We now find ourselves 51 days into the season with 49 left to go. At this midpoint of the season we do not find much poll controversy...but just give it a another week or two. A Florida loss could drop them below LSU whom they beat. Any slip by 'Bama or the Ducks will put everyone into a tizzy. And traditionalists would love to see ND and the Sooners back in the title hunt and will toot their horn at every chance.
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| Fans waiting to see the player march. |
W E E K L Y W R A P
Wow...Florida over SCar. I was not expecting that (but as a UGA fan that is what I wanted since UGA will beat Florida this Saturday). And WVa losing big...again. And now we have four 1-loss teams in the Top 10 (LSU, Oklahoma, USC, FSU) with five 0-loss teams below them. Maybe they are not all as respected as the 1-loss teams (obviously) but I'd give Oregon State and Mississippi State and a solid chance at moving up and maybe even staying undefeated.
W E E K L Y W H I N E
The whole fanfare of new uniforms. The constant commercialism surrounding each and every game and report. The sports reporters trying to be actors. The loud music and bright lights of it all. Please stop! Just bring us the sports stuff we want (you know...scores, highlights, minimal commentary). Sure, sprinkle in a little comedy and tailgating recipes and attractive reporters (
that could double as models) but bottom line: we just want to know what's going on in college football. The more you drag out the news with your little sideline tracks, attempts at comedy, and lengthy speculation the less likely we will be to keep watching.
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| A new ND friend. |
E N D Z O N E
The gang and I went to the BYU vs Notre Dame game. Another tight one that BYU could have pulled out with a little luck (or better passing). I must say that the play calling was much improved and I always enjoy a down-to-the-wire game. But I do wish the coaches would be more willing to try a new QB when the system begins to fail instead of talk about Sunday morning. (See more pictures
here).
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| At least they agree on one thing. |
But lets talk Notre Dame. I was impressed: the campus, the staff, the stadium, the fans, the food, just the whole shebang. This is an institution so steeped in football tradition that is beyond comparison with anything I have seen. Absolutely zero ads in the stadium. No busy banners or ads or lights or annoying announcers to take away from what you came to see - football.
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| Two new ND friends! |
There were no giant video screens displaying a new sponsor between each down (although a seeing a few replays might have been nice). The team comes out for warm-ups through the stadium where fans can see and cheer them at arms length. The band was top notch and notably stood out from anything I have heard. Ushers that not only offered to help you find your seat but asked who you were and how far you came and then shared an inside story or two about ND. The ND fans were the same way. Multiple student organizations offering food around campus for all the visitors to see.
Yes. This is college football like it should be everywhere. I recognize that most teams don't have the resources (ie: donors) to focus solely on football and they require sponsors to break even or make a small profit. But I do wonder if they have a plan to get back to a focus on the game, the players, the fans...or is the focus just to bring in more money. Because with that money comes more annoying ads and banners and less focus on what we really want to see.
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| ND stadium. |
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| Not too much to cheer about. |
