After a grueling college football season, a girlfriend might be tempted to believe the worst is over.

Since September, your guy has spent weekends screaming at the TV during which time you don’t seem to exist.

Just when you think you can count on spending some quality time together, he’s foaming at the mouth at the mere mention of the Super Bowl. Here are some tips to keep you on top of your lack of game.

 You must first decide whether or not to learn the game. (If you don’t know it already).

 You can simply pretend to be interested during longwinded conversations about the New England Patriots and New York Giants or cheer and look upset accordingly with those around you do.

 Read up on facts about the game beforehand and occasionally drop bits of trivia, or ask questions to inspire lengthy rambles about a specific player. Be sure to exercise caution when being deceptive. A tiny slip up can reveal you haven’t been paying attention all year.

 Or if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

 If you’re sitting next to him in a miniskirt, jersey and heels and he still doesn’t notice you’re there, see what all the fuss is about. You can learn the rudiments of the game by sifting through library books, reading sports pages and watching game after game, but the easiest thing to do is to just ask what’s happening.

Jessica Koliba, a University of Michigan senior from Sterling Heights watches plenty of college football games.

But she didn’t get involved with the game until about four years ago when she started dating Sterling Heights junior Frank Zombo, a defensive end on the CMU football team.

The couple maintains a long distance relationship, seeing one another exclusively on the weekends during which time they always make time for at least one football game.

“Just ask questions, even if it annoys him,” Koliba said. “The more you understand, the more enjoyable it is.”

Sometimes the TV football fixation can take some getting used to. Prepare by easing into a daily dosage of sports programming. Increase your intake each day until you’re able to tolerate John Madden’s voice.

Illinois sophomore Stephanie Budde recommends activities that incorporate football with your own interests.

Budde, a center for the volleyball team, has been in a relationship with CMU safety Eric Fraser for 10 months.

“Just go back and fourth,” she said. “Watch a game with him and then do what you want to do. Or do an activity that compromises both.”

Talking shop with other women can keep conversation interesting and relevant.

Barb Jones, wife of 15 years to CMU head coach Butch Jones, has many friends whose significant others are involved with the game, both as coaches or as fans.

“People are surprised sometimes by how much I may know about football,” she said. “But, talking about specific X’s and O’s – I don’t do what coaches do. I talk about the game in general or if we have a big recruit coming in,” she said.

There are 11 coaches on the football team staff, and the wives of the coaches consider football a large part of each of their lives. Barb has come to accept the game as a substantial part of her relationship and family.

“Saturday is college game day,” she said. “It’s what we wait for and don’t see our husbands for. I tape all of the games and will come home after the game and watch them over and over again. The Central/Western game, I’ve watched that game I can’t tell you how many times.”

Arica Falsetta, a Michigan State University junior originally from Mount Pleasant, constantly watches sports. She works at Buffalo Wild Wings in East Lansing where there often is a game on.

During the summer she works at O’Kellys Bar & Grill, 2000 S. Mission St. It’s where she met her boyfriend of just more than a year, CMU quarterback Dan LeFevour.

“On Sundays we’ll go to O’Kellys. They usually have the Bears on. I think actively going out and watching football is something he likes to do,” Falsetta said.

Sometimes, football game after football game can grow tiresome.

“It just wears on you after awhile,” she said.

If even the commercials can’t seem to make the Super Bowl an enjoying experience and the job title of “beer fetcher” doesn’t seem to be working out, try an alternative to the game.

“Just let him have his time then,” Falsetta said. “She can hang out and just do something else.”

lifeline@cm-life.com

E-mail the author: defaultuser