Week 4 Recap

First off, I do write this blog weekly because of my love for college football/tailgating and like to share my thoughts/rants with fellow enthusiasts and the curious. But those of you who know me well know that my altruism has definitive limits and I am purely a capitalist. With that, Google reminded me last week that I have a check coming from the mere action of my readers clicking on that little green advertising box on the left side of this blog..So the more you click the closer I get to retirement. My first royalty check is for $11.42, so I am closing in on living the dream. Keep those clicks going!

Now for the important stuff, the weekend lived up to its billing with a number of great matchups. But first let me start with Dan’s tailgate. I awoke at 5:30 AM to a series of text and pics from my lovely daughter Rachel who had been in line since 1:30 AM waiting to be one of the first 400 people admitted into ESPN’s College Gameday with a spot right behind the fab 4. (See picture above, bottom left) sure enough I saw her somewhat smiling/tired face live on TV at around 6:29 AM on the ESPNU Gameday fan cams. I could not be prouder of her if she graduated as the valedictorian of her class. All told, 15,000 Bronco faithful showed up for ESPN Gameday. Way to represent!

The rest of my Tailgating family hosted a few close friends over for an evening of watching the Boise State/OSU game outside on 2 screens while witnessing me attempt to drain the tapper full of Trumer’s pilsner using the excuse of grilling making me thirsty. I almost succeeded. The highpoint of the night was watching all of my polite guests chew on perhaps the worst piece of longhorn I have ever purchased, cooked and tasted. The sounds of squirrels gnawing on unripe acorns with the occasional napkins full of gristle being tucked under the chairs is what came to mind. I was half expecting Clark Griswold to appear and say “ Katherine, if this steak tastes half good as it looks , then we are all in for a big treat!”. (picture enclosed above, bottom right) . I don’t think Andrew Zimmerman would force that one down but it came down to do I buy the good ribeyes for $100 or this gouloash meat for $20 at Safeway. Damn economy! Nonetheless another successful backyard tailgate with the Broncos beating a solid OSU squad. More on the outcome later in my gripe of the week. Oh and thank you to my neighbor’s son Danny for not stealing the Boise flag this weekend.

Around the country – The Big 10 went 10 – 1 against the Little 10 on Saturday. Way to schedule such intriguing match-ups with the average point spread of 27 points. You wonder why the rest of the nation does not garner you the respect you seek. Your fans are some of the best in the country, however your AD’s and league officials need to cut this crap out. Go play some good teams in your pre league schedule more regularly. Minnesota, you better hope Favre and the boys provide you some excitement this year because your Gophers are exactly what Carl Spackler so eloquently said 30 years ago on the grounds of Bushwood Country club “Gophers are a menace to society”. Denard you are still the most exciting player in D-1. Hope to see you back on the pitch next weekend. After taking a shot at the SEC last week I am eating a little humble pie as there were several great performances this weekend in the south. In one of the most exciting games of the weekend it came down to Ryan Mallet of Mullettville, AR (See picture of Arkansas fan above, top left) throwing 3 picks to the mighty Tide D that was the difference maker. My fellow Tailgater Dr. Alabama Al suffered some Urban Meyer like chest pains during that game. Urban, you may breathe easier this week your wheels are back on the bus. To my Cajun pals from the Bayou, my apologies, you beat a good Mountaineer team in my favorite venue “Death Valley” at night. Upset of the week, no brainer, the fighting Neuheisels’s of UCLA bagging themselves some Steer in Austin. Tailgating Tony of the yard (Brother Blogger and tailgating aficionado) has some pics from the event taken discreetly as he was wearing blue and gold. This does not bode well for the big red River Rivalry (Say that 5 times fast after a couple of gallons of pilsner) next week. Nor did OU earn any “Style points” (I hate that term too) with a squeaker over Cincy. My brother “Radio” attended the Rutgers Carolina game and was escorted off the premises for putting his binos on the cheerleader squad for 3 quarters. Did anyone see my favorite roid induced player Vontaze Burfect in the ASU loss to Oregon? He was a cross between Adam Sandler in Anger Management and an Italian soccer player being carted off the field repeatedly. Lots of drama. He did however, achieve Burfection (picture above, top right). U of A pulled one out in the last seconds against cal in a game that Vegas was dying over with the Under being so far under the line. Notre Dame’s performance does not even rate any mention this week. The mighty Black Nights from West Point are 3 -1 and on pace for their first Bowl game in years. I don’t have anything special to say about my boy Lame Kiffin this week since SUC took care of bidness in the Paloos against the mighty Cougs.

