As Jennifer Lawrence got
over her uh uh uh uh gas problem prior to the release of “Catching Fire”
(thank goodness), there was serious pigskin being played around the nation. But
first on a more somber note, this was the 50th anniversary of the assassination
of JFK. As it turns out, JFK was quite the College Football fan and was known
to be in the hip pocket of the Navy football team led by Roger Staubach in 63. He
was a Naval Academy graduate and felt a close affection for that team. There
was a book written titled President’s Team by Michael Connelly regarding
this subject.
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| The King of Camelot making sure the coin toss goes Navy's way |
While most of the country
was under an extreme cold snap, shoveling snow and wearing their parkas, the
Tailgate was concerned about finding sun screen and staying hydrated. A few of my
friends had something to say about it:
Friday night found the Tailgate in the familiar confines of
the Stadium lot at San Jose State. Joining the Tailgate were Rowdy Randy Habrl
and Ken from Ken and Barbie fame. A
great pre game tailgate we had here, with Sis’s beer brats, red hots, beans,
bourbon and beer! My ears are still ringing from Disco Jonny across from us in
the lot sharing his noise with all to hear via his gang banger speakers at F-18
fighter jet decibel levels. As usual the Cheerleaders stopped in to say hi and
spread their cheer. A former SJSU All American
from the early 70’s visited our tent as well as a group of Navy fans adjacent
to us. As a matter of fact Rowdy Randy made friends with about anyone who walked by so we met all kinds of new peeps.
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| Ken and Rowdy Randy living out a fantasy |
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| The boys manning the shop |
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| Burning up animal product |
Navy dropped anchor at
Spartan Stadium and would do battle with the Spartans on this beautiful
California night in the city of invention. The crowd was almost half Navy with
17,000 in attendance. The game itself was a three overtime thriller with both
offenses racking up massive yardage. SJSU’s
golden boy QB David Fales threw for over 400 yards and 5 TDs. Navy QB Keenan
Reynolds ran for 240 of his team’s 432 yards on the ground. The second half had
numerous lead changes and momentum shifts as each team would trade off go ahead
scores. With 9 minutes to go, Ken who happens to be a Cal season ticket holder
got a text from Barbie insisting he come home now to take her shopping. We told
him this is not a Cal game, we actually stay to the end because this is what
competitive football looks like. Humiliated, he stayed to avoid further ridicule
from the Spartan crowd. The difference in the end being that SJSU had no answer
for Navy’s potent triple option offense. Navy wins 58 -52.
Saturday morning we vacated
DFT HQ and rolled over to Palo Alto for the “Big Lame” between Cal and
Stanford. This would be the 113th time these two rivals met on the
gridiron. Barbie let Ken out for the second Day in a row and his handler
Downtown Gilly Brown was in the entourage. Tomato juice product was sampled along
with a very brief Tailgate. Stanford stadium, originally built in 1921 was demolished
after the 2005 season and was completely rebuilt in 10 months. It had been one
of the biggest dumps of all the college stadiums. It is now one of the nicest
stadiums in the country. Everyone has a
real seat, not a bench and there is not a bad view in the house. Current
capacity is 50,000. That being said we happened to have tickets in the same row
as the weeble family who did not want to share space with us. The game was a
lopsided blowout with Stanford winning 63 -13. Stanford’s Ty Montgomery scored
5 touchdowns in the first half helping the Cardinal climb back into Rose Bowl
consideration.
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| Ken and Gilly hosting a true Tailgate |
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| The Entourage |
Around the Country – In MACtion on Wednesday night, NIU and the
Lynch Mob hung up big points on Toledo and stays perfect for the year. In Conference
USA action, another smart school is quietly having a great year; the Rice Owls.
Who gives a hoot one might ask? Well I do and let’s give them props as they
beat UAB for their 8th win of the year. In the Mountain West Fresno State
and the Carr Show breaks bad with a win over Heisenberg and Pinkman’s boys from
the ABQ. Did anyone see the UNLV game at Colorado Springs on Thursday night?
