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
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
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
GiphyAs 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
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.
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*)"
