'We love a girl that watches football': Teams react to Olandria's 'Love Island USA' moment
On the dating reality series, Olandria of Decatur, Alabama, gushed about her love for sports while talking to fellow islander Nicolas "Nic" Vansteenberghe, stating that she's a fan of Auburn University's football team.
"I love college football season. Saturdays, I'll literally just be at home watching college football. I'm not even kidding," Olandria stated.
"We love a girl that watches football," Nic responded.
The duo, coined by fans as "NicOlandria" became favorites during their time in the Fijian villa. The show captured how they're relationship blossomed from platonic to romantic while navigating their other connections.
Post-show, Nic and Olandria stated in recent interviews that they focused on getting to know each other better.
"I'm hopefully going to go to Decatur and visit some of Olandria's family," Nic told the "Chicks in the Office" podcast. "It's just so fun, all the opportunities that have arisen to us, and we're going to go to some college football games."
Obsessed with 'Love Island?': Watch these 5 shows next
College football teams shout out Olandria
Nic and Olandria's reach goes far beyond their fandom. Brands, news publications, and sports teams have mentioned them and given them a shoutout in their online content.
This week, Olandria's sports conversation is at the center of both Auburn and Ohio State's social media promotional videos for the upcoming football season. Both teams tagged her in their captions.
In the original clip, Nic asked Olandria if she was a Bama fan (referring to the University of Alabama), Olandria quickly responded that she was an Auburn fan. Nic responded with "What?!" as she explained that, "it's something about underdogs that give me chills." Auburn has taken on the underdog role over the years as they have won fewer national championships than Alabama. The two have one of the fiercest rivals in college football known as the Iron Bowl. Alabama leads the series with more wins however, Auburn has pulled out some notable victories over their in-state competitor including the iconic 2013 game known as Kick Six.
"One season ends…the best one begins," the caption of the Auburn video stated.
"Olandria said what we were all thinking," Ohio State wrote.
Olandria won't have to wait long for her football fix. According to the NCAA, the 2025 college football season begins on August 23.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
15 minutes ago
- USA Today
Ernest Hausmann says toughness drove Michigan's 2024 wins over Ohio State, Alabama in bowl
Sitting at 5-5, no one expected much of note for the Michigan Wolverines for the rest of the way in 2024. Considered a favorite, but not by much, against Northwestern, the maize and blue took that game before shocking the world with a win in Columbus against Ohio State. The Wolverines then finished off the run with another surprising win, this time against Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The final three wins were indications that Sherrone Moore hadn't lost his team. But what's more than that, linebacker Ernest Hausmann says (when asked about beating OSU), the team came together with the common denominator being toughness. "We always pride ourselves on being the most toughest team out there on every single field. And, when you get to November, that's what it's about," Hausmann said at Big Ten media days. "It's about who is the toughest team because it's a product, when you get to November, about your offseason training, really. Because every single team is banged up. Every team is hurting, everyone's going through something that late in the season. "And so really, who really took the offseason training to have your body right, in a good enough condition where you can execute, and still be playing with the principles and the foundation of what we're built on. And that's toughness. And we hang our hats on that. But we have to do that each and every day to make sure we still strive for that." Now a leader on the Wolverines, Hausmann is working to instill that same mentality in the younger players who are on the defense and in his room. The proof is in the pudding: being able to out-tough opponents works, and though there were some speed bumps on the way to the final wins of 2024, being able to handle adversity mixed with physicality is the path to success. "I hope the young guys understand that, because it's huge that, those last couple of games, even if we talk about Ohio State first game, understanding that it's a long season," Hausmann said. "It's a very long season. And to see the growth that we took -- I'm just talking from a defensive standpoint, the people in my room -- and just seeing how as players, you have a responsibility to find a way to adjust, right? If something's not working, we're not having the success that we want, you have to find a way to adjust. The world's going to keep going on. You still have a game that Saturday, and you yourself have to figure out what you've got to do differently, and to be able to change that. And I think we did that well as a defense and really paid dividends for our successes towards the end of the season." Fans will get an opportunity to see the new-look Wolverines on August 30 when Michigan hosts New Mexico for the 2025 season opener.


