bias ;) :D)

Ah well, we seem to be doing okay anyway. :D :D


framboise -- Nice to see another Trojan in here! Fight On!!!

[lawyerlee]

Which Big 12 school did he come from?

We all know that the Big 12 is the best conference in the country!

Of course!

Les Miles was at Oklahoma State before he took the LSU job. I think he's fantastic. :)

At Kansas State, our mascot is Willie the Wildcat:

http://www3.baylor.edu/~Mark_A_Hawkins/mascot-willie3.gif

http://www.showmenews.com/2004/Nov/1106slideFOOTBALL/19.jpg

http://www.therattler.net/willie.jpg

This is our Powercat:

http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/employee/_borders/powercat.gif


Here's an older picture of what the Wildcat looked like before we adopted the Powercat logo:

http://members.ispwest.com/sheldon/Willie.gif

[lawyerlee]

The USA Today/Coaches Pre-Season Poll was released yesterday. Doesn't look much different than the ESPN poll at this point, but here it is. :)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/lawyerlee2/College%20Football%2005/CoachesPollLogo.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/lawyerlee2/College%20Football%2005/USATodayPreSeason.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/lawyerlee2/College%20Football%2005/PreSeasonOtherVotes.jpg

[doublej]

Looks like the SEC has 24% of the top 25 polls. Go SEC!

[polkadot]

the SEC the best and toughest conference there is...and dont give me any of that BIG 10 or PAC 10 lip either.... :D ;)

GEAUX TIGERS

[framboise]

ee_chick & wendalah, we are seriously outnumbered in here, but like you said, it's the way it always is. I won't argue with polkadot or anyone else who says that the Pac-10 isn't the strongest conference. But just because we don't have a strong conference doesn't mean we can't have a fantastic team. :D We went to the scrimmage at the Coliseum yesterday & the team looks great! They looked like they were having fun but mean business at the same time. There were a couple of nice one-handed catches from the young guys so that never hurts!

I love those 60 1st place votes in that poll posted above. :cool: Fight On!

Ooooohh, ee_chick, any chance you'd like to make me a Pete or Matt or Reggie or logo or whatever avatar? :D

[ee_chick]

Here you go framboise!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/cmrink/reggieavatar.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/cmrink/reggie3avatar.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/cmrink/leinart3avatar.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/cmrink/carroll3avatar.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/cmrink/carroll2avatar.jpg

[doublej]

I just wished that Auburn could have had the chance to play in the national championship last year. They should have been playing USC instead of OU!

[tgray99]

I just wished that Auburn could have had the chance to play in the national championship last year. They should have been playing USC instead of OU!
I agree! I support my Big 12 teams but Auburn got screwed.

[framboise]

Oh my gosh, ee_chick, you're my hero! :cool: I don't know how I can possibly choose just one! heehee! I like your latest one, good choice.

Auburn got screwed. We know how that feels because it happened to us the season before. It really does suck to be the team in that situation. OU barely showed up for the Orange Bowl. Maybe Auburn would have put up a good fight.

[lawyerlee]

Oh, but doesn't the BCS solve everything?! ;) God, I HATE the BCS. :(

[msnicolea]

Go VOLS--best team in the country's best conference! And, no Auburn on our schedule this season--SWEET!

[wendalah]

I won't argue with polkadot or anyone else who says that the Pac-10 isn't the strongest conference.

The reason it isn't, is because every damn school on the Pac 10 saves up all their juice for their game against 'SC. ESPECIALLY Cal and UCLA. What do they feed them before they meet with the Trojans? :P

[wendalah]

Btw: More Pete! More Pete! More Pete! :d

ETA I meant to make a :D but it came out :d...which looks like I'm licking my lips, which is rather amusingly appropriate given how I feel about Pete! Ha!

