This is the fun time of the year. No, not that kind of time, as in watching your favorite team running across the pinstripes of a dirty, green field and cheering fans. That's fun too but not right now.

No, this is the time when fans clamor for their favorite teams--most unrealistic and some, downright arrogant. For instance, take the Texas Longhorn fans. Now keep in mind, they're coming off a national championship and are having a terrific year, considering they had to replace Vince Young, for one.

These guys, though, think they deserve a rematch with Ohio State. One loyal Texas fan thought the ratings would be "epic." Really? For one thing, the Buckeyes dominated their opening season game--and that was at Texas. Why would anyone, except Longhorn fans, want to see that game again? And without Young, Matt Leinhart, Reggie Bush, etc., etc.

There's a couple of points here about rematches that are patently unfair that no one is mentioning. Lets start with the matchup: Say Ohio State beats Michigan on Nov. 18, and Texas finishes No. 2 in the BCS standings, thereby, locking the two in the national championship game for Jan. 8.

Ohio State, while facing the Longhorns for the second time this season, would have everything to gain--just as Texas would--but nothing to prove; Texas on the other hand, would not only have everything to gain but everything to prove, therefore, putting the Buckeyes at a distinct psychological disadvantage.

And if you think psychological disadvantages don't exist, ask Bobby Bowden down at Florida State what he thinks of that angle. After beating the Florida Gators in the last game of the year, 24-21 (1996), the No. 1 Seminoles were forced to play the No. 2 Gators for the national championship. What happened? The Gators promptly went out and beat FSU 52-20. The previously undefeated and No. 1 Seminoles. Now how did that happen?

A second point, and the more important one here is this: Why should Ohio State be forced to beat Texas TWICE to win the national title while Texas would only have to beat Ohio State once to win it all?

The fact is, rematches, at least where the national championship game is concerned, should be outlawed. The rest of the bowls, including the major ones, can do what they want but for the big one, absolutely not.

If No. 1 has already beaten a team that has climbed back into the No. 2 spot, then No. 1 should have to play No. 3. It's only fair. They're the next best team that No. 1 hasn't beaten yet.

The beauty of college football, unlike most other sports, is that you get one shot. All the big southern, western and eastern rivalries, it doesn't matter, you get your one shot at them. Lets leave the rematches to the professionals where they play and play and play and play... You get the idea.

Just don't ask the Longhorn fans what they think, they're entitled to anything they want. They live in their own world. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.