Had to be the coldest looking game of the year. Brace yourself folks, with that
win the Running Rebs are bowl eligible. Yes I said the Running Rebs. Only a few
brave cadets managed to stick around to watch. In the American conference, the Cincinnati Tubbervilles
get the best of the Cougars from the Lone Star State for their 9th
win of the year. Teddy Bridge “over troubled” water and the Louisville Cards
barely beat the lowly Memphis Tigers.
On to the power
conferences: In ACC action apparently infamous Jameis Winston had an ineligible
receiver down field and a yellow flag will be thrown at him shortly. Yes, I
hear about the timing of this accusation being suspect, and it is. Nonetheless,
if these charges are true he has the movie The Longest Yard to look to
for inspiration. Mean machine, Mean Machine! I guess FSU does in fact stand for
Felonious State University just like the old days. However, Rape is a lot more
serious than some of the crap they got away under Warden Bowden. The Tailgate
will not judge this kid just yet. We will let the legal system play this one
out.
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| Jameis Sandler? |
In the ACC on field action, Duke notches their 9th win of the
year against Wake and BC sez “Fear the Eagle” in College Park against Edsel’s
Turtles. DFT loyalists were at that game repping both teams.
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| Fear the TerpEagle! |
Out on the left
coast, Oregon doesn't fare well in the desert climate as Ka’Deem Carey and the
Cats drowned the ducks 42 -16. Duck Soup for the losers Soul? ASU takes control
of the PAC 12 south with a hard fought victory over those gutty little Bruins
in Pasadena. UCLA said you don’t know Jack and ASU said we don’t care to, holding
Miles to a pedestrian 86 yards. Let’s
give an atta boy to that lecherous Leach in the Palouse for making the Cougars Bowl
Eligible after only 2 years at the helm of one of the worst teams over the last
decade. Leach and the Cougs took the Utes to the Wood shed….. err equipment
shed?
ESPN College Gameday made its way to Mrs. Tailgate’s Alma Matter on
Saturday. It has been said that one should never poke the bear. The Dancing Gundys of Stillwater did not heed
that advice as they poked and poked and poked and ultimately humiliated the
previously 3rd ranked Bears on the plains of Oklahoma 49 -17. Coach
Briles was given an Art lesson that he will never forget. That song by John
Denver about “Almost Heaven” just really irks the hell out of the Cowpoke
faithful even more now. Remember the massacre in Morgantown? Oh hell, just teach me how to Gundy would
you?
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| Lauren Lu a Sooner in disguise spying on Ok State |
In the Big Ten on the
frozen tundras, Wisconsin Kills Jerry and the Gophers and Iowa rallies from 2
scores down to deliver the Wolverines another L at Kinnick stadium. It will be Ohio State and Michigan State in
the Big Ten Ship in 2 weeks. Down South in
the SEC, FCS school Georgia Southern swamps the Florida Gators in the swamp
making Will Muschump the odds on Vegas favorite to be the first SEC firing of
the year. Johnny Drama ate lots of Tiger grass in Baton Rouge as the Bayou
Bengals delivered a big bowl of shut your mouth soup to the A&M Aggies.
Mizzou goes into the Grove down in Oxford and comes away with the win and the
SEC East title in their sights. In the war of theology, the Catholics’ prayers
were answered as the Novena proves to be more powerful than the looking glass
of Joe Joe Smiddy. Deciphered this means Notre Dame beats BYU.
Bieber award - goes to DeAnthony Thomas of Oregon, AKA The Black Mamba. Just two
weeks ago he ran his mouth and said the Ducks would put up 40 or more on
Stanford. Not sure that worked out very well for him. This past week Mr. Mamba was
quoted saying that the Ducks are not interested in the Rose Bowl. “Been there
done that” he said. Well guess what BM,
your wish is granted. Have fun at the Godaddy instead of the Granddaddy of them
all. Be careful what you wish for, it's all about perspective.
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| Snoop Doggy Deanthony |
This week – The Tailgate will join forces with the Iorio clan to host the
biannual Notre Dame - Stanford Tailgate
down on the farm in Palo Alto.
Happy Tailgating!
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