The latest Discover Fan Loyalty Poll deals with all things related to Thanksgiving. As we are now less than a week away from the day that so many people look forward to so that they can add an extra day of football games and favorite foods, we also have to look back. As the two biggest things which most people associate with Thanksgiving are turkey and football, Week five of the Discover Fan Loyalty Poll also decided to come up with questions to ask college football fans about whether or not they get more excited one or the other, if faced with the decision to choose between the two. As we found that many fans are more loyal to their favorite college football team than they are their own family – even on Thanksgiving – we also have to look back at some of the old rivalries that were once enjoyed over the Thanksgiving weekend. For one reason or another, many of these former rivalries have disappeared, leaving many fans with mere memories of what once was. I am sure that I speak for more than a few fans who would be more than thankful to see certain rivalries renewed that were always played over Thanksgiving weekend.
- My views are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Discover Products Inc. and its affiliates.
Before we get to some of those games, take a look at the complete results from the most recent Discover Fan Loyalty Poll. The Week five topics related to Thanksgiving, asking college football fans whether they would give up their seat at the dinner table in exchange for free tickets at the 50-yard-line to watch their favorite team play. Overall, 42 percent of the fans surveyed said that they would rather pass on turkey than pass the pie around the table, opting to accept the free tickets to watch their favorite team play. While that number is high, the majority – at 55 percent – said that they agree with the sentiment that home is where the heart is, and that even free tickets at midfield to watch their favorite college football team play would not be enough to get them to skip Thanksgiving dinner with their family.
It seems that while turkey and football go together, just don’t make fans choose one over the other. The majority will try to find a way to thoroughly enjoy the best of both worlds!
When breaking the data down by conference, fans of an SEC or American Athletic Conference team were most likely to take the free tickets, at 46 percent, which is three percentage points higher than the average fan. On the flip side, fans of Pac-12 teams said that they would not skip the traditional Thanksgiving Day festivities, as 60 percent would pass up the tickets in favor of spending the day with family. This Thanksgiving, only fans of four teams would have to make that decision, as the only two college football games scheduled are the Ole Miss Rebels traveling to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Texas Longhorns hosting the Texas Tech Red Raiders. What choice would fans of those teams make this Thanksgiving? I can tell you that at one time, many more fans would have been forced to make this same decision, as many of these classic rivalry games were once played on Thanksgiving or the following day.
* Discover Products Inc. sent me a Gift Card for participating as a Blogger in the Discover Fan Loyalty Poll program
What about when it comes to the dinner menu on Thanksgiving? Ultimately, I feel as if these results could vary greatly depending on from what party of the country college football fans hail. Having lived in the north and south for a while, I can tell you that the menu varies significantly, meaning that different fans from different states will be enjoying different foods, even on a traditional holiday such as Thanksgiving. In the longstanding debate over which Thanksgiving dinner staple people cannot live without, college football fans weighed in and turkey sits squarely on top, proving that the debate may not be as close as some may feel. Turkey takes the top billing with 48 percent, followed by stuffing at 20 percent, pie at 9 percent, mashed potatoes at 7 percent and cranberry sauce at 2 percent. Surprisingly, 12 percent said that another item of food is No. 1 in their hearts. While stuffing and pie and the top two musts on my Thanksgiving dinner plate, I would love to know what of the rest of you would say. Feel free to weigh in with your own answers below.
Getting back to some of the classic college football rivalries that were either played on or around Thanksgiving, I’m sure that fans have different opinions. Again, it is more about what they grew up watching. Fans in Big 12 country will feel much different about games than those who reside in the northeast or midwest. Either way, these are games that college football fans everywhere should be thankful that they can say they were able to once enjoy, although I’m also sure many fans would be beyond grateful to see played once again.
5. Pittsburgh Panthers vs. West Virginia Mountaineers – Ah, The Backyard Brawl. These two schools are only 75 miles apart, and was a featured rivalry game when both were in the Big East conference. The Panthers finished with a 61-40-3 edge over the Mountaineers, with the final version of this storied rivalry taking place on November 25, 2011, with West Virginia defeating Pitt by a score of 21-20. The Mountaineers moved to the Big 12 conference the following season, thus ending the rivalry.
4. Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions – Fans have to think back a bit more when remembering this rivalry, now dormant in the Keystone State. It was once considered the top college football rivalry in the north, with the last meeting taking place in 2000. Thankfully, for fans who do miss this Pennsylvania rivalry, the series will be renewed beginning in 2016 and continuing through 2019. No word as to whether or not more games will be added after that.
3. Missouri Tigers vs. Kansas Jayhawks – This rivalry was referred to as the Border War game, with the two facing off against each other 120 times. This one goes all the way back to 1891, with many folks saying it was personal between the two states, with the history actually going back to the Civil War days. Either way, Missouri and Kansas ended the Border War game on November 26, 2011, with the Tigers topping the Jayhawks for the final time. Missouri moved from the Big 12 to the SEC the following season, and everyone said that the rivalry belonged in the Big 12, therefore ending it once and for all.
2. Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Oklahoma Sooners – Whether these two faced off in the Big Eight or the Big 12, one thing was for certain: almost one team was playing in this rivalry with conference championship implications, although it often was huge for each team. Beginning in 1912 and ending in 2010, the Sooners and Cornhuskers had some great games featuring some of the greatest players in college football history. After playing for the final time in the 2010 Big 12 Championship Game, the ‘Huskers departed for the Big 10 conference. The two teams have agreed to play a home-and-home non-conference series scheduled for 2021 in Norman (to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1971 classic) and 2022 in Lincoln, but something tells me it will not be the same.
1. Texas Longhorns vs. Texas A&M Aggies – This one was as closely associated with Thanksgiving as any other football rivalry – college, professional or high school. The Longhorns and Aggies had 118 total meetings, with the final one taking place on November 24, 2011, in a game won by Texas, 27-25. The Aggies left the Big 12 for the SEC the following season, officially ending one of the greatest rivalries in college football history.
With so much tradition involved with the Thanksgiving holiday, it is a shame that the same traditions once associated with college football have come and gone. And, much like with most things that either end or change, especially as it relates to sports, it was all over money.
Yet while these rivalries are no longer, we still have plenty of games to be thankful for over the final three weeks of the regular season. How do you see things shaking out over the course of the final three weeks of the 2013 college football season? As we have seen on more than one occasion, anything can happen in the NCAA. That is why we will all watch with a careful eye to see just how different things could look after each weekend from here until the bowl games are announced. Whether you are more thankful for Thanksgiving Day football or food, one thing is certain. Fans will not be disappointed over the course of the next week or so, with food, family and fantastic football games on tap!
Make sure that you stay tuned to Boston Super Blog for all of the latest polls and results from the Discover Fan Loyalty Poll. We have got you covered throughout the remainder of the 2013 college football season, leading all the way up to the BCS Championship Game! Make sure to Like Discover on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!
The Discover Fan Loyalty Poll is conducted twice a month by Rasmussen Reports, a nationally recognized leader in polling, who gathers sentiment by phone from 1500 college football fans who follow games at least once per week on television, radio, in person or online. The Poll leads up to the 2014 Discover Orange Bowl. Discover’s commitment to college football includes relationships with ESPN and Notre Dame Football on NBC.
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