Let the Bowl Games Begin: Top 10 Things To Love About College Football

After mistaking a green NBC peacock logo as an endorsement for Notre Dame during the ND-Army game last month at Yankee Stadium (apparently it was in support of green energy week), my brother told me I was becoming as grumpy as Phil Mushnik. 

Yikes.

So today, I offer a column certain to put a smile on your face as you begin counting down the days until bowl season is in full swing: the top 10 things to love about college football.

10. The Lunatic Rants on The Discussion Boards

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 04: A fan of the Virginia Tech Hokies cheers on against the Florida State Seminoles during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

If you were ever looking to nominate people who should be forbidden from procreating, you could easily find many exceptional candidates on a selection of college football discussion boards.

Oops, sorry. Starting to sound like Mushnik again.

Really, it’s a pity that some of these boards haven’t been turned into a reality television show because the nonsense spewed by some of the participants is too entertaining not to be shared with the rest of the world. 

9. The College GameDay Theme Song

ESPN College GameDay Theme Song

I love this song, even if it has country-ish roots.

Maybe it’s conditioning or maybe there’s something about the tune and the lyrics, but whenever I hear it, I know it’s time to get jacked up for some ball!

8. The Bands

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BOULDER, CO - JANUARY 26: A member of the Colorado Buffaloes marching band does a tuba split during a timeout against the Missouri Tigers in the second half on January 26, 2005 at the Coors Event Center in Boulder, Colorado. Colorado won the game 64-62.

The pageantry and spirit of college marching bands are two of the main reasons the atmosphere of a college football game is so much more charged (and fun) than what’s to offer on Sundays.

Alumni brag about their bands almost as much as they do their teams. My nieces were listening to the USC Trojan Marching Band before they could walk.

Who do you think has the best college band in the land?

7. Tailgating

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KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 01: Fans tailgate out side the stadium prior to the game as the Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Mississippi Rebels 27-10 at Neyland Stadium on October 1, 2005 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Hands down, there is no better pre-game tradition in all of sports than the college football tailgate.

For starters, millions of fans across the country participate. No other sport can compete with those numbers.

From the food to the body paint, spirit-inspired clothing, elaborate satellite television hook-ups, friendly games of football toss, cold beverages, the anticipation of the game to reuniting with old friends (and maybe meeting some new ones), nothing beats a Saturday tailgate.

6. Fourth Down With Less Than Two Minutes

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 15: Dwayne Jarrett #8 of the University of Southern California Trojans sprints away from safety Tom Zbikowski #9 and Ambrose Wooden #22 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on October 15, 2005 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind

Just when you think a game is over, it isn’t.

Some teams look like they should run the two-minute offense for all four quarters. Here we are, down to the wire, a classic matchup of athleticism and mental toughness.

Who will prevail, offense or defense? Home or visitor? Underdog or favorite? Run or Pass?

5. End Of Game Clock Management

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Les Miles of the Louisiana State University Tigers celebrates after their 43-36 win over the Ole Miss Rebels at Tiger Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

I don’t want to pile on Les Miles but there’s really no way to talk about clock management without mentioning his name. If it’s your team on the clock it can feel like your heart is going to jump out of your chest.

Hopefully your team wins, because otherwise, your day, and possibly most of the next week or even the next few months, will be wrecked.

4. An Excuse To Get Out Of Anything That Conflicts With Game Time

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 27: Ohio State fans watch the Buckeyes warm up prior to their game against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Is it me or do people invite you to all kinds of things on fall Saturdays? (Or expect you to do all kinds of chores.)

Don’t get me wrong, I love my friends and I enjoy being social. But I do not want to go to a green wedding convention more than I want to watch football. Sorry, I’ve already got plans. 

3. The Games

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: The Oklahoma Sooners celebrate a 23-20 win against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the Big 12 Championship at Cowboys Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Two things elevate the college game above the pro: the atmosphere and better rules (specifically, pass interference, overtime, one foot in bounds).

Though I’m all for a playoff, I have to agree that the BCS apologists are right about one thing: the lack of a playoff makes every game count. 

P.S. Thank goodness for DVR.

2. Upsets

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Wide receiver Drisan James #11 of the Boise State Broncos runs by linebacker Zach Latimer #46 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the second quarter at the Tostito's Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2007 in Gle

Michigan-Appalachian State, Virginia Tech-James Madison, Notre Dame-Navy, Oklahoma-Boise State.

Besides the fact that they mess with the BCS—and who doesn’t love that—upsets demonstrate the power of determination, will and focus, proving that miracles really can happen if you keep the faith.

1. Trickeration

Michigan State beats Notre Dame with fake fieldgoal.

"Are you kidding me?!"

You jump to your feet (or at least sit up a little straighter) and scramble to find the remote so you can rewind. Your mouth is probably hanging open in between mumbling, "I don’t believe it! Are you kidding?"

Hopefully you haven’t knocked over your beer. Statue of Liberty, anyone? 

Tell me, what do you love most about college football?