Corey's Corner - riVal

Good afternoon readers,

Hope you all had a fantastic Sunday, and for those who didn't (myself) I hope you are well rested for this week.

All right, now that the pleasantries are out of the way, lets get at it.

So Saturday I found myself watching the Notre Dame vs. Michigan game. I promptly tuned in around 4:30 and as I am watching the pre-game analysis, I learn this is the last installment of this intense rivalry.

Initially I could care less, T.O. isn't on the team and the only reason Notre Dame is relevant in my life is because my boy Nicky B likes them.

So the game starts and I got to tell you folks, this game was a good one. It was just back and forth all game. The best game on Saturday by far.

So at about halftime I start to think to myself, wow I can't believe they aren't continuing this rivalry. This is on primetime and judging by the crowd at the game people really care about this matchup (They set the college football attendance record at a little over 115,000). They just have to continue.

So the game continues after the extremely awkward Eminem interview and folks this game was just amazing. Ultimately, Michigan did take the win but again folks what a game. Towards the end when Notre Dame got the pick 6, it looked with the fighting Irish could pull a fast one but Michigan held on.

When the game finally ended I remember just sitting on my bed thinking why would they not continue this rivalry?

And more importantly, why do I care?

These teams mean nothing to me and I am certainly not a student at either of these schools. I mean sure, I got accepted into Notre Dame but come on! The professors and the campus environment at the prestigious Cal State Univ, San Bernardino is just something you can't pass up. Not to mention, think of my golf bag! Everyone has these really generic bags like Ohio State or Cal, but a CSUSB bag, now that's something that's going to turn the cart girls' heads.

So seriously, why do I care about these two schools?

The reason why is.....

• It was a tradition
• It is green vs blue
• It was intense
• It had passion
• It is a rivalry

The RIVALRY is what made the game entertaining, being RIVALS is what kept me and others tuned in. These two schools fight every year with passion and intensity. This tradition kept me tuned in, I had to know who was going to win the last game.

A TRUE RIVALRY IS WHAT KEEPS PEOPLE COMING BACK FOR MORE.

Sooooooo wait Corey, when are you going to talk about something relevant to fantasy football?

Very soon my impatient reader, first a story:

Once upon a time in a place far far far away from human civilization lived two boys named Shawn (1 left) and Corey. These boys woke up this previous Sunday morning with high hopes and dreams. They rushed out of bed to turn on the tv. They watched fantasy football now and made last minute adjustments. Right before 10 they both set their final line ups.

(Singing) It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Then Cheryl and Nick came through and went all Miguel on a little poor bystander on them.

(Crying) It's the most horrible time of the year.

All Corey and Sean could do was just take the leg drop.

When the dust settled, they both were left with 0-1 records.

Good bye high hopes and dreams.

But wait.......

No, seriously Corey, when are you going to talk about something relevant? I mean the college football game thing was alright and the story is cool and all but you are just all over the place right now. Can you get the point?

Chill bro, if you want the hard cutting analysis go check out Lindy's Latte. She gets right to the point and drops a couple of cuss words.

Corey, seriously I got things to do. Can you wrap it up?

Yeah so as I was saying with the whole but wait thing is.....A rivalry was born. Yes everyone, a new rivalry has been formed.

See, getting spanked by someone creates a rivalry. That spanking created consequences. See, now Corey has his sights set on getting redemption. See, having your opponent have one player on his team who just goes off and that player ends up having a ridiculous game makes Shawnn (we are even) seek revenge for a victory that was pretty much locked up before Cruz went all muey caliente on his ass.

These two boys have formed new rivals. They both seek revenge for there dreams being crushed by two heartless people.

Oh yeah Cheryl and Nick, I said it, HEARTLESS. You two didn't have to stomp those kids out it was suppose to be the most wonderful time of the year. But nooooooooooo.......

In all seriousness let me be the first to give respect to Cheryl, your team crushed mine and I was very impressed. Congrats.

Alright Corey, I am out man.

Noooo wait! I am about to sum it all up right here.

All right, so my conclusion is this everyone, make a tradition with another person in this league. Make a certain opponent a rival. Make this fantasy football season fun.

This fantasy football season is all about one thing and that thing is having fun. What is more fun than having a tradition to always look forward to?

Have something to always make you want to play that person again.

Have that game that keeps you wanting more.

Have that certain someone who must pay for stomping you out.

Have fun with it all.

The reason the Michigan and Notre Dame was so cool was because it was fun to watch these two teams battle it out each year. They played with such passion and intensity each year, I wanted more. I would gladly watch this game next year if it was an option because it was just so entertaining. These two rivals keep me coming back for more. The games they play created great college football memories. They are rivals.

See, over the course of the past season and the start of this season, we have all formed some great memories:

From now on Bobby B will always remember the night his wife just went all TIMBER on him.

I will always remember the brutal defeats Nick has handed me over the years.

Nick will always remember the night CJ2K had that 94 yard td run to advance Will into the championship game.

Curtis will always remember having his father laying down the gauntlet on him.

Matt will always remember the day Ryan Matthews got his career high fantasy points for a day (1). Just playing Matty ice. Much respect for your week 1 win.

These special moments formed rivalries and these rivalries form special moments.

Readers, this season is going to produce some interesting moments. You are going to have to face some difficult challenges. My best piece of advice for you is to have fun with it all. When you come against a rival have fun with it. These moments are special and should be enjoyed.

This weekend make a tradition and most importantly have fun.

Best of luck to all and shouts out to Michigan and Notre Dame, RIP.

P.S. On Thursday, tell me someone else was imagining this:

Imagine Robert and Melinda watching the first game of the NFL season. No, seriously, think about it.

Imagine after each touchdown Pey Pey throws, Melinda just jumping up and yelling timber right at him. Imagine Bob acting like he doesn't care but deep inside he is a wreck. Imagine at the end of the game after Pey Pey threw 7 touchdowns and Bobby B just knowing he lost the first week. Imagine him on the couch just with his iPad surfing the web and when Melinda asks what he is looking at he says "toy trains" when he really is on google typing in "best divorce lawyers in Las Vegas".

Fantasy football baby. You got to love the memories.

Corey Hewett- is a freelance photographer, business consultant, and advertising specialist for the Las Vegas Review Journal. He also is a full time student at the University of Nevada, Reno. He would like you all to know he is pumped for his long lost red-headed Mexican brother to knock out Floyd on Saturday.