Saturday, November 24, 2007

KU vs. MU

Kansas vs. Missouri.

Whoever thought at the beginning of the college football season that this game would play a major factor in deciding the national championship?

Most people in Little River are Kansas State fans-- myself included. Plus, being an Ohio transplant, I definitely have nothing at stake emotionally in the outcome of this game. But for a few hours tonight, I'll be a Kansas fan.

Neither football program has played for such high stakes in a long, long time. So is Kansas head coach Mark Mangino tapping into his players' hyped up emotions? Nope.

From an excellent piece by Rick Plumlee in the Wichita Eagle:
So the message Mangino is preaching this week is the same one he was giving before the Florida International game in September.

"If you rely on emotion, it lasts until about two plays after the opening kickoff and then you're pooped," Mangino said. "We're taking a technical approach to the game. It's about blocking, tackling, running, throwing, playing sound fundamental football. That's what we're focused on."
That quip is a fascinating look at the psychology of motivation.

Tonight, we'll know if it worked.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Sports have become too serious, to the point of idolatry. Some fans worship their team so much, that any comment that is contrary to their viewpoint of their favorite team is cause for condemnation. Threats have been made, violence towards people from the opposing team's residence, cheating in classes for some athletes, and crimes committed by the athletes who act above the laws and morals of society are just a few actions that shows how serious sports can become. Even Little River is not exempt. Do not forget the threats a student made against Indian that disagreed with the use of name "Redskins" as the school mascot. While there are many benefits of sports, it becomes less enjoyable whenever it gets treated as a religion unto itself.