It’s almost my favorite time of the year: college football season. Athletes are reporting back to campus, pre-season polls and predictions are being discussed, and Heisman hype is in high gear. This is the most exciting time of the year no matter which team you root for, because regardless of last season’s record or outcome, there is always the hope that this year will be better. Even a team that didn’t win a single game last year has hope during the weeks leading up to the first kick-off; it’s a chance to start building a new identity.

Yet that’s where I find myself thrust into a new and confusing realm as a fan this season: my college football identity. My whole entire life I have been a fan of Texas Tech football. My dad is a graduate, and I spent my childhood going to Red Raider football, basketball, and baseball games. I remember watching James Gray rush for 280 yards and 4 touchdowns in the 1989 All America bowl, leading Tech to a monstrous 49-21 defeat of the Steve Spurrier-coached Duke Blue Devils. I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing (eating a bowl of Froot Loops at the dinner table in my house in Floydada, TX) when All American linebacker Zach Thomas intercepted a pass and rumbled into the end-zone to beat Texas A&M in 1995. I was in the student section in 2001 when Kliff Kingsbury threw for 473 yards to oust the mighty Texas Longhorns, and dash their last hopes of playing for a national title that year.

One might wonder what I find so confusing about this season, as it has the potential of being one of the best in the history of Texas Tech football. With 10 returning starters on offense, including quarterback Graham Harrell and wide receiver Michael Crabtree—both legitimate Heisman hopefuls—and 8 eight returning starters on an ever-improving defense, this season bodes well for the Red Raiders. There’s just one problem…

After living all but the first 10 months of my life in Texas, and going to at least one Tech football game for 9 of the last 10 years, I now reside in Columbia, MO. It’s not that Columbia is a bad place to be; I actually love it. The problem is that Columbia is the home of the University of Missouri, who happens to field a pretty decent football team. Well, maybe I should say a very decent football team, one that put the hurt on my Red Raiders last year 41-10. They also have a quarterback and receiver in the Heisman discussion, Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin, and look poised to have an even stronger season this year than last, when they finished as the #4 team in the nation(1). To make matters worse, I am actually employed by the University of Missouri, and I will also be taking some classes at the University.

After a lifetime of knowing only one stadium as my “home” field, I will now be attending Mizzou home games. I will quite possibly attend more University of Missouri home games than the total number of Texas Tech games I will be able to watch on TV. But I am no bandwagon jumper. I may get caught up in the excitement and cheer after Chase Daniel throws a touchdown pass(2), but don’t be fooled. I may even don a Mizzou football shirt, but don’t you worry. My heart and soul will forever remain in the dusty plains of West Texas, where an eccentric coach runs a pass-happy offense and gives some of the most entertaining post-game interviews known to man. Although I now physically reside in the Tigers’ den, my allegiance lies in Raider-land. I will never be able to turn my back on my team, my school, and my heritage.

So bring on the pre-season all-conference and All America picks. Fire up the grill and ice down the drinks for the tailgate parties. Warm up the marching bands and let the games begin. I know who I am cheering for…do you?

1 Even though I had no reason whatsoever for any kind of allegiance to Missouri last year, I think they got screwed out of a BCS bowl. There is no way that Kansas deserved an at-large bid over Missouri. Kansas had a magnificent year, no doubt, but Missouri proved on the field that they were the better team. Sorry KU fans.

2 I would also like to point out a fact that further legitimizes my being a quasi-fan of Mizzou. If you check the Tiger’s roster, you will see that Chase Daniel hails from the great state of Texas. In fact, I remember watching him play in the state championship game for Dallas Southlake Carroll several years ago. Additionally, 28 more players on the 115-man roster call the Lonestar state home (that’s 25%). Forgive my Texas pride, but I just couldn’t resist.

2 Responses to “Matters of the heart”

1. Ann Thompson Says:
   August 5th, 2008 at 8:32 am

   Well Nic welcome to Mizzou!! I did not know you had moved to Columbia. I am happy you are showing support for the black and gold. I knew you were a smart kid I bet CJ, Becka, Sam don’t appreciate your KU remark but you are CORRECT.

2. C.J. Moore Says:
   August 6th, 2008 at 12:18 pm

   I’d like to be the first to call for Nic’s termination from thisordinaryday… even though I do love Mike Leach.

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