Summer Musing: Second-Favorite Team
14 comments so far
July 17, 2007 by
As the summer drones on, I find it hard not to fixate on football. I think we all do. Today, I have a topic for you all to consider. I assume BRN readers bleed Husker red. And, that we have many of the same least favorite teams in common (Colorado, Miami, and others being some of the usual suspects). But, who would you say is your second-favorite team? Is there anyone else in particular you are watching the ESPN ticker to see a score on? Do you feel a certain kinship with a particular school for some reason? For me, the "other" team I follow started with my adopting a loser local to the area where I lived. And, now, they have a pretty good chance for real success. Need a hint? They also where scarlet on Saturdays.
My second-favorite team is Rutgers. And, no, it's not just a Johnny-come-lately thing. I like them for a lot of reasons, which I'll detail in a bit. But, it is easy to like them because they aren't a team in the Big 12 that NU will play much, if ever. Nor are they the traditional other "favorite" that many fans have (Florida schools, Big 10 schools, etc).
My "Local" Team
I moved away from my native and beloved NE for a job in New Jersey in 1998, when Rutgers (the state University of NJ) sucked at football. Living in central NJ, I was just up the road from me. And, considering the lack of college football news (let alone Husker news) in local papers, I developed a passing interest in the Scarlet Knights. Mostly, my time in NJ is important to me because it's when I met my good friend and fellow BRN contributor, Steve Hanway. We've been friends ever since.
Admittedly, I wasn't too emotional about my following Rutgers. Why should I be? They weren't my Huskers, and they were bad. But, I do remember very clearly the day they hired NJ-native Greg Schiano off of Butch Davis's staff in Miami and thinking..."Hey, this guy can coach ball, and he knows the area. So, just maybe..."
Turns out, that Schiano knew what he is doing. Sure, he had to start from scratch, hit bottom (1-11 in 2002, ouch!) and work his way back up. But, last season was a watershed year for the Scarlet Knights, going 11-2. And - BONUS - they pounded K-State like a rented mule (37-10) in their bowl game. They were starting to legitimize their place in my heart. And there is likely more where that came from.
Massive Potential
My very few years worth of passive suffering with Rutgers may pay off huge. Rutgers has the potential to be a football powerhouse for three reasons - fans, talent, and money.
East Coast people love football. It's just that they are NFL folks, who aren't quite dialed in to the college game. But, the potential is certainly there. They very loyally support three pro teams in the geographic area surrounding Rutgers - the Giants, Jets and Eagles. And it is a densely populated area. If the Scarlet Knights can somehow unite any or all of these fan bases under their banner, it would be a huge fan base. Sure, you will still see guys wearing Giants hats to the games, but it just takes time.
Talent abounds in the state of NJ. And high school football is played at a very high level in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Nebraska fans are well aware of the quality players the Huskers have reaped from the Garden State in the past. And clearly, other regional powers such as Penn State have benefited greatly. Many have said that "if only that talent would stay in the state" that Rutgers could really be something. Don't look now, but Schiano has that exact recipe cooking.
There is also significant finances in the area. There's NE farmer money, then there is Texas oil money, and above that there is east coast investment-banker money. If you have spent any amount of time in the tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT), you know what I mean. Those suburban towns around NYC and Philly are loaded with the "two-BMW and a nanny" set just ready to sign a check or two and expose their sons to college football.
Hey, Scarlet is Scarlet
There is one other very sound reason for Rutgers to be my second-favorite team. They were Scarlet as their primary color. I've go an abundance of red shirts in the closet already. And a few of them don't even have an 'N' or 'Huskers' emblazed on them. So, I'm all set for the Thursday Night Big East games or when the Rutgers highlights show up on SportsCenter.
So, who is your second-favorite team? Maybe you were transplanted somewhere, too. Maybe your dad or brother liked some other team that you gravitated to. Maybe you hold a grudging respect for an NU rival. Sound off in the comments and help everyone get passed the month of July with football anecdotes of any kind.
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Tyler Jul 17 07
I find it hard to have any leftover braincells or energy to root for another team after NU. This is evidenced by my daily reading of your and other Husker blogs year round.
But if I had to pick one other team, it would be one that:
1. is also in the Big XII (I pull for our conference first and foremost).
2. has a great stadium which is absolutely beautiful in the Fall.
