College Football is the greatest spectator sport in America. Tailgating is an art form, sampling the local fare, traditions and partaking in a beverage or two is a must. Atmosphere is everything! If you don't attend a game, you can still tailgate right in the confines of your own man-cave. I am on a quest to attend a game and pre- game event at all 134 Division 1 stadiums and much more. Come join me!
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With each school consistently in the National Championship
picture every year, the game between USC and Notre Dame typically holds more
meaning than just bragging rights. This season Notre Dame is down and USC will
not be in the college football playoff, however pride is always on the line.
Saturday marked the 88th time the two schools have met since 1926
with the Irish leading the series 46-36 with 5 draws. The game would be held at
the venerable Los Angeles Coliseum of Olympic fame. Since I have previously
written about the stadium and school I will not repurpose those tidbits.
The genesis of this trip began when I entered the Votocast
contest for the best 30 second tailgate video. Thanks to those of you that
voted, I won 4 tickets and a pregame set up by Tailgate Concierge
outside the Coliseum. I highly recommend you look into using them for a no
hassle tailgate arrangement. The Brothers Tailgate made the trek down to La La
Land beginning Friday night and finishing the drive over the Grapevine like Lloyd
and Harry early Saturday morning.
Crossing the mountain into the LA basin.
It was a beautiful sunny and mildly warm So
Cal morning, perfect for tailgating. Our winning foursome consisted of the Donnelly
boys along with cousin Teen and Dr. Eric Glassy. We feasted on a loaded breakfast scramble,
pastries, fresh fruit and stout Bloody Marys. The Major and his brother Nolan
graced us with their presence for a bit as they smelled free beer. I could not
think of a more fitting way to spend my 28th anniversary as this
very game had a role in my wedding day in 1988. Mrs. Tailgate enjoyed her peace
and quiet.
A man's breakfast!
Mini fireball does not hurt later
Enemies inside the wire!
After enduring the FEMA Camp cattle call to enter the
stadium for the 12:30 kickoff, we found our way to our seats in section 20 and
were quickly greeted by dropping temps and the wet stuff. Let it be noted that
the bad weather did something that Notre Dame didn’t, it showed up as
predicted. USC’s Adore Jackson single handedly dismantled the Irish with a punt
return, a kick return and a reception all for touchdowns. The rain let up in the second half but SC
didn’t as they rolled to a 45-27 victory over their rival and my Notre Dame
Fighting Irish. Notre Dame will not be bowling this year and will need to do a
lot of soul searching this off season. Potentially,
they may be doing some coach searching as well since Brian Kelly has come under
fire for not only a bad season, but past transgressions that materialized this week.
The USC Marching Band performs at halftime
The iconic view of the Gulag.
Thank god for fireball or they would be miserable!
Around the nation: Washington
defeated Wazzu in the Apple Cup in Pullman and advances to the PAC 12 Championship.
Florida State continues its recent dominance of Florida in capturing the
Florida State championship. It looks as though Jimbo “Lyndsay Graham” Fisher
will be staying in Tallahassee as LSU has decided on the Ogre as their
permanent coach. WMU continued its bid to be the group of six lottery winner by
beating MAC rival Toledo and securing its first perfect regular season. Could
the Irish be calling Coach PJ Fleck? Mike Mac and the Colorado Buffs completed
an improbable regular season by going 8-1 in the PAC 12 and securing a spot in
the conference championship next Friday night in Santa Clara versus UW. The
best part of their win is that it shut up some of those annoying USC fans I had
to endure Saturday. Alabama wraps up an undefeated season by knocking off
Auburn in the Iron Bowl. The Tide will face a mediocre Florida Gator team in the
SEC championship and will move on to the final four even if they lose by 50. In
the game that lived up to its billing, Ohio State squeaked by the Michigan Wolverines
in double OT in Columbus. Coach Mom Pants Harbaugh was none too pleased with
the officials in his post game presser as he whined and cried. No worries, as
the UM Common Core participation trophy administration has set up a crying room
for him upon his return to Ann Arbor.
Alabama's fashion runway models at the Iron Bowl
We never get tired of TCU boots. The future Ex of Colonel Doug.
Pops and Barney celebrating a Bowl berth for BC.
