Well it has been awhile since I last posted and this is partly due to my embarrassment over my pre-season predictions for this college football season. The Gators, while managing to stay undefeated, have shown signs of weakness. Alabama has, at times, looked like the best team in the country, only to just barely eke out a win against my Vols on Saturday. While both teams appear to have what it takes to meet in Atlanta for the SEC title game, it appears that neither program is invincible. Oklahoma has struggled without their quarterback, Sam Bradford, at the helm and Texas has looked very beatable as well. But, as the saying goes, that’s why they play the games.

Speaking of the Vols, it looks like Lane Kiffin and company have a good thing going in Knoxville. While his team does have a losing record, none of the four losses have come by more than ten points. No shame there. While I do appreciate moral victories, particularly in a rebuilding year, losses are losses. And do I hate it when my team loses. It is so hard to watch my alma mater struggle week in and week out. But in every game one team has to lose and frankly I hope with all my heart those other kids lose because it isn’t good for my health (or anyone around me really) when my team loses.

This brings me to the lesson for this week: How to deal with: How the man in your life deals with losing. First and foremost, do NOT tell him he is acting “childish” or “immature” when he is upset about a game unless you really want to see what it looks like for a grown man to throw a temper tantrum. My best friend growing up broke the door to his dresser by throwing a basketball after his Tampa Bay Buccaneers blew a game. I knew it was best to let him be. I didn’t need a reenactment in which I was cast as the dresser.

In a situation where someone you love is upset it is only natural to want to help. Tread carefully here. Do not ask stupid questions in this situation. An example of a stupid question to ask a man immediately after his team lost is: “What’s wrong?” You know what’s wrong. His team lost. Yes it’s a game. Yes it may be pathetic to watch an adult sulk over said game. Deal with it. If a woman is allowed to cry over the Notebook, a man should be allowed to be ticked when his team loses.

In addition to stupid questions, do not make stupid observations while his team is losing. Preferably not at all, but when his team is winning he is less likely to respond with hostility to comments about which teams uniforms are cuter. Now I am not just picking on stereotypes of women here. That wouldn’t be fair to women who genuinely love sports and know their stuff. That being said, I am no better equipped to handle an inept fan than I am to handle a loss.

So now that we’ve covered a few “Don’ts”, let’s take a look at the “Do’s”. First of all, it is ok to talk to him after the game. It is even ok to talk to him about the game as long as you avoid the type of comments listed above. Stick to general, easy stuff like: “Whatever. At least our team doesn’t have to stay in Gainesville” or “Saban is such a slime ball.” (These are just suggestions here. No offense to any fan bases in particular.) During the game be sure to pay attention to what the announcers are saying about individual players or coaches and their impact on the game. If the running back had a great game for instance, talk about your team’s ability to run the ball well. If the other team didn’t score a lot of points, but still managed to win, a comment about the ineptitude of your team’s offense is fitting. Profound insight is not necessary here. For the most part, repeating things said by the reporters during the game is sufficient.

For the most part, it isn’t hard to deal with a man upset about the outcome of a game. Just pay attention, don’t challenge him, and a little food and or beer always helps. Hopefully this advice will help you and the men you love through the rest of this football season.

DAVE MARTIN/AP PHOTO