The chaos that is college football.

If you aren't a college football fan, then just disregard this post because it's all about the NCAA.  

Also, if you happened to miss the LSU-Tennessee game today, I highly suggest you go on ESPN or Fox Sports or YouTube (or just watch ESPN's football wrap up later tonight).  Why, you ask?  Because the few seconds AFTER the end of the game were craziness.  Yes, after. 

A little bit of info about my Tigers:

(Note:  I refer to the LSU Tigers as "we" because, like all LSU fans, I consider myself part of the team.  I know it's a bit ridiculous, but you'd have to be an SEC fan to understand.)

LSU is having an awful year.  We are, in fact, undefeated.  It's all a mirage though, because on paper there's no way we should be.  We have an immature, finicky quarterback who tends to be careless with passes.  We also have a coach who is the worst time manager in the history of college football.  Our defense is one of the best in the nation, which is how we've managed to keep getting Ws.  There are a few great offensive players, but they can't do much with an inept quarterback and idiot coach.

Here's how it went down:

LSU struggled offensively throughout the entire game.  Four - count 'em, FOUR - turnovers, an obscene amount of penalties and terrible time management found my Tigers down by four points with about a minute left.  We've got backup quarterback Lee in, and our guys are moving down the field.  For some reason unknown to us, Coach Miles puts Jefferson back in (which prompts a loud "Boo" from the stands).  A penalty against Tennessee puts us on the TWO YARD LINE, and it looks like we're about to pull off a win.  Then the clock starts moving again, and our quarterback is roaming around on the field like a lost second-grader at the zoo. 

The hubs and I are screaming at the television as the clock ticks down...5...4..3... FINALLY our guy snaps the ball, which proceeds to fly over Jefferson's head and he's chasing it down as time expires.  We lost.  WE LOST!?  We were RIGHT THERE.  On the TWO YARD LINE.  What an idiot! 

Tennessee players are rushing the field and the TN coach is making his way across the field for the obligatory handshake with Miles.  LSU fans are making their way out of the stadium dejectedly. 

Oh, I'm mad.  I'm stomping around the living room grumbling about Les Miles being the worst coach in the history of the world and if LSU doesn't fire him I'm going to take my big behind to his house and fire him myself.....

"Wait! There's a penalty!"  the hubs begins swatting at my arm in excitement.   I look back at the tv, not daring to feel any hope that there is some miraculous intervention by the good Lord Himself taking place.  Unfortunately for Tennessee, they can't count.  The commentators freeze the replay and count the number of defenders on the line when LSU snapped the ball before time expired.  They had THIRTEEN guys on the field (for you non-football folks, you can only have eleven)!  This means LSU gets a free play with no time on the clock.  One play.  One opportunity. 

And wouldn't you know it, the skies opened up, angels descended from heaven and our boys made the touchdown.  LSU wins 16-14. 

WHEW.

I'm still in shock.  That was craziness.  Did Tennessee earn the win?  Yep.  Did LSU deserve to lose?  Certainly.  However, we still got the W.  I'll take it.

I heart LSU Football

It's the most wonderful time of the year:

FOOTBALL SEASON

More specifically, COLLEGE football season.  Wohoo!  I love the Saints, but it's not even remotely close to the love and affection I feel for my Tigers.

This about sums it up:


I'm so excited and distracted that it would be pointless to attempt to write a specific post today. 

Besides, you don't need to be on the computer right now anyway.  You should be watching ESPN or, more specifically, ABC at 7pm central time tonight.  That's what I'll be doing. 

GEAUX TIGERS!  Rawr.

It's FOOTBALL time again....

That is all.

I'm having an emotional affair with college sports

Last night Gary and I were watching ESPN, eagerly cheering on our LSU Tigers in the College World Series. In the first game of the best-of-three finals, we knew the importance of a win. Securing the win of the first game would give our Tigers a little less pressure for the second game. However, LSU played in typical Tiger fashion: wait until the last possible millisecond to pull off a victory.

Somewhere during the 10th inning, I pulled my eyes away from the television to look at myself and Gary. There we were, two responsible adults, sitting on the edge of the sofa and leaning towards the TV in agonized frustration. I was SO into the game! I hung on every word from the commentators. Watched every pitch. Noted the expression on every Tiger's face whenever a close-up was provided. I realized that if our team could not pull off a win I would be upset, disappointed, maybe even a little depressed. I pushed these thoughts into the back of my mind and decided that I would analyze them AFTER the game.

Our Tigers somehow managed to get a single run and hold off three Longhorn batters to secure the win in the eleventh inning. We were ecstatic! We both jumped up, high-fived each other, and grinned like a couple of idiots (we could not yell victoriously because the babies were asleep). So the second game is tonight, and I find myself eagerly awaiting the chance to go through this torture again.

After thinking about this for most of the morning (it's been a slow day at work), I realized that I get this way not only when my Tigers are playing football and baseball, but any time I start watching a sporting event. I remember specific times - the 1996 U.S. Women's gymnastic phenomenon (Kerri Strug landing on one leg to win the gold), the Michael Phelps hoopla, the NY Giants - Indianapolis Colts superbowl, on and on the list goes. If I get into something, I pick my team/athlete, and I'm in it. I become superfan. It's as if I am a part of the team competing, and any loss will affect me greatly. Why is this? Why do I let myself get so emotionally involved?

My coworker friend - who is a Yankee - informed me that I am the way that I am because of where I grew up and currently live: the South. She went on to explain that people from the South are serious about three things - church, food and sports. I have to admit, she's partially right. They aren't the only things we're serious about, but they're right up there at the top of the list. I'm also not the only one in my family (or among my friends) who places sports as a top priority in life. Maybe I'm not entirely crazy. I do, however, think I may have a problem.

On the day of my very first date with Gary, LSU played Auburn (I'm talking football now). Sadly LSU lost the game. I was so upset about the loss that I considered canceling the date. Seriously! I felt like maybe the loss was a sign, and it would not be a good day to initiate a possible relationship. Luckily for us, I decided that the show must go on.

We schedule get-togethers, parties, outings, etc. around important games. It is necessary that wherever we will be, there must be access to a television or radio so that we do not miss a moment of said game. Granted, we don't get nearly as involved with any other sports so much as LSU football, but still....

Am I sick? Is it wrong that I invest so many of my emotions into these games; that I allow myself to feel dejected and wronged when my team loses; how I feel so elated when they win?

I don't know. I guess I never will. One thing I am sure of, though, is that come 6:00 tonight, I will be in front of the television, ready to cheer on my LSU Tigers!