I love college football. And I hate college football.
I love college football because there's nothing like an absolutely clear crisp October day sitting in the bleachers with your family watching your school, one you hope will become your kid's school.
I hate college football because of conference realignment. Can someone explain to me how West Virginia is heading to the Big 12 and Missouri is going to the Southeastern Conference? Look at a map people. Oh, and how come the Big 12 has 10 teams and the Big 10 has 12? Even my six-year old daughter thinks that's stupid.
I love college football because of rivalries. Harvard-Yale. Army-Navy. Lehigh-Lafayette. Michigan-Ohio State. Stanford-Cal.
I hate college football because of the BCS. What other sport gives the team that lost (Alabama) a better chance of making the national title game than the team that won (LSU)?
I love college football because of the BCS. Admit it, most seasons it does work out, the two best teams usually play for the title. Remember the days of No. 1 Nebraska going to the Orange Bowl and No. 2 Penn State going to the Rose Bowl? That stunk too.
I hate college football because too many teams play during the week now (that means you Virginia Tech). College football is played on Saturday. Period.
I love college football because of tailgating all day long ... and into the night.
I hate college football because of message boards. Did you hear Urban Meyer bought a house in Boalsburg? Yes he did, I read it online. That means it's true.
I love college football because of the Heisman Trophy. Great college players don't always translate into great professional players, but I don't care. I love watching guys like Charlie Ward and Eric Crouch.
I hate college football because too many FBS teams schedule too many FCS teams. I understand it's a big payday for Podunk State, but how 'bout one every couple of years, not a couple every year.
I love college football because schools do things differently. Watch the NFL, everybody is doing essentially the same thing. Tune in on Saturday and you might see an option team playing a spread and they both can move it and score.
I hate college football because the big-time football guys can't figure out a playoff. Every other sport -- EVERY ONE -- can figure it out. Why can't you?
I love college football because of the passion at every level. From fans to players to coaches to cheerleaders. They believe. They know this is their year.
I hate college football because of the bowl games. You finish 6-6? Here you go, free trip to Shreveport for you, congratulations. Really, 30-something bowls is a couple too many.
I love college football because of the bowl games. Bucknell won the first Orange Bowl, you know that? Let me know how that bet works out on Friday night at the pub.
I hate college football because for some reason because schools will do just about anything to get a recruit. Don't think so? Go watch the documentary on SMU's death penalty and we will talk.
I love college football because of the playoffs. Well, not the one everybody wants to see, but the kids in FCS, Division II and Division III get a chance to play it out on the field.
I hate college football because just when the season gets good, they stop for a month. Then they play the game (and only one does) that really matters.
But really, I love college football. How can you not?
n Sports editor Bill Bowman covers college football for The Daily Item. E-mail comments to bbowman@dailyitem.com. Have other reasons you love college football? Put them on our Facebook page for other fans to see.
