Getting into College ball

[Dutchrudder]

I'd recommend Notre Dame if you are in Wales. I can't imagine you will consistently see many games of other teams in that part of the world, unless you are OK with streaming them over the net illegally and at poor quality. Also there's a good chance you're Catholic, so if you are that's a plus for ND. They played a game in Ireland this past year, so if they continue to do that, you might be able to easily make one of their games.

Other than accessibility, I can't really think of a defining factor to choose another team aside from interesting players. Obviously Texas A&M will be interesting with Manziel at QB for the next 2-3 years, but I doubt you will see more than 1-2 of their games on TV in Wales. USC has a great WR in Lee who will be entertaining to watch, possibly a #1 pick in the making. Oregon has a bright future with an excellent freshman QB and an entertaining spread offense. He should be one of the Heisman frontrunners next year.

Lots to choose from if you didn't attend an American college, the field is wide open.

[kiwitexansfan]

I wasn't a college ball fan till I lived in Nebraska.

Now I am a Huskers fan through and through.

The college game day experience is approximately 1,701,423 times better than the NFL (in my limited experience). The football is ALOT worse than the pros but you get that with all lower tier competitions (like Heineken Cup vs. Super Rugby).

Pick a school with tradition.

And don't pick the Longhorns.

Go Big Red.

[CDNTexansFan]

Being from Canada, I've had the same issue trying to pick a college team. Years ago, when I first started following college ball, I decided to follow USC because my own high school mascot was the Trojan. That lasted all of one season as they won the National Championship with Bush/Leinart and I couldn't help but feel turned off by the fact I was jumping on a teams bandwagon during such a successful period in their history. It just didn't feel right. Following that, I went back to becoming a college football nomad and a casual fan until three seasons ago when my good friend moved in with me. He's a diehard Florida St fan and got me into the NCAA game more than ever before. It was here that I decided to make a list of desirable qualities I wanted in a team. This is what I wanted...

-Close enough to comfortably travel on a yearly/bi-yearly basis to catch a home game
-Relevant conference = nationally televised games occasionally
-Nice jerseys/gear
-Track record of sending guys to the pros (at least occasionally)
-Not a national powerhouse, but...
-Could someday put together a program that could contend for a major bowl.

I was initially drawn to Tennessee. Calgary-Knoxville can be done in 6 hours with a layover in Denver, they're always on TV, I love the orange. They seemed like an ideal program to grow with as they tried to rebuild. Unfortunately, Lane Kiffin started spouting off around the same time and I was so disgusted his arrogance and what was coming out of his mouth that I was totally turned off to the program.

After further consideration, I found Cal. Calgary- San Fran is a direct flight for me which is convenient. Living out west we got a ton of Pac-10 (12) games on tv. I think their jerseys look really sharp. They send lots of guys to play on Sunday which has made NFL games even more interesting for me. Mostly tho, I love that they have so much untapped potential as a program given their close proximity to star recruits and the quality of their recently renovated stadium/athletic facilities. They're in the dumps right now thanks to the Tedford/Maynard/Allen debacle this season but with a good coach their is no reason they couldn't rise up and play with the big dogs again.

Anyways, this has become long-winded but I definitely recommend getting into college ball. Following recruiting for your team in late December/January is an absolute rollercoaster with guys committing/decommitting on an almost daily basis. It is unlike anything the NFL has to offer and the drama of it all is immense. Extremely entertaining.

Good luck! Let us know who you decide on. More importantly, don't feel bad if you don't "click" with the first team you decide. Over time you will find a program that just feels right.

[Tailgate]

Simply put. Austin, TX. You really need to visit one of the best and coolest cities in America when you come for a visit. Texas Longhorns are the perfect excuse.

[Showtime100]

Originally Posted by Tailgate

Simply put. Austin, TX. You really need to visit one of the best and coolest cities in America when you come for a visit. Texas Longhorns are the perfect excuse.

And when you get here be prepared to hear how much Austin loves Austin.

"Coolest cities." Austin has it's good points and bad points, nothing special. When you get to the city limits you'll see a sign, "Welcome to Austin, Home Of Austin, The Most Stuck Up City In America."

[GlassHalfFull]

Where is Welsh? He needs to let us know what he is thinking.