[lawyerlee]

The reason it isn't, is because every damn school on the Pac 10 saves up all their juice for their game against 'SC. ESPECIALLY Cal and UCLA. What do they feed them before they meet with the Trojans? :P
I don't know, it depends on the year, I think. Cause we (K-State) played you guys twice, and you definitely weren't all that. :p

[ee_chick]

I don't know, it depends on the year, I think. Cause we (K-State) played you guys twice, and you definitely weren't all that. :p


C'mon Diana, we had a few re-building seasons. ;) :D The fact that there were so many of them, well... We just had to wait for Coach Carroll to find his groove. :cool:

It's a little crazy to think about how different it is in the past three or four years than it was when I went to school. I was in the band, so I was thoroughly brainwashed/indoctrinated with Trojan Pride before I even started class. We had a great time cheering the team on and hoping in vain for this kind of success under the "Return of Robinson". Robinson didn't stop us from losing to both ucla and Notre Dame. I bet they're having more fun now. :)

[framboise]

Slightly off-topic, here's an article about Matt Leinart (http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/3839080). I heart him. Look how hot he is:
http://msn.foxsports.com/id/3841720_36_2.jpg
Off to put him in my journal for "safe keeping" ;) ......

[Lizzie Beth]

Let me join MrsBrooke in a great big WAR EAGLE!!!!!! http://www.auburn.edu/includes/ddLogoEmblem.gif

And a HEY Y'ALL to all the GIRLS OF THE SEC!! Beyond my team, I am extremely loyal to the SEC. And let the smack begin, Calliope!! ;)

Since I live in NY now, last season was heaven - at least I could get all our games on cable... But mighty disappointing that nobody here grasped the significance of my beloved Auburn Tigers..

Hey, Polka - I think we're going to the LSU-Auburn game this year - we have a wedding in Baton Rouge that Friday... Hope it isn't like the last time we played at your house - my friends are LSU fans and it was a miserable night, for sure. But the tailgaiting was amazing. DH learned to make fried turkey from that trip - LOVE IT!!

And, no Auburn on our schedule this season--SWEET!
Thanks for the compliment, MsNicolea!! I remember the days of playing against Peyton. Sure don't miss those, either!

[polkadot]

lizzie beth- come on down...we love to tailgate...its what we are known for but you already know that...you learned to fry a turkey...i love it when i tell people what we consider tailgating...its not hamburgers and hotdogs...its fried turkey, aligator sauce piacante, jambalaya...all that good stuff....i am too pretty loyol to the SEC..except when it comes to Spurrier....i mean really...who likes him anyway? ;)

[Lizzie Beth]

I'm with ya on that, girl - LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the 2 times we beat him when I was in school.

[Wrighty26]

i am too pretty loyol to the SEC..except when it comes to Spurrier....i mean really...who likes him anyway? ;)

What can I say, I'm an ACC gal-- but man, hating Spurrier is something we've definitely got in common!!!

But you have to admit, watching him is like a day-time soap-- the way his face turns all red, the way he throws his visor and clipboard! Hee hee...

[lawyerlee]

i am too pretty loyol to the SEC..except when it comes to Spurrier....i mean really...who likes him anyway? ;)
God, not me. Blech. I can't stand that man. :(

[polkadot]

oh the visor!!! it kills me ....i mean you're not in florida anymore get a frickin hat...its funny...my DH says that he knew he was going to marry me the night we were both watching sportcenter and they showed Spurrier and we both flipped the tv off at the same time....its was true love after that...he likes to tell that story a lot too.
;)

[Wrighty26]

I love it!

Bound to love- by the hatred of Spurrier :)

I do admit-- I miss the Spurrier/Bowden games-- those were the days!

[UTChick]

i am too pretty loyol to the SEC..except when it comes to Spurrier....i mean really...who likes him anyway? ;)

Uh...My DH! :o He's a Gator... :rolleyes: Although I was seriously shocked the day he said he would pick Urban Meyer over Spurrier as coach (even though he secretly wants to steal back Stoops from OU).

[tgray99]

What can I say, I'm an ACC gal-- but man, hating Spurrier is something we've definitely got in common!!!

