Erin Andrews: 20 Things We Learned This Week About College Gameday Host

Over the last few years, Erin Andrews has quickly become one of the most captivating pop culture figures in America.

The ESPN sideline reporter and television anchor has captured the hearts of the entire country, from the college students who watch her on the sidelines to the television junkies who saw her compete on ABC's Dancing with the Stars. 

Though Andrews steadily remains one of the busiest women in America, she took some time out of her tight schedule to make an appearance at the Outback Bowl's Trane ESPN Kickoff Luncheon.

Andrews was invited to the event as the first female guest speaker in the bowl's 25-year history, where she spoke about dancing in front on America, how she got her start as a sports reporter and the stalking scandal that rocked her world.

Andrews also took part in a Q&A session after the luncheon and did an interview with AOL Fanhouse, where she answered a wide range of questions to let the world get to know her a little better.

Here's the top 20 things we've learned this week about the blonde bombshell.

20. Who's She Cheering For On Dancing With The Stars?

Erin Andrews said she'll be cheering for her former partner on Dancing with the Stars, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, but she also leans toward the athletes.

"I think Kurt Warner is just darling. I know he may not be as good technically as Rick Fox, but he is so genuine, he's trying so hard," Andrews said.

I can't imagine seeing Warner on the dance floor. He can't be good, can he?

19. Even Erin Andrews Thinks Les Miles Is Lucky

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Les Miles of the Louisiana State Univeristy Tigers during pregame before playing the West Virginia Mountaineers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty I

"Les Miles is sooooo lucky."

That's a direct quote from Andrews, whose probably a little upset that Miles' LSU Tigers beat her Gators, but is spot on when she says he's lucky.

That guy must have a rabbit's foot up his butt.

18. Does She Want a Family?

Erin Andrews may be a little too busy right now to settle down and have a family, but she does see that in her future.

"I want a family. I see my co-workers with their kids wearing their alma mater jerseys. I want that. I can't believe I'm saying that, but I do," Andrews said.

Something tells me she has plenty of suitors out there.

17. The Hardest Thing About Dancing With The Stars

The hardest thing about performing on the hit ABC show wasn't the actual dancing. It was what came along with it.

"The hardest thing was getting ten weeks of spray tan off my body," Andrews said.

I don't think she would have had a problem finding someone to help her with that.

16. The Best Part About The Show

What was Andrews' favorite part about performing on Dancing with the Stars?

"It made me forgot a lot of things that happened (with the stalking incident). The reason why I was there was to get away. It was amazing therapy. It sort of addressed a lot of my insecurities and made me face them--all doing this with this gorgeous man (Maksim Chmerkovskiy), who could shake it better than me."

I'm glad you enjoyed doing the show, Erin. I certainly enjoyed watching it.

15. Did She Date Her Dancing Partner?

Andrews and her partner or Dancing with the Stars, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, had quite the chemistry on the show, but did they date?

"We never dated. He was kind of my protector; he loved being the protector. He took care of my sister and I. We called him our chaperone. He was our concierge. He knew the hot spots to go. He was perfect for me in that time in my life," Andrew said.

Those two sure looked like they were "in love," but I'll take her word for it.

14. Her Thoughts on Nebraska

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

OMAHA, NE - JUNE 28: Television personality Erin Andrews on air before game 1 of the men's 2010 NCAA College Baseball World Series between the UCLA Bruins and the South Carolina Gamecocks at Rosenblatt Stadium on June 28, 2010 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo

I'm not sure what type of connection Andrews has with Nebraska, but she was asked what she thought about the Cornhuskers.

Nebraska will raise the bar in the Big Ten. Nebraska will raise – what Herbie (Kirk Herbstreit) likes to call 'the freak level' – the athletes. The guys that come in from the SEC; the freaks you have on defense (like) Jevon Kearse. Bo Pelini will go get those guys and will make things much more difficult for the other teams."

The Corhuskers had a freak last season. His name is Ndamukong Suh.

13. Her Thoughts On Florida State

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

WASHINGTON - JULY 27: ESPN reporter Erin Andrews talks to members of the media after a news conference about proposing new legislation that would clarify federal stalking laws on Capitol Hill July 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. Andrews who was taken victim

It must be hard for Andrews to praise any other Florida school, but that's exactly what Andrews did.

"Jimbo Fisher is going to get that program back. He's a little hesitant right now to have people say they're back. Their O-line are fit and they are freaks. They look good," Andrews said.

Seminole fans, if Erin Andrews says it, it must be true.

12. Her Thoughts on Florida

When asked about Florida's 2010 outlook, Andrews proved that she has a pretty good understanding of college football.

