A Question of Fandom

I've always thought that college sports were infinitely more fun to watch than professional, and the fans are one of the biggest reasons why. These are people that feel like they as least have some emotional investment in the outcome of the game. You go to the school, your kid goes, your parents went, you know some of the players, or a multitude of other reasons, but all of that means things are a little more passionate, more intense. Intensity and competition breed rivalry, it just happens and you can't stop it once it starts unless one of the programs involved disbands or completely falls apart. Nothing in American sports can compare to Michigan/Ohio State, Duke/UNC, or any of the long term, storied college feuds. The rivalry in question today is between the Miami Hurricanes and the Seminoles of Florida State University. Now, as a Florida Gator, I (of course) hate them both. But there are two teams I can never bring myself to root for under any circumstance. One is FSU, the other is Georgia, so for one day a year I am a Miami fan.

The scenario is this:
Miami plays a game on the road at Florida State. The "U", as Miami fans are so fond of calling them, comes in unranked and the clear underdog. Over the course of the game, they continually shoot themselves in the foot with dumb penalties and questionable play calling. Defense had been the calling card of the program for decades and it looked terrible this game. However, your opponent's was just as bad. Their coach was too senile to realize the game clock was still running and they had a time out to spare and so ran off a good  20 seconds from the clock at the end of the game. And no one taught their receivers to catch a low ball with their hands underneath so the ball doesn't hit the ground first. They also miss an extra point in a game that was decided by 4 points. Miami wins.

What anyone not from South Florida doesn't realize is that Miami fans of any sort, even the pro teams, are obnoxious front runners by and large. Really the only worse fans are Philly fans, but that's a whole other story. Its my contention that, while you should be excited for a road upset over a rival, a Hurricane fan's joy should be tempered by the fact that a competent team would have won that game. Thus, they have earned bragging rights over the fans from Florida State, but any crazy conjectures about winning conferences or bowl appearances need to be put aside until they show they can beat someone good. Fortunately they have plenty of opportunity. You beat Virginia Tech in Blacksberg, and those privileges are yours.

Now the Florida State fans have to feel like they just caught a kick to the groin. The end of that game was just painful. You do get a shot at redemption when you play at the Swamp to end the year. But you have to be legitimately worried. You gave up 38 points to a Miami team who started a young quarterback and had questions at many of the skill positions. And you were at home, with the crowd on your side. You get to play at BYU, at UNC, and at Florida. All high powered offenses. Throw Georgia Tech and that crazy option they run into the mix and you could be looking at a 5 loss season.

Its amazing what one 4 point, last second victory can do to the psyche of the two associated fan bases. It really isn't like this with professional sports, and its not nearly as intense of a feeling if it isn't a rivalry game. Miami fans feel invincible, while Florida State fans are feeling sick.