But you have to admit, watching him is like a day-time soap-- the way his face turns all red, the way he throws his visor and clipboard! Hee hee...
Sounds like the Aggies and OU, we share a mutual hatred of Texas.

My two favorite schools are Texas A&M and whoever is playing Texas. :D

[amberfiddles]

nicole---how did you become a vol fan? its good to see another one around here!

[UTChick]

Holy crap! TCU just beat OU. Maybe there is hope for us this year...

[tgray99]

Holy crap! TCU just beat OU. Maybe there is hope for us this year...
I know! Isn't that crazy?!? I think the domination of OU is over (or at least I hope it is). There's only one game I hope they win this season. ;)

[Lizzie Beth]

oh the visor!!! it kills me

Tee-hee!! That and the nose that gets redder as he gets angrier...

T minus forty minutes to the GA Tech - Auburn kickoff... Yippee! Hope we don't get schooled!

[Lizzie Beth]

Well, crap!

And not a word, Calliope. We all know you played "Middle-something-or-other State". ;)

[Camdynlyn]

JUST WANTED TO SAY: GO WOLFPACK!! :D:D VT IS GOING DOOOOOOOOWWWWN!

[Regina Phalange]

Not quite Summer. Pack just didn't do so well in the second half. But it was a great game!

[sublime311]

I CANNOT be the only one representing the Pac 10 here????????!!!!!!

Here I am!!!

Uh... We haven't had a good season since Teddy Bruschi and his "Desert Storm" left and we are 0-1 so far, but here I am in all my University of Arizona Wildcats-loving glory! :D :D

Go Pac!!

http://graphics.fansonly.com/confs/pac10/graphics/pac10-04-top-01.gif

[lawyerlee]

Overall, yesterday was a good day for Kansas State. We had an awesome time at the game, even though the heat was just awful. There were a lot of good things about our day - 400+ yards of offense and our D held them to about 230 yards total offense. We had a few special teams flub ups that were completely inexcusable and two turnovers, though. I definitely don't want to see that shit next weekend at Marshall!

Did anyone predict the Oklahoma upset? I knew things were somewhat up in the air, but I was definitely shocked to see that final score. The Texas A&M / Clemson game was something else! Quite the ending, though obviously not the one our Aggies were hoping for.

We watched part of the V Tech / NC State game, too. I've got to come out and say it, I LOVE Virginia Tech! Absolutely no connection to them whatsoever, but I love their style of play. Marcus Vick impresses the hell out of me. :)

[Wrighty26]

Summer-- My hubby and I were definitely routing for NC State last night. :( It's funny that you mention that you were impressed by Marcus Vick lawyerlee -- because we had the opposite feeling. Although it has much more to do with his shady legal issues. I think that he did an OK job last night, but I can't get over the fact that if he had been a player at FSU, no matter how good he was-- he would be suspended from the team for good, not just for a year.

It should definitely be a good year for the ACC though!

I'm definitely hoping my Noles don't make an ass out of themselves tonight vs. Miami! I think if we do well, it will shock the hell of out of everyone considering we have a rookie quarterback and our best defensive player is injured....

[LittleFredPunkinHead]

Woot woot! Big Ten is 10-0! :D

[lawyerlee]

It's funny that you mention that you were impressed by Marcus Vick lawyerlee -- because we had the opposite feeling. Although it has much more to do with his shady legal issues. I think that he did an OK job last night, but I can't get over the fact that if he had been a player at FSU, no matter how good he was-- he would be suspended from the team for good, not just for a year.
He played a great game, hands down, no questions. All you have to do is look at his stats. As for the legal issues, I don't know why second chances are a bad thing. I have a lot of respect for Frank Beemer, and if he believes in Marcus, then I have to accept that judgment. It's not as though it wasn't hard on the team to give him that one year suspension, so if the suggestion is that he returned because Beemer cares more about winning that anything else, I think that is quite unfair. Further, college athletics should be about more than building winning teams. Some coaches take pride in helping to shape young people's lives. I respect that. I take real issue with the suggestion that his "legal issues" were deal breakers because I was a wild kid and did a lot of the same things he is said to have done. Yet no one has ever suggested to me that the decisions I made as a kid should have kept me from practicing law.

