OT-Team you'd pull for in each of the BCS Conferences
Can't choose Michigan, for obvious reasons. Interested in knowing which teams you are non-affiliated with that you'd be happy to cheer for. I have a feeling there would be a general consensus on some teams, but others some people just dislike and won't be picked. My breakdown by conference would be:
Big Ten - Ohio State, Michigan State, Penn State are out immediately. I feel pretty strongly about beating Wisconsin and Minnesota as the next two in order, so they're out. I'd axe Northwestern and Indiana as to me they might be a bit to difficult to cheer for. This leaves Purdue, Illinois, and Iowa. Purdue is cut for the engineering rivalry, and I'd prefer Kirk Ferentz over Ron Zook. Pick: Hawkeyes.
ACC - Clemson. Great stadium and loyal fans for a team with only one NC in '81. Usually considered as a classy group, yet hostile and loud during game time.
Big 12 - Oklahoma State. Barry Sanders has something to do with it. Mike Gundy has something to do with it. Seeing them beat out Texas and Oklahoma has a lot to do with it, and they have a fighting chance this year.
Big East - Cincinnati. Don't really follow the Big East, but Brian Kelly is awesome. Plus go UCONN, be decent.
Pac 10 - Cal. Jeff Tedford's turnaround of Cal has been interesting to watch, they have their 9 PAC 10 games and Maryland and Minnesota on this years schedule, and woo nerd school.
SEC - Ole Miss. Easily the hardest conference to pick a team for me, but it came down to Ole Miss and Auburn. I chose Ole Miss as they are hope for beating Florida, Alabama, and LSU, I liked the in-conference hire of Houston Nutt, woo Jevan Snead, and the schizophrenia of lose to Vanderbilt and South Carolina, beat Florida and LSU.
Also I think this has been brought up but to re-iterate, holy scheduling Minnesota I like it. OOC this year - Syracuse, Cal, Air Force, I-AA. Next year Southern Cal and I-AA, interested to see how they fill out those other two spots.
August 27th, 2009 at 12:40 AM ^
penn state
va tech
ok state
rutgers
oregon
sec- nobody
August 27th, 2009 at 12:48 AM ^
Here are mine:
ACC: Boston College- they're the "other" catholic school to ND
B12: Texas- Yeah, Vince Young might've beat us but I'll always appreciate that they beat USC the next year.
Big East: Pitt- Until we got RichRod it was definitely West Virginia. But, since I didn't really like their reaction to us getting him, I had to change my allegiance. I don't like WVU, Rutgers, or USF (I hate all Florida teams). I don't like Cincinnati since I don't like how Brian Kelly left CMU. I don't have strong opinions on anyone else so I'll generally root for Pitt since they're close and they're connected to PSU.
Pac10: Oregon State- Obviously I always root for whoever is playing USC that week. But in other games I'll generally root for Oregon State. I kind of feel bad for them that they're competing Nike's Oregon's facilities.
SEC: Auburn- Tommy Tuberville had a habit of beating teams that he shouldn't and then losing some games that he should win. Thus, he'd knock off some real contenders but not become one himself (with one notable exception/slight in 2004). And I like rooting for Alabama's rival.
B10: N/A- There's never a B10 game that doesn't affect Michigan. Thus, I always root for the team whose win most positively affects Michigan. If that means I have to root for OSU then I root for a meteor to hit the stadium (that goes double when USC plays OSU).
August 27th, 2009 at 12:50 AM ^
ACC- I live in and around and married into Clemson fans. Like so many fan bases in the south, they are continually and intolerably living in that one year where they won it all (kinda) in 1980. So, I'd rather see Paul Johnson and Georgia Tech win that conference. The flexbone offense gets me every time.
Big East- Maybe I'm supposed to want WVU to be successful for validation of the Rodriguez coaching tree... but after the fan reaction to Rodriguez' hiring at Michigan, that team can lose every game, for all I care. I like USF, and Matt Grothe is a fiery competitor.
Big XII- I don't know if we are supposed to hate Nebraska or not, but I find Bo Pelini's ugly mug rather endearing; that, and I think he's got good character, particularly after dismissing Quentin Castille this summer. It's good for College pigskin when Nebraska is at least decent. Texas' team is cool, but their fans are insufferable.
