Willing NCAA college participant - but where to park bandwagon?

With the sun setting on various football seasons in Australia, it’s normally this time of year that I dread not having my extended weekend complete with my chosen teams to support.

Luckily for me, I have both of my chosen horses in AFL and NRL still in the finals, but for the majority of us, twilight on season 2012 fast approaches. It won’t be long until I start counting the days until 2013 either.

Cricket sustains me only so far, and the Big Bash provided some nice distraction through the summer months last year, as I expect it will this year. But like a lot of you, I need something to fill the void.

Tennis and golf don’t do it for me. And for whatever reason an entire NFL season fails to capture my ongoing attention until Superbowl eventually rolls around. I just haven’t grasped it like others do.

I think I’ve found the answer, NCAA College Football.

Last year, I found myself highly intrigued by the Alabama / LSU race for #1, and found myself watching various rounds for weeks on end to help quench the sporting thirst in me post Australian seasons.

So here I am after three weeks of the current NCAA season, and although I still can’t get my head around the rankings, conferences and scheduling, I’m desperate to jump on a bandwagon.

The million dollar questions are “Who?” and “Why?”. I’m in the unique position where I have no tangible affiliation with any of the 124 NCAA teams, but wish to support one.

How does a noob like me select a worthy candidate?

Do I base it on stats? Do I hedge my bets on a team who’s likely to win most games? Should I factor history into it? What about Australian connections to sway my allegiance?

We’ll throw open the debate below, but for now here’s a list of potential contenders so far. This isn’t a definitive list, and I am open to reasoned arguments, offers of bribes, etc, for another team should it not be included below.

(1) LSU
Ranked #1 for most of last season, and firmly entrenched in the top three college football programs for the past two seasons. We’ve got an Aussie in the line-up with goal-kicker Brad Wing.

Originally from Melbourne, he’s managed to turn his AFL skills into NCAA folklore, kicking a mammoth 73-yard goal during his teams clash against the then #2 ranked team to force the game into overtime.

(2) Alabama
Currently ranked #1 in most polls, and last season’s champions. Also have an Aussie onboard in Jesse Williams. A 6-foot-4, 150kg defensive lineman from Queensland.

He’s even pulling tricks out of the Martin Bella toolbox.

(3) Notre Dame
Anyone who’s seen the movie Rudy will no doubt be swayed by the ‘Fighting Irish’. If you’re one for sentimentalism, or if you want a team with a rich and deep history, you’d be hard pressed to find a more qualified candidate. Currently ranked #11.

(4) Oregon
Late last year, I noticed they could rack up some impressive points in attack. This year has begun exactly the same way, with three commanding victories to the tune of 57-34, 42-25 and 63-14.

What concerns me about them is their defence, which I’m sure will eventually come back to bite me with disappointment at some stage this year. No doubt they’ll win most games they contest. Currently ranked #3 or thereabouts. Worthy choice if you like a flashy attack in your winning team.

(5) Texas Longhorns
“Hook ’em horns !” … I have an online acquaintance in my NRL Bulldogs quarters who is currently attending Texas on a science major, and she regales us with tales of home games of 100,000 people in the local stadium in Austin.

Her glee alone is enough to drag me aboard. Currently the ‘long horns’ sit with a 3-0 record, ranked about #12.

And with that, I open the Roar debate.

Which bandwagon should I jump on?

Stats, facts, half-baked theories and ill-informed rants are welcome in the comments below.