Definitely looking forward to the Miami / FSU game tonight. I love a long weekend packed with college football!!! :D

[HGMorgann]

YAY HOKIES! 2002 Grad and Hokie for Life here:-)

Marcus Vick - I think many coach would have done absolutely nothing and let him play. I totally respect Coach Beamer and his decision to give him a second chance.

[tgray99]

The Texas A&M / Clemson game was something else! Quite the ending, though obviously not the one our Aggies were hoping for.

Yeah, no kidding. I so thought we had it in the bag until that last couple of plays. We shouldn't have let them get in field goal range. Oh well. I totally blame it on the fact that the game was nationally televised. We always choke when we're on ABC. :rolleyes:

[Atlanta_eBride]

"It wasn't pretty but the Noles will take it."

That's what the announcer said and he was soooooooo right! But we'll take it and stop a terrible streak against Miami.

GO NOLES!

[Wrighty26]

"It wasn't pretty but the Noles will take it."

That's what the announcer said and he was soooooooo right! But we'll take it and stop a terrible streak against Miami.

GO NOLES!

Woo-hoo!! It definitely wasn't pretty-- and FSU's offense did horrible, but we survived! Booker surprised me last night-- usually I'm Leon Washington fan... Our season can only get better from here!

[Lisa]

Woo-hoo!! It definitely wasn't pretty-- and FSU's offense did horrible, but we survived! Booker surprised me last night-- usually I'm Leon Washington fan... Our season can only get better from here!
I'm sad! Miami lost but it was definitley not pretty. FSU was better! We'll get you next time!!!! :p

[UTChick]

Ok...I almost just had a heart attack or two, but I am so freakin' excited to say that my

LONGHORNS WON!!!

Hardly anyone was picking them to win and I did have my doubts around the beginning of the 4th quarter, but they came through for me!! :D

Now, if we can just beat OU...

[mrs_pell]

That game was GREAT!! :) I actually forgot it was on till the 3rd quarter, but at least I caught the best parts! :)

[UTChick]

Wasn't it though?!? DH had to attend a retirement reception with his boss for one of the higher-ups tonight, so we taped the game for him. He is on his way home but not listening to the radio. Earlier he made me promise I wouldn't tell him who won. For the last five minutes I have been practicing saying in the mirror, "Oh, it was a good game" with either a neutral or pretend sad face. Let's just say I am *not* a good actor! Hopefully he won't ask me about it at all. I think I am going to watch the game with him tonight so that I can enjoy it a little more without all the anxiety I was feeling the first time around.

[KarenS]

Whoooooo ..... Hook 'Em Horns!

And, on top of that, DH's team won too ... Geaux, LSU Tigers!

[polkadot]

**shaking fist*** that was an ugly win but a W is a W no matter how you look at it....my tigers had me freaking out till the very end but then stayed strong and won it in the end...Les Miles' 1st win as a tiger...would have been sweeter in our tigers stadium...but oh well...we'll take it...


later girls....

GEAUX TIGERS!!!!

[LittleFredPunkinHead]

So this will just demonstrate my pettiness but...
Since Michigan lost to Notre Dame, I was thrilled to see the Buckeyes lose. If I were still living in Michigan or in Chicago, I'd be disappointed for them, but living here in Columbus (and having total strangers harangue me in craft stores, of all places, if I forget and go out wearing a Michigan shirt) makes me want the fans to stay in a state of constant melancholy.

Me out loud: "Wow, that was a tough game. Well, next time, right?"
Me in my head: "Bwah ha ha ha ha!"
;)

[meggers]

Another fan of the Big 12 here...

I am an alumnus if Iowa State Go Cyclones!!

It doesn't look like there is any team that really stands out in the Big 12 North. I am hoping that ISU's beating of Iowa will propel them to winning the Big 12 north (ISU really need to learn how to kick the football first :) ).

[Txfish]

I am so bummed I haven't made it here before now!

