SB Nation Indiana Editor's Pick

2010 College Football Season: SB Nation Indiana- Open Thread

by Brad Wells on Sep 4, 2010 10:28 AM EDT

For the first time, we actually have an SB Nation writer credentialed for a game like Notre Dame v. Purdue. It's SB Nation Indiana's own Travis Miller, and he's going to be doing updates from the game. We also hope to have player interviews, post-game analysis, and much more.

Obviously, if you are looking to start an open thread on college football today, you can use this FanPost. If you want a more centralized college football open thread, I can suggest the following:

SB Nation Indiana's Thread
Hammer and Rails Thread (Purdue Blog)
Rakes Of Mallow Thread (Notre Dame Blog)
Off Tackle Empire Thread (Big Ten Blog)

Choose which ever one you want, or stay here and yap about college football. Enjoy the day!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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Does anyone else here find college football unwatchable?

We’re spoiled by watching a top tier NFL team and historically good QB with one or two likely hall of fame receivers and an epic pass rusher. They’ve played in a tough conference with two or three serious rivals for a decade, each of whom also always play at a high level. We see precision routes, balls thrown into tight windows, big hits, and the best athletes in the world on a fast turf.

Does anyone else have a real problem going from that to college football? Especially in these early weeks?

Even the best college players are worse than the fringe NFL players. Sure, there are athletic freaks, but they still have so much to learn. They don’t have to work as hard because they’re so much more talented (especially this week against the 1-AA schools some teams scheduled). A QB like Ricky Stanzi can get headlines and glory and recognition for being “good” because his other athletes are so much better that it doesn’t matter that he underthrows a guy with a wobbler by ten yards because it still goes for a touchdown. (I have lots of Iowa friends. I’ve seen nearly every game Stanzi has played. I’ve yet to be impressed.)

I don’t know… it all just upsets me. I love the fans and atmospheres and their bands and the food and everything about the games… except the product on the field. It’s inferior.

The NFL and the Colts have made me a snob.

Am I alone in this?

Cookie Cookie Cookie starts with C!

by willyduer on Sep 4, 2010 12:20 PM EDT reply actions

yes and no

Quality does go down but it is fun to watch players who aren’t getting payed millions…or in contract negotions playing a fun game. It doesn’t help though when you are from Indiana. IU annually sucks, Purdue normally is inconsistant going from great years to bad years, and Notre Dame recently has been awful (plus few outside of the midwest even realize notre dame is in Indiana) Doesn’t give hoosiers much to root for. But it’s still fun to watch and see rising college stars and if you are a nfl draft nut you can scout talent by watching the games.
I have to say you probably aren’t alone though…but I love it….and I’m an Iu football fan…so that says alot

by nighttrain551 on Sep 4, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

one of the things I love about college football

is that the disparity in talent between the best college player and the worst makes for some admittedly sloppy play, but often results in crazy turnovers and exciting plays. An example from the Cal game yesterday – freshman WR Keenan Allen got the ball on a fly sweep right with a pass option… paused on the far end looking for an open receiver… wasn’t one… ran all the way back across the field to the left shedding less-athletic defenders all along the way… and into the end zone for an 18-yard TD. Substitute Joe Addai for Keenan Allen in that play… and you have a tackle for a 5-yard loss.

I agree that pro ball is so much more elegantly executed, but on college game day, I get a thrill from plays like the above.

The other thing about college ball is that I think crowds are so much more fanatic for their team. I have a much stronger loyalty to my alma mater than I do to any city – maybe because it’s that much easier to relate to. My campus was a square mile in area, with a couple of crazy streets that could only exist in Berkeley… over the course of 3 1/2 years I got to know that square mile better than just about any place I’ve ever been since – certainly better than Los Angeles, San Francisco or (obviously) Indianapolis.

Sorry for the long response, just thinking “out loud.” And all the above said, I definitely appreciate the other perspective… pro football is definitely the best of the best and I can see how some might find the wobblers and mistakes maddening. I also am not a fan of the first week matchups (though Cal definitely benefited by working out some of their own game-day jitters).

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on Sep 5, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm an IU fan

I watch IU football. Granted, there haven’t been alot of good times for IU football with the exception of Austin Stars Old Oaken Bucket game winning kick (with Coach Hoeppners widow in attendance). But that was a few years ago. Regardless, I’m a die hard Hoosier fan and will watch their football games on TV or listen to them on the radio every chance I get.

As for the rest of college football, I don’t watch much of it unless it’s a big game. I don’t really care for any other team, except for Notre Dame. I pay attention to what they do and watch the occasional Irish game.

by IsThisNameTaken on Sep 4, 2010 1:10 PM EDT reply actions