GoodMidwestBoy's Blog

I grew up in the midwest, so I'm a BigTen fan.  When the leaves change colors, the smell of football sweeps in across a cool breeze.  I miss that sensation, but I have to admit that I'm getting good football in Texas.  I will always be loyal to my teams back home, but their style of football tradition is alive and well here in Big 12 Country.  Any conference will have it's ups and downs.  Powerhouses are usually the same, but every once in a while a secondary team reaches beyond their humble expectations.  Its hard to watch one of those schools go to your conference's bowl game, but it's better than your rival going.  The Big 12 has more teams that spread the ball out with prolific passing schemes, but they do pound out the ground game like the Big Ten.  The linemen are like the schools themselves, big and grounded (just try to move me).  The best part about football in both regions is the way it penetrates local culture.  Fan is short for fanatic, and there are some crazy football fans in the Big Ten and Big 12.  I lived in Pac 10 country for four years and the fans just aren't the same.  Maybe they're just not blue collar enough for me.  I appreciate the people and the football down here.  Because I'm not from here, I don't have loyalty to any particular team in the BIg 12.  My interests tend to be personal.  When UT plays OU, I have friends on either side who I can comment on the game with.  When A&M plays Baylor, same thing.  I'd love to hear from more people in the Big 12 about why you're fanatic for your team.  Let's share stories about big games and traditions.  I just want to learn more about this conference.  It's also fun to share personal traditions, stories and even pictures.  Take me back to those days and make me smell the football in the air here.