"It's a transition year. (Tim) Tebow's gone, Brandon Spikes is gone. Charlie Strong is gone. Dan Mullen is gone...that's a lot when you have the heart and soul of your offense, you have the heart and soul of your defense and your D-coordinator gone. That's not just losing Tim Tebow as your quarterback. That's losing a lot of people."

Maybe that's why the Gators have lost two straight.

11. She Was Clueless When She Started

Andrews' first major gig came when she was just 22 years old and was hired by the Tampa Bay Lightning as a sideline reporter.

She admitted that she didn't know a thing about hockey. 

"The night before I got the job I was reading 'Hockey For Dummies," Andrews said.

That's alright, Erin. There's not much hockey in the south. You have an excuse.

10. She Often Is Upset With Her Own Performance

Despite her success as the host of College Gameday, Andrews isn't gleaming with pride every Saturday.

"I'm very hard on myself. I'm very insecure. I just don't want to do a bad job," Andrews said. "I respect those guys so much, and I want to carry on the greatness. I don't want there to be any slack off when I sit up there."

Maybe she should give herself a little more credit. She's pretty good at what she does.

9. Should You Date Other Sports Personalities?

You know that Andrews has certainly been pursued by an athlete or two in the past, but she doesn't get involved with the athletes she covers.

"I don't see that as a problem if it doesn't interfere with your profession, if you're not covering the person," Andrews said.

This is Journalism 101 here. 

8. Andrews Defends The Need For Sideline Reporters

Though plenty of people have questioned the purpose of sideline reporters, Andrews defended the need for reporters on the field.

"When they're needed – a prime example was when Dennis Dixon was leading the (2007) Heisman race, looks like Oregon's going to win the national championship, then he blows out his knee. Oregon said he's OK. I'm down there watching, I'm reading the trainers' lips to him. The trainer starts crying. Right there and then I report it. I knew it was over," Andrews said.

I always thought they were kind of pointless too, but Andrews does make a pretty good point here.

7. Erin Andrews' Other Activities

When she isn't on the sidelines or in the TV studio, Erin Andrews is heavily involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and an organization called "Abolish Cancer."

Andrews is also working to improve U.S. stalking laws in the wake of the stalking incidents that put Andrews' stalker in prison for two and a half years.

6. What She Thinks About Critics Of Attractive Female Reporters

Andrews doesn't quite understand why sports fans criticize attractive female reporters.

"I think it's hilarious that you can't worry about getting your roots done, working out, worrying about what shoes you're wearing and have cool jewelry and know sports...Why can't you worry about the way you look and also like sports?"

I'm all for having hot sideline reporters. I'd much rather look at Jenn Brown and Erin Andrews than Tony Siragusa. 

5. Erin's Favorite College Venue

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Cheerleaders run with flags after a touchdown during the game between the Louisiana State Univeristy Tigers and the West Virginia Mountaineers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers

Erin Andrews is a former Gator, but she snubbed "The Swamp" when asked what her favorite college venue was. A Big 12 school tops her list.

"Texas, it's insane, sort of like Vegas. I enjoy going to LSU. Auburn is fun and Alabama."

I think Andrews might have a little SEC bias going on.

4. Who Has The Craziest Fans?

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

MORGANTOWN, WV - DECEMBER 1: Fans of the West Virginia Mountaineers watch the game during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Milan Puskar Stadium on December 1, 2007 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

So what place has the craziest fans in all of college football?

"Morgantown, West Virginia. Oh my gosh, they're nuts on a Thursday night. Are you kidding?"

Erin didn't even have to think twice about this one.

3. Who's The Heisman Favorite?

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 9: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes passes against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

It shouldn't come as a surprise that Andrews believes three players on top five teams are the current Heisman Trophy favorites.

"LaMichael James, then Kellen Moore... (but) if Terrelle Pryor goes off at Camp Randall Saturday, I think he'll be the front-runner," Andrews said.

I think Pryor might already be the favorite, but I still like her choices.

2. Who Will Win The National Championship?

Andrews may be a Florida graduate, but she likes another SEC team to win the National Championship.

"In my heart, Alabama is the No. 1 team in the nation...then Ohio State and Oregon," Andrews said.

I'm not sure how fans of the Buckeyes and the Ducks would feel about that.

1. Does Andrews Support a Playoff System?

Andrews kind of, sort of, but doesn't really support a playoff system.

"I would love to work a playoff system, because it would probably be the most insane environment. At the same time, I know what a bowl experience is like so I'm kind of divided," Andrews said.

A playoff system is the way to go, Erin.