With the college football season just a few days away, it's time to write what I wanted to write on Oct. 14, 2006.
I'm done with the Miami Hurricanes.
First, an explainer. Growing up in New York, there is no one college football team to root for, no home team that you're born into rooting for each week. Back in the day, the networks tried to make Syracuse that team. It didn't work.
So, us New York folks have the rare opportunity to hand-pick the team we throw our allegiance behind. For me, that team was Miami. I enjoyed their swagger and their bravado, from the army fatigues at the 1987 Fiesta Bowl to Catholics vs. Convicts, from the "We're better than you and we know it" to the "We're better than you and you know it" attitude.
I always enjoy a little brashness in my athletes. I always enjoyed the Miami Hurricanes, even the Kellen Winslow II "I'm a soldier" rant. Oh sure, it was stupid, but it was brash. And amusing.
But after the infamous helmet-swinging, cleat-stomping "You don't come into the O.B." riot on the field last season in a game against FIU, I have officially downgraded the Miami Hurricanes to a team not worth rooting for anymore.
It didn't seem fair to pile on the parade the day after that brawl happened. Let everyone else react to it then, and then we'll talk about it later on with calmer heads and the ability to judge things rationally.
So, I waited. Until today. And still the sentiment remains the same: Bye, bye Hurricanes.
Now I'm left without a team to follow this season. Which brings me to this: Help me pick a team to follow this season.
I've narrowed the field down to 7 teams I could conceivably bring myself to support this season, and it's up to you to choose. Below are those teams, in no particular order, with some pros and cons. Then, vote in the poll and pick my team for 2007. (Poll closes Friday at 6 p.m.)
1) USC
Pro: They're good and exciting to watch.
Con: Little room left on the bandwagon for the No. 1-ranked team.
2) Michigan
Pro: Mike Hart, Mario Manningham, Chad Henne.
Con: Lloyd Carr.
3) Virginia Tech
Pro: They're America's team this season and Big Cat's team every season.
Con: No con allowed this season.
4) Rutgers
Pro: They're somewhat local and this season is like "Rocky II" for the Scarlet Knights.
Con: They're from Jersey.
5) Florida
Pro: Urban Meyer is a creative offensive mind. Percy Harvin is crazy to watch.
Con: Yeah, defending champs, way to go on a limb.
6) Arkansas
Pro: Darren McFadden
Con: There are 21 other starters not named Darren McFadden.
7) Cornell
Pro: My alma mater.
Con: It's the Ivy League
Comments (4)
What say you stick with your current team and give new, no-nonsense head coach Randy Shannon a fair shot. You yourself admitted you pulled for the Canes back in the day when Shannon was a player. He's a disciplinarian and will clean up the mess Larry Coker made. Butch Davis handed Coker the keys to a clean program and he let it slip with his laid back attitude. Shannon is the guy. Just watch. If not, it's your loss brosef.
Are you serious???
First of all, try being a REAL fan... You know, one who actually stays with a team through good times and bad. Let me guess, you were a Canes fan when they were winning National Championship games.
Why dont you do this, every year cheer for the team who won the championship the last year. OR, you could just go week-to-week, and cheer for the undefeated teams, or whoever is number 1 in the polls.
C'mon, be a real fan. It translates in real life to standing by people when things aren't perfect... Its called loyalty.
Sorry for calling you out on your little blog, but I came across it searching for Canes pictures, and had to say something...
Go Canes.
Are you serious???
First of all, try being a REAL fan... You know, one who actually stays with a team through good times and bad. Let me guess, you were a Canes fan when they were winning National Championship games.
Why dont you do this, every year cheer for the team who won the championship the last year. OR, you could just go week-to-week, and cheer for the undefeated teams, or whoever is number 1 in the polls.
C'mon, be a real fan. It translates in real life to standing by people when things aren't perfect... Its called loyalty.
Sorry for calling you out on your little blog, but I came across it searching for Canes pictures, and had to say something...
Go Canes.
PUNK ass little girl crying about the BAD BOYS everyone loves to hate!!! I predict that you will be back on the CANE jockstrap in 2008 when THE U is back to prominence. Shannon will show you and the rest of the doubters that homegrown talent is about all the 305 needed to take over the NCAA.
By the way, every team gets into fights on the field at some point. I am not justifying anything that happened. FIU participated in the brawl as well. THE U does not need people like you to root for them.