The first full Saturday of college football is on. We got started around noon with our home town Wolverines taking on Vanderbilt. Nick watched most of the first half cheering on the maize and blue. The kids love seeing the big M either saying, “It’s Daddy’s work!” or, “That’s where we live!” Nick actually asked if we could go to a game some time so we may try to do that this year. Becky thought is was funny that as soon as half time of the Michigan game came, several lawn mowers in the neighborhood fired up (including ours). Becky even did her best to show her support (she hates “American” football) as she and Nick would keep me up to date on the game while I mowed the lawn. Nick also spent part of the second half building a flying maize and blue lego car. Not much excitement in Michigan’s win (Hart is still the heart of the team) as well as the early games.
But now I’m getting ready for the BYU game in 30 minutes by listening to the pre-game show on KSL via iTunes while flipping between the Georgia Tech v. Notre Dame, UAB v. Oklahoma, and USC v. Arkansas, all turning out to be very close games. Mostly I’m watching the USC game as I’ve got to support the QB from the last top 10 Cougar football team. We’re lucky tonight as BYU will be on TBS following the UAB/Oklahoma game so I’ll stay up to watch most of it.
Notre Dame looks like a shell of it’s former self in the first half, barely getting on the board as half-time rolled around. Oklahoma is clinging to a seven point lead with 4 minutes to go in the game. And Arkansas looks like they’re about to get on the board against USC just before the half. Arkansas is doing their best to try and get routed and USC is doing their best to keep Arkansas in the game. The weekend gets capped off by the Monday night showdown between Florida State and Miami.
Hopefully BYU can control the ball and limit the turnovers, and we’ll see how the “new look” defense holds up. Don’t worry, all this football excitement will probably wear off after the NFL starts next weekend. I may just be going through minor withdrawals since I’m not covering a high school this year.
*** UPDATE ***
Almost forgot, count me in as a fan of the new clock starts as soon as the ball is set after a first down rule. I’ve been arguing that college games have been too long for awhile. The Michigan game today took a very NFL like 3 hours 22 minutes to complete. Nothing like shaving an hour off the length of the games.
So much for the limiting the turnovers on offense. Nothing like coughing up the ball on the first offensive play of the FREAKING year.
Nice of the Cougar offense to decided to spot the Wildcats a 3 point lead to start the game.
And did you get a look at the Arizona holder (#27) during field goal attempt? Seriously, looks like he’s a freshman in high school.
As I watch the defense give up a big play on the very next Wildcat possession following BYU’s touchdown, the MVP for BYU at this point is their punter, Derek McLaughlin. He’s like a 12th man for the defense.
I stayed up to the bitter end. Pretty anti-climatic, like you knew how it was going to end watching the whole second half. I don’t mind losing so much to Arizona, after all, that’s where I would have gone to school if I hadn’t gone to the ‘Y’. It was frustrating seeing all the penalties, and watching the offense which didn’t really produce any drives of any significance. Finally, more Curtis Brown, even if he doesn’t bust one loose. It will open up the passing game a little more.
Game length, almost 3 hours 30 minutes. Perfect. I love the new rule.