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Post by kiev4a on Sept 27, 2006 16:29:21 GMT -5
Haven't been doing much with cameras recently and I haven't bought ANYTHING on Ebay for more than a month. The trouble is that this time of year my interest turns to college football.
I feel about college football the way soccer fans seem to feel about the World Cup (Never have developed an interest for soccer and don't expect I ever will. I think it's a generational thing here in the U.S.)
On the other hand I'm not much of a fan of U.S. professional football, either It doesn't have the excitement or emotion of a college game.
I'm a dedicated fan of the Boise State University Broncos--currently ranked number 22 in the nation. But because they aren't one of the big schools with a long football history, the team will disappear from the rankings entirely if it loses even one game.
Most college football fans know of Boise State because home games are played "On the Blue." The artifical turf in the stadium is dark blue instead of green--drives opponents crazy. Boise first installed the blue turf in the 1970s. It is my understanding that the NCAA has since mandated college fields must be blue but the Broncos can keep the blue because they are grandfathered in.
On a photographic note, thirty years ago I shot photos at BSU games for a newspaper. For night games you really had to jack up the film speed to shoot there. The blue turf just soaked up the stadium lights--very little reflective property. Had to open up at least 1 1/2 stops over green turf.
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Post by John Parry on Sept 27, 2006 16:46:41 GMT -5
Yeah, Ok Wayne.
It's just that when the rest of the world stops dead for three weeks every four years, the US seems to pretend nothing is happening.
You're right - if you can't follow what's going on, it's difficult, but over here, football was always considered a man's game. Now you can walk into any pub and hear the girls arguing about the offside rule. Maybe that's why we didn't win the World Cup!!
Regards - John
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Post by byuphoto on Sept 27, 2006 17:18:43 GMT -5
I can truly relate.I have been an LSU Tigers fan for as long as I can remember. There is nothing like an Auburn or Ol' Miss game held in "Death Valley" on a Sat. night. 90,000 + screaming fans
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Post by kiev4a on Sept 27, 2006 17:55:05 GMT -5
Yeah, Ok Wayne. It's just that when the rest of the world stops dead for three weeks every four years, the US seems to pretend nothing is happening. You're right - if you can't follow what's going on, it's difficult, but over here, football was always considered a man's game. Now you can walk into any pub and hear the girls arguing about the offside rule. Maybe that's why we didn't win the World Cup!! Regards - John John: The problem for us old American guys is trying to figure out what is so exciting that the rest of the world stops for three weeks every four years. I have to admit that if I am forced to watch a soccer game I think about how many minutes of my life I am losing that I will never get back  It's interesting that although all American schools have soccer teams now, there still isn't the national interest in professional soccer. I suspect it is because it is trying to compete against three long established sports--baseball, American football and basketball. But it will change. When the "Baby Boomers," the majority of whom could care less about soccer, disappear from the scene, the younger generations who have grown up with soccer will take over. There might even be women's professional soccer!!! |
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Post by kamera on Sept 27, 2006 19:04:29 GMT -5
Yes, Wayne...
It gets noisy in Boise on the Smoif Toif!!!!! I have been a fan of Boise State for years and love to watch their games.
I do like pro football but college games do have a special 'something' about them, and even watching high school games is interesting.
Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI
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Post by Randy on Sept 27, 2006 19:08:28 GMT -5
Ohio State here guys!
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Post by kamera on Sept 27, 2006 19:11:08 GMT -5
Ah come on, Randy...
You must have some favorites other than the home state team??
My boys at Univ. of Michigan are doing rather well so far...think we might even beat Ohio State!!
Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI
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Post by herron on Sept 27, 2006 19:42:20 GMT -5
John: The problem for us old American guys is trying to figure out what is so exciting that the rest of the world stops for three weeks every four years. I have to admit that if I am forced to watch a soccer game I think about how many minutes of my life I am losing that I will never get back It's interesting that although all American schools have soccer teams now, there still isn't the national interest in professional soccer. I suspect it is because it is trying to compete against three long established sports--baseball, American football and basketball. But it will change. When the "Baby Boomers," the majority of whom could care less about soccer, disappear from the scene, the younger generations who have grown up with soccer will take over. There might even be women's professional soccer!!! I resemble that! LOL! I think I qualify as one of those Baby Boomers...and I LOVE futbol (soccer)...have for more than 35 years! The best thing that ever happened to American sports was the year (1994) that the World Cup came to the USA (I went to four games). I find the guys around me who think smashing into the guy across from you...and running for seven seconds before you need a whiff of oxygen...is manly.  (of course, I say that knowing full well I enjoy watching some of it, too -- Michigan State, my alma mater -- even though they do fold in the last quarter vs good competition)! I used to spend a good deal of time writing explanations of the game (soccer) for novice Americans. Even wrote and designed such a piece for the World Cup preview venues in '94. I found that once folks knew a little about what was happening, they would find their interest growing...at least a litte. I also used to ask folks why they stood and cheered when a man tried to steal second in a close baseball playoff game. No run was scored...no points accumulated...and it was over in 10 seconds. Yet everyone stood and cheered -- because they knew it meant someone was in "scoring position" and it could lead to something good! Whether it did or not was another matter. Same is true in soccer. A good through-ball pass from the wing to a breaking striker can be exciting as h*ll...because you know what could happen! It's all in your understanding of what's happening...and in soccer it never stops...the action is continuous! |
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Post by kamera on Sept 27, 2006 19:49:21 GMT -5
Ron,
Fold in the last quarter is saying it mildly.