Gripe of the week – Okay Musberger, you had a chance to redeem your anti Boise self after your pathetic performance towards the end of the Boise/VA Tech game. If anyone was still listening to your dementia riddled drivel late in the 4^th quarter here is what you said: (Mind you Huckleberry Hound face, Boise was putting the finishing touches on a 13 point win over a ranked opponent) “Should Boise now slip in the polls, TCU will be there to take their spot”. Are you kidding me? And let’s see, no disrespect to TCU, but struggling against the SMU stangs on Friday night does not allow you a pass to move one space forward. Brent, do yourself a favor get out of the announcing gig, stuff the Mic down your pie hole and choke on it! You are as bad as the liberal press cheering on congress’s every failed move. You are simply an uniformed idiot. If a team is good, they are good. And Boise has proved every year that they can play with the Big Boys. You and Mel Brooks are trying your best to keep them from competing for the BCS Ship. Let the season play out and we’ll decide in December. I hope they put some special sauce on your burger at Bourdanay’s restaurant in Boise. We know people there. :)

Here is the Tailgate agenda the next three weekends: will be in the Yard next Saturday, At Boise State October 9 for the Toledo game, then at San Jose State on October 16 for the annual Men of Laurelglen Tailgate party. It looks like we have a pretty good crew for it this year. Looking forward to another great weekend of CFB! Remember Tailgating is a state of mind more than a physical event!

Happy Tailgating!

Week 3 Recap 2010

Wow! I think we know who some of the pretenders are after a weekend of games that separated the men from the boys and I am not talking about bus station bathrooms in San Francisco. Washington and Cal…you simply did not represent. Jake you looked more like Heather Locklear instead of the J Lock you were portended to be. IOWHAT? Nice job in the dessert Captain Kirk. You, much like the Donner party don’t perform well when you travel west over the mountains. And USC, you barely beat a team that lost to a 1 AA team last week and you have to do your LA thug sideline dance….Really? Hey Lane, my Boy Big SMO and his friends in middle Tennessee would like to have a little homecoming party for you (Click on Link) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDxSgq88Clw. And next week you are in the Paloos against the mighty Cougs. Way to play a tough schedule in September!

And here’s to you Mr. Robinson…Rich Rod loves you more than you will know…you are the real deal and the front runner for the Heisman assuming you don’t lose to a patsy on your schedule and Rich Rod doesn’t quit before the bowl game. Boise stifled the likes of Brent Musberger, Corso and company for a week by taking the “rarified air” out of Laramie and the Wyoming Cowboys in a resounding win. The ESPN College Game Day will make its first appearance at the Blue Turf in Boise next week. Tune in at 7 AM Pacific on Saturday. My daughter will be holding a sign up that says “Separated at Birth” with these two pictures above on the right:

It is good to be the King, but Lee you have not shown the Broncos any respect this year and perhaps you will eat a little Blue Turf Pie on Saturday. Game of the week was perhaps Clemson at Auburn in an epic Big Cat fight. However, it hurts me most to admit that Michigan State’s ballsy play on the fake field goal taking down the Irish was perhaps the most exciting finish. Hey BK, we got rid of Charlie “Front Butt” for these same endings so pick it up please! Best of luck to a speedy recovery to MSU head coach Mark Dantonio who in all seriousness had a heart attack after the game. A weekly shout out to the Service Academies with nice wins for Army & Navy and a valiant effort by Air Force versus OU. To my wife’s Alma matter in the battle of the lesser Oklahoma schools, nice win over the Golden Hurricanes. Solid win by the Mountaineers over my home state Terps in the battle for disputed land (It’s ours by the way). Is the SEC the top conference this year? Bama is for real but the rest of the conference appears to be average so far. At this point there does not seem to be a dominant conference but a few dominant teams. I’d like to hear what ya’ll have to say about that.

