March Madness is long gone and spring practice is fading in the rear-view mirror. Endless summer stretches ahead - a virtual desert between you and that first fall kick-off. But not to panic.  These books will get you through to Labor Day weekend.

EVERY SATURDAY IN AUTUMN, College Football's Greatest Traditions, by Ron Smith with forward by Craig James, 224 pages.  

There is nothing else in our society that compares with the three-month festival that pulses across the nation on college campuses each autumn Saturday, and the author brings it to life with a rich writing style and over 250 photos. Smith paints the gameday scene at 20 different venues in detail - bands, fight songs, mascots, cheerleaders, pom squads, spirit squads, battle cries, tailgating and rituals - beautifully illustrated and described in terms which reveal a keen awareness and a broad knowledge of the tradition, color and pageantry which make up the autumn spectacle. 

The intensity and uniqueness of each sacred venue leaps off the pages, and after a few minutes leafing through - you’ll be wondering how you’ll ever survive the summer.

A must read for every college football fan.      

‘CANE MUTINY: How the Miami Hurricanes Overturned the Football Establishment, Bruce Feldman, 272 pages. 

A behind-the-scenes look at the “beast of college football” – the Miami, Fla. Hurricanes. Feldman describes the program’s rise from near-extinction to being the most successful program of the last 25 years. 

It’s the attitude displayed by the ‘Canes during their rise to glory which has distinguished them, made them anything but generic. The author captures the origins of that attitude – an attitude that has led to the dark and intriguing image called forth whenever Miami is discussed.

Revealing, informative and entertaining, this book is a page-turner, and it left me with a new perspective on the ongoing saga known as Miami Hurricane football. I now see the ‘Canes as a fascinating part of the college football landscape – the “bad boys from South Beach” – who have a reputation to live up to, and a duty to fulfill their role - taunting, strutting, in-your-face, in the hunt.  

RUNNIN’ WITH THE BIG DOGS: The True, Unvarnished Story of the Texas-Oklahoma Football Wars.  Mike Shropshire, 200 pages.

It’s OU - Texas weekend in Dallas - the Red River Rivalry played in the venerable Cotton Bowl, surrounded by the State Fair of Texas. As Trip Captain says, “There’s nothin’ else like it in all of sports!”

Shropshire traces the history of this magnificent tradition through the years, including the pre-game rowdiness and revelry around town, the festive mood throughout the fairgrounds and the electric atmosphere in the stadium, where it’s ½ Crimson, ½ Burnt Orange.

The author explores the origins of the rivalry, recalls the personalities who illuminate each program, and revisits the great games, coaches and players of the series.  His style is no-holds-barred, bottom-line, has an unmistakable feel of authenticity to it, and he displays a wry sense of humor. It’s obvious that there isn’t much about the spirit of the weekend that has escaped him.

Without doubt, Shropshire loves the rivalry as it is now exists:  Texas-OU weekend in Dallas, the game in Fair Park during the State Fair. He is understandably cynical and pessimistic in his predictions for the future of the rivalry in its present location.

He is fearful that the powers that be will squander this cherished event, and move the game out of Fair Park. We hope his fears are misplaced and, since publication of "Big Dogs," the two schools have extended their agreement with the Cotton Bowl through 2015.. We trust that the true visionaries will prevail, and that this rivalry will survive, as is, for future generations.

This book is a must-read for anyone who values the ultimate weekend – the uplifting renewal of storied traditions, party fun and belly-laughs, rivalry football in festival surroundings - and who appreciates the unique quality of college football.

NATURAL ENEMIES,

Kryk follows the rivalry past the building of Notre Dame Stadium (“Michigan Stadium Jr.” according to Michigan fans) and on to the Fritz Crisler years at Michigan and Frank Leahy at Notre Dame. He recalls the “Who’s No. 1?” controversy of 1947 and tracks the great games and the issues surrounding them, through the tenures of Bo Schembechler, Ara Parseghian, Lou Holtz, and beyond. 

All in all, Natural Enemies provides an insightful historical perspective and sheds some light on the tensions underlying a great college football rivalry. As for me, whenever they tee it up in Ann Arbor or South Bend each September, I will see the ghosts of Fielding Yost and Knute Rockne, and my experience will be enriched, once more.

EVERY WEEK A SEASON,

The author visits nine programs: Colorado State, Georgia, Boston College, Tennessee, Maryland, Wisconsin, LSU, Florida State and Arizona State.  He also follows Georgia to the SEC Championship game and LSU to the BCS National Championship in the Sugar Bowl.

Curtis invades the inner sanctum at each stop, sitting in on film sessions, coaches meetings, team meetings, scouting sessions, practices, pre-game rituals, meals and into the locker room – pre-game, halftime and post-game.  He meets the coaches, hears their philosophies and strategies for success, then follows them through their weekly routines as they prepare and then implement their plans during the game.

Advertise     Privacy Policy