I hooted and hollered until they self-destructed. Jeanneatte even yelled to me to see if I had fallen asleep.
Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI
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Post by kiev4a on Sept 27, 2006 20:05:51 GMT -5
I was rooting for the Spartans. First, because I root for any team playing Notre Dame, the media darlings who always get the breaks because of who they are. Second, the Michigan State coach is John L. Smith (at least until the end of the season). John L. got his start coaching the University of Idaho Vandals--the arch enemy of Boise State. The Vandals have fallen on hard times since John L. departed,
The Wolverines have looked very impressive the past two weeks. The Ohio State matchup should be a real donnybrook.
Boise State plays Utah this week at Utah. If they win they could be in line for a BCS bowl bid (if they win on out). If they lose they will be out of that race. Interesting, TCU, the only other team from a non BSC conference currently in the hunt for a BSC bowl bid, plays Utah the week after the Boise State game. TCU is ranked 16th and the Broncos 22nd. Utah has the fate of both teams in its hands,
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Post by doubs43 on Sept 27, 2006 20:28:01 GMT -5
Few other events can come close to matching college football for sheer excitement and drama. Some games, of course, can be quite boring but last weekend saw at least three down-to-the-wire, last seconds wins. Notre Dame pulled their game out against Michigan State after a miserable start, the Georgia "Dawgs" won in last second dramatics over Colorado and North Carolina State triumphed over Boston College in similar fashion. Just great finishes by any standard.
BTW, I'm a life-long Maryland Terps and ACC fan. I do watch Boise State every chance I get though. They're an exciting team to watch and they have one of the best running backs in the game.
Walker
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Post by herron on Sept 27, 2006 21:32:12 GMT -5
I have to admit...I pull for the Wolverines, too--as long as they're not playing the Spartans! ;D  |
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Post by doubs43 on Sept 28, 2006 0:03:59 GMT -5
I was rooting for the Spartans. First, because I root for any team playing Notre Dame, the media darlings who always get the breaks because of who they are. If only that were true. When Reggie Bush pushes the USC QB across the goal line last season ~ a clear rules violation ~ and isn't called for it (the winning TD, BTW) then I can't see how ND always gets "the breaks". If the play had been this year, I have an idea it would have been disallowed when reviewed. Then again, maybe not. In fairness, I used to be anti-Notre Dame too. Then my oldest son got his MBA there so now I kinda take more interest in them. It was tough remaining neutral a few weeks back when they played GA Tech.... my second favorite ACC team. I couldn't pull for either team. Walker |
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k38
Lifetime Member
Posts: 156
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Post by k38 on Oct 13, 2006 20:13:33 GMT -5
Welllllllllllllll while I am not a graduate of the institution I am a dyed in the wool Notre Dame fan. Through good years and bad and the winning, loosing, and weirdness. It may have something to do with the fact that my birth certificate says South Bend, Indiana. I was born a mile or two from campus and grew up in Michigan a mile or two the other direction. My brother, who is a great baseball fan, was born in Cooperstown , NY! (my sister too).
You have to admit that it was a great comeback against MSU! I noticed that one of the boards administrators lives in Kalamazoo, MI. My brother and sister are both products of Kalamazoo College, and we all grew up in Niles, MI which is not far away.
Cheer, Cheer etc..................
Dwight
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Post by kiev4a on Oct 28, 2006 19:17:38 GMT -5
OK Boys! Score just in. Oregon State 33, number three ranked USC 31.
Boise State beat Oregon State 42-14 earlier in the season. Our BCS strength of schedule just took a dramatic leap!
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(of course, I say that knowing full well I enjoy watching some of it, too -- Michigan State, my alma mater -- even though they do fold in the last quarter vs good competition)!
