More than once, my ribbons and lace exterior has been mistaken as sugar and spice and everything nice. That is until the talk turns to college football–or nearly any other sport for that matter. One business associate said he figured me a demure ballerina before a “vicious football fan.”

For that I suppose I’d credit my brother with whom I watched everything from college football and the Super Bowl to the NBA Finals and Wimbledon. We filled out brackets for every NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, and I advanced teams based on rankings, records and regional home court-like advantage rather than which had the cooler name or better mascot. We pored over sports pages, and collected and prized magazines for the athletes featured on the cover. (We still do.)

But my college years were especially key in furthering my love affair with sports, particularly my graduate school alma mater where I might as well have double majored in Alabama football and journalism. (The school only officially confers a degree in the latter.)

Even armed with more passion than knowledge, I’ve impressed many a male over the years with an excellent recall of sports trivia and probably even scared a few with some out-of-control reactions to Alabama football losses (which usually come in the form of deafening silence or tears).

But as a student of the game–nearly all of them–I absorb
predictions and analyses. I anxiously await the latest rankings and
anticipate the next weekend’s match-ups, particularly if they affect the
conference or national title picture.

And as my collection of Sports Illustrated magazines
grows (thanks to my current subscription), so does my intimidating
sports knowledge. I can break down why the U.S. faltered in the World
Cup or make the case why Serena Williams is the most dominant figure in
women’s tennis. But that’s just me showing off.

What I’d rather discuss are the keys to Alabama repeating as national
champs, why TCU’s 4-2-5 defense might make them the best team in the
Lone Star State or how long Boise State’s Cinderella run can last.

Or let’s debate whether Reggie Bush should return his Heisman Trophy
after USC’s fall from grace or how much longer JoePa will coach. Is it
too early to mourn the potential effect of mega-conferences? Or will it
bring us closer to the Holy Grail of a true college football playoff?

I readily admit I don’t have all the answers, but I’m armed with
enough knowledge (and fueled by more than enough passion) to make me
dangerous. And maybe even a little intimidating.