So that was summer, huh?

I'd prefer to say it was the weekly Natty Light binges that leave me wondering what I did with all that leisure time. On the other hand, it's possible I'm joining the adult horde that mutters, "Where did the time go?"

Either way, a busy College Avenue has been a welcome change. From what I can tell, the ladies of the freshman class look promising. Even the weather seems to be chipping in with a sunny reception.

Yeah, Happy Valley has come back to life. But something's missing. I can't help but notice very little chatter about the upcoming college football season. Even if you're one of the few who has tried the subject, I doubt there was much to say.

Think about it. How many more dozen times have you droned an answer to, "How was your summer?" than you have, "So how do we look this year?"

Moreover, there's undisputedly more buzz about Madden 2005 than there is about Penn State Football 2004-05. I agree, it's one hell of a video game, but I thought NCAA football once was too.

Never fear, though. There's a fledgling organization out to beat some excitement into this town. It's called "True Blue," and its campaign leaders might be as unfortunately optimistic as Ralph Nader's.

Apparently, this group is spearheading an effort "to raise the level of intensity inside Beaver Stadium on gameday to make it the premiere home-field advantage in college football."

The idea is truly simple. In fact, therer is a three-pronged plan for the fans: 1. Wear Blue; 2. Be Early & Be Rowdy; 3. Stay Until the End.

This message is to be strewn around the campus and the stadium on flyers with more explicit instructions.

On a topic like this, I sincerely hate to be the cynic. I really don't want to rag on a bunch of resolute fans who have decided to do what they can to help pick up and dust off the lowly Lions.

But here's the thing. Just like this column, hundreds or thousands of people will read the flyers and forget about it a day or two later. When it comes to changing the attitudes and behavior of nearly 110,000 people, it takes a lot more than a pamphlet with a bright-eyed author. To induce that kind of immediate reaction, you'll need something like a half-time show "wardrobe malfunction," free beer for all ticket holders or a winning record.

Fans have a give-and-take relationship with their teams, asking for touchdowns in return for support.

I don't think Penn State has very many idealistic followers; I just mean that the crowd wants a reason to be on its feet for three or four hours and to lose its voice on goal-line stands.

Beside, I don't think it's unfair to say that the Nittany Lion faithful does deserve a little slack. Because the fans are faithful. Because they continue fill the stands. And because they still do provide some type of home-field advantage for a team that urgently needs one.

Honestly, what can you expect when our coaches can't pick a running back and give a genuine talent like Michael Robinson three positions so he can be mediocre in lots of areas? If you're unsure, expect frustration.

But enough with the negativity. This is my senior year and I wish that Beaver Stadium could be a blue sea of unruly fans. It'd be nice to hear Lee Corso rant on ESPN about intimidation in Happy Valley once again. A whole season of games like the one with Nebraska in 2002 would be a dream.

However, I have to maintain that "True Blue" just isn't going to be the first step down that yellow-brick road. The only surefire way to reach the end of this elusive rainbow is with wins and bowl games.

But I can't just tear down an ambitious objective without suggesting a few ideas that I think would better serve the purpose.

First, it's hard to say if it was coincidence or not, but the afternoon and evening games this season will really add nice alcoholic fuel to the student body fire. Relax, the stadium is within walking distance of everything. Second, let's reinvigorate the rivalry with Pitt already. A third proposal would ask the university to lighten up on stadium security. We aren't security risks, and my freshman year was a blast with a beverage downpour after each score.

In defense of True Blue's call for an intimidating look in Penn State's giant stadium, is it too much to ask for this school to splurge and throw in a crappy t-shirt with a set of season tickets? If Duke can drop an iPod in every freshman lap, I bet our treasurers could pull something together.

Maybe sometime I'll get greedy and ask for free cutting-edge technology. For now, I'd settle for a t-shirt and a few good games.