There’s no denying Washington is a Redskins town.
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For many Washingtonians, however, the start of the football season isn’t colored burgundy and gold. These locals aren’t as unified, but their passion is just as deep. They are college fans. For them, the most important games are played on Saturdays in the fall.
This weekend in D.C., as another college season kicks off, there is more than the usual opening-week buzz as several area teams start with a bang. While Maryland travels to No. 14 California, and Navy begins at No. 7 Ohio State, No. 4 Virginia Tech faces No. 8 Alabama. All of the games are on national television. All are compelling.
“We’ve been looking forward to this weekend for a while,” said John Finlay, managing partner at Crystal City Sports Pub. “Instead of hundreds of customers on a typical Saturday, we’ll have thousands.”
While Division I college teams traditionally ease into their schedule with overmatched opponents, local schools have drummed up increased interest with challenging openers.
Navy plays at noon on ESPN. It is the first time in 78 years that Ohio State has hosted a service academy, and the school promises to make it a spectacle for the 100,000-plus fans who regularly pack Ohio Stadium.
Tech meets traditional power Alabama at 8 p.m. on ABC, the primetime showcase slot for college football. At 10 p.m. on ESPN2, Maryland faces perhaps the most exciting running back in the nation in Heisman Trophy candidate Jahvid Best.
While the local schools have their loyal fan bases, some of the area’s most ardent college football followers are transplants.
For Arlington’s Tom Tiernan, an editor originally from Iowa, and Arlington’s Steve Baruch, an energy analyst originally from Florida, college football was the primary sport of their youth. Both have been in Washington for more than two decades, and have become avid fans of the Washington Capitals. But nothing can replace their devotion to the football teams at their respective alma maters.
“When you grow up in Iowa, it’s pretty much Hawkeyes (Iowa) and Cyclones (Iowa State),” said Tiernan, an Iowa graduate. “I much prefer college football to pro football. There’s no NFL team I root for.”
Baruch, 46, a fan of Florida, never misses a Gators game. Even on Saturday, when No. 1 Florida is a 72-point favorite over Charleston Southern, Baruch will make his way to the Pour House on Capitol Hill or Bailey’s Pub and Grille in Ballston to watch with other Gator fans.
“I’m a fan of the [Tampa Bay] Bucs. But to me college football is much more exciting than watching the NFL,” said Baruch. “The games mean so much more.”
They mean more to Bailey’s in Ballston, which has 46 screens and 13,000 square feet of space, and caters to alumni groups.
“Instead of $5,000 [sales] on a Saturday in August, we’ll do $50,000 on a Saturday in September,” said Angie Economou, events coordinator at Bailey’s. “We do well on Sundays with the NFL. But nothing comes close to the atmosphere on a college football Saturday. It’s a much younger crowd. They’re here to drink, root for their team and have fun.”