The Mahoneys at the U game in Miami
Bieber – The NCAA
Brown Shirts. Since this is the third time they have been called out they now
enter the Bieber Hall of Fame. This time for stripping wins from Notre Dame for
the 2012 & 13 seasons for alleged academic fraud. Are you kidding me, if
there was consistency in the punishment they meted out, all 128 FBS teams would
forfeit almost every season. I even cheated once in college by spelling SHELL
OIL on my calculator before the test and submitting that as my answer in a
statistics class. While it is true that Brian Kelly has recruited kids more akin
to academics at Cincinnati than Notre Dame, it is purely a witch hunt for the
jack booted thugs to target the Irish. When ND has found players cheating in
prior years, they have suspended them for seasons or multiple games. They police
their own matters and it is an area that the school takes seriously. I propose
that college football revolt and overthrow the NCAA Gestapo and replace them
with a new organization all together. Congrats on your HOF status NCAA,
National Communist Association of Arseholios.
Next Week – Now would
be a good time for any of you to take me to Vegas. I won another contest, my
third of the month. This time I entered a Twitter contest sponsored by the PAC
12 and 76 Gas that awarded the winners 2 tickets to the PAC 12 Championship, a
hotel room, $76 gas card and a picture with the PAC 12 trophy. Maybe the next major
award will show up in a giant wood crate marked FRAGILE, ensuring its Italian authenticity. The Big Cat Miahilo
Panovich hisself received a rare hall pass, a new man card and will be joining
me on the venture. I will also be
attending the NCS High School Division 1 Championship Saturday night featuring
Monte Vista versus Antioch with the nation’s number one player Najee Harris,
Alabama commit.
With each school consistently in the National Championship
picture every year, the game between USC and Notre Dame typically holds more
meaning than just bragging rights. This season Notre Dame is down and USC will
not be in the college football playoff, however pride is always on the line.
Saturday marked the 88th time the two schools have met since 1926
with the Irish leading the series 46-36 with 5 draws. The game would be held at
the venerable Los Angeles Coliseum of Olympic fame. Since I have previously
written about the stadium and school I will not repurpose those tidbits.
The genesis of this trip began when I entered the Votocast
contest for the best 30 second tailgate video. Thanks to those of you that
voted, I won 4 tickets and a pregame set up by Tailgate Concierge
outside the Coliseum. I highly recommend you look into using them for a no
hassle tailgate arrangement. The Brothers Tailgate made the trek down to La La
Land beginning Friday night and finishing the drive over the Grapevine like Lloyd
and Harry early Saturday morning.
Crossing the mountain into the LA basin.
It was a beautiful sunny and mildly warm So
Cal morning, perfect for tailgating. Our winning foursome consisted of the Donnelly
boys along with cousin Teen and Dr. Eric Glassy. We feasted on a loaded breakfast scramble,
pastries, fresh fruit and stout Bloody Marys. The Major and his brother Nolan
graced us with their presence for a bit as they smelled free beer. I could not
think of a more fitting way to spend my 28th anniversary as this
very game had a role in my wedding day in 1988. Mrs. Tailgate enjoyed her peace
and quiet.
A man's breakfast!
Mini fireball does not hurt later
Enemies inside the wire!
After enduring the FEMA Camp cattle call to enter the
stadium for the 12:30 kickoff, we found our way to our seats in section 20 and
were quickly greeted by dropping temps and the wet stuff. Let it be noted that
the bad weather did something that Notre Dame didn’t, it showed up as
predicted. USC’s Adore Jackson single handedly dismantled the Irish with a punt
return, a kick return and a reception all for touchdowns. The rain let up in the second half but SC
didn’t as they rolled to a 45-27 victory over their rival and my Notre Dame
Fighting Irish. Notre Dame will not be bowling this year and will need to do a
lot of soul searching this off season. Potentially,
they may be doing some coach searching as well since Brian Kelly has come under
fire for not only a bad season, but past transgressions that materialized this week.
The USC Marching Band performs at halftime
The iconic view of the Gulag.
Thank god for fireball or they would be miserable!
Around the nation: Washington
defeated Wazzu in the Apple Cup in Pullman and advances to the PAC 12 Championship.