[aussie_texan]

Originally Posted by GlassHalfFull

Where is Welsh? He needs to let us know what he is thinking.

his coming takes a while for the poms!

[drs23]

Originally Posted by kiwitexansfan

I wasn't a college ball fan till I lived in Nebraska.

Now I am a Huskers fan through and through.

The college game day experience is approximately 1,701,423 times better than the NFL (in my limited experience). The football is ALOT worse than the pros but you get that with all lower tier competitions (like Heineken Cup vs. Super Rugby).

Pick a school with tradition.

And don't pick the Longhorns.

Go Big Red.

I'm watching them getting their ***** handed to 'em. The JJ Watt Badgers are slaughtering them.

[htownfan32]

I was in a restaurant in Austin and one of the guys there was watching the LSU A&M game cheering for LSU. Dude had a Longhorns t-shirt on. People in Austin have a horrible case of ex-girlfriend-itis. All my Longhorn buddies from high school do. I remember the crap they gave me when A&M transitioned to the SEC. One of them was so bold as to say that the Aggies wouldn't win a single game.

Fortunately they all owe me money now, because A&M finished the season ranked higher than UT. Most enjoyable 500 bucks I've ever made xD

[MistaRed]

I would tell OP to become a Longhorns fan but since I'm a fan myself who's considering to stop rooting for the program all together, I cant do that. At least not until mack leaves.

[EllisUnit]

Originally Posted by MistaRed

I would tell OP to become a Longhorns fan but since I'm a fan myself who's considering to stop rooting for the program all together, I cant do that. At least not until mack leaves.

Ash and McCoy are terrible, i like the rest of the talent they have but them 2 are the worst duo of college QBs i have ever seen.

[htownfan32]

Well, that defense was supposed to be better than what showed up... I think it might be a coaching issue. Longhorns could use a new coach, but I don't know if Mack is headed anywhere tbh

[EllisUnit]

Originally Posted by htownfan32

Well, that defense was supposed to be better than what showed up... I think it might be a coaching issue. Longhorns could use a new coach, but I don't know if Mack is headed anywhere tbh

Mack is not going anywhere, they just need to get away from the buddy system, McCoys brother, Shipleys brother. Just cause they are related dont mean they're good.

[htownfan32]

Originally Posted by EllisUnit

Mack is not going anywhere, they just need to get away from the buddy system, McCoys brother, Shipleys brother. Just cause they are related dont mean they're good.

They could also use a viable QB. Haven't had one since Colt.

[EllisUnit]

Originally Posted by htownfan32

They could also use a viable QB. Haven't had one since Colt.

Ash is the worst College QB i have ever seen. Just terrible

[badboy]

Originally Posted by htownfan32

They could also use a viable QB. Haven't had one since Colt.

They had it good for so many years they now are tasting what it is like without. They need another Earl Campbell

[cuppacoffee]

Originally Posted by aussie_texan

i find it sometimes difficult to watch college ball because i find my self constantly say "that wouldnt happen in the NFL".
I do watch college though because its american football and also to watch out for the next stars.
I support ND but not a massive supporter, i also look at the results of the aggies and longhorns and hope they do well because they are texas teams and so many on this board follow them.

I picked ND because of the tradition/history of the school. the colours and many of the rituals that they have i found really interesting. thats how i made my decision.

And a very fine decision to be sure.

Great year to be a Texan and Irish fan. Been a long time coming to be able to say that.

[pbat488]

Originally Posted by EllisUnit

Ash is the worst College QB i have ever seen. Just terrible

where were you in 2010?

[kiwitexansfan]

Originally Posted by drs23

I'm watching them getting their ***** handed to 'em. The JJ Watt Badgers are slaughtering them.

The sooner the T-Magic era ends the better.

That loss against Wisconsin was EMBARRASSING.

[htownfan32]

Originally Posted by badboy

They had it good for so many years they now are tasting what it is like without. They need another Earl Campbell

Yep. I'm glad A&M left the Big XII, because of the brand recognition we're getting. I have no ill will to UT, they offer a great education and are pretty much allied with us in everything but athletics, and hope we play against each other preferably while I'm still in college and have student tickets lol.