College American Football
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Hello,
this is a place to discuss college football. I'm not going to call it "American football" every time, hopefully the thread title sets the context.
Any topic is welcome; examples could be talking about your team or experiences as a fan of that team, talking smack, even setting up a little action on a game. Whatever, I don't care.
I'll start by naming and briefly discussing my team of choice and its traditions, because I want to share something that's very special to me to an international audience who might otherwise not "get" it.
I've cheered for the Rebels rabidly since I was a tiny tot; it was a bonding experience for my dad, myself, and my sister, as cheering for my mom's alma mater, the Duke Blue Devils, also was: The Ole Miss (University of Mississippi) Rebels. We are in the Southeastern Conference, the toughest conference, and in that conference's toughest division, the West. We had a heyday in the 50s-60s, but have had ups and downs since then. The program has seen its darkest days in history these past few years, but the tide started turning last year, where we finally had a decent season and earned a bowl bid, and defeated our opponent, Pittsburgh. Our second-year coach, Hugh Freeze, has done a remarkable job and he carried his first year success into an historic recruiting class. I hope we have the young talent we need to resurrect the program.
Our most famous alumni are Archie and Eli Manning, the former of whom won an NFL MVP on a team with a losing record (the then-woeful New Orleans Saints), and the latter of whom has played up and down throughout his career, but is usually at his best when it matters most: he has won two Super Bowls / Super Bowl MVPs with the New York Giants (whom other Rebels like Charlie Connerly, also an NFL champion and one year an NFL MVP, and Glynn Griffing, who was a deacon in my church, also quarterbacked) against future first-ballot Hall of Famer Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Another notable is the San Francisco 49ers Patrick Willis, arguably the finest linebacker in the game today. Finally, I'll note offensive lineman Michael Oher, the subject of the Blind Side book and film. His story is stirring, and Patrick Willis' is similar–lives of abject privation overcome by decency and hard work, and opportune helping hands.
One of the great traditions at Ole Miss is tailgating in the Grove, a beautiful section of campus. This includes barbecuing, socializing, and drinking. The team, suited up, walks to the stadium through the Grove on the Walk of Champions as the marching band plays fight songs. It's an amazing tradition. I should add that some of the most gorgeous women you will ever see go to Ole Miss. You will get whiplash any time you visit this campus, especially on Game Day. Here's a link of someone's experience in the Grove: http://taylortakesataste.com/ole-miss-tailgating-might-not-always-win-the-game-but-will-always-win-the-party/
Last night, we won one of the greatest football games I've ever seen, our season opener against Vanderbilt, who is another program on the rise, but who even at their weakest have been a thorn in our side in recent history.
I was unable to sleep after this barn burner of a game, and can't think of a better way to kick off the season: an improbable back and forth victory against a conference opponent.
Highlights available here: http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=332410238
Anyone who doesn't like college football would probably have been drawn in by the drama of that contest.
I'll leave you with our cheer. In the South, parents typically don't let their kids swear, even Hell and Damn. For Ole Miss families, our cheer, Hotty Toddy, is a notable exception:
ARE YOU READY??
Hell yes! Damn right!
Hotty toddy
gosh Almighty
who the Hell are we?
Flim flam!
Bim Bam!
Ole Miss, by damn!Here we are yelling Hotty Toddy against the Louisiana State University Tigers, whom we hate like poison:
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Nice Bags! Look forward to that.
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…f@&k Carolina...
Guess that means you enjoyed watching the Heels lose to their "in-state rival", right?
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Clowney took a hit in the heisman race. Which was largely predicated on that one play. He is an utter badass regardless.
The cheap shot on him was some weak ass buster shit though.
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That stuff happens in every college game every weekend. If it wasn't Clowney it wouldn't have even been discussed and prob not even on tape. He reminds me so much of Julius Peppers that it makes me sick. $million talent but 5cent head
Anyone else going to games today? What games are you guys looking forward to? Any upset predictions?
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I'll call TCU over LSU mainly because I hate LSU. Call it hopeful thinking.
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My cowboys are gonna throttle Mississippi State. Go POKES!
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I'm with you on that JSJ. FAIL STATE (their cheer is HAIL STATE)
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What the hell is the matter with my cowboys???
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Miami Hurricanes baby! The canes are rising after cleaning up cokers and randy shannons mess, we'll see how much next week against the Florida gators. Had a nice easy tune up game yesterday with duke Johnson picking where he left off last year
Big BIG W today. Guessing you're pretty happy!