Florida State continues its recent dominance of Florida in capturing the
Florida State championship. It looks as though Jimbo “Lyndsay Graham” Fisher
will be staying in Tallahassee as LSU has decided on the Ogre as their
permanent coach. WMU continued its bid to be the group of six lottery winner by
beating MAC rival Toledo and securing its first perfect regular season. Could
the Irish be calling Coach PJ Fleck? Mike Mac and the Colorado Buffs completed
an improbable regular season by going 8-1 in the PAC 12 and securing a spot in
the conference championship next Friday night in Santa Clara versus UW. The
best part of their win is that it shut up some of those annoying USC fans I had
to endure Saturday. Alabama wraps up an undefeated season by knocking off
Auburn in the Iron Bowl. The Tide will face a mediocre Florida Gator team in the
SEC championship and will move on to the final four even if they lose by 50. In
the game that lived up to its billing, Ohio State squeaked by the Michigan Wolverines
in double OT in Columbus. Coach Mom Pants Harbaugh was none too pleased with
the officials in his post game presser as he whined and cried. No worries, as
the UM Common Core participation trophy administration has set up a crying room
for him upon his return to Ann Arbor.
Alabama's fashion runway models at the Iron Bowl
We never get tired of TCU boots. The future Ex of Colonel Doug.
Pops and Barney celebrating a Bowl berth for BC.
The Mahoneys at the U game in Miami
Bieber – The NCAA
Brown Shirts. Since this is the third time they have been called out they now
enter the Bieber Hall of Fame. This time for stripping wins from Notre Dame for
the 2012 & 13 seasons for alleged academic fraud. Are you kidding me, if
there was consistency in the punishment they meted out, all 128 FBS teams would
forfeit almost every season. I even cheated once in college by spelling SHELL
OIL on my calculator before the test and submitting that as my answer in a
statistics class. While it is true that Brian Kelly has recruited kids more akin
to academics at Cincinnati than Notre Dame, it is purely a witch hunt for the
jack booted thugs to target the Irish. When ND has found players cheating in
prior years, they have suspended them for seasons or multiple games. They police
their own matters and it is an area that the school takes seriously. I propose
that college football revolt and overthrow the NCAA Gestapo and replace them
with a new organization all together. Congrats on your HOF status NCAA,
National Communist Association of Arseholios.
Next Week – Now would
be a good time for any of you to take me to Vegas. I won another contest, my
third of the month. This time I entered a Twitter contest sponsored by the PAC
12 and 76 Gas that awarded the winners 2 tickets to the PAC 12 Championship, a
hotel room, $76 gas card and a picture with the PAC 12 trophy. Maybe the next major
award will show up in a giant wood crate marked FRAGILE, ensuring its Italian authenticity. The Big Cat Miahilo
Panovich hisself received a rare hall pass, a new man card and will be joining
me on the venture. I will also be
attending the NCS High School Division 1 Championship Saturday night featuring
Monte Vista versus Antioch with the nation’s number one player Najee Harris,
Alabama commit.
The “Brothers Tailgate” made their way to Fort Worth, TX
Saturday morning to watch the TCU Horned Frogs take on the Oklahoma State
Cowboys, Mrs. Tailgate’s Alma Matter. TCU Football has a long and storied
history dating back 130 years. Their glory days came in the 1930’s when they
were steered by Quarterbacks Slinging Sammy Baugh and Davey O’Brien. The Horned
Frogs claimed two national titles during the same decade and were a force to be
reckoned with. For over 60 years they were part of the old Southwest Conference
until it disbanded in the early 1990s. They moved onto the WAC, then the MWC
and ultimately landed in the Big 12 five years ago. Along with the golden boys of
the 1930’s other greats such as Bob Lilly, Ladanian Tomlinson and Andy “Opie
Dalton” graced the gridiron of Amon G. Carter Stadium “AGC”.
The stadium has been around since 1930 and is named after a
major benefactor from that era and the school’s greatest cheerleader. AGC
underwent major plastic surgery five years ago giving it the appearance of a
brand new stadium. The school leaders wanted to make it the “Camden Yard” of college
football. They hit their mark in the aesthetic areas and unique attributes.
Carter seats 45,000 fans and has all the amenities and conveniences you would
expect in a modern facility.
