Thirsty Thursday Takes on New Meaning for College Football Fans Nationwide

Monday is hated by everyone, Tuesday is, well, blah, Wednesday is the middle of the week, and Friday is practically the weekend—so what does that leave for Thursday? 

Why, a long afternoon and night of binge drinking, of course.

For colleges around the nation, the term "thirsty Thursday" has meant gathering at a sleazy fraternity or rundown eight bedroom, one bath house to consume copious amounts of alcohol, only to return home and hug the toilet bowl the final hour before a certain tequila blackout.

Well, at least for some of us that's what it means/has meant.

The midweek ritual so cleverly named is in danger of losing its meaning thanks to a vastly changing college football landscape.

The 2008 college football season has had its share of upsets—strangely enough, many falling on a Thursday night.

Let's review.

Sept. 4

No. 24 South Carolina met Vandy in Nashville.  The Commodores took advantage of two Chris Smelley interceptions to emerge as the victor 24-17 over the Gamecocks despite being out-gained 325 to 225. Vandy also beat No. 6 SC last season.

Sept. 18

Dan Hawkins' Colorado Buffaloes played host to then-No. 21 West Virginia. A balanced offensive attack (179 passing/187 rushing) and a field goal in overtime clinched the upset for the Buffs, 17-14.

Sept. 25

Quite possibly the upset of the season, then-downtrodden Oregon State (1-2) invited the mighty No. 1 USC Trojans into Corvallis for a Pac-10 matchup.  Despite a third quarter scare, OSU held on and walked out of Reser Stadium with a 27-21 win.

Oct. 2

Pitt made the trip to South Florida for a matchup with the Bulls.  Pittsburgh owned the clock, holding a +13-minute advantage while upsetting No. 10 S. Florida 26-21. This is the second year S. Florida has lost to an unranked opponent while in the top 10.

Oct. 16

The Horned Frogs opened their visiting locker room for the MWC powerhouse BYU Cougars.  While TCU has been ranked this season, the No. 9 BYU team was clearly outmatched by a ferocious attacking TCU defense.  TCU held BYU to 23 yards rushing and won convincingly, 32-7.

It's not as if this trend is unique to only 2008.  The '07 season had its share of Thursday upsets as well.

Miami (FL) beat No. 20 Texas A&M 20-17.

Wake Forest beat No. 21 Florida State 24-21.

Rutgers beat No. 2 South Florida 30-27.

Arizona beat No. 2 Oregon 34-24.

Whatever the reason, Thursday has proved to be beneficial for underdogs around the nation.

Not only do they get two extra days of rest for the next week, more often than not the Thursday night game is on television sets nationwide for all to see.

Dare I say, underdogs are "thirsty" for a Thursday upset.

Upcoming Thursday night games

Oct. 30: No. 19 South Florida @ Cincinnati

Nov. 6: Maryland @ No. 17 Virginia Tech / TCU @ No. 14 Utah

Nov. 13: No. 17 Virginia Tech @ Miami (FL)

Nov. 27: Texas A&M @ No. 1 Texas