Big Ten- Do I get neg'd for not hating Penn State, either? I think JoePa's a good guy, and he's been snubbed by the polls countless times. As much as they rag on us, I don't despise the fanbase.
Pac 10- Oregon State. I like the Riley came back to coach his team, and Quizz Rodgers is very fun to watch. Tough defensive team, if you ignore that pesky Civil War game last year.
SEC- Wow. This is hard. So much hate, so little time. I think I'd pick the Cocks and Rebels, Spurrier and Nutt. Nutt for the reasons you've stated in the OP. Spurrier, because I live around Gamecock fans and they've never enjoyed any real success that wasn't doomed. I like the redemption idea for Spurrier, having failed (somewhat) in the NFL, and returning to the college game at one of the most historically mediocre programs.
That is all.
August 27th, 2009 at 12:59 AM ^
Georgia Tech is my second favorite ACC team and with another good year or two they could jump to being my favorite. I like Paul Johnson's offense quite a bit.
As for Clemson, I always think of them as the team that thinks, "this year we're going to win the ACC and go to a good bowl!" but continually disappoints and underperforms (which just makes me question all the more the people that think Clemson should be performing at such a high level... after years of not doing that why do they expect it to suddenly change?).
August 27th, 2009 at 1:35 AM ^
Methinks Clemson is essentially a poor man's Georgia. Both of them won a national title back in the day, and nobody in the fanbase can be convinced that the world has changed since then. At least Georgia has plenty of resources; Clemson has to share with South Carolina. LSU, until Saban, fit that category as well.
I agree with your assessment as well. Continual disappointment and underperformance from the Tigers.
August 27th, 2009 at 12:57 AM ^
Most years I just root for underdogs and teams with exciting styles of play when it comes to teams other than Michigan. I don't really root for other teams consistently but these are the teams I kind of like now:
Big Ten- Illinois. I guess... I just like their offensive style.
ACC- UNC. I don't really have strong feelings either way to most ACC teams but UNC is starting to build a good program.
Big 12- Texas Tech. I don't know how good they'll be this year but it was fun to watch their passing attack last year. It's always fun rooting for the underdog too.
Big East- West Virginia. I liked them when they had Rich Rod and their offense was always really exciting to watch. I know their athletic department didn't react too well when Rodriguez left but I still like to watch them play.
Pac 10- Oregon State. It's always funny when they beat USC.
SEC- Florida. I know most people hate him, but I kind of like Tebow. I don't like Urban Meyer at all but at least they have a pretty cool offense. I hate every other decent team in the SEC so I didn't have much of a choice.
Non-BCS- Boise State. I jumped on the band wagon during the season they went undefeated and I've liked them since then.
August 27th, 2009 at 1:37 AM ^
Thanks for including Non-BCS, although I am impartial to Boise and their bird murdering gimmick of a blue field. I'd have to say TCU for a few reasons(Horned Frogs, Sweet Uniforms, etc.) but they also self reported some major violations and have rebuilt from some tough penalties.
In the NCAA’s public release they imposed a reduced penalty because TCU self-reported the violations, suspended the players in question, full cooperation with the enforcement committee and a lack of previous infractions.
August 27th, 2009 at 12:56 AM ^
My "favorites" from each conference:
Oregon - I love the offense, it was amazing what it did to us in 2007
LSU - I still like Les Miles, and his lesticles have gotten me to like LSU
Texas - I don't really like Texas, but since they remind me of old Michigan and I absolutely hate Oklahoma, they get the nod here
South Florida - I like Matt Grothe, and for some reason they are just a team that I like to watch
Wake Forest/Georgia Tech - Wake repeatedly recruits towards the bottom of the conference, yet they have actually done quite well in the conference recently. I really like what Paul Johnson did in his first season with Georgia Tech, and it's fun to watch that offense chew up defenses when it's clicking
Iowa - Just for this season, because Iowa is for realz
August 27th, 2009 at 12:57 AM ^
right now:
ACC - Georgia Tech. Nesbitt and Dwyer = gold.
Big East - Syracuse. Okay, maybe not.
Big Twelve - Okie State. Cause I'm A MAN. I'M .... 32.
Big Ten - the regulars probably know my distant second LOLteam.