3. is easy to get a ticket to the home games when I'm visiting.
4. is an underdog, so it's really exciting when they enjoy success.
5. has not done anything distasteful against my Huskers (this rules out KSU, OU, etc.)
6. lost to NU in one of the most storied plays of all time in college football (AND I WAS THERE!)
The team is Missouri. Hey, I'm from there and there is always something special about rooting for a team that was close to your upbringing. I still remember going to games with my Dad and laughing at the tradition of slamming the Tiger tail in your car trunk and letting it whip around in the wind on the way home on I-70 (it was supposed to signify you kidnapped the mascot).
Heck, if I pull for the Royals, I can at least pull for the Tigers. Besides, I kind of view it as a Random Act of Kindness deal to root for Missouri. Their fan base it a pittance, so they need it.
Glenn Baker Jul 17 07
My second favorite team is Michigan. I married a gal from Michigan. I have always liked their wolverine name and uniforms. Nebraska has had some memoriable games against them. Some good some not.
Steve Jul 17 07
I've always been partial to UCLA. They're a team NU would often schedule (but usually beat) and then you'd find yourself rooting for them the rest of the year. Then when I lived in Southern California, you saw how big the rivalry was between USC (a.k.a. the University of Spoiled Children) and UCLA. The rich kids versus the smart kids.
USC got under my skin then when I watched a roomful of USC fans cheering and high-fiving a tie game that sent them to the Rose Bowl. When NU tied CU in 1991, there was anything but cheering going on. Then there was the long flight I endured with some obnoxious members of the USC band as they trekked off to play Notre Dame in 1995. So in some ways, my being a USC "hater" has fed my UCLA love. The fact that UCLA has pulled the upset so many times has only fed my enthusiasm for the Bruins.
Then I became good friends with a former UCLA kicker. That made it that much easier to root for the Blue and Gold.
huskerfan4life Jul 17 07
My heart is only behind one college football team, other than that I have always rooted for the college football programs with ex-Husker coaching staffs...The Ohio Bobcats are an interesting team in that regard. I am very proud of what Frank Solich has done for their program so far. You can like Frank or hate him, but the man devoted his life to our beloved huskers and I think he will be with Ohio for a long time. I am also very interested in what Turner Gill will do in Buffalo. If Turner can turn them into a consistent winner, we might see him heading a BCS program one day.
AustinHusker Jul 17 07
Fairly easy for me, AF. I spent several years in the Air Force and have attended several games in Colorado Springs. Great place to see a game, the stadium is up against the Rocky Mountains and the Cadets add to the atmosphere. Plus I love to see under sized and under talented teams play great ball through discipline and the love of the game. you see it at every military institution game and the AF is no different.
But I still bleed red 99.99% of the time.
Husker Mike Jul 17 07
I'll always have a soft spot for former Huskers, so like HuskerFan4Life, I'll be rooting for the Ohio Bobcats to make it to another bowl game. I'll also be rooting for Turner Gill's Buffalo Bulls as well.
HFMHUSKER Jul 17 07
Having moved to Tennessee 21 years ago I fell for the Vols as my second team. They are easy to root for and I love coach Fulmer. Funny thing is my son could have gone with all his high school freinds to Knoxville but chose instead to go to UNL. He absolutely loves it and we are going to the USC game! GBR!
Hook This Jul 17 07
I realize my BRN blogging career may be over by stating this, but I am a Texas fan. Having said that, on the topic of second favorite teams, it would have to be Nebraska for me. Prior to meeting my fiance, Husker football interest to me was no more than a general interest in another Big 12 school or a check of the bottom line score to see if my Saturday Miracle Parlay was going to hit. In the past few years I have gained a great respect for Husker Fans. I have met so many fans in my several visits to Nebraska and everyone of them as diehard as the next. The topping on the Cornhusker cake was my attendance at last year's Texas vs. Nebraksa game. Granted, not the result the Husker fans were looking for, but what a great game and what great fans. I have never attended a sporting event where every single person in the stadium was dialed in to the game (then again I'm used to attending Wrigley Field). I don't portend to "bleed husker red" as I have not been in the trenches with the diehards for years and years. This is without a doubt your team, but I will cheer for you everytime my beloved Longhorns are not involved. I am appreciative of the friends I have made from Nebraska that still call me a friend even though they know where my loyalties lie (thanks Darren and Katie). Until next time, here's to dreaming about Saturdays in the Fall.
kalthalior Jul 17 07
I've actually got several teams after the Huskers that I look for scores on Saturday when it comes to the college game. First and foresmost is Wisconsin - I happened to have lived in Columbus, OH for about 3 years, so I had to go with Barry Alvarez while I was out there. I must admit the Buckeye people were pretty agreeable when I explained he was a fellow alum and that the Badger's colors were pretty close to perfect - at least it wasn't Michigan.
