People ask me what makes college football so great versus other sports. So here is my answer: It is the school spirit, the home fans all wearing the same color shirt, 81,000 people doing the jump around, the student section, the marching band, the fight song, the mascot, the players pre-game walk to the stadium, the unpredictability of the outcome, the school traditions, tailgating, the cheerleaders, ESPN College Gameday & Erin Andrews, Keith Jackson, Lee Corso, School pride, flying colors that have real meaning, regional rivalries, military fly overs, the history of the game, the legends and myths of the game, the passion. All of these things combined make the perfect recipe for what is the greatest spectator sport in the world. It is what drives me to wake every Saturday at 5:45 AM to watch 18 hours of football or attend a live game and a tailgate party. This is why I put life on hold and treat this hallowed day as the sacred Sabbath of Autumn! Every Saturday from Labor Day through Thanksgiving weekend brings excitement to me that I have not known since I was kid waking up on Christmas morning. Perhaps there is a Corso Clause?
Tailgate update - We hosted another backyard all day tailgate party at Dan’s Bar & Grill. Alumni from Northwestern, UCLA and Notre Dame were in attendance. Grub consisted of dogs, links, drinks and lots of other good chow. The first featured game of the day was the Northwestern Wildcats squaring off in Champaign against the mighty fighting Illini. Northwestern, bolstered by the return of Quarterback Dan Persa had high hopes and jumped out to an 18 point lead. As predicted, brawn outpaced brain and the Illini came muscling back to win. As the game was winding down, my Northwestern friend and former NW player was heard screaming at the TV (See picture of the tall dude with hand gestures) “That’s all right, that’s okay, you’re going to work for me one day!!!!!” We then watched Boise win a redemption match against Nevada in ugly fashion. I called a last second audible and bailed on going to the UCLA - Stanford game and took a hit on my dwindling allocation of man cards. However, I was able to watch another 9 games throughout the evening from the comfort zone of my leather box seats at home!
Around the rest of the country – The most hyped games of the week turned out to be lopsided beat downs. The Master educated the pupil in the swamp, Nick Saban showed the young grasshopper Will Muschamp how it is done on the road in a hostile environment. Nick was heard saying “take that &%$#ing Gator Chomp and stick it!”. Nebraska was given a rude welcome to the Big Ten in Madison. How did the Cornhuskers like the “jump around” at Camp Randall? And Russell Wilson now has to be the front runner for the Heisman. Is he this year’s Cam Newton without the Scandal? And how about some respect for Dabo and his Clemson Tigers knocking off three top 20 teams in a row? Dabo has brought excitement to Clemson that has not been seen since the likes of Danny Ford graced the sidelines in Death Valley. Now for the gems of the weekend: Did anyone see the BYU - Utah State game Friday night. Utah State is challenging Toledo for this year’s Heartbreak kids. And How about Arkansas improbable comeback over the SEC wannabe Texas A&M? Andrew Luck may not only be the best QB in the Country but that catch he made may make him the best receiver with this Heisman worthy play:
I wonder if Gordon Gee had another fun Saturday in the Horseshoe? Oh what’s that, they lost at home against Michigan State? It sucks to play by the rules, doesn’t it? Perhaps G2 should schedule some Little Sisters of the Poor to get those 10 wins again. RG III we still love you…one interception won’t kill you, but it was untimely. K –State is still undefeated so props to the man who has a stadium named after him in Manhattan, KS …Mr. Bill Snyder. Washington State scoring 2 TD’s in the final 180 seconds to beat the buffs in their PAC 12 debut was impressive or deflating depending on what side of the picture you view from. The Service academy update had Army winning big, and Navy going down to Air Force in OT because young Mr. Proctor could not keep his emotions in check. Seriously coach Ken, make the squid walk the plank…arggggghhhhhhhh!
No gripe of the week this week, instead we will do the good deed of the week. Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State has befriended a young 9 year old cancer patient named Olivia. Instead of me writing about it, please click on the video below and enjoy the story:
Guest blogger of the week – roving reporter “Willy (Brother) from the Tailgate “ reported in live from McDaniel College in Westminster, MD.
“Small college football at its best!”
Although the home team lost and fell to 1-3, it was an exciting game that wasn't decided until the final seconds. We (son Joey, his friend, and myself) had great seats right behind the McDaniel bench, and the atmosphere was festive and friendly. Easy access, good, cheap food, free parking and no admission has guaranteed that this old timer will definitely come back for the next game, on October 15! Final score Gettysburg - 44 McDaniel -37.
Next Friday, the tailgate will travel to Fresno to watch the Boise State Broncos take on the Central Valley Bulldogs of Fresno State. Saturday will be a day of recovery watching multiple games back at the man cave.
Happy Tailgating!
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