I might be one of the only people in America who is thrilled that college bowl season is over.
The annual mishmash of teams, games, names, and matchups has never appealed to me. The last time I got swept up in the hype of a BCS game, I watched the most uninspiring national title game in recent history -- LSU’s methodical deconstruction of Oklahoma in the 2003 Sugar Bowl. I cursed myself for being so gullible. But that's not why I'm so thankful it's over.
This year, I was suckered in. I was duped, tricked into watching. Caught up in a wave of sheer curiosity and very bad timing.
First it was the Michigan-Nebraska seven-lateral finish, which I could have easily skipped by turning off the TV at 12 a.m. Instead, I instinctively did a final check of ESPN, and witnessed the most incredible play in college football this season (until the refs blew that non-touchdown in the Texas-USC game).
Then it was Notre Dame-Ohio St., interesting only because I had a friend who attended both schools and was flying out to the game. Correction: Interesting only because I secretly root for Notre Dame. The Irish fought till the end, and I secretly rooted alongside the rest of the closet Notre Dame fans (you know who you are).
Then it was Penn St.-Florida St., two old coaches and a chance for me to root along with good friend Andy, a huge PSU fan. Three overtimes later, I made it to bed.
Then there was that rotten USC-Texas game, which I almost didn’t watch. I didn't want to sacrifice another night of sleep, glued to the TV set in this frustratingly dramatic and perfect college football postseason. And sure enough, that’s exactly what happened. Another 1:30 a.m. lights-out, another listless day at work on Thursday.
The implications of all these late games and heart-stopping endings were downright unhealthy.
I’ve had enough of the storylines, enough Vince and Reggie, enough JoePa and Bowden, enough Charlie Weis, enough Keith Jackson, enough overtimes, enough lateral-filled endings -- enough.... well, fun!
Don’t these people know I have to recharge for March Madness and playoff hockey? I guess not.
And I guess if I had to waste those hours of my life, I may as well have wasted them on a fine collection of bowl games that captured even my casual fan's attention.
But I am not sorry to see the bowls go, and I’m quite sure my body will thank me. Now that it's all over, I'm going to bed. It’s 12:09 a.m. Good night.