Be Ready To Wrestle

This is a warning.

I am looking at an absolute nightmare of a situation Monday night. My favorite, most beloved team, the UCLA Bruins are playing my least favorite, most hated team, the Tennessee Volunteers.

The Bruins are going to lose, and probably lose badly. A third-string QB is making his first start behind an offensive line starting four first timers. Several aren't even offensive lineman. A rookie, Pac-10 offensive line matching up against an SEC, Tennessee defensive line spells trouble.

This is beyond painful for me. Children are already approaching me at school and talking trash. There is a second grader who keeps telling me he's sorry for the beating the Bruins are going to take Monday night.

I'm feeling slightly on edge.

So, here's the warning. If you want to talk, go ahead and talk, but be ready to wrestle.

I'm going to try to stay humble and quiet. I'm going to try to smile and take the fun pokes that come my way. I'm going to try to remember there is real suffering in the world and this is just a game.

But this is a perfect storm for me to snap. I don't know what will be happening. I don't know where I'll be. I don't know who will be talking, but there is a good chance it'll happen. When it does ... when the warmth of my UCLA love mixes with the coldness of my Tennessee hate causing a storm reaching category 3 or higher, look out. I will be so full of insecurity and anger I might have wrestle you to the ground to prove something to myself and to the rest of the baby blue army.

On the brightside, I'm a UCLA fan, so I probably won't be able to tackle you.

Just be thankful I won't be challenging you to a game of softball, women's water polo, or a juggling contest.