The majestic Amon G Carter Cathedral
We rolled into Fort Worth at 9:15 AM for pre-game
activities and joined our friends the Fernando family from Danville. The Texas
skies were cloudless and the air was brisk with a slight breeze providing for
perfect fall football weather. We learned the Horned Frog symbol which is a
peace sign with the fingers bent down. The school chant is something out of a
1930’s period movie “Riff Rham Bah Zoo”. The cheerleaders were typical Texas
beauties with plenty of enthusiasm and big smiles. Did you think I was going to say something
else? Please, clean your act up. Accompanying the cheerleaders on the field were
the showgirls, which are reminiscent of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. The
only complaint I will lodge is that the Pride of TCU Marching Band was
consistently drowned out by piped in rap and heavy metal all game long. I won’t
get on my soap box too much on this topic but marching bands are to be heard
along with being seen. I can listen to rap and rock on my i tunes anytime, I
don’t need it at a football game.
Sue and Roger Fernando, AKA our Chaperones
The stadium is surrounded by grassy areas and parking lots with
purple and white canopies and the smell of good Texas BBQ. On this day the Horned Frogs would be hosting
the Cowboys from Oklahoma State. The two coaches Gary “No voice” Patterson of
TCU and Mike “Mullet” Gundy are both the most successful coaches in their
program’s history. Just think, Mrs. Tailgate graduated with Coach Gundy, she
could have married him but hit the motherlode instead. Oklahoma State came into
the game with an 8-2 record and an outside chance at the college football
playoff. TCU is in the midst of a rebuilding year with a 5-4 record.
The Frogs started the game on the right foot by recovering a
Barry Sanders Jr muffed punt return and scoring a quick six. From there it all
went down Hill, as in Kenny “Trill” Hill their transfer QB from TAMU. The Frogs
shanked the extra point and went on to surrender 31 unanswered point to the
Pokes. The Ok State offense spearheaded by 6’5 QB Mason Rudolph and RB “No” Justice
Hill and a compliment of receivers tore through the Frog defense at will all
afternoon. The final score had the Cowpokes on top 31-6. For a moment I thought
Mike Stoops was running the TCU defense. The Pokes are now in a position to win
the Big 12 when they meet their rival the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman for the “Bedlam”
game in 2 weeks.
An amazing day in Fort worth
After saying our goodbyes to the Fernandos and Fort Worth we
made our way up I 35 W for the 45 mile trek to the University of North Texas in
Denton, TX. There we met up with Bobby and Julie Baumgardner for a pre-game
tailgate. We chowed on homemade bacon infused potato salad, Johnsonville beer
brats and cheese grillers all pared with frosty PBR. The tailgate acreage has
an area called “The Hill” where the Greek and other student organizations get
their pre- game swerve on. We were in the parking lot adjacent to that area.
The DFT UNT Tailgate
The
last time we attended a game at UNT in 2009 they played in the old dilapidated
Fouts Field and were part of the Sun Belt Conference. They now call Apogee
Field home which was completed 4 years ago and are now part of the Conference USA.
Apogee is spectacular and unique with the east end zone stands shaped like bat
wings and the athletic dorms beyond the west end zone. It is also one of the on
campus stadiums that serves beer deep in the heart. Geez I love Texas. This
would be my sixth Texas school of the year to attend a game. After purchasing affordable
care general admission tickets we found a stack of premium tickets discarded by
scalpers. These tickets scored us seats on the 40 yard line 5 rows from the
field. The CFB God’s looked kindly upon us.
The Green Machine at Apogee Stadium
The UNT Mean Green would be hosting Conference USA foe
Southern Mississippi, AKA Favre University. UNT under first year offensive
genius coach Seth Littrell entered the game at 4-6 with a shot to still make a
bowl. The SO MO’s Golden Eagle’s record was 5-5. The 400 member spirited UNT band
rocked the stadium with continuous songs belted out throughout the contest. After
storming out to a 20-0 lead to the delight of the green clad fan base, SO MO
scored 27 straight to take a seven point lead. The Mean Green kicked a field
goal to get within 4 points. The Green
defense stiffened up and produced several late turnovers resulting in another touchdown
to secure a 30 - 27 win. UNT’s most favorite alumni was celebrating somewhere with
a Coca Cola. The band belted out the Alma Matter as the players rushed the
student section and then we departed back down to our lodgings near Love Field.
