Christmas Time, Jingle Bells, and oh so many Bowl Games.

"It's the mooooooost, wonderful tiiiiiiiiime, of the year!!!" Yep, that's right everyone, it's Christmas Time once again.  Colorful lights every where you turn, the sound of Christmas music pouring out of drug store speakers, and that ever-present aura of goodwill and cheer.  And of course, the most important facet of late-December culture, college football bowl games.  There really isn't anything like them.  I mean what other sports league culminates in a cornucopia of championships spanning across the entire country pitting different worthy and skilled teams against one another, putting their respective seasons on the line and playing for trophies, tv spots, money, and the most important of all, bragging rights on college football's biggest stages.  Just the fact that there are so many bowl games played in mid-December to early January is the essence of awesomeness in itself.  Along with hearty holiday dinners, one can expect to cozy up to the fire with a huge mug of hot chocolate, as well as a hard-hitting and exciting championship football game.  I don't care what anyone says about those earlier "less-important" bowl games; each one is a thrill on it's own, and they really encompass the passion and determination that I so dearly love when it comes to all college sports, especially football.  There is so much undiscovered, covered-up football talent in this country, and college bowl games really allow these players and teams to portray what they have to offer to the world.  Just because these teams play out of DII colleges or are not from big football regions, does not mean that they can't throw/run/tackle/kick/or coach like the rest of America.  These teams/players/coaches all have something to prove, and I believe that there is no better way to give them that opportunity then in a College Football Bowl Game.

I've always been a college football fan, starting since I was groomed as a Seminole from birth, and then  finding my love for the game on my own through EA Sports video games and throwing around the old pigskin with my dad.  And how could I forget watching those exciting games on television every Saturday; beginning with College Gameday and culminating in those top-ten prime time match-ups that everyone wanted to see, mostly due to National Championshp implications.  It is in those Saturdays that I could find solace from annoying homework and chores and just relax and immerse myself in a culture that I was proud to be a part of.  It is in this month of mid-December/late-January that I find myself bubbling with these emotions once again, not only because of the Christmas Season, but because of this time of the year being one giant Saturday for me.  The first couple bowl games imitate those gritty high-noon games where players battled the elements, but also played to win.  Then, of course, this wonderful season will end with the National Championship in January, the biggest prime-time game of them all, where the entire country will watch in anticipation to see who the next true Champions are.  I really could keep talking about bowl games and Roses and Oranges all day, but I believe that I should just let the games themselves speak for me and what I am trying to get at.  Happy Holidays everyone, and remember to go "bowling" this winter season, no matter who is playing.