Like some of the other commenters, I have always followed UCLA, and for similar reasons. Then you also have the Frank and Turner shows in the MAC, and I have always liked Central Florida - the only team in Florida worth rooting for, in my opinion.
Being a veteran, I also follow ALL of the service academies, particulary my branch's Black Knights. I also have soft spots for Rutgers and Vanderbilt, who won me a lot of money (promptly lost on Sundays) when I used to bet on football many moons ago.
Ragnulf Jul 17 07
It's hard not to root for Boise State. I can't remember watching a more riviting, exciting, and nail biting college football game than last season's Fiesta Bowl when the Broncos upset the Sooners 43-42 in overtime.
I became an instant Boise State fan--I mean, what a Cinderella story! These guys deserved at least a share of the national championship for going 13-0 and upsetting the Oklahoma Sooners.
Plus, Head Coach Chris Pederson is a class act. Not only is he the only coach since 1900 to win 13 games in his first season as the head coach of a Division I football team, he's humble and he really seems to love his players. He reminds me a little of T.O. in the way he coaches on the sideline.
Go Big Red, and Go Boise State!!!
ze robertinho Jul 17 07
I know I risk some 'blow back', 'back blow'--whatever--for saying this, but USC is my 2nd fav team. And it's not just because they have a dynasty going and are therefore easy to root for. I just love watching their style of play(WCO, more or less), and their great athleticism, and I like Carrol's gregarious attitude. I love their uniforms--classic all the way!
Also, I like SC since I'm usually confident they will beat MI, ND, the FL schools most of the time, and TX(most of the time). The latter series of teams being on my hated list(though I don't mind FL Gators too much, loved watching them make THE OSU look silly last year).
Now, if they've done it illegally and it's proven, then I might have to retract.
Actually, I've never thought real seriously about a 2nd fav team in CFB, it's always been just BIG RED!
RUTGERS, you have GOT to be kidding. For how long have you rooted for them: 1 year?! Yeah, Schiano's good, but who roots for Rutgers? It's just silly. Next it'll be Boise State! AAAAAhhhhh!
How about Wake Forest, FTM?!
Gregory Morrow Jul 17 07
I'll go with team irrelevant- San Diego st. Like the Chargers, it's the team I read about, when fall practice fires up.
And absolutely no other reasons for that!
Now, let's talk respect, or admiration.
Like Ragnulf, it's gotta be the "Boise Boys". The blue field (I wish Nebraska's field was red with white lines and hash marks). That Okie couldn't "man up" and wear them out, both surprised and impressed me.
I enjoy Hawaii, too.
Not that I'm such a big fan of quintessential underdogs, but I like "gimmicky" offenses and it's still the wild, wild west!
Mase Jul 18 07
For me, its not so much trying to find time to root for another team, its more me rooting against other teams (insert Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, any Florida team here). I do keep tabs on how my alma maters do though, Iowa State and Penn State. While I was born in Lincoln, I grew up in Iowa and went to ISU for my bachelor's (good school, bad fans). Penn State tradition and fan support rivals our own, so it was nice to see that while I was there...and its beautiful in central PA.
I also generally root for the Big 12 teams against non-conference opponents, but I find it hard to root for OU, TT, and especially KSU (after the "facemask").
Husker Guy Jul 20 07
Great topic BRN, great topic. I'm loyal to the Big 12, but a couple of years ago, I went to Wisconsin's homecoming game against Purdue at Camp Randall, and I came away a big fan of their program. I mean, it's not the end of the world if they lose like it is with Nebraska, but I root for them whenever they are playing, and they are the only Big 10 team I can tolerate. Passionate fans, great stadium, and getting to wear red to the game.........not bad at all.