You smell that? Yes, that's college football in the air. Just a few days until the 2008 season kicks off.One of the many reasons college football has held a special place in my heart -- besides the USC Song Girls -- is the many great personalities that have led their teams onto the field. The NFL has had their share of special coaches, you may have heard of that Lombardi character, but the collegiate ranks have had the most legends.
A big reason for the legendary status of many college coaches was there ability to deliver a one-liner that resonates forever, mostly for it's comedic value.
I've posted this every year, but it simply doesn't get old. Here's my favorite college football quotes of all-time to help get this game week kicked off appropriately.
10. "I could have been a Rhodes Scholar, except for my grades." - Duffy Daugherty, Michigan State
9. "Three things can happen when you pass the ball, and two of them are bad." - Woody Hayes, Ohio State
8. "Take the shortest route to the ball and arrive in bad humor." - Bowden Wyatt, Tennessee
7. When asked: Coach, how do you feel about your team's execution?
John McKay (USC) replied: "I'm in favor of it."
6. "At Georgia Southern, we don't cheat. That costs money and we don't have any" - Erik Russell, Georgia Southern
5. "Football is not a contact sport-it is a collision sport. Dancing is a contact sport." - Duffy Daugherty, Michigan State
4. "I had a lifetime contract, but the administration declared me dead." - Frank Howard, Clemson
3. "I've found that prayers work best when you have big players." - Knute Rockne, Notre Dame
2. "I don't expect to win enough games to be put on NCAA probation. I just want to win enough to warrant an investigation." - Bob Devaney, Nebraska
1. "We didn't tackle well today but we made up for it by not blocking." - John McKay, USCBest of the Rest:
"Lads, you're not to miss practice unless your parents died or you died." - Frank Leahy, Notre Dame
"The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it." - Lou Holtz, Arkansas
"Football is only a game. Spiritual things are eternal. Nevertheless, Beat Texas." - Seen on a church sign in Arkansas prior to the 1969 game.
"Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated." - Lou Holtz, Arkansas
"A school without football is in danger of deteriorating into a medieval study hall." - Frank Leahy, Notre Dame
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you." - Woody Hayes, Ohio State
"Always remember..... Goliath was a 40 point favorite over David." - Shug Jordan, Auburn
"They whipped us like a tied up goat." - Spike Dykes, Texas Tech
"The only qualifications for a lineman are to be big and dumb. To be a back, you only have to be dumb." - Knute Rockne, Notre Dame
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died a small boy than to fumble this football" - John Heisman
"You learn more character on the two-yard line than anywhere else in life." - Paul Dietzel, LSU
“Dance with the one who brung ya.” - Darrell Royal, Texas A&M
Feel free to add your favorites below.
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