Ohio State Football: Nearing the most wonderful time of year

We are nearing the return of college football for the world to see. How has being a fan of the Ohio State football team made it special for you?

It is that time of year again, with August approaching the Ohio State football team will soon begin fall camp. The thought of school starting is often overshadowed by the uncontainable excitement for the beginning of another season of college football.

Fans across the country will begin pushing aside bathing suits and muscle shirts for t-shirts with the logo of the team they are about to reinvest their dedicated, rich emotion and precious time into in a few short weeks.

As the weeks pass and the season gets underway, a typical Saturday schedule is now planned around a certain three and a half hours (at least) during the day. Then the day after is approached with either bitterness and anger after a tough defeat or with smiles and joy because of a thrilling victory.

For some, college football Saturday’s are tradition filled, like mine. For years, my family would wake up early on Saturday mornings decked out in our Ohio State gear and drive over to the orchard to go apple picking.

The entire farm was packed with people and families doing the exact same and a simple shout of an “O-H…” would start a chain reaction of “I-O’s.” After we finished hand picking our apples fresh off of the tree, we would start back home in time for kickoff.

Throughout the whole game my eyes would be glued to the television, but my nose would get distracted at the smell of my mom’s homemade chili simmering on the stove for dinner. And then a sweet scent of homemade apple crisp would counter the savory smell of the chili.

I knew it was going to be a good night.

Then as late October and November approach, the t-shirts and shorts begin to be exchanged for sweatshirts, jackets and pants as the chill and crisp fall air sets in and the questions about your team begin to be answered. The strengths and more importantly weaknesses are at the forefront of your mind as you are an assistant coach through the TV from your couch in hopes the staff and players can somehow hear you.

And as Rivalry Week ensues, the colors of your rival become outlawed along with the name. Some cases are more extreme, others not as much.

In our case as Buckeye fans, we banish the color blue, never refer to the name and cross out all “M’s” for the week per the governor’s orders.

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There is a reason Ohio State vs. Michigan is the greatest rivalry in all of sport. It is because of the history, roots, tradition, emotion, players, fans and a mutual respect between the two programs that creates a unique bond between anyone who is a part of the rivalry, regardless of role.

College football is more than just a sport. For some it is an outlet or just a game, but essentially it is a way of life that brings together a community and a nation for four months out of the year.

Hostile foes form a coalition, friendly neighbors grow their camaraderie and critics are either silenced or enthused.

College football is wild and unpredictable which makes it the pinnacle of sports, at least in my opinion. The 2019 season is on the doorstep, how will your team fare?

What upsets will unfold? Will there be a spoiler? These are all questions that we want answered, so buckle up and get ready because the college football season is almost here and it is the most wonderful time of the year.