Pac 10 - Either Oregon or Cal. Like 'em both.
SEC - uhhhhhhhhhh. Yeah. How about LSU? I like their marching band, and their Bayou Ben-gals.
August 27th, 2009 at 1:46 AM ^
Big Ten - the regulars probably know my distant second LOLteam.
That's still too close for my tastes.
August 27th, 2009 at 12:58 AM ^
Didn't Bowden say something along the lines of, "Lloyd Carr should be embarassed, losing to a lower division school that way."
I'm pretty sure it was in an unverified voracity. And it was of course pointed out how ridiculous it was for a coach of his standing to take shots at Lloyd Carr for not living up to expectations.
Aside from that, I like Texas, Cal. Schools that have the "whole package" as Michigan does. Therefore, I don't like any SEC teams, which means I guess I pull for Vandy.
August 27th, 2009 at 1:03 AM ^
ACC- Duke, my dad went to Duke and I grew up cheering for this team, even in football. Also, the only school to offer me a guaranteed football walk-on.
Big East- I have family in West Virginia and I love the way that they are the states only team, both pro and college. The hopes of the entire state ride on this team.
Big XII- Texas- My dad's whole family went to UT and Austin is an incredible place to visit. I just wish that their fans were a little more tolerable and knowledgeable. For a school with their tradition, the fans seem to know very little about football.
Pac 10- Washington, purely out of pity.
SEC- Vanderbilt, the only legitimate school in the SEC.
Big X- NW and Minnesota because we don't play either one this year.
August 27th, 2009 at 1:07 AM ^
ACC- Maryland. Travis Baltz (punter) is my best friend from high school.
Big 12- Colorado. I went to Colorado for my freshman year before coming to M. Anytime they are on TV I pull for them and hope they do well. Might go to their game against Toledo
Big Ten- Illinois. Yes, he singlehandedly demolished us, but Juice took down OSU as well. But I don't REALLY want to make a pick here for obvious reasons.
Big East- I'm torn between Cinci and WVU. I always loved watching WVU when RR was there, but it might be sad watching them under Stewart. Cinci because I have a lot of who go there, and I wanted Brian Kelly to come here, but I like RR better. I'll go with Cinci
SEC- LSU. Partly because I like watching Les Miles and seeing him succeed. And maybe I'll always have a soft spot for them giving almost my entire high school class (50% of whom when to OSU) depression.
Pac 10- I think Cal is a pretty electrifying team. They always seem to be right there nipping at the heels of USC for conference titles. Plus Jahvid Best is down right FUN to watch. And I wouldn't mind going to med school at Berkley (obviously second choice to 4 more years in A2)
Non-BCS- Either Navy or Air Force. I have friends at both and flirted with going myself. Plus, what they're doing is pretty admirable.
August 27th, 2009 at 1:14 AM ^
ACC- Va Tech. I just love the way they play defense and special teams. Plus, I like that they came to the ACC as the bastard stepchild and have ended up dominating it. Second choice: Duke. They have sweet unis.
Big East: UConn. Process of elimination + sweet unis.
Big 10: Minne$ota. I know, I know. But I am engaged to a Gopher, and I dig Minneapolis. Second choice: Purdue. Sweet sweet fight song.
Big 12: Kansas. I like that goofy waivy-hands-back-and-forth thing they do when they sing their song.
Pac 10: Cal. Cal, goddammit. If you don't root for Cal, you are a communist. Also: they are the Michigan of the West. Also also: sweet unis.
SEC: Vanderbilt. VANDY. They're robber-barons. How can you go wrong. In addition, SWEET FREAKIN' UNIS.
August 27th, 2009 at 1:46 AM ^
Big 10: Minne$ota. I know, I know. But I am engaged to a Gopher, and I dig Minneapolis.
Dead to me.
August 27th, 2009 at 12:26 PM ^
Totally understandable. I've negged myself accordingly.
August 27th, 2009 at 1:30 AM ^
ACC - Hmm. Honestly, I kind of want to root for Miami to see them come back to their glory days, because they seem of a piece with the old cadre that used to rule the rankings (M and Nebraska included). I also kind of like BC, because what is a little private school like that doing with such a good football program?
