Okay, so I decided to really sit down and follow the Iowa State versus WVU matchup this time around. Wasn’t just about catching the score later, you know? I actually wanted to experience the whole thing, the flow, the back-and-forth.
Getting Set Up
First thing, I made sure distractions were out. Told the family I was locking in for a bit. Got my usual spot on the couch ready. Didn’t go crazy with snacks this time, just water and maybe some nuts. Trying to keep it simple, focus on the game itself, not the circus around it.
My whole goal, my little “practice” for the day, was just to watch without getting overly worked up. Easier said than done, right? Especially with college games. Emotions run high. But I wanted to try and observe more than just react.
Watching It Unfold
So, the game starts. I’m consciously trying to just track the plays, see how things are developing. It’s tough, honestly. You get caught up in a big run or a defensive stop, and the adrenaline kicks in before you know it.
Here’s what I noticed trying this:
- You see different things when you aren’t just screaming at the TV. Little blocking schemes, how players react after a play. Stuff you miss otherwise.
- It doesn’t completely stop the gut reactions. A bad turnover still makes you groan. A touchdown still gets a fist pump. Guess I’m human.
- Found myself paying more attention to the coaching decisions, the clock management stuff. Less about the raw emotion, more about the strategy attempts.
There were definitely moments where WVU had momentum, then Iowa State would claw back, or vice versa. Keeping that even keel I aimed for? Yeah, that went out the window a few times. It’s hard not to ride the rollercoaster with your team, or even just as a neutral observer sometimes. The energy is infectious, even through the screen.
End Result and Thoughts
By the end of it, I can’t say I was perfectly calm or detached. That wasn’t really the point, I guess. The ‘practice’ was more about trying a different way to engage with it. Did I succeed? Partially. I definitely felt more aware of the game’s nuances than usual.
But man, it’s tough to completely switch off that fan brain. The highs feel high, the lows feel low. It’s part of the fun, isn’t it? Maybe the real takeaway wasn’t about being calm, but just about appreciating the effort and the drama of it all, regardless of the final score. It’s just a game, but it’s a heck of a thing to follow.
