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A Crash Course On How To Learn And Love College Football So You Can Enjoy The Tailgate And The Game

Touchdown? Extra point? Fumble? Interception? Let's Discuss.

Abigail Rose Fuller

Aug 31, 2018

Elon University

239

A Crash Course On How To Learn And Love College Football So You Can Enjoy The Tailgate And The Game

Abigail Rose Fuller

To the college student who doesn't quite get the hype about college football, THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOU. Sadly I do not have the time or the space in this article to go over every rule and play of football (and honestly I definitely do not know everything myself). But what I can do is give you a few pointers on how to start learning how to love it and I guarantee the actual logistics of the game will follow. So strap on your helmet, jock strap, and shoulder pads (or your cutest college game day outfit) and let's get started.

1. Pick a team to root for

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I know this sounds super basic but it's true. Nothing is worse than watching a game and not giving a f about either team. It can be your school, another team near your home, or a team thats mascot that is your spirit animal, but either way PICK SOMETHING. Then I would buy their t shirt and just were it around. I have a few friendships that have begun with "Hey! Hook Em Horns!

2. Learn a few fun facts

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Let me explain myself. I am NOT saying you need to start watching sports center or memorize every player on the team. What I would recommend is knowing 1 rule, 1 player, and 1 coach. This way if anyone brings it up the team in conversation, you can easily go to your basic knowledge and impress people with your fun facts. For example, I LOVE Texas Football and I know a little bit about fumbles (when someone on offense is running with the ball, drops it, and the defense picks it up and is thus on offense), the quaterback is Shane Buechele (but he only started half the season last year), and the new head coach is Tom Herman, who came from Houston. This info was not hard to learn at all and it makes me feel much more confident when I can speak up every once in while and contribute to the conversation.

3. Go to the games

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As thankful as I am that good ole TV makes streaming so easy, if you get a chance, GO TO THE GAME. Even if you don't know all the rules, you can pick up a lot by just experiencing the energy of stadium. If the people around you are cheering, cheer! If the people around you are yelling at the ref, act upset. If the people around you are singing the fight song, just start singing. Jumping into it and learning as you go is the best advice I can give. The learning every rule will come later, but the excitement of a close game or experiencing a game winning touchdown in overtime cannot be properly translated on the TV screen. You can keep up with sports on the TV, but people learn to love football by going to the games. Simple.

4. Don't have jerk friends

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Ok this advice is helpful regardless of football, but friends that want to be there and are okay with explaining something every once in awhile are the BEST. So don't be afraid to ask questions. No one is born with the ability to define an extra point, that information is LEARNED. So don't beat yourself up for not knowing.

5. Tailgate

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This just makes the who day better. Just tailgate responsibly....

I hoped this helped and I want to leave you with one more nugget of info, GIRLS CAN ENJOY FOOTBALL TOO. So enjoy football szn and HOOK EM HORNS (or "GO *insert your own college football team here*)"

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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A Crash Course On How To Learn And Love College Football So You Can Enjoy The Tailgate And The Game

Touchdown? Extra point? Fumble? Interception? Let's Discuss.

1. Pick a team to root for

2. Learn a few fun facts

3. Go to the games

4. Don't have jerk friends

5. Tailgate

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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