For the past 230 days, since another SEC team won another BCS national championship, college football fans have been blasted with a world-class scandal, negative headlines, off-the-field issues and never-ending conference chaos. Finally, we can ignore everything we don’t like about college football (well, except for the polls and the BCS system). Finally, we get to watch some actual games (there are 78 in the first week, starting this Thursday). In celebration, we asked a few local “fans’’ one simple question: What is your favorite thing about college football? Here is a list of what they had to say ...
“My favorite thing is watching other teams play. I love to go home when I get an opportunity to watch other college football. That’s not stressful. That’s completely relaxing and entertaining and a way to watch what they’re doing — scheme-wise, strategy-wise.’’ — CHRIS PETERSEN, Boise State football coach
“The intensity, the passion of the fans, being able to share the game with my sons, the water cooler/coffeeshop debates. Kenny Chesney captures it in his song, ‘The Boys Of Fall — knockin’ heads ‘n talkin’ trash.’ Call it in the air. Go Broncos!’’ — LEON RICE, Boise State basketball coach
“I love all the pageantry that surrounds the games. It is special because it brings all facets of campus life together.” — MARK COYLE, Boise State athletic director
“College football is like no other sport. Love the pageantry and the colors — it's something pro sports can't duplicate. It brings a community together like nothing else. You get to be young again for a weekend by tailgating with your friends and rooting for a common cause. Some of my favorite moments were spent in college with friends traveling to road games. Now I can am blessed to live it every week in Boise.” — BOB BEHLER, Boise State radio voice
“I like college football because it’s real. The driving force behind these athletes isn’t about the money or the fame — it’s about playing hard, having fun. College football brings out school pride with both the players and the community.” — KRISTIN ARMSTRONG, Boise’s gold-medal cyclist, Idaho grad, UI/BSU fan
“There are a ton of great things about a college football season — the cool, crisp air, watching two teams play hard, the sound of teams hitting each other. I also don’t have to go to the baseball field that day. And football means hunting season has started.’’ — MARK JOHNSON, Boise Hawks manager
“I love when autumn comes, not because I like the leaves, but because it means college football is coming, too. I love college football because I thought the joy of Joe Aliotti and Cedric Minter taking the Broncos to a 1980 I-AA championship would never be equaled until I watched Jared Zabransky sneak the ball to Ian Johnson, who ran it in to clinch the greatest college football win of all-time. I love college football because a legendary game is always just four quarters away.’’ — DAVE BIETER, Boise mayor
“The fans’ passion for their team. Look at that photo — multiply it by 120 teams and 12 months.’’ — BRIAN MURPHY, Statesman columnist
“The game-day atmosphere. There’s nothing else like the buzz and energy created by a jam-packed college football stadium on a Saturday afternoon.’’ — CHADD CRIPE, Statesman college football writer, AP voter
“Watching Boise State win a close game as a result of excellent coaching, preparation & execution.’’ — STEVEN KIMES, Fan from Facebook
“I have no idea why, but I tear up when they run onto the blue. For three magical hours, work doesn’t matter, bills don’t matter, the ills of the world vanish.’’ — MARY ROHLFING, Fan from Facebook
“There’s only one way to kick off a college football Saturday — with Big & Rich (I can hear the music now) and the ESPN ‘GameDay’ crew (Erin who?). Nothing puts you in the mood for 12 to 14 hours of live games like 3 hours of pre-game excellence. The show starts early — the alarm goes off at 6:59 a.m. every Saturday — but by the time that meaningless Big Ten game kicks off at 10, you’re so much smarter about the day. And thoroughly entertained.’’ — MIKE PRATER, Statesman sports editor, Harris and Heisman voter
“I can go out in public dressed up like Elvis, scream my head off and be respected by 35,000 people.’’ — TETPILOT, IdahoStatesman.com reader
