It's Game Day, Baby

No matter what month may be featured on the calendar, it doesn't feel like fall until opening day of college football. I love the experiences that come with college football season: watching College GameDay on ESPN on Saturday morning, dressing in my team's colors, relaxing on the couch as my team plays on Saturday afternoon, jumping up and down when my team gets a touchdown. I have so many precious memories of cheering on the University of Michigan Wolverines with my mom on Saturday afternoons. I've continued the tradition in my own home now that I'm on my own, and I hope that my children will grow up to be Michigan fans. (They will be influenced beginning at birth!)

Today was the beginning of one of my favorite seasons: college football season! I dressed as closely to azure blue and maize, started the coffee, and turned on College GameDay to accompany me while I paid the monthly bills. The windows were wide open, allowing the cool, fall breezes to fill our living room with fresh air. All was right with the world.

(photo courtesy of ESPN)

Because Dave and I decided to go out a bit this afternoon, I set the DVR to record the Michigan-Connecticut game. I made sure not to find it on the radio as we drove around, because I didn't want to ruin the experience of watching their opening game.

We finally got home 90 minutes after kickoff, and I settled in to watch the Wolverines fight for a victory. I was hopeful but cautious, considering the horrible seasons they've endured for the last two years. Would this game be the shift toward winning seasons that they desperately needed? I yelled, "WOO-HOO!" when they scored the first touchdown and startled my husband. He had forgotten just how excited I get about Michigan football. (Oh, love, one of these years you'll remember!)

Interrupted by a date night to a local baseball game, the game watching restarted with the second half when I got home from cheering another team to victory. Denard Robinson continued to amaze me with his awesome quarterback performance, and I gasped with everyone else when he didn't get up after a tackle. (Fortunately, he returned to the game minutes later.) I yelled a bit more, then gave a final "WHOOOOOO!" when the final seconds ran out and Michigan ended the game with a 30-10 victory.

(photo courtesy of ABC)

My team had won its opener! I'm hoping this is the beginning of a good season for the Wolverines. I know that, no matter what happens with the team, it will be a good season for me because I'll always be able to spend my Saturday afternoons for the next 3 months watching those Wolverines play one of my favorite sports.

M Go Blue!