81. America’s Game, The Army Navy Game

100 Reasons to love college football

The Army Navy Game is truly America’s Game. Getty Images.

From the pre-game march-on for both service academies, to the halftime ceremonies and post-game Alma Mater ritual, few games match the pageantry of the Army Navy Game. No game can carry with it the pride that is at stake when these two traditional rivals meet either. There might as well only be one game on the schedule for these two programs, because a win is enough to boost the spitits for an entire year while a loss will only fuel the fire to come back stronger the next year.

Sure, there are other rivalries, but this is Army-Navy. No two rivals have a mutual respect for each other like Army and Navy when they leave the field.

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82. Archie Griffin’s Heisman Trophy double dip

100 Reasons to love college football

Ohio State’s Archie Griffin has a unique place in sports history. AP photo.

There is no award in sports that has not been won multiple times by a single player, but the Heisman Trophy may be the toughest. Ohio State’s legendary running back Archie Griffin is still the only player to win back-to-back (and to win multiple) Heisman Trophy awards. Even in recent seasons when sophomores won the trophy (Time Tebow, Sam Bradford and Mark Ingram) we have yet to see a repeat winner.

Will it ever be done again? Perhaps, but it should illustrate just how great Griffin was for the Buckeyes.

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83. Enter Sandman

100 Reasons to love college football

Metallica’s Enter Sandman has been around since 1991 but it has clearly stood the test of time. Perhaps most notable in sports for being the theme music for New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, the Virginia Tech Hokies have adopted the song as their own entrance music. Judging by the video above, it does the trick for those prime time games in Blacksburg.

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84. The Human Jukebox

100 Reasons to love college football

Southern University Marching Band. Image source: MarchingSport.com

Look I was in marching band and I can appreciate the finer art of the roll step and the importance of checking down and peripheral vision. And that’s not to say the folks at Southern University don’t either, but who can help but be entertained when “The Human Jukebox” struts on to the field to jam? College football is a sport that spans a wide range of people and interests, and so do the college marching bands. There is room for the military style bands of Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and the loose and loud bands from Southern, Grambling State, Morgan State and more.

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85. Tuesday night MACtion

100 Reasons to love college football

The MAC has found a home on Tuesdays.

I think we will all agree that Saturdays were meant for college football. But give credit for the MAC and other conferences for experimenting with the idea of playing in prime time on days of the week that do not normally see college gridiron football. Sure, Tuesdays may result in poor attendance but so what? You’re on national TV, and isn’t that what is most important?

And hey, it doesn’t mater what day of the week it is for some of us. If there is a college football game on, I’m watching it!

Now you can order your own #MACTION t-shirt in your favorite school’s colors!

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