Even if you don't know a single thing about field hockey, watching it at the Olympics this year might still conjure some aspects of familiarity if you're a college football fan.

With the Olympic field hockey venue adopting a distinctive blue pitch, it's hard not to think of the iconic "Smurf Turf" that the Boise State football team has played on at Bronco Stadium for over 25 years.

Located the Olympic Park, Riverbank Arena will play host to both men's and women's field hockey tournaments at the Games. Its blue turf is encircled by an equally vibrant pink out-of-bounds area. Blue and pink are two of the official colors of the London Olympics.

As much as the pitch is an aesthetic spectacle, it's taking its share of lumps for its poor, unpredictable performance.

"In France, we played on green turf, which was fast while blue turf was slow and bouncy," India coach Michael Nobbs told the Times of India. "I don't know why this turf has been introduced. I can only guess that blue being one of the Olympic colors, they have introduced it (in the London Olympics)." 

Field hockey at the Olympics runs from Sunday through Aug. 4.

Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports via US PRESSWIRE