New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Swingathon boss lifts the lid on England's notorious ‘sex festival'
If you think festival season is all about flower crowns and muddy fields, think again. Deep in England's Lincolnshire countryside, there's a gathering in the sleepy town of Allington that only those 'in the know' dare to visit. Dubbed by The Sun's sex writer as 'Glastonbury with orgies and Love Island-style beauties,' Swingathon, now in its fifth year, isn't your typical festival. But speaking to In the Newsroom podcast, its organizer, Matt Cole, insists it still has elements of a standard festival. 12 Deep in England's Lincolnshire countryside, there's a gathering in the sleepy town of Allington that only those 'in the know' dare to visit. News Licensing / MEGA 12 Matthew Cole organizer of Swingathon, Grantham, Lincolnshire, Britain's biggest swingers festival. Tom Maddick / SWNS 12 But speaking to In the Newsroom podcast, its organizer, Matt Cole, insists it still has elements of a standard festival. News Licensing / MEGA 'It's got live music and entertainment, but it's for people in the lifestyle,' Cole told the podcast. For those not familiar with 'the lifestyle,' swinging involves people from all walks of life – LGBTQIA+, queer, couples, and anyone willing to explore non-monogamy. The three-day event held last weekend marked its biggest turnout yet, with nearly 1,000 revellers descending on the small town – which was more than the entire local population. But despite its fun ethos, the event drew serious complaints last year from nearby residents who claimed they heard loud, hours-long 'moaning' sounds coming from the campgrounds. Cole insists that this was only half true. 'Yes, we had (moaning), but the complaints are basically a lie. We are three miles (4.8km) from the nearest village, so if anyone can scream that loud … that's a scream,' he laughed. 12 For those not familiar with 'the lifestyle', swinging involves people from all walks of life – LGBTQIA+, queer, couples, and anyone willing to explore non-monogamy. Kerry Voellner / SWNS 12 The three-day event held last weekend marked its biggest turnout yet, with nearly 1,000 revellers descending on the small town – which was more than the entire local population. News Licensing / MEGA 12 But despite its fun ethos, the event drew serious complaints last year from nearby residents who claimed they heard loud, hours-long 'moaning' sounds coming from the campgrounds. Tom Maddick / SWNS He believes that much of the negative press comes from locals disagreeing with the festival's premise. The event is mainly made up of couples, with a two-person ticket setting you back around $470 AUD ($308 USD) and singles around $400 ($263 USD). This year, there were around 100 single men and 50-60 single women in attendance. In terms of the age bracket, the average age is 37, which is much younger than many would expect. 'The youngest that we let in was 21 and the oldest guy was 69,' he shared. So what actually goes on behind the gates? 12 The event is mainly made up of couples, with a two-person ticket setting you back around $470 AUD ($308 USD) and singles around $400 ($263 USD). News Licensing / MEGA 12 In terms of the age bracket, the average age is 37, which is much younger than many would expect. News Licensing / MEGA 12 This year, there were around 100 single men and 50-60 single women in attendance. News Licensing / MEGA By day, the festival – which sees people rock up in anything from their birthday suits, lingerie and fancy dress – hosts lots of different events. 'We have a UV party, a social night, workshops, live talks, and demonstrations,' Cole explains. But they're not just standard demonstrations. 'Some of them might be like flogging, wax play or rope play,' he says. 'Or pole dancing, burlesque classes and massage classes'. There are also hot tubs, sex games, foam parties, and mobile dungeons. Butt plug bingo is one of the more interesting events, which is bingo with a cheeky twist to it (you win the adult-themed toy at the end). 12 By day, the festival – which sees people rock up in anything from their birthday suits, lingerie and fancy dress – hosts lots of different events. Kerry Voellner / SWNS 12 Matt and Stacey, founders of the Swingathon Festival. News Licensing / MEGA 12 Butt plug bingo is one of the more interesting events, which is bingo with a cheeky twist to it (you win the adult-themed toy at the end). News Licensing / MEGA In terms of the actual swinging, there are sanctioned tents where people can go if they're interested in exploring some adult fun. 'It's all controlled,' Cole explains. 'There's group tents, then there's voyeur tents – all sorts of tents for everybody'. But before you think it's all debauchery, Mr. Cole says that many don't even go for that reason. Many simply attend for the liberating, body positivity aspect. 'They just go to be around like-minded people,' he says. 'It's not what people think. You don't just turn up and start swinging. A lot of friendships get made, and people leave with so much more confidence than when they started.'


USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Big Ten Network personality Jake Butt picks teams for 2025 Big Ten title game
Another Big Ten football media days is in the books, and now we can focus our attention towards the start of fall camp and the buildup to the start of the 2025 college football season. Ohio State will be defending its College Football Playoff national championship and will look to add a couple of goals it missed out on last season -- winning the Big Ten and beating Michigan. That's not as easy as it used to be with the addition of former Pac-12 schools from the West Coast -- Oregon, Washington, UCLA, and USC-- and with Michigan and Penn State rising up to become national powers as well. The Big Ten has closed the gap on the SEC and created one of its own as the best conference in the country, and it should be another fantastic season in 2025. So, who has the advantage in making the Big Ten Championship game? Ohio State and Penn State are expected to be the best teams this year according to most of the media, but that's not what Jake Butt from the Big Ten Network thinks. In a segment on social media, Butt provided his picks for teams that will play in Indianapolis, and he omitted Ohio State, picking Penn State to tussle with Oregon instead. It's all opinion, of course, and it's not like the Ducks aren't a program to reckon with almost annually now, so there's that. But Butt not identifying his alma mater, Michigan or the Buckeyes, is an interesting take, especially considering Oregon lost as much talent as OSU. But never fear Ohio State fans, Butt did mention Ohio State as one of the teams that will contend for a College Football Playoff spot -- so there's at least that. Ohio State defending its title and having a shot at a conference crown will largely depend on the production it gets at the quarterback spot and how well the defense plugs some of those gaps lost to the NFL. It won't take long to see how those questions are answered because the Buckeyes open up against Texas in Week 1. Let the countdown continue. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.