Gripe of the week – Although ESPN play by play announcer Pam Ward has a voice as deep as Trace Adkins and one that I only wished I had, there is something lacking in the credibility of a woman play by play announcer. I know I can hear all the feminists beating me up on this one, but really did she ever even play a pick-up game as a kid in the sandlot? I doubt it, but hey there is obviously no room for her in the locker room these days….just ask Ines Sainz :)

Tailgate starts next Saturday at 7 AM in Dan’s Bar & Grill (DB&G). All are welcome to drop by for a cold one or hot one depending on your preference as we will be preparing in style for the Boise/Oregon State game and all the other 55 games to be viewed. Some pub for my boy Feasty John of the Feasty Boys TV show. Each week Feasty John has provided me with a new tailgate recipe that I post on the left side of the page. We will be making up his famous seafood in a bag next week. Also be sure to vote on the weekly polls that are posted.

Happy Tailgating!

Week 3 Recap 2010

Week 3 Recap

Wow! I think we know who some of the pretenders are after a weekend of games that separated the men form the boys and I am not talking about bus station bathrooms in San Francisco. Washington and Cal…you simply did not represent. Jake you looked more like Heather Locklear instead of the J Lock you were portended to be. IOWHAT? Nice job in the dessert Kurt. You, much like the Donner party don’t perform well when you travel west over the mountains. And USC, you barely beat a team that lost to a 1 AA team last week and you have to do your LA thug sideline dance….Really? Hey Lane, my Boy Big SMO and his friends in middle Tennessee would like to have a little homecoming party for you (Click on Link) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDxSgq88Clw. And next week you are in the Paloos against the mighty Cougs. Way to play a tough schedule in September!

And here’s to you Mr. Robinson…Rich Rod loves you more than you will know…you are the real deal and the front runner for the Heisman assuming you don’t lose to a patsy on your schedule and Rich Rod doesn’t quit before the bowl game. Boise stifled the likes of Brent Musberger, Corso and company for a week by taking the “rarified air” out of Laramie and the Wyoming Cowboys in a resounding win. The ESPN College Game Day will make its first appearance at the Blue Turf in Boise next week. Tune in at 7 AM Pacific on Saturday. My daughter will be holding a sign up that says “Separated at Birth” with these two pictures:

It is good to be the King, but Lee you have not shown the Broncos any respect this year and perhaps you will eat a little Blue Turf Pie on Saturday. Game of the week was perhaps Clemson at Auburn in an epic Big Cat fight. However, it hurts me most to admit that Michigan State’s ballsy play on the fake field goal taking down the Irish was perhaps the most exciting finish. Hey BK, we got rid of Charlie “Front Butt” for these same endings so pick it up please! A weekly shout out to the Service Academies with nice wins for Army & Navy and a valiant effort by Air Force versus OU. To my wife’s Alma matter in the battle of the lesser Oklahoma schools, nice win over the Golden Hurricanes. Solid win by the Mountaineers over my home state Terps in the battle for disputed land (It’s ours by the way). Is the SEC the top conference this year? Bama is for real but the rest of the conference appears to be average so far. At this point there does not seem to be a dominant conference but a few dominant teams. I’d like to hear what ya’ll have to say about that.

Gripe of the week – Although ESPN play by play announcer Pam Ward has a voice as deep as Trace Adkins and one that I only wished I had, there is something lacking in the credibility of a woman play by play announcer. I know I can hear all the feminists beating me up on this one, but really did she ever even play a pick-up game as a kid in the sandlot? I doubt it, but hey there is obviously no room for her in the locker room these days….just ask Ines Sainz J

Tailgate starts next Saturday at 7 AM in Dan's Bar & Grill (DB&G). All are welcome to drop by for a cold one or hot one depending on your preference as we will be preparing in style for the Boise/Oregon game and all the other 55 games to be viewed. Some pub for my boy Feasty John of the Feasty Boys TV show. Each week Feasty John has provided me with a new tailgate recipe that I post on the left side of the page. We will be making up his famous seafood in a bag next week. Also be sure to vote on the weekly polls that are posted.

