Tips to surviving football season: Chapter 1.

Calling all wives, girlfriends, and other women who are in relationship with football lovers!  It is that time again... football season.  Dun dun dunnnnnn.  I'll admit, I have already tried to change the channel and control the television and been very firmly denied by a football-loving husband.  Goodbye Food Network, hello Big 10 Network, ESPN, Huskervision, and fantasy league. 

And here's the thing...it is not that I hate all things football or anything like that.  I love camaraderie, the coming together for a common cause, hot dogs and chili, everyone wearing the same color, hot dogs, being outside in the fall, and so on...

Anyway, on to the point of this post: I grew up in a world where football was unavoidable and thus have developed a few little tricks to not only staying semi-entertained during a game (or seventy three bagillion games, same dif), but giving the appearance that I actually care and know what is going on.

1. Look the part.  Get a couple t-shirts, a sweatshirt, and maybe even a hat, and wear them as often as possible.  People will begin to associate you with your team of choice and your significant other and/or bff will be stoked you look like a super-fan. 

2.  Memorize the game schedule.  This is important for a couple reasons: One, you will know when not to make plans or schedule an out-of-town event.  Two, you will know what "the guys" are talking about when they refer to "the big game this weekend."  And three, you will sound like a super-fan when you mention your excitement for said "big game this weekend" without prompting and your lover and/or bff will be so impressed.

3. Volunteer to host the watch party and make snacks.  There are a number of benefits to this as well.  First of all, most of your man's best pals like food almost as much as they like football.  (At least that's how it is in my world.)  This is one of those "if you build it they will come" kind of moments, but more like "if you cook it they will come."  Perfect a couple hearty, easy, delicious recipes (such as chili, cheese dip, and a certain type of cookie/brownie treat) and throw those together an hour before the fellas arrive and they'll think you slaved all day over the hot stove for them.  Second of all, if you are at home, you can still get most of what you actually need to get done on Saturday finished, while still "spending time with your man" (aka being in the same 900 square-foot vicinity) doing something he loves.  Third of all, often with the football-loving-fellas come their lady-friends.  Lady-friends = someone to talk to during the game.  Lady-friends also love snacks and treats.  Lady-friends = other super-fans in disguise.

4.  Throw out random facts/names/important information.  Sign up for whatever alerts and notifications you can (i.e. @HuskerExtraBC) and memorize a couple of the facts he tweets to throw out in conversation.  Then, when your man and his pals are deep in conversation about Taylor Martinez and his expected improvement this season compared to last season, you not only know what the heck they are talking about, but may even have something to "add" to the conversation.  Your man will be so proud of his girl and his buds will be impressed.  Again, this will give off the appearance that you are a super-fan thus accomplishing your goal.   

5.  And finally, allow your man to paint your dog for gameday.  Do this, and even your dog looks like a super-fan.