College Football Preview: What not to look for...

Although this comes one day after the official start of the 2008 college football season, there is good reason for being tardy. There are many experts that can make bold predictions before the first kickoff, but it takes a truly skilled eye to pick up on little nuances in the middle of the first nationally televised game of the season and determine the outlook of every single game that will be played this year. This is something that will transcend all the records, the polls, the BCS standings, and the Heisman Trophy race all packed together. This is something far more important and meaningful than all of that. It is the very nature of the college game, and it's something that no one will be seeing this season.

And so, without further ado, what not to look for this season: Fun.

Last night, one the very last play of the 3rd quarter with South Carolina ahead of visiting North Carolina State 13-0, something happened that will undoubtedly become all too common in college football this year, and it was devastating to witness. Gamecocks junior safety Emanuel Cook stepped in front of a pass attempt thrown by NC State QB Daniel Evens and nearly had USC's 4th turnover of the game (the Gamecocks would intercept a pass later on in the 4th quarter). After the play Cook was visibly upset, he knew he had that pass and wanted to come through on the opportunity. So after missing out on the pick, he dropped to the ground and punished himself by doing 10 push-ups right out in the middle of the field. The crowd appreciated the gesture, and gave a resounding cheer to signal their approval.

Then came the yellow.

Cook was flagged for "unsportsmanlike conduct" and his team was penalized 15 yards. After cheering initially for Cook's gesture, the crowd seemed perplexed and gave a confused "boo."
Cook also seemed puzzled, but he and his teammates carried on and proceeded to shut-out the Wolfpack by the score of 34-0.

That one play, by far not a turning point in that game, was a signal of what is to come in college football. There are already rules set in place that prohibit excessive celebration and calling attention to one's self, which indeed has no place in football. While one player may be at the center of the play, he must know that without his 10 teammates executing their assignments, his moment in the spotlight would have never come to be. That's why running backs so often give praise to their offensive line, because without them there would be no holes to run through.

But what Cook did could hardly be classified as a celebration, and the attention he brought to himself was not out of ignorance of his teammates; instead it was a gesture of apology towards them. On that play, the Gamecock defense executed their assignments perfectly which left Cook in the opportune position to make a play for the defense, and the team in general. Although he did break up the pass, Cook missed out on coming up with a big play. With those 10 push-ups, Cook was able to say to his team, "I miss that one, guys. My bad. I'll get it next time." Above all, it was a fun way to get the crowd and the rest of the team a little more pumped up and was not in the least bit disrespectful to the other team.

But that's not how the refs saw it; what they saw was a player showing up his opponents. Sadly, this type of action will most likely be cracked-down on all over college football, stripping away another piece of innocent fun for the players and the fans. While the game is fun in itself, it is also very taxing. The months of preparation during the off-season and the hours of practice, weights, and film all add up and when the game finally comes around, expressing exuberance or frustration through small gestures is to be expected. And when theses expressions are not excessive they should be allowed.

It doesn't look like that's going to happen very much if at all this year in college football, and its too bad. It would be a shame if football could be fun for the players and fans, but there seems to be no room for that.