College football, and its teams, has a mysterious way of drawing an unordinary amount of conviction and devotion from its fans.
The excitement that encom-passes Saturday football is a vital part of the college experience for students at many universities across the nation.
For some families, generation after generation continues allegiance to an alma mater. For others, their allegiance is decided based on the area code and the team that accompanies it.
With the absence of an organized football program at California Baptist University, the question surfaces: What college teams are CBU students rooting for?
Because CBU is located in Southern California, it makes sense that the two powerhouses of the local area, the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles, would be popular among students.
The success of these two programs has varied throughout the decades, however, the support for the programs has not wavered.
“I come from a long line of USC fans,” Francis Maikai, senior, said. “I appreciate greatness, and USC has had a long and storied tradition, and that is something that I have always respected.”
USC won back-to-back NCAA Division I national championships in 2003 and 2004, and is continually ranked as a top team in the nation. This year, the Trojans are in the national conversation again after returning Heisman contender, Matt Barkley, for one more year. They also came into the season ranked No. 1 in the NCAA coaches poll.
CBU is laden with fans of both of these programs, but they are not the only other universities for which students root.
Sophomore Jordan Klooster-man’s loyalty belongs to the University of Michigan Wolverines.
“My dad grew up in Michigan and we were raised to be Wolverines,” Kloosterman said. “On game day, my family dresses from head to toe in Michigan gear to watch the game.”
So whether it is “Fight On,” “Roll Tide” or the slow U-C-L-A chant, CBU students know how to show their appreciation for teams other than the Lancers.
