The college football season is almost complete, something for which many UT fans are thankful. I’ve watched enough games to cross my eyes give me a giant-size headache. The season has caused me to develop a laundry list of complaints, none of which involves the Vols or Coach Dooley.
First, I’m disgusted with the scheduling of games. College football has forever been identified with Saturdays. Night games became more common, but they still were held on that traditional weekend day. Now, college teams play at least four days of the week. Smaller schools’ teams suit up for Tuesday and sometimes Wednesday night games. On Thursdays and some Fridays, big boy schools play games. Lots of times the stands aren’t filled because working folks have to get up for jobs the next morning. Of course, these different schedules are due to the money that they generate. No, it’s not for the schools or football programs; it’s for ESPN’s coffers. When a network pays out billions of dollars in college football contracts, it must create games for which ads can me sold.
Along the same vein, what gives with the bowl line-up? A bowl game used to be special. Now, mediocre teams pound each other with ineptitude in obscure games played on blue fields or in climates better suited for polar bears.
Games need to be scheduled sometime from the day after Christmas through New Years, with a possible exception for the national championship game. At the same time, no game should last until nearly 1:00 a.m. as some have this year. Folks on the west coast can more easily watch a game in the early evening than we on the other side of the country can at midnight and beyond.
I’m sick of the punk attitudes of some players. They make plays and then mouth at their opponents. Some of them stand over other players as if they are about to administer a “beat down.” It’s thug mentality.
What’s all the gesturing about? Some hotdogs thump their chests with both hands to signal that they alone are winning the games. Others take fists and pat themselves over the heart, while a few salute another team mate or the crowd. This “it’s all about me” attitude and the accompanying gestures prove that too many athletes are concerned more with self than team. Coaches should put an end to it.
The last complaint deals with radio talk show personalities. I’m not talking about established folks. No, I refer to the younger talking heads. One is a female who talks as if she knows everything but changes what she’s said when a co-host expresses a better point. Another has a smooth, rich voice which he uses to “dog” everything at UT—football, basketball, coaches and players. His partner is not much better and only occasionally makes a positive comment. All three of these individuals have an agenda that includes putting the football coach in the worst light. I’d dare say that the two males either never played football or were relegated to junior varsity teams.
Around here, the next big deal in sports is signing day. To hear some people talk, UT is a second class program with a poor recruiting class. Never mind that not a single player has suited up yet. Speculation is good, but all of it shouldn’t be assuming the worst. Of course, the seasoned veterans take a different approach, and if it weren’t for them, I’d never listen to a sports radio show.
Yep, I love college football. When Saturday morning rolls around in the fall, a cloudless sky and cool temperatures announce “It’s football time in Tennessee.” I just wish most every other day didn’t include a game. And I wish some players would play the game and quit being show-off punks. Last, I’d appreciate radio show hosts not acting as if they are the final word on a subject and wouldn’t stir up discontent as the tabloids do.
Whew! I feel much better now! Go UT !
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