(Picture
courtesy of byucougars.com)
Every year there is some sort of hype surrounding everyone’s
football team. The players are so confident in themselves. The media is
confident in various teams and they even talk about the college football
playoff somewhere in their conversation.
But does that hype usually translate into disappointment or
happiness? Could we do without the hype? I think so. Is that going to happen?
No.
I
tend to experience disappointment but there is always happiness found in there
somewhere. But that’s what makes college football exciting I guess. If the hype
lives up to its destined future events then you can be ecstatic.
For
fans, hype can make the college football experience a lot more fun. If your
team is doing well and all the national media is paying attention to your team,
that attention can make the season so much more enjoyable. You are fan right?
Fans are supposed to root for a win every game. You wouldn’t be a real fan if
you weren’t rooting for your team to win every game. Sure you have to be
realistic but why not have high hopes every game (as long as they are valid
hopes). Certain schools may simply not be doing well one season.
Regardless,
if your team is playing exceptionally well, you get to start dreaming of a
national championship trophy. You will be counting championship touchdowns in
your sleep.
But
all that can come crashing down once your team loses.
Hype
can be more damaging to players and coaches when their hopes are dashed after a
crushing loss. Think about it. They are the ones actually playing the game.
They have to get up and get prepared for every game and when they lose, that
hurts. Fans get to continue on with their lives. But for players and coaches,
that’s their life.
So
if they get too caught up in all the hype, that makes it all that much more
damaging when you lose. Coaches and players are usually pretty good about
staying away from the hype in order to keep their mental focus.
I think of hype as a birthday cake and the fans are the little
boy/girl who are so excited for their birthday cake. The little kid is sitting
there watching as their parent is carrying the cake to them, candles lit and
glowing vibrantly. Now there are two things that can happen; the parent fails
to see the little toy on the kitchen floor that they end up tripping on. Or the
parent successfully delivers the cake to child sitting at the table. If the
parent drops the cake, the child is flooded with disappointment. But if the
cake is successfully delivered, they are flooded with happiness.
The season has already started and it will bring more excitement
and surprises. Will your team’s cake be spread all over the ground or in your
mouth for your enjoyment? We shall see.
Man! It was good to be back in the Marriott Center to watch the Cougars get back at it. They pulled of a well fought but ugly win against the San Francisco Dons. The Cougars shot 40% from the floor overall and only 15% from 3-point range while San Francisco shot 48.2% from the floor overall. It was amazing that the Cougars pulled out the win. While the Cougars struggled shooting the ball, the 17 turnovers the Cougars forced allowed the Cougars to keep a lead the entire second half. It was a fun game to watch especially because Tyler Haws is only 3 points away from passing Danny Ainge for second in all-time scoring at BYU! Saturday will be the day he gets it done!
