College Football: Who and Why?

[SECElit3]

I thought it might be interesting to start a little "get to know you" thread that I hope may make for some enjoyable reads throughout it's lifespan.

I have been a member of OS for quite sometime and over the years have been able to compile a mental database, so to speak, of certain members and their, passion for college football, favorite teams, memories. etc..

However, in those years, I was never able to determine why they were fans of that team, what made them fans and so on. Many of you I know little if anything about.

Would any of you guys be interested in answering the following:

What team or teams are you passionate about? (any division or level)

Why are you a fan of that/those teams? (History, Traditions, Players, Coaches, Playstyle, Memories)

Did NCAA Football make you a fan?

What teams do you consider your rivals or loathe?

I posted this another thread and didn't want to rewrite it:

For me, I am a VOLS fan. I didn't attend UT, nor have I ever been to a game at Neyland. Heck for a large portion of my life, I didn't even live in Tennessee. I grew up in Mississippi and quickly became a fan of MSU. In this state, you are either a fan of UM, MSU, or not a fan of football at all and are an outcast, yes I am completely serious.

Anyway, growing up as a fan MSU, I learned to really hate the VOLS. I mean I hated the VOLS and my father hated the VOLS. I mean who were these guys in these ugly orange uniforms, beating my MSU team, and then following it up by beating the Seminoles in the national championship?

So a few years later I started playing NCAA with the VOLS, after that I started watching their games, traditions, and eventually I began to like them. My passion for the VOLS has grown from there and continues to grow. I still follow MSU and go to their games, but I don't have a passion for them like I do the VOLS, MSU is a part of me because I grew up around them.

The VOLS reflect a lot of my personality in their traditions and playstyle. They are program built on tradition and keep to those traditions, Even their uniforms have remained very conservative.

I also follow the Seminoles, Nittany Lions, and the MSU Bulldogs. The Seminoles became one of favorite teams on account of Bobby Bowden. I used to love watching his interviews. I don't know why the any of the networks didn't offer him a broadcast contract. He would have been fun to watch. He is gone now but my love for the Seminoles will never die.

MSU speaks for itself, I grew up in Mississippi.

Nittany Lions, Watching TV, Joe Paterno, NCAA 11, and Videos


How about you guys?

[NEOPARADIGM]

Re: College Football: Who and Why?

Being brutally honest I became a Michigan fan when I asked my mom which was the better school, Michigan or Michigan State. She said Michigan. My choice was made.

Coincidentally the first game I remember watching was MSU @ UM, 1990. Michigan #1 in the nation lost 28-27 at home - thanks, refs - on a non-call PI on Desmond Howard.

Obviously I hate Ohio State, but I'm one of the few people who actually hates Michigan State a lot more.

Also have always been very fond of Penn State and Nebraska. Kinda neat they're both in the B1G now.

Currently a grad student at UM.

Cheers.

[JSHT21]

Re: College Football: Who and Why?

I've been a Clemson fan since birth, My first word was Tiger, I kid you not. I live in a part of South Carolina that is around 80% SCAR fans, so I wouldn't say I hate them, but it's pretty darn close.

Two years ago I reached my lifelong dream as getting accepted by Clemson. It was a wonderful two years, but sadly I ran out of money, Clemson is just too expensive. So now, sadly I have to finish up my Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of South Carolina. Hopefully I'll be able to go back to Clemson after this year to get my degree.

I'm also a very very very so so Notre Dame fan. I don't really follow them, but if someone asked who my second NCAA team was it'd be them. Mainly because honestly growing up Rudy was my favorite sports movie, that and my Irish heritage.

[Spooky]

Re: College Football: Who and Why?

I was born and raised in Lincoln, NE. So I never really had a choice if I wanted one.

I considered Oklahoma a big time rival before the split to the Big 12. I never considered Colorado a rival since most times we curb-stomped them, but they are definitely the most hated. Texas has made a run though, recently.

Graduated from Nebraska a couple times. Fully engrained with season tickets and am blessed with a sweet tailgate parking spot right outside the stadium. Can't really ask for much more.

[SECElit3]

Re: College Football: Who and Why?

These are great guys.. Keep them coming!

[Freakydeaky9]

Re: College Football: Who and Why?

Born and raised a Nevada fan in Reno for all 16 years. Always told by my cousins to like UNLV but it never happened. I like to be an underdog so this is perfect for me and I love the atmosphere and the fans here. Boise State and UNLV are the two rivals I hope we beat. When i'm out of high school I want to go to Nevada for engineering and because it's a good party school.

My first live game was 2007 UNR (Nevada) vs UNLV it was a tie the whole game until I think Jeff Rowe made a pass to Marko Mitchell in the end zone with 3 seconds in the game. Rushing the field and seeing the cannon was really cool.

I like to watch Nevada, UCLA, and pretty much any west coast teams

[ViLLiO]

Re: College Football: Who and Why?

Raised in Jordan Hare Stadium. My first words were War Damn Eagle.

[Redacted01]

Re: College Football: Who and Why?

I don't have a single team. I follow football period at the college level, but I have certain teams I pay more attention to for certain reasons.

Oregon - Started watching them in the early 2000's before they went all crazy with the jerseys. Saw the screwjob with Nebraska, Joey Harrington, etc...

Arkansas - My parents are Razorback fans, it was only natural to at least follow them.

Memphis - Lived in north Mississippi so Memphis is a favorite. Had season tickets in 2005 to see Deangelo Wiliams' senior season. Lots of fun that year. They played Akron in the Motor City Bowl, which leads me to...

Akron - Where I did my undergrad and about to finish my master's at. Don't really follow them as much since that 2005 season, they've been rather dismal. I went to a few Akron/Kent games, but yea... last year was a massacre.

Mississippi State - Most of my friends went there. Best friend of mine, his family has had season tickets for years since they are alumni so I went down to Starkville for a few games. Knew quite a few players on the team the past few years as I went to high school with them; K.J. Wright is one I graduated with.

After that, I watch football period.

[Xero Theory 42]

Re: College Football: Who and Why?

born in southwest CT been here all 18 years. growing up i was a ND fan simply because of the movie Rudy. But around 03 i went to my first Uconn game when Orlovsky was the QB and there was no way i couldnt root for my home state.played against Scott lutrus in hs freshman year. my football coach was a walk on at uconn under Edsall. plus im transferring over to Storrs for my sophomore year so i cannot wait!

[UniversityofArizona]

Re: College Football: Who and Why?

University of Arizona fan 1st (I care more about the football than basketball, but the basketball is growing on me)
Northern Arizona University fan 2nd
(Free to attend games and beautiful campus with a unique indoor wooden stadium)
(Reasoning is I attended both schools though NAU was just for my Freshman year. Degree is from UA.)

Fair Weather fan of the Cardinals though I only ever attended any games when they were in the ASU stadium.
Really only cared about the Diamondbacks when they won the World Series.
Fair Weather fan at best for the Phoenix Suns.
I feel the Owners of the professional teams are just too cheap to keep players I learn to enjoy watching, and often too cheap to put together quality teams on a really consistent basis a lot of the time. The Suns seemed to have had a couple good runs though, but I am just kind of meh about NBA basketball.

[Andrews85]

Re: College Football: Who and Why?

What team or teams are you passionate about?
-Favorite school is PITT, I also follow Marshall, Robert Morris University (FCS) and Slippery Rock University (D-II).

Why are you a fan of that/those teams?
-Born and raised 15 minutes North of Pittsburgh by the grace of God lol. From the time I could comprehend sports my Dad and older brothers force feed me Pittsburgh athletics (much like I do to my niece and nephews)

What teams do you consider your rivals or loathe?
-WVU: I still remember the game at Heinz Field, the stadium announcer made an announcement; There is a tractor running in the parking lot, license plate reads, E I E I O. God do I hate those "people" (except the WVU OS members, they're ok lol)
-PSU: Raised to hate them, but they really haven't played each other much lately.

[DorianDonP]

Re: College Football: Who and Why?

Grew up in a single parent home, so my role models were my older brothers and my uncle.

My older brother was a Hurricane fan. My other brother was a Gator fan. In fact, 90% of my family that follow college football are Gator fans.

The only person that was a Nole fan was my uncle who lives in a different city. Fortunately, the first time I paid attention to college football (I was about 4 or so), was when I was visiting him. He was cheering for the Noles and like any 4 year old that idolizes their uncle, I started doing the same. It's what set me on the path to the good side.

To think that if that trip didn't happen, I would likely be a Gator or Hurricane is sickening. But I'm not. Been a Nole fan ever since and couldn't imagine cheering for anyone else.

I go to USF though. If there was such thing as a 2nd fav school it would be them since I have followed them (home town team) since the Marquell Blackwell days and write for the school paper. But ever since they beat FSU, I have really had a hard part in my heart for the Bulls.

We (FSU) play USF in 2012. When FSU beats the crap out of USF then I will feel ok cheering for the Bulls again.

[DorianDonP]

Re: College Football: Who and Why?

Oh yeah. As far as my rivals.

Miami Hurricanes: I respect them and dislike them.
Florida Gators: I don't respect them AND I hate every single thing about them.

[3Percenter]

Re: College Football: Who and Why?

Born and raised in Texas but grew up a Florida St. fan because one of my uncles is a huge fan and I liked the Longhorns only because my entire family does. Ended up going to University of Alabama for a couple of years (for a girl. yeah, I know but who can resist a Southern woman) and really got introduced to the SEC culture which I still consider myself apart of. I'm back in Texas going to Sam Houston St. finishing up my undergrad degree and hope to go to Florida St. for Grad school. Can't wait to see a game at The Doak.

My new girlfriend goes to Texas A&M so it's a good thing I couldn't care less about the Longhorns anymore. And no, I'm not going to transfer to anymore schools for a girl. Gig em', I guess.

[OrangeCrush22]

Re: College Football: Who and Why?

Well I live in Elmira, New York where Ernie Davis is from for starters. It is only about 2hrs away from Syracuse, and my father grew up just outside of Syracuse, and still has season tickets, so he brought me to the Dome from a young age. When I was little it was much easier for me to watch a basketball game instead of football just because it moves faster and held my attention easier. I fell in love with Syracuse watching Gerry Mcnamara play 4 brilliant year at Syracuse, and my love branched out onto football and lax. I still follow their other sports though like softball and womens basketball.

Teams I hate are Rutgers, Penn State, Notre Dame, UConn, Georgetown, and West Virginia. Oh, and did I mention I really hate Rutgers? Cocky *** fans...

I also follow Navy because my uncle is a commander.