Reasons to Love the NFL over the NCAA

[Reginald Rutledge]

I feel the sentiments of Wolverine. Although "Meechigan" losing to a D-1AA power is arguably the biggest upset in college football history, my beloved VOLS loss to Cal had the same effect on me.

I was born into being a VOL. I plan to be buried in an orange and white Tennessee casket. So the stakes are very high for me. The last time I went to the hospital and blood had to be drawn, the nurse saw that I had white blood cells (which seemed normal) but orange blood cells came rushing out as well. In our home, I have Neyland Stadium hanging on the wall just to help me remember my years at Tennessee. So when Tennessee lose, whether it's football, basketball, baseball, track, or hopscotch, it is a devastating tragedy in the Rutledge house. My wife loves the VOLS and my kids have been singing "Rocky Top" since they came out of the womb. So losing to Cal was a hard blow. I'd rather lose to Florida than Cal. Now I know, the season is officially "One and Done". In Tennessee, the stakes are high. Fighting for SEC crowns and national championships is what keep us all interested. Anything less is considered a losing season. For us, the national title is out. Get ready for 2008. The SEC title may be out if we can't make a stand in "The Swamp".

So watching Wolverine have a near-heart attack over his Wolverines, I could not comment until after last night game. I don't know if I was just too scared to jinx anything but now, I am on to the NFL season.

As much as some of us love the NCAA, the reason we play miniature football is because of the NFL. Even when we were small, the logos of the Bears, Cowboys, and Rams shown on the side of a 645 revved my energy just to play. It was never Notre Dame, OU, or USC. I never understood why back then but as I got older, I began to understand what made the NFL so intriguing. It was the fact that you could come back to "fight another day". If you lost 2 games in a row, your season was not over! To err is human, right? The NFL took into account that every team will not be on their "A-game" every week so let's create the trials and tribulations of a season and end it with the best of the best meeting in a playoff system!

Now, I have no need to watch 14 weeks of college football because one loss and it's really over. Alot depends on where you are ranked. And if you are an Appalachian State and go 12-0, will you be playing for a national title? The hypocrisy of college football!

So now, I am on to the NFL, waiting with great anticipation for next week's kickoff. I know if my beloved Vikes, Raiders, and Cowboys lose early, there is still hope. The NFL has gotten me locked in for 17 weeks despite my VERY busy schedule but now, I probably will not watch another down of college football. So bring on the love and excitement of the NFL, it's time to get those pads cracking!

Reg

[RavennaAl]

I hear ya Reg. I never understood the BCS stuff anyways. Why not have a playoff system? That would be the only way to determine who is the best, not who all the "experts" think is the best. If all that matters is what people think, then why even bother playing the games in the first place? Why noy just have the "experts" pick the winners and losers every week? College schmolege, I'ld rather watch the high school kids play.

As far as the NFL goes, I used to be a big fan back in the day, 60's, 70's and 80's. But when they started switching players around every year, I gave up. The money aspect just ruined the game for me. So, now I concentrate on Imaginary teams. Green Bay Glenn got it right. Make up your own teams and have your own league. Someday I'll get all my teams done, each with their own field and stadium. Then I'll have some real fun!

[RooMorgans]

I'll take college football over the NFL any day.

[wolverine]

reg i was born into a Michigan family...i started rooting for the wolverines in 1964,i worked at u of m and attended school there until i dropped out to start a business's me Michigan was more than school it was a way of life....it meant honesty ,integrity ,loyalty

i always was proud of Michigan even when they lost....until yesterday...right now I'm so mad i could not speak for 3 to 4 hours after that farce...so as i said in my announcement..i will not root for Michigan until Carr is gone as head coach

i will watch other teams in the ncaa and ill enjoy it because i love college football...ill watch some pro games..but i still love college too much..maybe ill pick a substitute for Michigan until Carr is gone

I know that you have to be a fan to the end BUT when your coach and team quits you i believe you have the right to protest

[Michigan Joe]

My heart was ripped out on Saturday in Ann Arbor as I was at the game watching the Michigan upset. College football draws on those emotions for me, not Pro ball. In college you play for your team, in the NFL that doesn't always seem so obvious. The NFL is the best Pro league for sure, but when I think of emotion I think college ball. And just because my team lost doesn't mean I won't watch anymore, far from it. If you see college football for championship or bust I don't think you see it as I do. I see it as youthful emotions, rivalries, personal growth in the face of adversities, and LOVE OF THE GAME.

Back to the Michigan game (I was there):
Don't be fooled, the Michigan upset was not as shockling for me and many of those that were at the game. Sure Michigan played very poorly and flat, but App St had 5 offensive players at 185 pounds or less who could flat out fly. Those 5 skilled players were simply faster than anyone on our defense and if we played them again I don't know if we'd have an answer for that. Now the Michigan offense on the other hand could probably put up 40+ points in 9/10 times against that team, but on Saturday they didn't because they were sloppy and our passing game never stepped up to make a big play (plus Mike Hart was out for half the game). App St clearly believed all day and from the 1st quarter on there was no doubt the game "was on". One of the positives of the game as a Michigan fan was seeing Mike Hart come back from injury in the 4th quarter to lift the spirit of the team and almost single handedly carry them on to a come from behind victory, his 4th quarter effort showed his special abilities both athletically and his leadership.

In retrospect, the "upset" is the beauty of college football and App St deserves a lot of credit for how they came to win. To believe that you can win when everyone says you can't do it is a remarkable thing. For Michigan, the rest of the season will be a test of character for the players, will they fold or will they use this experience to propell them to be a better team than they would without the humbeling experience.

Joe

Sometimes it's for the ILLINI and sometimes it's for DA' BEARS, but blue and orange it is!!!

Yesterday, as Ron C.'s BADGERS and my ILLINI scrimmaged again, we were watching the Illinois/Mizzou game and the friggin' DVR stopped with 14:38 left in the game!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!! !

We were losing - both in real life and in miniature!!! I was down 10-0 at Halftime and the real guys had pulled back to within 3 points early in the 4th when "the lights went out!" I had high hopes we both could do it and didn't find out until 10 minutes ago that we didn't do it. BUT...two things will hold my angst until next week...

1. My mini-ILLINI came back to win 19-10!!!!
   
2. MICHIGAN GOT BEAT BY APPALACHIAN STATE!!!!!!!!! :p :p :p

RR and Wolverine: This is EXACTLY why at the MWEFL's Miniature College Football Championships in January we have a Playoff system. Even the 1-loss teams can make it. Ask Norbit!?!?!

How can you call yourself a fan of college football. I always new Tennessee fans were like that (lol). I am a Crimson Tide fan .And I do stand behind them all the way. I love the NFL , But college football is true to my heart. I will love my Chiefs, And Cheer for Seattle and Will Watch the Cowboys have a superbowl season< But College Football and all of the pagentry involved , How could you not love it. I want you to know that I can understand how wolverine feels we just went through it with Alabama. Notre Dame should not distinguish there football team god like , And have thier own channell. I wont comment on the Vols, Uhh yes I will. Tennessee just got out played by Cal . Cal got embarrased by Tennessee last year and they wanted to right that loss by a win . It happens , I know just how they felt I do the same . I know we dont like it when our team loses , but in retrospect it does give birth to some great rivalries. I hope I didnt offend anyone , That wasent my intention.............College Football Is an Institution and a great way to spend time with family and friends.

ROLL TIDE
GARY