Tackle Football 2009

So we bought our season tickets yesterday for BYU Football 2009, and I've been thinking a lot about college football. Here are a few predictions and thoughts about college football.

1. The BCS is a mess. The hearings this summer didn't accomplish anything, and I doubt we see any change in the next decade. I think a playoff system would be best, but any change on the current system would be welcomed.

2. While we're talking about the BCS... Why is the Big East in the BCS? There are no good teams in that conference. I mean, West Virginia has had good teams, but they haven't earned their place in the BCS. Top to bottom the Mountain West is just as good as that conference, and probably better. I just don't get it.

3. BYU will probably lose to Oklahoma. But that doesn't mean I am not predicting the upset. BYU by 10. BYU was probably going to lose to Miami in 1990, Boise State was probably going to lose to OU, and Utah was probably going to lose to Alabama.. so even though our chances are slim, we still have a chance.

4. Old people suck. I just spent a bunch of money on tickets. One of the things that could ruin that for me is if I'm stuck in front of an old guy that yells at me for standing up. It seems to be an eternal struggle between generations... I don't care how many "procedures" you've had to have a blockage removed sir, this is a football game, and therefore I shall stand.

5. I'm excited for all Alyssa and my stupid superstitions and awesome traditions. We have some awesome ones.

• Shirts. I always wear my gray stretch Y t-shirt the day before a game. I always wear the "official gameday t-shirt" on the actual gameday. This is a newer tradition that only started during the "Fully Invested" year (2007).
• Night Before Game Meal. In 2007 me and a bunch of my friends ate at Del Taco the night before every game, except for the two that we lost. We decided that we needed to keep that tradition going last year. We moved to Village Inn, but after the TCU whooping we switched back to Del Taco. Even if we've lost using this superstition, going out late the night before the game is a ton of fun and we plan to keep this tradition going.
• Early arrival. We show up early to the games. I don't like to miss the Cougar Spell, but I will if I have to. On big games we like to tailgate before the games, and I plan to tailgate for most of the games this year. You are all invited, just bring something to contribute.
• CougarTail. The LaVell Edwards Stadium sells 24" long maple fritters called CougarTails. We always get and eat one before kickoff. They also sell some with a bratwurst in the middle and call it a BratTail... but I've never had enough guts to buy one.
• Lucky Urinal. I always stop by my lucky urinal before the game starts. This tradition goes back a few years. In 1996 when Texas A&M came to town, I drank like a gallon of water during the game. In the last minutes of the game I kept having to go take a leak. Any time I left, BYU seemed to score a touchdown. Each time I left, I used the same urinal. Now, before each game I make my pilgrimage to the Portal RR Men's room and use my Lucky Urinal.. you know, for luck.
• Stay to the End. The last game that I left early was the Utah game 2005. We lost in OT. I figure it has nothing to do with me, but it is important to me to stay to the end of the game, regardless of score. If we're getting a beatdown, I'll stay. If we're up 59-0 on UCLA... you bet I stuck around. I do not believe in the "Let's leave now and beat traffic" doctrine. I think it is weak, and Un-American.