So, I'm a diehard Longhorn fan. Both of my parents and my oldest sister went to OU, and my brother went to A&M for a while... so teaching my 4 year old to do "Hook Em" was more even more enjoyable than it should have been. She also has a particularly cute touchdown dance and always runs up and gives Bevo a kiss when he's on screen :p (But I am dutifully teaching her the words to Boomer Sooner; don't want her cut out of the will or anything.)

My dh also looks around in alarm when I yell at the TV. Particularly when I coach -- embarassing, but true. He loves football, but he likes NFL (which I honestly could give two hoots about -- it's all about the band & the school spirit! College ball all the way for me!)

Now, for the OHIO GAME: we have a neighbor from Ohio, who had a full-on inflatable Brutus in his front yard. So naturally dd had to be sent over to heckle him pre-game with her horns. From all accounts, Brutus went down before the end of the game LOL If we had lost, we were planning on some rude statement in their front yard (there was a brief discussion of spray painting a big orange UT, but we didn't want him scalping his yard just to get rid of it *heehee*) Plus, we're not that destructive type of gloating fan.

I am also glad they are playing some better teams out-of-conference. Maybe we'll even consider taking on the big bad monster that is TCU!! (Sorry, Sooners, couldn't help it.)

I do a lot of rooting for UVA & VA Tech, as I have a sis & bil who attended those (the wedding was a riot -- best man gave a turkey call, and sis' girlfriends broke into full Wahoo fight song glory.) Go Hokies, Go 'Hoos.

God, I'm chatty. Sorry -- just excited to find you all :)

[msnicolea]

So this will just demonstrate my pettiness but...
Since Michigan lost to Notre Dame, I was thrilled to see the Buckeyes lose. If I were still living in Michigan or in Chicago, I'd be disappointed for them, but living here in Columbus (and having total strangers harangue me in craft stores, of all places, if I forget and go out wearing a Michigan shirt) makes me want the fans to stay in a state of constant melancholy.

Me out loud: "Wow, that was a tough game. Well, next time, right?"
Me in my head: "Bwah ha ha ha ha!"
;)

Please--I spend almost as much energy rooting against Florida, Auburn, etc. . . as I do rooting FOR my Vols. My DH says I should "support my conference"-- I told him to support THIS! ;)


I do a lot of rooting for UVA & VA Tech, as I have a sis & bil who attended those (the wedding was a riot -- best man gave a turkey call, and sis' girlfriends broke into full Wahoo fight song glory.) Go Hokies, Go 'Hoos.

My brrther and sister in law went to Va Tech--they had the hokie mascot at their reception-- and my DH is from Blacksburg with two VT profs as parents and the other set of parents as alums--I'm surrounded, I tell ya..

[Txfish]

Bwa ha ha -- support this!! That is how I feel about Nebraska. Almost all of the other teams in the Big 12 can count on my support, if they've made it to championships and they're not playing Texas. But Nebraska, they're on their own. I come by that hatred naturally, growing up with my parents. There's a classic tale in my family about one extremely cold game when they were in college, and someone streaked the field at halftime with an enormous sign reading "OU goes through Nebraska like shit through a goose". Ah, good times. I'm sure it's more fantasty than fact; I have a hard time believing anyone really pulled that off, what with the vulgarity and all ;) but it's a good story.

I have got to find this story -- some UT guy wrote a travel journal about the year (5-6 years ago?) that UT played Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship. It is the funniest damn thing. I will def. post it if I can find it.

ETA: Found it, but it's long. And hopefully not an excellent representation of UT students in general, but enjoy anyway :) http://web.archive.org/web/20010427210324/http://pantherlair.com/jokes_texas_fan.htm

[paiger]

Please--I spend almost as much energy rooting against Florida, Auburn, etc. . . as I do rooting FOR my Vols. My DH says I should "support my conference"-- I told him to support THIS! ;)


I'm better about supporting the SEC than DH, but I'm definitely picky about who I'll cheer for unless is bowl time then I'm SEC all the way. However, much of my DH's (so also my) time is spent cheering against Clemsux.

