Rivalries and Family Feuds

Ladies and Gentlemen –

You know we are 79 days away from the opening kickoff to the 2008 College Football season so it’s time to talk about one of my favorite topics; Instate Rivalries.

Certainly everyone knows about the hate and discontent that exists between Ohio State and Michigan or Texas and Oklahoma and Tennessee and everybody.

But the hate that is conjured up by an instate rivalry is the most bitter of all.

For those of you in Nebraska, Wyoming, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin or Tennessee you may not understand what I am describing.

Let’s face it a game between Ohio State and Ohio Wesleyan isn’t exactly a major draw.
Some of you may be thinking what would be wrong with watching the Buckeyes take on the Battling Bishops?

Everything: Because it doesn’t matter and the outcome is inevitable.

The hate and discontent that is generated by an instate rivalry last’s all year long.
It is passed on to your children and it is felt at the grocery store, at school and in church.

It is the first derogatory thing that passes your lips when something doesn’t go as planned with someone from the “other side of the state”.

“Damn Herb didn’t bring back my lawnmower like he said he would; #@&* Duck fan, what should I have expected.”

It is stating that your two favorite college football teams are yours and any team playing against your rival that particular Saturday.

It is passion; it is one ideology and way of life versus another.

It is brother against brother.
It is Democrats verses Republicans, Protestants verses Catholics.
It is Oil and Water and Cowboy’s and Indian’s all rolled into one.

They play for an Apple Cup or a Common Wealth Trophy or in a Civil War or in an Egg Bowl but mostly they play for PRIDE.

They come with different mascots, fashions and nicknames, but they all have one thing in common…the quest for Bragging Rights

Nothing is sweeter, nothing lasts as long when you win and no pill is harder to swallow when you are on the “other” side of the score board.

The memories of long ago clashes last forever.

Enjoy your week…..

RTR
MEB

Leave a Reply