Big Twelve - I kind of like Nebraska, again because they're old school. I can't stand Texas (two words: Matthew McConaghey), even though we did play one of the all-time great games against them. Colorado has been a freaking mess practically ever since I started watching football.
Big Televen - Iowa. I'm actually an Iowa alum (grad school), so when I'm not rooting for Michigan, I root for the Hawkeyes. (All bets are off when they play U-M, though.) Plus I have a soft spot for Herky. He's such a funny scrawny little guy, and yet his costume looks like it's at least been cleaned in the past 40 years, unlike that of PSU's Nittany Lion. I hate Sconnie after growing up surrounded by Badger fans, and PSU/Purdue have equally annoying sounds that are overplayed during games. After Iowa, I guess it would be Minny, mainly because they're kind of scrappy at their best.
Pac-10 - Not USC, for one. I actually like UCLA, not least of all because they've been the cause of a few awesome chokes by SC.
SEC - Dammit, this is hard. Decidedly not Florida, because my boyfriend is a Gators fan, as is his whole family, and I can't pass up an opportunity to irk him by rooting for whoever they're playing. Plus they've won too many damn NCs recently. Not Tennessee, because Lane Kiffin. Plus they still don't like us because Woodson got the Heisman. Probably LSU, because I'm fond of good old Les Miles.
Outside of the major conferences, I like to pull for Utah, because my mother is an alum. I also think there's some interesting things going on at FAU that I'd like to keep an eye on this year.
Also, whoever's playing Notre Dame any given week!
August 27th, 2009 at 1:35 AM ^
Big 10 - Northwestern
ACC - Duke, if we're talking about football. Basketball is Maryland
Big 12 - Texas Tech - air raid
Big East - it was WVU before Rich Rod, now it's either Cincinnati or Louisville
Pac 10 - Stanford
SEC - Vanderbilt
You may see that, overall, I tend to like to cheer for schools that are not (at least recently) very good, but have good academics (Northwestern, Duke, Stanford, Vandy)
August 27th, 2009 at 1:44 AM ^
ACC: Maryland... don't ask me why because I have no idea.
Big Ten: Indiana... always the underdog
Big East: Cincinnati... they hate Ohio State as much as we do
Big 12: Missouri... they're really in Big Ten country so I see them as a comrade
Pac 10: Washington... love the state
SEC: Vanderbilt... a few family connections and the only loathsome school in the conference
Non-BCS: Miami (NTM), Marshall, Colorado State
August 27th, 2009 at 1:49 AM ^
Northwestern....I gotta show support for the future surgeons that will be saving my life
Clemson...I feel sorry for a team that has to wear their purple and orange uniforms
Oklahoma State....I only support teams whose coaches are men
Syracuse...Any school that has a fruit as a mascot is ok by me
Oregon State...I like beavers
Florida...Because I forgot what it looks like when Tim Tebow does not win something
http://nbcsportsmedia3.msnbc.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/08…
August 27th, 2009 at 2:15 AM ^
Sorry for a team that has to wear purple and orange unis? I think you mean jealous. Teams that wear purple are awesome. Check out how awesome a full purple combo is.
As it says in the article, for full purple head asplode, watch Clemson vs. TCU this year.
As it says in the article, for full purple head asplode, watch Clemson vs. TCU this year.August 27th, 2009 at 7:32 AM ^
I don't know how you can look at that and not think it's the worst shit ever. About the only worse look in the whole country is when VT comes out in all maroon.
August 27th, 2009 at 11:18 AM ^
or that stupid homo-style orange single sleeve. WTF IS THAT.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:16 AM ^
B-10 Northwestern That chick from Father of the Bride went there so they might have more cute smart chicks.
B-12 Baylor I just really don't care for the Big 8.
ACC Duke No I cant do that. Virginia Tech I like Frank.
B-east Syracuse but they should move their home games to the outdoor stadium in Buffalo.
Pac 10 Any Washington School. or any school to go 2-0 vs Oregon and USC
SEC Cant a meteor break up and destroy all of these schools?
And take Herbie and the ESPN programming directors with them.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:53 AM ^
Buffalo is 150 miles from Syracuse. The closest football stadium is Schoellkopf Field at Cornell.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:27 AM ^
ACC: Georgia Tech. Can't hate the zany triple option. VT is second.
Big 12: Texas Tech. If nothing else, you'll never lack for entertainment when they're involved - blink and you probably missed a TD. Texas is a very close second (and may overtake them shortly since I'm moving to Austin), mostly on the basis of hating Oklahoma.
Big East: West Virginia before they hired Stewart, now there's no one that really holds my interest there. Maybe Syracuse just because they've suffered enough lately.
Big Ten: Illinois (grad school). Second choice: Penn State. Gotta respect JoePa.
Pac-10: Anybody but USC. Maybe Cal if I were forced to pick one.
SEC: LSU. They've got a freakin' tiger, and it certainly doesn't hurt that they have a coach who isn't an utter wuss on 4th down.
Non-BCS: Boise State (everyone either loves or hates the Smurf Turf, I love it), though on general principle I'll root for any team that goes unbeaten in the regular season to win in a BCS bowl unless it's Hawaii.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:40 AM ^
Big Ten-Penn State. It's my brothers favorite, and I've always liked their tradition.
Big 12-Texas. Just something about that program. Vince Young, hook em horns, ect. Great uniform too.
Pac 10-Always liked Oregon. Uniforms are outrageous, but I like their style of play.
ACC-UNC. Just like the colors.
Big East-Eh, really hard to pick any team here. They're all so...meh...to me. Louisville maybe?
SEC-LSU and Auburn. Don't know why, but I've never found anything I really hate about them.
August 27th, 2009 at 4:02 AM ^
Interesting subject. While I find it impossible to not cheer for Michigan, I do have my choices:
Big Ten - Penn State is probably my top choice. Actually, I could cheer for any of the Big Ten teams, including MSU (sorry, fellow U-M fanatics), but NEVER for those damn Buckeyes!!
Big 12 - I like Missouri & Texas Tech. Oklahoma is also a possibility but, after 1997, HATE Nebraska! Not too fond of Texas either, though I do respect them.
Big East - Rutgers. I like how they have turned from a laughingstock into a solid team...thanks, no doubt, to Greg Schiano.
ACC - Back in the 80s, was an admirer of the Miami Hurricanes...mostly, because of my hate for Florida State...but now my choice would be Clemson.
Pac-10 - UCLA & anybody who plays & beats USC!! HATE the Trojans!
SEC - LSU...HATE the Gators & Urban Meyer!
August 27th, 2009 at 6:16 AM ^
Big Ten: I like Iowa after UM. Great MFA program that I'd like to get into someday. Maybe when I'm 83. And a really, really neat college town in the middle of nowhere.
Big East: No one. The thought of one of those teams possibly becomming the 12th Big Ten member makes me barf.
Big 12: Nebraska and Oklahoma.
ACC: Georgia Tech
SEC: Ole Miss
Pac Ten: Washington
But I gotta say that probably my second favorite team in the whole wide world is the Central Michigan Chippewas.
August 27th, 2009 at 7:21 AM ^
VaTech - Every time I watch them I want to get up and do the hokie pokie...good times
Texas - I have family from Texas and its fun to root with them
Iowa - Good power running game
UConn - I have been watching them to be the next good Big East team for a few years
Iowa - Good power running game
UCLA - used to live in CA. I was too young to appreciate football at the time but that's who we rooted for.
SEC - it was Florida until urban meyer got there. I liked Bama until Saban got there. I think now it has to be LSU (Michigan love)
August 27th, 2009 at 7:26 AM ^
ACC: well duh. Second would be Georgia Tech, I was strongly considering going there if I didn't get into UVA and the Paul Johnson offense is awesome.
Big East: Syracuse, because they're a team that shouldn't be terrible.
Big 12: Texas, always has been, my mom's a grad.
Big Ten: Purdue (my brother's school) or Iowa (just always liked Iowa.)
Pac-10: Washington: sweet unis, really nice campus.
SEC: Ole Miss, for no particular reason at all.
August 27th, 2009 at 8:07 AM ^
How about an independent. Army
Much respect!!
August 27th, 2009 at 8:24 AM ^
ACC- Miami- Always liked Miami and VT but I want Miami to get things straightened out down there so it is Miami I will be rooting for this year.
SEC- Auburn- I don't really like anyone from the SEC anymore. Used to like Ala. but once Saban got their I hated them too. I will go with Auburn as I don't really have an axe to grind with them.
Big East- WVU- Even though I have lost a lot of respect for the University I still like the team (not head coach though). It started during RR's tenure and I still pull for them on most days.
Pac 10- Oregon- Big fan of Oregon even after they embarrassed us. I like the stadium, uniforms and it is generally a nice place. I would root for anyone over USC as well.
Big 12- Texas- Again, I have been a long time fan of Texas, probably my 4th favorite team in the NCAA.
Big 10- Illinois- Outside of UM I have always pulled for Ill. ever since the days that Simeon Rice and Kevin Hardy played LB there. They were a great watch.
Non-BCS- BYU- I have always had a lot of respect for BYU and the high standards they have. I would likely pull for them against any team other than UM.
August 27th, 2009 at 8:33 AM ^
I'd have to go with:
Big 10 - PSU. I'd say keep it in the state, but the Chips play in the MAC.
Big Easy - Pitt. I got accepted to their Pharmacy School, so I have a soft spot for the Panthers.
ACC - Clemson. Yes, purple unis, Death Valley and the Rock are all pretty cool.
SEC - Vandy. LOL.
Big 12 - Texas. They've always been my #2 in the NCAA. Austin is a great town too.
Pac 10 - Oregon State. Who doesn't like beavers?
August 27th, 2009 at 8:34 AM ^
Big Ten: Northwestern - Must respect the academics. Only root for MSU against ND and hate Indiana because of Assembly Hall. JoPa hasn't coach PSU in four years, losing more respect for him every year he sits in the press box and calls himself "head coach" just for the record. The BS with him and Bowden is stupid.
ACC: Georgia Tech - they are fun to watch and set crazy rushing records. (Miami can die in a fire)
Big East: really don't care about any of them, but if I had to root, it would be for the 'stache. (Pitt)
Big 12: Okie State - Like the coach. Barry. They are exciting all the time and they upset Okla once in a while. Hate Nebraska forever. The Blackshirts are plain stupid.
SEC: Vanderbilt - Gotta love the underdog, especially when the underdog can run circles around the rest of the conference logically. Second would be LSU only because of Miles. Urban Meyer, Saban (despise).
PAC 10: Cal. Upset-minded, great coach and good colors. They should beat USC this year. ASU second because of all hot girls. DOn't care what 60 Minutes says, Carroll is a scumbag.
I also root for Boise and Utah until they affect Michigan.
August 27th, 2009 at 8:49 AM ^
Big Ten- Penn State. Curtis Enis played football in the same conference my high school did. And Joe Pa is hilarious during pressers.
Big East- Cincy, because my parents went there.
Big 12- Kansas, because of Todd Reesing.
ACC- Wake. Jim Grobe's program is great.
PAC 10- Oregon for 2 reasons. The Unis are awesome minus the wings on the shoulders recently. And a friend went there for undergrad.
SEC- Auburn, because a friend of mine is in graduate school there. Hopefully going to the Iron Bowl this year.
August 27th, 2009 at 9:10 AM ^
Big Ten: Illinois, I've always pulled for the Zooker and can't stand PSU fanatical fan base, grew up around too many of them.
ACC: Clemson - I never have to high of expectations sothey never let me down. It was also thoroughly entertaining to be at the game where they beat Miami in Miami and see all their disappointed fans.
Big East: not a huge fan of this conference but I would have to pick Cinci just because in the recent past have a high powered offense and have shaken up the Big East.
Big 12: Baylor - yeah they are horrendous and since 2003 have only gone 22-48. But, I had family that went there so sadly they are who I root for.
SEC: Florida - though this is based only on better education. The schools here in Florida are pretty pathetic academically and I only rooted for Florida due to their slightly better academic standards. A close second would be Vandy.
PAC 10: Cal. I really hope they beat USC and Tedford is the man.
Non BCS: Hawaii because its . . . well Hawaii
August 27th, 2009 at 9:24 AM ^
B10 - Northwestern
B12 - Oklahoma - Remember the Billy Sims Days
SEC - Vandy(wife went there), LSU(family from New Orleans)
ACC - GA Tech. - live here in Atlanta
Pac-10 - UCLA - I just always have liked their uniforms
Big East - Pitt (Tony Dorsett)
August 27th, 2009 at 9:54 AM ^
Many of my non-Michigan allegiances are with friends and former U-M people that I like. To wit:
Big East: Pitt. Former U-M director of football ops Jeff Long is A.D. And the 'stache is OK.
ACC: Clemson. Close friend from U-M is an ortho doc for their teams.
Big 12: Texas. Like their tradition and that they beat USC. Have close friends with ties down there.
SEC: Got to know Les Miles and his wife when they were in A2, so it's LSU. Have a good friend from 'Bama, and always liked their tradition, so Roll Tide.
PAC-10: Former U-M associate AD Bob deCarolis is AD at Oregon State (I used to work with his wife). Hate USC, 'natch.
Big Ten: This is a tough one. PSU is OK, as I used to live in Philly and have some friends who are alums. I tolerate the Spartys, but for some reason can never, ever root for them. I even find myself rooting for OSU when they play. Is that wrong?
August 27th, 2009 at 10:04 AM ^
ACC - Clemson
Big East - Pitt (Good Friend there)
Big Twelve - Colorado (Cousin went there for grad school)
Big Ten - Northwestern (Several friends have gone there)
Pac 10 - Oregon (I just like them because they're the Ducks. Ducks are awesome, yo)
SEC - I used to root for Tennessee, as my best friend's cousin was a walk-on, but that has passed, and now I hate them just like I hate the rest of the conference.
Non-BCS - San Diego State (A different cousin went there)
August 27th, 2009 at 10:11 AM ^
ACC- Miami
Big East- USF
Big Ten- Illinois
Big 12- Texas
Pac 10- Oregon
SEC- Auburn
August 27th, 2009 at 10:30 AM ^
I've "cheered" for these teams (of course, I don't really cheer for any non-UM team) for awhile, so while I rooted for Tex Tech last year, I've long preferred Texas among the relevant Big 12 crowd.
ACC - Georgia Tech. Class program, even more fun now that the triple option is there.
Big East - I liked WVU when Rich Rod was there. What's that? We stole him? The whole state declared Hillbilly Jihad on Michigan? Hilarious. I really don't care about the rest of the Big East, but go UConn I guess.
Big 10 - I like a lot of Big 10 schools. If I KNEW Michigan wouldn't contend for a conference crown, my rooting interest would look something like: Penn State, Wisconsin, Illinois, and I could live with Minnesota, Iowa, and NW getting a crack. Indiana I can't take seriously, and I don't really like MSU/Purdue. And suck it, OSU.
Big 12 - Texas. In addition to Ga. Tech, a team I legitimately like. University of Texas, Austin, the wider sports program, the grads I know from the school - just get a U of M of the SW vibe from the school.
Pac-10 - Oregon. Embarrassing my team once earns you my hate. Doing it twice? My reluctant rooting interest.
SEC - Auburn. Always liked them as well.
August 27th, 2009 at 11:02 AM ^
Big 10 - Penn State - love the uniforms, love JoPa.
ACC - Va Tech - great atmosphere, Frank Beamer seems like a good guy.
Pac 10 - ASU - hot chicks
Big 12 - Kansas - Brother in law went there so I kind of follow them so I can talk to him about his team.
Big East - Don't really have one here. Kind of like UConn because I like what Edsell has done there the last few years. Like BK at Cincy.
SEC - Georgia - I think Richt runs a nice program. No other reason really.
August 27th, 2009 at 11:34 AM ^
ACC - GA Tech. The triple option is what the spread was 5-7 years ago. It beats the hell out of your typical I-Formation uninventive offenses that linger in college football
BE - Cincinnati and Louisville. I love Brian Kelley. I loved the Lou when Stefan Lefors, Michael Bush, Brian Brohm, Harry Douglas, etc were running the show there. -sigh- too bad they never threw a monkey wrench in the BCS like I wanted.
PAC 10 - Stanford. I feel no affiliation to any of these schools but one time in NCAA07 (I think) on Heisman settings I beat Stanford (with the aforementioned Louisville) 115-0
Big 12 - Missouri because they should have won that game against Nebraska in '97 and I hate every other team in this conference. I swear to god there are only two teams in this conference every year usually and one of them makes a run at the MNC without playing the other decent team in the conference. Its so much b.s. and I hate them for it.
SEC - sorry, can't pick one. they're too fast for me to even see because i'm from the north...
B10 - Despite their underachieverness since joining the B11: Penn State. Classic unis, clean program, coach that was the doctor who delivered Moses....etc.
NON-BCS - TCU is always fun. I have also have a soft spot for CMU and Dan LeFevour just because he's a crazy athlete that doesn't get the hype he should.
August 27th, 2009 at 12:06 PM ^
ACC: FSU. Fear the Spear! Garnet and Gold unis are sweet. Speed, speed, speed!
Big East: WVU. Yep, even with all the shyte we have had to put up with from 'Eer fans. Love the unis and that mascot with the Davey Crockett coonskin cap.
Big 10: Iowa. Nice unis (seeing a theme in my selections?), good old-fashioned team, especially liked them when Hayden Frey was the coach.
Big 12: Colorado. Love the Black and Gold unis, awesome helmets, cool stadium, great fight song.
Pac 10: Washington. Second best unis in CFB (after UM), awesome stadium right on Puget Sound, Seattle rulz!
SEC: Georgia. Love the unis, love UGA, playing "Between the Hedges" at night.
August 27th, 2009 at 12:44 PM ^
ACC: UVA is first, I'm considering it for college and I have a cousin who went there. Also, Virginia Tech and Clemson because I have a cousin at each. Also also, Georgia Tech for the triple option.
Big East: Rutgers maybe, because they're my (somewhat) local school. Otherwise I don't really care about the Big East.
Big 10: Indiana because my mom is an alum. Purdue after that because I have a lot of other family members that went there.
Big 12: Nebraska. I feel guilty about this choice but Eric Crouch was my favorite non-Michigan player when I was little.
Pac 10: Cal just because it is a good school.
SEC: Auburn, another cousin is a student there.
August 27th, 2009 at 1:24 PM ^
ACC: Va Tech, I'm not really an ACC fan, but I like them.
Big East: Cincinnati, I think they could eventually rival OSU if Brian Kelly is as awesome as he seems.
Big 10: Penn State, JoePa is a classy guy and I just like their team.
Big 12: Nebraska, former powerhouse back on the rise.
Pac 10: Cal, mainly because I hate USC and UCLA sucks at football right now.
SEC: Auburn, beat Florida twice when they needed to and I'm not really a Bama fan.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:31 PM ^
I like this topic.
Big Ten: Northwestern for pure self interest/shock value or Iowa out of the legitimate contenders this year. I don't mind Penn State, honestly, but I'd rather see Iowa do well.
Big 12: Texas. Plucky underdogs are nice but Texas steps up to the plate nicely in bowl games and they got screwed last year.
SEC: Georgia. Urban Meyer was a dick last year, they've got decent tradition, and they haven't been obnoxious to Michigan lately. Would have picked Tennessee under Fulmer due to tradition and parallels with Michigan, but Lane Kiffin... yeah.
Big East: Rutgers. They're still a perennial underdog and they also broke South Florida in 2007.
Pac 10: Oregon State. Perpetual spoiler/giant killer team and they beat USC twice. Cal is a close second.
ACC: Ga Tech. I really like the innovative offense.
August 27th, 2009 at 6:56 PM ^
B10 - If I *had* to pick a team besides M, I'd for go for PENN SHTATE b/c JoePa is entertaining.
B12 - Toss up between Texas Tech and Texas. Tech is kind of an underdog and not a historical powerhouse, plus I really like Mike Leach. He's like a mad scientist w/ his offensive schemes. As for Texas, I've always kind of liked them. They're a school w/ tradition, that is not annyoing (like ND, OSU, Oklahoma, USC, Florida) plus they are the Sooners' rival and I hate the Sooners.
Big East - Syracuse: Greg Paulus is their starting QB
ACC - Duke: It's where I go to school
SEC - LSU, b/c Les Miles is a Michigan Man.
Pac 10 - Anyone other than USC. Don't really care at all about the P10, but if I *had* to pick one, probly Cal.
Non-BCS - BOISE ST!!! I totally called the upset of OU that happened a couple years ago and loved every glorious second of it.
August 27th, 2009 at 7:36 PM ^
Oklahoma State must be pumped to have Barry Sanders back.