It’s that time of the year again, Berkeley Bucs. Whether an optimistic Jaguars fan or a confident 49ers fan, many in our community have a reason to be excited–football is back. As exciting as football already is, there’s only one thing that could make it better: Fantasy Football. Fantasy Football season is marked by the whispers of potential trades, talks of who to start and sit and disappointment of demoralized owners who just found out that they lost last night due to a last second field goal. If this is your first year playing fantasy football, be wary. Smack will be talked (things may get a bit personal), trades will be made, players will be dealt left and right and in the end, one champion in each league will have ultimate bragging rights.

For those who are unfamiliar with fantasy football, it is an online competition in which people draft NFL players to their fantasy football team. Fantasy football competitors earn points weekly based on their players’ real life performance in games. Additionally, people can trade players from team to team, which is one of the most enjoyable yet nerve-racking experiences in fantasy football.

People in a fantasy football league set their roster and play other people’s fantasy teams each week. Whoever’s team has the most points by the end of the week wins that matchup. As the weeks pass, players compile a record, and the strongest teams with the best records make the playoffs. The teams battle it out, and eventually there is a winner. Fantasy football may seem complex and overwhelming at first, but it really is quite simple

A fantasy team starts with drafting. Through drafting, players can build a strong, stable, and personalized team. People will draft in a snake order so everyone has a fair chance of building an equally skilled team. Through smart drafting strategy, one can win his or her league before the first game is even played. Drafting is also a great way to make a statement to others in the league.

For instance, Mr. Ide, who is chair of the math department, decided to make a bold move and select former Florida Gator Tim Tebow with his last pick in a faculty league at Berkeley. For those who are unfamiliar with Tim Tebow, he is a quarterback who is currently a free agent.. Sports analysts criticized his throwing mechanics initially out of college, yet in 2011 Tebow proved he had NFL potential when he led the Denver Broncos to the playoffs and compiled an 8-5 record as the starting quarterback. However those days are  gone, and he is now searching for a team.

When asked why Mr. Ide drafted Tim Tebow, Mr. Ide said simply, “Because it’s Tim Tebow.” It’s Mr. Ide’s team, and he decides how he wants to run it. One of the great perks of Fantasy Football is not having to answer to anybody; you are the general manager of your own dream team.

When drafting, be sure to avoid potential fantasy busts and try to gain as many fantasy sleepers as possible. A fantasy bust is either a player that has performed well in years past but is not predicted to perform at high levels this year or a player built up by media hype (usually rookies) who fails to meet expectations. Ankie Goyal, a sports loving junior, believes that some players to avoid this year are David Wilson, Kenbrell Thompkins and Demarco Murray. Sleepers are players that are under the radar or not expected to produce too highly this year, but end up surprising people doing quite well. Some sleepers that Ide has picked are Bryce Brown and Chris Givens. Goyal thinks that Knowshon Moreno will also turn some heads and that Jordan Cameron will produce very well this season. Goyal gave some great advice when he said, “You want to be very active on the waiver wire because that’s where most of the sleepers emerge. Pay attention.”

All the tips in the world though will only help fantasy teams so much; the most important thing is experience. If the first year of fantasy football is tough, hang in there. Learn from the mistakes and incorporate what you have learned into the next season. Whether it is your first or tenth season of playing fantasy football, the thrill of blockbuster trades, the bonding of friends and the memories will always make the game worthwhile.