Honestly I had the stamina to hit the second half of the SMU game but my sleepy
older brother needed his nap earning him Bieber consideration.
Bobby wannabe band boy Baumgardner
Which one is the real Chickenhawk?
Here is our weekend in a nutshell (Click through to get to flipagram):
In the cold and snow in Morgantown, the Oklahoma Sooners capitalized
on numerous Mountaineer turnovers to secure a 56 - 28 win and a shot at the BIG
12 Title and an outside chance at the playoffs. On a night when the hillbillies
could use the extra heat, there would be no couch burning in Morganhole. Although
the score looked lopsided the Mike Stoops engineered defense surrendered close
to 600 yards to the Eers. At one point, screaming Mike was caught on TV
throwing a tantrum in the booth.
On Thursday night, the college football world witnessed the
Louisville Cardinals offensive line win the national mannequin challenge by
allowing Heisman Leader Lamar Jackson to be sacked more times than a George
Steinbrenner Manager. The Houston Cougars dominated all facets of the game
winning by a score of 36-10 and knocking the Cardinals out of any playoff
chances. This was the Houston team that beat OU in week one, not the team that
lost to SMU a month ago.
In the makeup game postponed by the September Hurricane, a
pissed off Florida Gator team migrated into Baton Rouge to meet up with SEC foe
LSU. There was much behind the scenes bickering about where and when this game
should be played after the original venue was in Gainesville. Bitterness was
abound on both sides. After stopping the Tigers on a fourth and goal situation
late in the game, the Gators held on for a narrow win and the SEC East championship.
Their victory prize is a meeting with Alabama in 2 weeks. Coach O’s chances of
keeping the HC office next season diminished further. Florida coach Macilvane
had this to say in the post-game about the LSU athletic department:
Most of the rest (not all) of the SEC played junior high
teams for what reason I don’t care to know.
The much improved VA Tech Hokies traveled to South Bend to
take on the Fighting Irish. The Hokies came from deep behind twice to notch a
34-31 win over an Irish team reminiscent of the Charlie Weiss era.
In Boulder, the Mike Mac coached Colorado Buffs fared better
than the Cougs from the Palouse in a PAC 12 showdown. The win all but guarantees
Colorado the PAC 12 South title and a shot at the overall conference championship.
In the Mountain West it is widely rumored that the Aztecs
from San Diego State purposely lost to the Wyoming Cowboys to avoid having to
play Boise State in the MWC finale. I hope this is not true. Wyoming only needs
to conquer New Mexico next week and they will take the MWC north and meet up with
the Aztecs again on 12/3 for the ship.
DFT daughter and i Carly at the Blue Friday night.
Bieber Candidates - We have a tie this week: The NCAA for excluding my 24th
ranked Frostburg State Bobcats from the Division III playoffs. They selected 8
teams ranked lower than them to the 32 team field. I needed a safe space and a
crying room to deal with this injustice. I am now wearing my safety pin just to
show my hurt and anger. The Bobcats did a get a “courtesy reach around” game
called the Asa A. Bushnell Bowl at Franklin Field in Philly where they played St.
John Fisher and won 38-14. The Bobcats
finish the year at 10-1 in one of their best seasons ever. The other golden ticket winner
is former Sooner Charles Walker who walked out on his team this week to prepare
for the NFL draft. It seems Chucky Boy who was just cleared to play after six
weeks on IR opted to take the “me first” route and leave Norman and go get
himself ready for the combine. Walker is considered a highly regarded defensive
lineman by NFL scouts and pundits. Either Chuckles had his bell rung so hard
that he isn’t thinking right or he was just sick of screaming Mike Stoops. Well
son, I hope you got your freaking degree because the NFL does stand for “Not For
Long”. Congratulations to both of you.
Next Week
The Brothers Tailgate will reconnect with cousin Teen and
her hubby, the good Doctor Eric Glassy along with the Major to enjoy the fruits
of my video victory at the Coliseum in Los Angeles. I am hopeful that ND can
salvage a disappointing season with a win over arch rival USC just because.
The Rabagos at the SJSU v Air force game
Playing CFB at double nickles, an inspiration to us all.
