Blog ... An SEC Gal in California

Last week, it was over 100 degrees at my apartment in California for several days running. Being from Alabama, it’s not that unusual for the temps to rival that if you add the humidity. No big deal. In fact, the heat makes me think of football - the smell of freshly mowed grass, the sultry heat, and the popping of helmet-on-pads.

Unfortunately for me, the only thing missing here in California is the football part. College pigskin lovers are thin on the ground. Thus, the dilemma of a Southern gal in Southern California: finding football fans in a dry and thirsty land. And me without cable, people.

But fear not. Although football season is still a mirage on the sports horizon, and it’s a long haul before we get to drink deeply of the college goodness this fall, the new cadre of CFN writers is here to keep you moving toward the oasis. So, let’s try to get some dust stirred up with off-season trends that have been making me more uncomfortable than the summer heat.

1. Recruiting crazies. It never fails to amuse me to see fans who hang their hopes for the season on how many superstar players their team managed to wrangle in the offseason. While keeping talent coming into a program is important, there are intangibles that can make or break a college player.

A little exercise for you: Close your eyes. No peeking. Now, think about what you were doing at 18. Most of you were still blissfully unaware that red shirt + white socks + washing machine = locker room fodder, and responsibility was a dirty word. And we’re relying on 18-year-olds to be the savior of a program?

A star on a page can tell you fair bit about a player’s talent, but not a lot about potential or maturity. No matter how many stars they receive, an athlete’s success at the next level depends a lot on their attitude, their willingness to work and their ability to keep their head above water in the college pool. Sure, talent is what ultimately gets you to the NFL, but this is college football. There have been countless numbers of under-recruited underdogs who have gone on to be the heart of a university team. The “heart factor” plays into an athlete’s ability to get distance out of those stars at the college level.

2. Early commitments. According to a story on AL.com, Auburn already has 16 commitments for next season, four-score and a light year away. The Tigers are followed by LSU with 13 and Georgia with 11. And this isn’t even post-high school season, never mind signing day in February. Which is fine. One can see why it might be appealing. It is still a requirement that you graduate from high school (sarcastically speaking,) and players on competitive teams with a chance at a state championship like to guard against distractions. There is an advantage to getting the process over with, playing some football and a few senior pranks, and being a teenager. I would probably do the same thing.

However, you have to wonder if these “commitments” are genuine, not a smoke-screen to avoid getting hassled by coaches or to draw the attention of coaches who want them now that they are taken, only to see the athlete break their word later. The same goes for coaches who like a guy, but later decide they aren’t interested. (Insert old codger voice here) Back in the day, your word meant something. As much as we enjoy watching sports for the competitive aspect, there is the issue of sportsmanship, fair play and integrity, particularly at the amateur level. If universities really believe in these qualities (and I’ve seen the commercials,) then they need to work on the recruiting system and how commitments are made. The cycle of commitment, wandering eyes, back-room deals and break ups undermines the integrity universities like us to believe they are instilling in young athletes. (/codger)

Speaking of which…

3. Cheating refs. I know, this NBA, not NCAA, but I’ve been really disturbed by the revelation of cheating referees in basketball. While it’s not shocking, it is obvious that this is most likely not an isolated incident. And if it’s done in the NBA, why shouldn’t it follow that it is done elsewhere? Pardon my panic. This tends to instill paranoia in my heart, and makes me very, very glad I am not a football commissioner. One can only hope that commissioners are keeping an eye on this trend, and taking steps to ensure it isn't happening on their watch.

Thanks for reading my soapbox rant. Join me next time when I fry my brain in attempt to sort through the goodwills and ills of all 12 SEC teams. I can feel my neurons screaming already. Here’s to a long walk toward football bliss. Two months and change to go!

Comments? Snappy comebacks? Email them to Lauren Nelson