Happy Tailgating!

Week 2 Recap 2010

With all the talk of the 5 Big games of the weekend matching up 10 of College Football’s Blue Bloods, only one of those games proved to be a contest with Michigan taking down the Domers in South bend. I thought after last weekend that the Irish D would stiffen up…apparently not…just ask shoelaces! Nonetheless Dan’s Tailgate was fortunate enough to be in the vicinity of one of those games on business. At long last I was able to attend (along with West Point Rob) a game at the Horseshoe in Columbus pitting The Ohio State University over the U of Miami. Though the game panned out to be sloppy and mostly dominated by OSU, the atmosphere and accouterments surrounding the game ranked very high in my book. First the Tailgate took a tour of some of Columbus finest bars on Friday night including the famous Varsity on Campus. I was most impressed by watching old and new alumni returning to see this projected epic matchup meeting old classmates and retelling the glory stories. Other bars were geared up with many people wearing the scarlet and grey and singing OSU centric songs and chants.

On Game day we met up with an old friend from Danville and OSU Alumni Tim Fetters at his RV tailgate party (See pictures as there were many unique RV party apparatuses). We ended pre game festivities at a Raucous open air pregame party with live band and thousands of the Buckeye Faithful and ample Budweiser product. Though our tickets (Bought off Craig’s list for $150 each) were not the best seats in the house, they were nonetheless in the house! We learned why 106,000 fans sang “Hang on Sloopy” several dozen times with the chant of O-H-I-O mixed into the versus. The fans although biased on all calls, were respectful and knowledgeable (Including the yakmaster woman who sat behind me running her trap the entire game and elbowing me in the head and sliding her foot into my built in seat). A great day in all for football with a bit of rain mixed in. The Horseshoe ranks up there close to the top of all Cathedrals of Fall that I have attended.

As for the rest of the Weekend lineup, VT why did you have to lose to JMU! This hurts my chance of going to Glendale to watch Boise in the BCS Ship. The Bay Area teams fared well with resounding routs by Stanford and Cal and a respectable showing by SJSU at Wisconsin. OU answered its critics with a seminal Seminole butt whooping. Maybe the golden gophers should crawl back in their holes after their embarrassment. The Gators continued its struggles with another unimpressive performance. The Ole Ball Coach still has the Dawgs number…Outside of Alabama it appears the SEC is going to have a down year, right Tennessee? ACC had a weekend to forget or maybe they just forgot to play this weekend. Air Force represented the service academies well with a resounding win over conference rival BYU while Navy eeked out a win over 1- AA Georgia Southern and Hawaii bested Army in a tight contest. I can’t finish the commentary without taking a shot at Lane Kiffin and SUC, I mean USC. Nice win against the mighty Wahoos from Virginia Lane. Too bad Cheat Caroll is not around to witness the greatness that is Trojan Football this fall. He is in a better place now for those that like to pay their players and buy them cars and houses and guns and fire trucks and hookers!

Rant of the week – This is where I impersonate Andy Rooney - Does it annoy anyone else that 98% of football commentators are posers? My main gripe is that whenever John Madden puts out a term “Cover two” for example, all the others fall in line and start using it without even knowing what the hell it means. In the last 2 years, the most overused term is “in space”. I dare you watch an entire game and report back to me that a commentator did not use that term. It simply used to be called “open field tackling, or “running in the open field”. Again, these morons don’t even know what it means and even apply it to a kicker who now kicks “in space”. Oh well, had to get that one off my chest!

Next weekend Tailgating activities will be in the backyard of the Worldwide HQ’s of Dan’s Tailgate. We will be focused mainly on the Boise/Wyoming game and Notre Dame at MSU. If you are in Danville, stop by for a cold one and whatever is on the grill! Also, if anyone has tailgate stories & pics to share, please send them to me as I will set up a guest section for your observations and rants,