Calm Before the Kickoff

Each fall I experience a love-hate relationship with Oregon Ducks college football. When the team wins a big game, there is little in life I find more exhilarating. But along the way, I exhibit a lot more stress than is really necessary for a meaningless game. Maybe that's why this time of year -- the last days before the season starts -- is always a quietly special moment. I got into the Ducks because I love football. I hesitate to describe in too much detail precisely why I love the game, because it's opening a whole other can of worms. But there are definitely elements of strategy, physical agility, pageantry and personal nostalgia involved. At this time of year, there is a palpable anticipation for football season enhanced by the ebbing of oppressive summer heat in favor of mild autumn days. I love to sit back on Saturday afternoons and eat my favorite guilty pleasure food -- Kraft macaroni and cheese -- in front of a string of games on television...especially if it's a team other than the Ducks. I can't stand to watch my own team play. That's too much stress. Why? I know that with only 11 or 12 games per year, there is very little margin for error in Oregon's season. Lose one game and you're out of the national championship picture. Lose two and you're probably not going to win the conference or go to the Rose Bowl. There's also some personal psychological issues that bleed into my fandom, but like I said, this isn't the time to go there. But every year I try to keep things in perspective and not get so stressed about the Ducks. And this year I'm going to try again. Will I succeed? Probably not. But I want my love of college football in general to prevail over my worrisome anxiety over the Ducks. I want to sit back and enjoy watching Michigan, Florida State, USC, Georgia, Notre Dame and lots of other teams battle it out. All the while I'll be manically checking the Ducks game score to see if they're ahead. Wish me -- and them -- good luck.

Comments

[Evan]

I totally agree with you that watching the Ducks is a extremely stressful thing to do. But the reward of seeing one of those unforgetable wins is too much for me to sacrifice. I consider Ducks football to be a religion of mine, and Autzen Stadium is my church. GO DUCKS!

[Brian]

Right on, Evan! I almost always watch part of the game, and I always do tape them to watch a second time. I also think this could be a really good year. Barring catastrophic injuries, I think every game except Oklahoma is very winnable.