BSCTC COUPLE A HOUSE DIVIDED OVER COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SEMIFINAL GAME

Its not unusual that a casual conversation with Garrison Turner ends with Roll Tide.

Turner, a physics instructor at Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) is a college football fanatic.

And so is his wife, Bethany, a grant writer for the college and a diehard Ohio State fan.

See where we are going here?

No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Ohio State will collide in the national semifinals of college footballs inaugural playoff in the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, La. on January 1.

The Turners are indeed a house divided.

Bethany was, as she puts it, born a Buckeye. Her father, Mike, graduated from Ohio State and even lived in a dorm at the stadium.

Obviously [the dorm] isnt there anymore, but my dad spent a lot of time there, said Bethany with a smile.

Garrisons love for football started at a young age, but his ties to the Crimson Tide started in 2008 when he was exploring the University of Alabama as an option to pursue his graduate degree. In January 2009, Alabama capped off an undefeated season by winning a National Championship. They added back-to-back titles in 2011-2012.

I was accepted to graduate school at the University of Alabama in 2011 and I quickly understood why football is so important there, said Garrison. Two questions you are asked when you live in Alabama: Where you do you go to church? Auburn or Alabama?

Garrison and Bethany have discussed the idea of their two favorite teams battling it out on the gridiron. We thought it would happen last year, Garrison chimed in, but it just didnt work out.

Actually, Auburn defeated Alabama last year in the Iron Bowl on what pundits have called a kick six, when Alabama kicker Adam Griffiths 57-yard field goal attempt fell short and Auburns Chris Davis ran it back 109 yards for a touchdown.

I dont want to talk about that, said Garrison.

Bethany is excited about the reemergence of Ohio State football under Urban Meyer.

Its an exciting time to be an Ohio State fan, she said.

As for the Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Years day, Garrison and Bethany will not be watching the game together.

Its best for both of us, said Bethany chuckling.

Bethany will be with her family in Muncie, Ind., while Garrison will watch the game with his family in nearby Anderson, Ind.

Garrisons father, Les, is a chaplain, and his mother, Karen, has a grief ministry with her husband. Garrison jokingly told his dad he and Bethany would need some marriage counseling.

My dad said, Your friends can give you counseling, well help you with the grief, said Garrison.

Regardless of the outcome on January 1, Garrison and Bethany will make the five-hour trek back home to Eastern Kentucky.

I think itll be fine, said Bethany. Depending on who wins the game, one of us will talk a lot more than the other.

Regardless, both agree that whoever wins the game has their support in the first-ever playoff National Championship game.

Roll Tide, said Garrison.

Bethany replied, Excuse me, Go Buckeyes!