Just have to give a big GO GAMECOCKS for this Saturday against 'Bama. It is going to be a drinkfest before and after the game...I love tailgating!!

After a heart-breaking loss against GA that sent DH into a drunken stupor, which lead to the bathroom floor for him, I am really hoping for a better outcome this week!

[christy1010]

I can't believe there are only two Purdue Boilermaker fans here! I grew up on Purdue Football. Lived right across the street from the stadium and parked cars in my front yard to raise money for college!

[TracieB]

I just have to say... I'm really proud and excited for my Indiana Hoosiers! They are 3-0 and haven't been 3-0 since 1994!!!!!! I'm optimistic about a good season (finally)... ;)

[polkadot]

i am pretty sure that they are going to have to move or reschedule the LSU Tenn game this weekend....the weather is not goin to be good....at all...hurricane strenghth winds here and there....this sukcs.....this has been a really bad season :mad: :o

[lawyerlee]

i am pretty sure that they are going to have to move or reschedule the LSU Tenn game this weekend....the weather is not goin to be good....at all...hurricane strenghth winds here and there....this sukcs.....this has been a really bad season :mad: :o
That really does suck. :( At least football could be a distratction for everyone who has been through so much. :(

[polkadot]

well we just heard that the game has been rescheduled for MOnday night at 6 pm....can you tell that LSU really NEEDS this football game....you are right lawyerlee, we need major distraction...and us BEATING TN...will help big time ;)


later girls

[t3h_wookiee]

Whoa boy, we suck! LMAO Oh well, it really is a rebuilding year-we have no offensive line at all, and our qb has butter fingers. It was weird last night seeing the Big 12 South standings-they looked upside down!! BAYLOR and OSU are on top, and we're on bottom-very surreal.

[tippy]

Yay! I didn't know this thread existed. I wanna play too. Well, I guess you can tell by my avatar what my team is ;) And it seems I am the only one here repping my alma mater :(

GO CANES!!!

We did beautifully today against Colorado. If only we had played that way the first game :(

[meggers]

Whoa boy, we suck! LMAO Oh well, it really is a rebuilding year-we have no offensive line at all, and our qb has butter fingers. It was weird last night seeing the Big 12 South standings-they looked upside down!! BAYLOR and OSU are on top, and we're on bottom-very surreal.

I am very surprised about how poorly Oklahoma is doing this year. Usually I like it when I don't see OU on the cyclones schedule, but this year it looks like it would be a good year to play OU :) . What happened to the Sooners? Are your sure its just a rebuilding year ? The cornhuskers have been rebuilding for a couple of years now :D .

Iowa State won again this week, but it wasn't very pretty at all. I really hope Coach lays in to the players and can bounce back to beat the huskers.

[sem426]

GO BADGERS!!!!! Awesome game on Sat night kicking some Wolverine butt!

[KarenS]

Whoooooo. LSU intercepted and scored a touchdown in the first 2 mins. *happy dance*

It's amazing. The crowd noise in the stadium is so overwhelming that you can't hear the band. I'm so glad tht LSU is finally playing in the Valley.

Oh my God. And now UTenn just tossed the ball right to LSU on their own 1-yard line to avoid a safety. Not a smart move. LSU just scored again.
.

[LadyD088]

Well, if I got out of my journal more often I would have known about this thread!!!

I am here to showing pride for our #1 Team... USC Baby!!! 3-0, we are on our way.

I am also a WVU Fan and wanted to throw that out there. Since I am here on the West Coast, I don't get to see much of their games. Hoping for a successful season for the Mountaineers!!!

EE Chick, Framboise, & Wendalah - What's up? Go Trojans!!! DH and I are heading to the Cal game and we are THRILLED!!! We live up north now so we can't wait!!!

Looking forward to next weeks game...AZ State - bring it on!

Deb

[mrstim]

Gggoooooo Vols! :)


Sorry - I'm a little bit excited right now!

