Are You Passionate About Your Team?

I've always loved college football and there's nothing better than a good rivalry. My experience is a good Gophers vs. Warriors game (yes, I was a gopher is high school) or a huge TCU vs. SMU game.

The big rivalry game that I remember from college went like this: It was my junior year, TCU had an 0-10 record. It's the last game of the season against the SMU Mustangs. If we win, we actually get one "W" for year, PLUS... we knock SMU out of a bowl. If we lose, it's a winless season. Well, somehow the Horned Frogs pulled it off. I was actually on the field watching the goal posts come down. I'm not knocking TCU football, we all know, I LOVE TCU football, BUT the rivalry scene at TCU just isn't the same as other schools. I didn't really learn all this until I met Clark.

I've always known that Texas/OU is a big game... but, I didn't know how big. Maybe it's because up until about two years ago I was a Texas hater. It's true, I always cheered for whoever was playing against Texas. That includes Oklahoma.

It's ironic that I actually married a Longhorn! And, slowly, but surely Clark has pulled me over to the "dark side". I even wore burnt orange when Clark took me to Texas/OU two years ago. And, I have to say... it was hard. I've always liked the Sooners. (Clark really hates this about me!)
Anyway, going to Texas/OU was a real eye-opener. I had no idea fans from opposing teams could be so mean. I was shocked at the little comments from a group of OU guys to Texas girls or vice versa. And, seeing the Cotton Bowl split right down the middle... OU red on one side, Texas orange on the other, it's amazing! But, here's what we figured out: I wasn't ready. After the game I kept talking about how mean the fans were, etc and Clark kept saying, "you weren't ready for it." Maybe I wasn't.

But, I am learning! Last year, Clark and I went to another big rivalry game. LSU vs. Florida in Baton Rouge. Both teams were in the top five. Honestly, I've never seen anything like it. Those LSU fans are crazy for their Tigers. And, they were probably a lot meaner than both the Longhorns and the Sooners.

So, since that game, Clark and I have talked a lot about the "worst" college football fan base. Who is the meanest? Clark experienced Ohio State fans.... he went to the Texas/Ohio State in Ohio. Texas won and Clark says he feared for his safety after the game. Does that make Ohio State fans worse than UT, LSU or OU fans?? Neither of us have ever been to a Michigan/Ohio State game or an Alabama/Auburn game, but, I would think those are some crazy fans, too. So, I don't think there's a way to actually figure out who is the meanest. But, what I have figured out... people are passionate about their college football teams.

There's no doubt tomorrow morning the Cotton Bowl will be rocking... it's always a big game, but this year they are both in the top five and this year both teams are really fun to watch. I'm looking forward to it. And, since the Sooners already beat the Frogs this year, I will be yelling Texas Fight louder than I ever have!