Oh, the dreaded football bye week. It comes around once a season (maybe twice a year if you're LSU), and if you are as serious of a fan as I am, it's a living nightmare. Every season, bye week looms in the distance, with dark promises of empty stadium seats and muffled fans. On a typical football week, I focus all the week's efforts on Saturday. This means Monday-Friday are spent watching ESPN and readying my game day outfit, so I can cheer on my school's team during the weekend. Now, without a game to look forward to, I am forced to live like it's the offseason when my heart knows it isn't. I'm not saying I don't see the need for a bye week. It does help the players get rested, and is nice to have for scheduling purposes. Injuries can heal and playbooks can be refined, all things that help my team. However, while this mid-season regrouping occurs, I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing. Here's a list of my ideas for my team's bye week, maybe it can come in handy when your team's yearly curse comes to fruition.

1. Teach yourself yoga.

Had a rough season so far? Does your team stress you out? Free your body and your mind, while maybe meditating on wins of the future. This is especially good if you don't often get to breathe deeply on Saturdays.

2. Call your parents.

They probably miss you. You've probably ignored their calls to watch Sports Center at least once, and that's not a very valid excuse this week.

3. Learn how to cook.

At this point in the semester, you have had enough of Ramen noodles and cereal. It's time you figured out recipes and became the hero of your tailgate.

4. Invest in your academics.

Research shows that going to class, doing your homework, and studying for tests can improve your GPA. Who knew, am I right? Also, academics are second only to football and football is scarce this week, so crack open those books.

5. Sleep until it's over

You know this is what I'll be doing. Goodnight and sweet dreams.