Just for the record - I'm both an Alabama and a Tennessee fan. unless they're playing each other. Anyway - wooot woot. Great game for LSU - they were really good, but TN just came back and they both played a great game!!!

A

[KarenS]

Aw MAN! *grumble* *grump* *growl* http://www.pwpforums.com/forum//style_emoticons/default/angry.gif

That's the last time I gloat before the game is won. *sigh*

[amberfiddles]

GO BIG ORANGE!

it took long enough for fulmer to realize that ainge sucks & put in clausen *rolleyes*

[polkadot]

oh my god...that was the craziest game ever....Fulmer did the right thing puting Clausen in...and just for the record i know that LSU is getting a lot of flack for booing Clausen but i want to say that it was only a few....most of the (sober) LSU knew that he left for TN so that he could play...adn he made the right desicion. The only thing that makes me mad is that at the end of the game a TN player took the TN flag and stuck it in the tiger eye and waved it around....that is plain unsportsman like...not cool, no matter how much you come back from....TN put up a fight fair and square and got it done and KUDOS to them...i still bleed purple and gold :o


on to next week!

[msnicolea]

My beloved VOLS showed a lot of heart last night--what a GREAT game, although it almost made me sick to my stomach.

[katmg]

How did I miss this thread?? I'm a die-hard fan for Texas!

http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/image_lib/tradition_bevo_large.jpg

I did marry an Aggie though - and I like to talk smack with tgray! ;) Luckily my DH isn't too obnoxious about being an Aggie - although it does drive me nuts that he can't be nice about Texas - even when we're not playing A&M. :rolleyes:

For the first time in a long time I'm actually looking forward to the OU game. I hope that we don't embarass ourselves! 2 more weeks!

[msnicolea]

I did marry an Aggie though - and I like to talk smack with tgray! ;) Luckily my DH isn't too obnoxious about being an Aggie - although it does drive me nuts that he can't be nice about Texas - even when we're not playing A&M. :rolleyes: !

Mixed marriages can be so challenging. ;)

[Txfish]

HOOK 'EM KATMG!! Exciting to have another in here... for awhile I thought we were being overrun with Ags and Sooners. And, I was so glad that UT had an off week so I didn't have to miss any football due to the 'cane. (I know, screwed up priorities.) Can't wait for Red River...

Love the "mixed marriage" comment ... :D

[katmg]

msnicolea - oh my yes! Our wedding was quite interesting - we had both fight songs played. :rolleyes:

txfish - Oh, it's not that there were so many more Ags and Sooners, it's just that we're so much more mellow about the rivalries! ;) (I say that while I'm at home SCREAMING at my T.V. when a game's on!)

[tgray99]

Kat, I thought of you today at Target. There was a toy in the baby section that plays "The Eyes of Texas" (or what most people know as "I've Been Working on the Railroad.") I thought, wow, when Kat and Jim have a baby, I bet she'd love that. :) I have no idea what toy it was because someone else on the aisle made it play not me. I just had to stand there and endure it. ;)

[katmg]

Tara - That's so sweet! My aunt gave us singing bottle openers for each of our respective school songs. I'd be happy to give those up for a baby toy! ;)

[framboise]

Hi LadyD! We're slowly getting the Trojan fans to come out of the woodwork in here. I wanted to go to the Cal game, but by the time I was sure that my brother would be able to meet me there, the game was sold out and I can't find a single ticket under $100! So much for that! FH & I are at all the home games, so I guess that will have to do. Fight On!

[UTChick]

For the first time in a long time I'm actually looking forward to the OU game. I hope that we don't embarass ourselves! 2 more weeks!

I am completely with you on this! I am getting anxious!

tgray~My ringer on my cell phone right now is "Eyes of Texas" and a co-worker from up north asked me why I had "I've Been Working on the Railroad" as my ringer. :rolleyes: She says she is totally confused by Texas culture. :)

Oh, and as for the mixed marriages, it is also really hard to be a non-SEC fan married to an SEC fan. They think they are superior to any and everyone! :rolleyes: