Football Done Wrong

I have noticed for years now that I am far less productive in the fall semester than the spring semester. The reason is simple Saturdays, it begins with a great game of ultimate and when I get home the opportunity for schoolwork is squandered by hours of college football action. It doesn't even have to be a favorite team only an interesting game. Although I will not miss my Volunteers, except this season because I miss Tennessee football done right.

The reason Tennessee football is great is tradition from Rocky Top to the Vol Walk, the pride and loyalty of fans is broadcasted loud and clear. Football time in Tennessee is a microcosm of the way football is done in the SEC, with tailgating, a sold-out stadium, and hours of standing and screaming during the game. That is the football I know, or at least knew until this past Saturday.

After arriving a night in Phoenix Friday, my Father and I drove a couple hours to Tucson the next afternoon to go to the Arizona-Oregon State football game. What followed was not college football but some sadly sedated imitation of the glory of the fall. Tailgating was tame, with more discussion of business than football, the baby gift was an entertaining "Daddy's Little Wingman," but that is not what you give during football season, you give a baby jersey or their first (insert favorite college) hat. The food was good, however I can get good off a grill in my backyard, so I cannot consider it a positive part of a football experience only a part of the perphery. We walked into the stadium and it was pedestrian, there was hardly any character, the 60,000 seats were three-quarters full. The team ran out to fireworks, not through the opening of the band, and to top it off the flags which spell the team name, anounced the University of Arizona "Wilctas." This sort of flashy mediocrity is fine for a church in Dallas (is that too harsh?) but it is not the way of college football.

The game kicked off with most people standing, and a scattered few shaking their keys, one guy had to be a dungeon keeper or possibly a key collecter, with his giant key ring and scores of keys. The point is everyone should be standing and yelling, and that was hardly the case. From this point on I sat somewhat comfortably, except for the occasional third and long. When we stood and clapped as if the quarterback made a par putt. It was all together average and the fans were lukewarm at best. It was a far departure from four hours of standing and yelling, that I grew accustom to in the SEC.

The truth is quite clear, the SEC knows how football done and the Pac-10 can only claim a junior varsity venture that fell short of compelling. Only creating a desire in me to once again be a part of a true college football atmosphere.