The Day of the Natty

Ahhh, yes. The Day of the Natty. The National Championship of College Football. It’s finally here! The day, the game, the battle we’ve all been waiting for. Alabama vs. Clemson. Wait a second, where have I heard that before?

Oh, that’s right, it’s the same matchup as last year (whoo!). Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to hate on Clemson, even though I’d like to, or Alabama, even though I’d REALLY, really like to. They’re both phenomenal football teams and programs that have set the bar obscenely high for every college football program in the country. There is no college football fan out there that would deny a chance to for their coach to accomplish what Nick Saban has achieved at Alabama (4 Championships since the 2009 season). I for one would just love to read off Virginia Tech’s national championship years in my lifetime… if they had any :(

The Day of the Natty is a sad day for college football fans. The next meaningful game they will see is either the Spring game, or the first game of next season. For example, Virginia Tech’s spring game holds loads of meaning already because guess what Hokie fans — there will be another quarterback competition in Blacksburg!!! Who doesn’t love the feeling of having no clarity at the most important position on the football field???

Just a quick rant in opposition to transfers and junior college quarterbacks. I respect Coach Justin Fuente and the job he did during Year One in Blacksburg, but let’s forget these JUCO QBs. Why wouldn’t the staff want to see what Josh Jackson or Jack Click or Chase Mummau can do with Fuente’s coaching and expertise at the QB position.

But I digress. Back to the sentimentality of the Day of the Natty.

It’s a sad day. It marks the end of perfect fall Saturday’s spent watching hours of football. It halts the conversations of which team is better, who should win the Heisman and which scandal means more for the landscape of college football. It means college football is over for the better part of the next eight months. Just typing that and rereading it makes me tear up at the thought of no more College GameDay, no more superstitious game day clothes, no more Enter Sandman in Lane for the next eight months.

*Sigh*

So, to that end, enjoy today for what it’s worth.

No, your team is most likely not playing for the National Championship tonight, mine included. Sit back, relax, and enjoy college football one last time. In the end, it will be a game for the ages, no matter what happens.

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Dear College Football,

Thank you for being you. Thank you for all of the arguments you cause, the controversies you catalyze, and the hopes and dreams you fill or crush on a week-to-week basis. You’re the best.

Sincerely,

Us. The Fans.

To Read Part Two: Click Here