Support History: How To Choose a College Football Team (Part Three)

In the last two articles, the VFA has told you not to jump on the bandwagon or be part of 'Suck U' - the place where loser supporters root for their loser football team doing what they are good at - losing.

It is OK to root for history.

Penn State has a rich history of tradition, then sucked during the early 2000s, until Michael Robinson and a brave group of wide receivers rescued the program to 2005 (Favourite fan expression:"Our wide receivers love to go balls deep").

PSU hasn't really looked back since, clocking back-to-back-to-back-to-back bowl appearances, including two in the BCS (one win, one loss). Joe Paterno is admired throughout the country.

USC's history is deep. It lifted the National Title in 2003 and 2004 and came darned close in 2005. Texas won in 2005 after consistently losing to Oklahoma, and Michigan and Ohio State have also won.

Miami—who haven't been good in years—won in 2000, and there have been wins for - amongst others - Nebraska, Florida State, LSU (twice), Florida (three times), Tennessee, Notre Dame and Alabama in the last 20 years.

But the one thing about history is for crying out loud make sure a team has won a National Championship in your lifetime.

In other words, if you're 25 and reading this article and needing a spot of advice, then only look at the winners of the last 25 National Championship Game for some guidance. The last thing we'd want you to do is walk around New York City in a Notre Dame shirt and yell at pedestrians about the greatness of Knute Rockne.

It's awful form to be boasting about coaches who finished coaching—or died—before you were born. Oh, and you might well get your ass kicked (unless of course you're in New York's Catholic district (more about that later in the week).

And remember this: the good teams don't fall far from the three - so if your team loses to a 'minor' school, you'll probably hear about it.

Here's a spot of a history lesson for you, featuring Boston College, Miami, Notre Dame, Texas and Texas Tech. Trust me - it's worth watching.

Oh, and if your team hasn't won the National Titles, then perhaps you can talk about Pro Bowlers and NFL greats who have played for your team (Stanford + Elway = 'rich tapestry of history', anyone?")

So that's three: Bandwagon, Loser, History.