Do YOU want to learn and live college football? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

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
248
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 

Giphy

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

Giphy

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 

Giphy

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

Giphy

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

Giphy

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*)"

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

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

New Brunswick, NJ
444655
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
love story
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

Rider University
18179
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
hauppague
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

Millennials of Michigan
42415
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
moana
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

University of Southern California
21793
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
college students
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

Appalachian State UniversityNational Writers Society
322221
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments