Programs and/or Coaches you root for
So I was reading the thread about USC and their "down year" next year and someone had mentioned an upset, possibly at the hands of UCLA which got me thinking...I sure hope that happens, I can't help but root for Neuheisel at that school.
Maybe I'm a sap when it comes to "alum comes back to alma mater to coach" or maybe I just love the Forcier's but, I want Rick to succeed and I think a knock off of USC would be another step in the right direction for that program, which I think he will resurrect.
So...in that vein...
Who do you root for that isn't M? coaches and/or programs.
I also root for:
Any non-BCS school that might have a chance to go perfect.
Any obscure team from Ohio that O$U plays and looks like they're going to lose to for 3.5 quarters then annihilates (they're going to lose at some point, right?)
January 18th, 2009 at 2:28 AM ^
Tell OSU to have home n home with cinncinnati.
January 18th, 2009 at 2:52 AM ^
University of Washington. Great city, great place to watch a college football game, great fans.
University of Virginia. Beautiful campus, smart kids, great town.
University of Wyoming. No real reason, other than they have one of the most underrated logos in the NCAA
January 18th, 2009 at 4:02 AM ^
I root for the South Florida Bulls because I am an alumni. It was kind of awkward when Michigan hired Rich Rod considering the years I spent rooting against West Virginia.
January 18th, 2009 at 1:05 PM ^
and the fact that levitt is a d-bag toward rodriguez
January 18th, 2009 at 7:12 AM ^
I like Les in the SEC...I always liked em because of the field uniforms etc...
Nebraska was my team growing up...hated Okl now that Pelini is coach I can come back.
Mow that Tuberville is gone I can see about Clemson.
All time I used to follow Lou Holtz...he's a charachiture now, but back in the day he was the best big game coach...fell in love with him when I was 7 and he suspended half his offense before the Orange Bowl against Oklahoma they were 20pt dogs and they smoked Switzer(see above)..always hated thje Florida schools and he always made me money..93 Florida St was a thing of beauty...
...finally he took out the Buckeyes in consecutive years @ S Car...
January 18th, 2009 at 8:39 AM ^
Back in the days when they were an independent. My mother had a good friend who was married to a professor, and we would spend the night at their house when we were driving to visit my grandparents out east. I still root for them, albeit less enthusiastically, except when they play Michigan.
Nowadays Wisconsin. Yeah, yeah. I lived in Madison for a long time, and when my wife raised money for them I had a nice supply of free tickets (which mostly dried up when Alvarez started winning Rose Bowls). I still root for them. When they're not playing Michigan.
As much as it pains me, I am rooting for Neuheisel at UCLA. And Washington (who'd they hire again?). The last time UCLA and Washington were on top of the Pac 10 for any length of time (i.e., a good chunk of the eighties and nineties), USC was relatively down.
January 18th, 2009 at 1:02 PM ^
Wash hired Kevorkian (or maybe they should have, they've been bad enough assisted suicide might be a good solution) or Sarkisian or someone like that from USC. The O Coordinator guy I think.
January 18th, 2009 at 8:43 AM ^
Besides the obvious two:
Texas (mother's alma mater) and Purdue, when they're not playing Michigan (brother's school).
Navy, because I'm in the Navy and because that offense is awesome.
Any of the directional Michigan schools, just because they're in Michigan.
Some other schools I have a soft spot for: Georgia Tech (still have not decided whether I'd have gone there or U-M had I not gotten into UVA, and glad I don't have to actually make the decision); UNC (very similar school to UVA); Duke (kind of a family school, my uncle went there so I grew up pulling for them); Washington (just always liked the purple and gold colors, and it's a beautiful campus); Penn State (I want JoePa, not Bowden, to have the record); Iowa (just because); Kansas/Kentucky/Arizona (for some reason I like basketball schools that don't do well in football).
January 18th, 2009 at 8:45 AM ^
michigan. and ucla cause i was born close to campus. and michigan. go blue.
January 18th, 2009 at 9:07 AM ^
Virginia Tech and Frank Beamer because I lived in VA a while back.
I love Beamer Ball and that defense by Bud Foster
January 18th, 2009 at 9:24 AM ^
Arizona State, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, & Nebraska (only now that they are bringing the option back).
January 18th, 2009 at 9:25 AM ^
forgot about gtech love the option.
January 18th, 2009 at 9:31 AM ^
Penn State (I love Joe Pa and the fact that he produces so his program produces so many fine young men)
Iowa (Ferentz is a good coach and a good man, and this is a team that consistently gets better as the season progresses. Also, I like the Steelers jerseys)
Northwestern, Stanford, Duke, Vandy (I love rooting for real student athletes)
Wisconsin (I love their style of play)
Michigan St. (I grew up near there, and I only root against them when they play Michigan)
Anyone who is playing Ohio State, Notre Dame, USC, Florida or Saban (no explanation needed)
January 18th, 2009 at 9:37 AM ^
My father went to Vanderbilt, and it was probably my #2 choice, so I root for them. It's relieving to have a rooting interest for which you have no expectation of success.
I also, inexplicably, like Penn State. There's not much of a reason, but I liked them when I was growing up, so generally root for them against the rest of the Big 10.
Finally, I like a few schools just because I thought the campuses were awesome when I was doing college visits - UNC, Wake Forest, Texas.
January 18th, 2009 at 10:59 AM ^
"Finally, I like a few schools just because I thought the campuses were awesome when I was doing college visits - UNC, Wake Forest, Texas."
It's funny, I went to visit UGA when I was doing my college visits and came away all set to apply there. Then I went back that day and watched the UGA-GT game and pulled for UGA because of my visit that day. LOVED the campus and the school. I only didn't apply because they didn't have an architecture program. In the ten or so years since though I've come to learn that UGA and UGA fans are among the most widely hated in all of college football. Not too sure whether that's just because of how many teams UGA has a rivalry with or because the occasional idiocy I see out of UGA fans is actually representative of the fan base, but my enthusiasm for UGA has since been tempered. Still a terrific campus, though.
January 18th, 2009 at 10:17 AM ^
I like to see Northwestern, Rice and Wake Forest (sister is an alum) doing well, but wont hold my breath for Baylor.
Also always root for Washington in the Pac Ten, and UVa and UNC in the ACC. Don't root for Stanford, they are so successful in so many other sports (they have won every single Director's Cup so far).
Never liked the renegade programs like Florida State, Miami and SMU.
January 18th, 2009 at 10:35 AM ^
Don't forget Vandy, the only SEC team I ever have the urge to root for.
January 18th, 2009 at 10:45 AM ^
I actually look forward to their game with Alabama every year. They tend to put up a really good fight, then lose.
I also root for Kentucky in football only, but no other SEC team.
January 18th, 2009 at 10:56 AM ^
I like Utah because I did a summer semester there and it was one of the best summers ever.
Florida State because Bobby Bowden is my second favorite coach based on what he did for Marshall after the tragic plane crash.
and Tennessee because I have family on my dad's side who live in Tennessee and I grew up wearing Michigan and Tennessee colors.
January 18th, 2009 at 11:10 AM ^
My dad went to Brown for his undergrad years. He went to Michigan for his business degree. My uncle earned his History and Law degrees from Michigan. I always watch for Brown's scores in football, I don't even know what the team looks like. I'm kind of a Texas fan, but the reports about Mack Brown's arrogance tempers that just a little. I like to see Les Miles do well, but I really don't care for the SEC in general.
No matter what I root for the team playing OSU, MSU, ND or Miami (YTM), every Saturday.
January 18th, 2009 at 11:27 AM ^
Marshall (Mom's school - several buddies played for them)
Missouri (Grew up with DC Matt Eberflus)
Toledo (Town I grew up in)
January 18th, 2009 at 11:36 AM ^
Most of the schools have already been mentioned, but:
Georgia Tech - Knew some people who went there, seemed like a nice campus when I stopped by, and the basketball team always seemed like a "fun" team to follow.
Harvard - worked there for a summer while in law school, loved the campus and Cambridge, and just seemed (slightly) less pretentious than the other Ivies I've visited. Plus, they beat a ranked team recently with TA at the helm, which of course makes this awkward....
BC - Beautiful campus, wife grew up near there, and I always run by there when we visit. And watching Flutie's Pass never grows old.
Penn St. - Joe Pa wantsmetagoto Pennnnnn STTTTT!, and I always like simple uniforms that don't look like spilled bong water (looking at you, Oregon).
UC Santa Cruz - a friend of the banana slugs is a friend of mine.
January 18th, 2009 at 11:48 AM ^
Gonzaga - I would have gone there but for a lack of funds
Oregon - I absolutely adore the state and Eugene
Bowling Green - Several family members are alums
San Diego - Dad went there for grad school
Navy and Air Force - Cousins in both services
Vanderbilt - Grandfather went there and my great uncle coached the baseball team
Georgetown - My favorite basketball team as a kid
Basketball schools in football - Arizona, Kentucky, Indiana... I love them for some reason
USC - The school I dreamed of going to from the time I was like 8 until I got my rejection letter.
The rest of the Pac-10 - Love it for some reason
UC-Irvine - I briefly considered going there and visited the campus
San Francisco - Same as above
Colorado - Same as above
January 18th, 2009 at 1:09 PM ^
is the dave barry joke about Eugene, OR true "Eugene is located in western Oregon, approximately 278 billion miles from anything."
January 18th, 2009 at 11:49 AM ^
I live about an hour away from atlanta and i hate UGA so i like to root for georgia tech. you gotta be a genius to get in and the have the coolest restaurant right across the street from the campus called the varsity. it was founded by a student. he was failing his classes and he sold hamburgers and hotdogs during breaks so he decided to drop out and open up a restaurant instead
January 18th, 2009 at 12:35 PM ^
I have loved Navy football since 2002 when they hired Paul Johnson, and now that Georgia Tech has him, I root for them as well. Any program that runs the triple option offense will always have my support. But Navy will always be my go-to non-Michigan football program because I'm from downtown DC and I've actually seen them in person.
I also follow Howard football because I have two friends who walked onto the football team and get in on special teams every once in a while.
In basketball I like Howard, Georgetown, Creighton, Xavier, and Villanova. Seth Greenberg of Virginia Tech is my favorite coach.
January 18th, 2009 at 12:42 PM ^
Blue turf and Ian Johnson
January 18th, 2009 at 1:03 PM ^
I grew up in A2 and I live in Seattle now.
If i'm going to be this close to a storied program, I may as well be a (semi)fan. The stadium is gorgeous... snow covered mountains reflected in the lake is a nice view from the stands. And, really, it's gotta be up up up for them... from 0 wins
January 18th, 2009 at 1:18 PM ^
My dad went to Northwestern and a local (Chelsea) kid played on their offensive line a couple years ago, so I like to see them win. Plus, I like to call them the Fighting Smarty-Pants and mean it positively.
Also, outside D1A, I keep an eye on Lehigh. They have a gorgeous campus, and while they have sort of a generic mascot now, their old mascot -- the Engineer -- was one of the best. I'm sad that they don't use it anymore, but the history is still there.
January 18th, 2009 at 1:34 PM ^
Pittsburgh - Graduated high school in pennsylvania, friends and brother go there, great city, great school.
Army - entire family besides my brother and I went to West Point.
January 18th, 2009 at 2:01 PM ^
Texas Tech and Georgia Tech for the offensive systems. I used to like Rutgers because I'm from New Jersey, but as my friends started going to school there and they started getting good, I stopped. Also, Tulsa for going 8-1 against the spread when I took them this year.
January 18th, 2009 at 2:12 PM ^
Oh, and I've known a couple people at the Air Force Academy and I've been to a game there -- what a glorious view! -- so I like to see them win, too.
January 18th, 2009 at 3:01 PM ^
Kentucky - I'm going there after a few semesters of community college.
Michigan - Well, duh...
January 18th, 2009 at 3:24 PM ^
So terrible for so long. Plus, I like Solich too.
January 18th, 2009 at 3:26 PM ^
Any team playing against osu or nd!!!!
January 18th, 2009 at 4:22 PM ^
i root for the team playing these 3 teams
January 18th, 2009 at 4:10 PM ^
Since I'm a current student there, I certainly root for the BGSU Falcons.
I will always have some residual affection for Northwestern since I was a huge (8 year old) fan of theirs when they went on their Rose Bowl run in 95.
January 18th, 2009 at 4:55 PM ^
Washington Huskies, because I took classes there and was a big fan of Don James. Saw them annihilate OSU at Huskie Stadium.
Colorado St- because I admired Sonny Lubick.
UVA- because it's such a beautiful, elegant place.
Wisconsin- because Madison's a riot.
Illinois- because my Dad had 2 degrees from Illinois, and I grew up going to games in Champaign. Loved Chief Illiniwek, and actually became a Michigan fan there when I was 7 or 8. Had no idea who the Illini were playing, showed up for the game and loved the helmets, and dumped the Illini like a bad habit.
January 18th, 2009 at 4:56 PM ^
Rutgers is the only other program that I root for. They're my home state's school and my sister goes there. But also it's because NJ produces so many good football players and for decades we just watched them all leave to play somewhere else because there was no big time school for them here. It's frustrating.Penn St has lived off of NJ for example. We think "God if these guys just stay here we would have a great team." So it's nice to see Rutgers trying now and are a decent team. They're no power by any means but they're better.
My goal is to see Rutgers keep all of NJ's best players like a wall around the state. hen I want the best players from the other 49 states to go to Michigan. lol.
January 18th, 2009 at 5:00 PM ^
Penn State- Joe Pa is one of the greatest coaches of all time. Curtis Enis(mid 90s, NFL bust w/ Bears) played in the same conference I did. Loved their stadium and game day atmosphere.
Auburn- friend of mine goes to grad there
Oregon- friend of mine graduated from there, 2nd best unis
South Flordia- I know Levitt talks shit about Rod and all, but I like Grothe, and my buddy was a walk on kicker there. pretty good Levitt stories
Boise- Blue Turf, offense
Frank Solich- his uncle was a substitute teacher of mine junior high to high school
Ball State-probably going there in the fall
January 18th, 2009 at 7:20 PM ^
I've always liked PSU. JoPa is a great all-around "coach". (Only coach to have library named after him AFAIK.) Plus I grew up a Michigan fan in WV in the 80s and hated UOS, Pitt, VT, BC, ND and Miami and PSU was the only other "regional" team we could see.
Also like Boise State and Florida State because I converted two guys to M while in the military and promised to always root for them.
I live in VA now and root for the Richmond Spiders since UVA sucks, and again I hate VT and pretty much the rest of ACC.
Also any underdog on a weekly basis, provided they're not playing Michigan of course.
January 18th, 2009 at 8:43 PM ^
Central and Western - Lots of friends went there, CMU-WMU tailgating is great.
MSU - Again, lots of friends. Fun school to party at.
USC - I heart Pete
FSU - Liked the helmets when I was a kid and Chief Osceola.
Oregon - Uniforms
PSU - JoePa
Auburn - Not sure why... Bo Jackson, I guess?
Texas - No real reason
Texas Tech - Leach
Arizona St. - I think I just like the Devil mascot
Iowa - BHGP
There's a lot more, and usually I end up cheering for a few teams as the season goes on because I like watching them, like Florida this season.
(Edit because somehow I forgot to mention Miami, one of my favorite programs of all time)
January 19th, 2009 at 1:50 AM ^
GEORGETOWN!!!!! (alma mater)
how about that patriot league?