Soon to be Forgotten

Welcome to POST ROUTE, an in-depth blog that celebrates, analyzes, makes predictions and argues about the greatest sport in America: College Football. We welcome all College Football fans to this site, and we hope that you will follow along in our journey this season, becoming an active member by contributing your thoughts and opinions about each week of action.

Both authors would like to give a shout out to the members of the college football pick 'em pool we have been a part of, and give Steve-O (the Godfather) some kudos for running one of the finest pools in America! The pool should be exciting as usual, and the banter alone among the members is as exciting as the action on-field. So trash-talk away, my friends!

This off season has seen numerous story lines thrown at us by the media since we crowned Auburn the National Champs last year, and most of them have not been good for College Football. Let's recap some of the off season troubles: Ohio State and the suspension and departure of Terrell Pryor and Jim Tressel (Who would have thought that the man wearing that nice sweater vest could be a cheater!); The final straw at North Carolina - Butch Davis was let go this summer for academic dishonesty (Well it was about time!); A number of schools, including Oregon, have been investigated for the services of Willie Lyles; and of course the shameful access of Nevin Shapiro to the Miami Hurricanes program (Gee, Miami being shady - I was so shocked, who would have thought it?).

But let's be honest - those crazy off-the-field events were a filler until the season started. I think I speak for most people who are crazed college football fans when I say that these scandals mean absolutely nothing once the games get started. Not one of us is going to be saying "oh man, those scandals have really killed my passion for the game! I just don't think I can bring myself to sit down and watch a game because of all these scandals, boohoohoo!" On the contrary, the passion for this season has been building more intensely within my soul in light of all these scandals. Why? So we can finally get on with the games and leave the controversy behind us.

Sure, it sucks if your team lost players or coaches due to investigations, but I don't think anyone is going to stop watching games and tailgating across the land because coaches and alumni are paying recruits under the table. (That's never happened before, right?) I think I speak for everyone when I say that scandals can't put a damper on a national tradition of pageantry, rivalries, and amazing games. Thank goodness once this season kicks off we can focus on grilling, spending time with family and friends, and the play on the field. All this talk about scandals this off season will soon be forgotten.