Go Bucks

I'm not a tremendous football fan, having come into a hazy understanding of the game only a few years ago. Any understanding I have is due to my tremendously patient husband who puts up with my crazy questions, my tendency to psychoanalyze coaches and sportscasters, and my continued references to things like the "special point" and "early going." Also that I really do like the Packers. They're a coop, for heavens sake...

Tonight, as you may have heard, there is a football game on the television. If you live in Columbus and aren't in a state of suspended animation, you know that this game is the National Championship and that Ohio State is playing. I'm an OSU alum, and while not a huge booster, I really want this one for OSU. For all of the Big 10, really. If OSU can win the title again, maybe, just maybe the Big 10 will start to get some respect. And maybe, just maybe Brent Musburger will stop being so patronizing about the Buckeyes. Doubtful on all counts, but a girl can dream can't she?

As a former college athlete (Yes, I know it is hard to believe given my current state of "fitness," but I once rowed varsity crew, played field hockey and was a cheerleader. Shocking!), I have a great amount of respect for the kids that play high-profile sports like football. College is difficult enough without all the extra work that goes into being what amounts to an unpaid professional athlete like OSU football players. I know, I know...they get perks, and they aren't very smart, and they are meatheads and la la la. To which I say, Whatever. I had a few OSU football and basketball players in my classes, and they not only got good grades, but had to miss tons of classes for practices and games. For every bonehead who screws up in a spectacular way (Maurice Clarrett comes to mind), there are 10 scholar athletes working themselves half to death to get an education.

But for all my boosterism, I don't think I'm going to watch the game. It may be partially that I am afraid that the Buckeyes might lose which would make me very sad. But, it might be that no matter how great the game is, it will seem a let down after months of incessant hyping. So in absentia--Go Bucks! Woo Hoo!