Randy Dickson: Please be quiet; I'm trying to watch the game

Most people who know me (and a lot who don’t) know I’m a big fan of college football — and I’m not just talking about my waistline.

I love almost everything about the college game — with one big exception.

There is one thing I don’t like about college football — or for that matter, any televised sporting event: today’s announcers.

I’ve often wondered why it takes four and sometimes five “talking heads” to do the same job two people once did. Then it hit me: most of today’s announcers don’t have half the brains or talent of their ancestors in the booth.

Don’t get me wrong. There are a few announcers I enjoy. But most of them – especially a majority of the ex-coaches — don’t have a clue.

Maybe that’s why they are ex-coaches.

Nothing grinds my teeth more than two little phrases.

The first is when an announcer refers to the “young” freshman.

Hello, McFly. By definition a freshman is supposed to be young. You never hear an announcer talk about the “old” senior, even when the athlete is a fifth-year player or that rarest of birds, a sixth-year senior.

I also scream when I’m told a quarterback threw the ball 50 yards “in the air.” Again, I wonder where the announcer was expecting him to throw the ball. Tell me the quarterback threw the ball 50 or 60 yards, or a batter hit a baseball 450 feet, and leave it at that.

I think most of us are smart enough to know the thrown or hit ball isn’t going underground.

Is it any wonder that there are so many out of work coaches?

Just because a guy once coached college football or was an NBA All-Star doesn’t give the person credentials to be considered on-air talent.

Some consider Erin Andrews and some of the other sideline reporters as nice “eye candy,” but I wonder if they are really needed to enhance the quality of the game.

I can’t believe that Florida State coach Bobby Bowden or Alabama coach Nick Saban are real happy about being pulled off to the side by some sideline hack when their team is trailing 28-3 at the half and being asked some brilliant question such as, “Coach, do you think your defense is struggling today?”

I’m surprised we haven’t had a murder directly related to some stupid question a coach is asked as he’s trying to get to the locker room to address his team.

Most fans probably don’t need the game explained to them. Those that do are likely to be watching with a friend that understands the game.

The same can be said of other sports.

Those who love their sports understand them. We don’t need some has-been or never-was to trip over what’s happening on the field.