College Football is Back

First appeared on September 10th, 2008
in The Lebanon Reporter

For the longest time finding a diehard college football fan in the state of Indiana was a lot like finding a needle in a haystack or a healthy hot dog. Sure there has always been Notre Dame with their high falutin’ peacock contract, but many outside the state don’t even realize the school is actually located in Indiana. This season may be different however. According to a small group of nationally unrecognized and highly unqualified health experts whose names will be really difficult to find should you attempt doing so, College Football Fever may be on the brink of exploding into an all out epidemic statewide this fall.
Be on the lookout. One telltale sign the fever has struck is the sight of an increased number of persons consuming mass quantities of liquefied barley in gatherings around the tailgate of a pick up truck. Symptoms include an enlarged belly, painted face, hoarse voice and severe headache (occurring most generally on Sunday mornings). If the fever hits hard this year we may see record numbers of Hoosiers bowling in January as there are four quarterbacks who should bring national recognition to teams in the state.
Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen battled injuries last year and still managed to start more games as a freshman than any other Irish player in history. He also became the only true sophomore named to the O’Brien Award watch list. Given the fact the Irish schedule has been completely overhauled and the “powers that be” love to see the Golden Domers bowling, Notre Dame should be able to mount some sense of a bowl effort if Clausen can remain healthy and consistent.
Purdue senior Curtis Painter is the only one of the four quarterbacks who was born and bred in Indiana. A pure pocket passer, Painter is 2nd all time in completion percentage at Purdue and 4th overall in total passing yards with over 8700. Featured on the Manning Award watch list for most of last year, Painter has taken Purdue to two straight bowl appearances. That streak could be in jeopardy this year however as the Boilers will have to face Oregon as well as perennial Big Ten powers Ohio State and Penn State.
Indiana became the feel good story of college football last season when Austin Starr kicked the Hoosiers past Purdue and into their first bowl appearance in 14 years. The electric play of quarterback Kellen Lewis was one of the biggest reasons for the bowl bid. Coming into his junior season Lewis is already tied for the most touchdown passes in team history. A former member of the Big Ten All Freshman team, Lewis is 2nd in completion percentage all time and was named to ESPN’s first team All Big Ten last season. Though they will not face Ohio State, the scheduling gods are not completely smiling on the Hoosiers this season as they will have to face Big Ten powers Illinois, Penn State and Wisconsin.
Last but certainly not worst is Ball State’s Nate Davis. Somewhat of a hybrid, the junior quarterback can do damage outside the pocket but loves putting the ball up more. After two games this season Davis is already ranked in the top 10 nationally in passing yards. He is 3rd all time in yardage at BSU and already has the career mark for touchdowns with 48.
Ball State went bowling in Canada last year and they may be the safest bet of the four to do it again. Gone from their schedule are games against the likes of Nebraska and Michigan and, in what should be an entertaining match up, the Cards will play Indiana on September 20th. It is no stretch to believe the bowl hopes for both schools could be at stake on that one Saturday afternoon. Catch the fever and get out to see one of these teams play soon.