My typical evening view on 30 A for my nightly beach walk
The 2022 season, for all its epic moments, had one of the most unceremonious conclusions to any season that I can recall in my time on this planet earth. Ten days after two amazing semifinal games that saw Georgia and TCU advance to the cotillion ball of college football, the proverbial turd in the punch bowl was served up. Georgia absolutely annihilated a TCU team that simply did not look like they wanted to be there, by a score of 65-7. Georgia is now competing with Alabama as the “it” team of college football after winning back-to-back natties.
My college football travels this season were the lightest in thirteen years (other than the 2020 covid season). I only attended 10 games, six of which were first-time campus venues for me and one new neutral site venue for the Florida-Georgia game. When I started this quest in 2004 to attend all D1A stadiums, there were only 117 of them. God willing, I had hoped to hit that number next year. However, the goalposts continue to be moved back by the NCAA as two more teams have been added for next season, bringing the new total to 134 D1A schools. Between the added teams and my penchant for repeating fun schools and visiting lower division teams, this has become one long, extended journey. If all goes to plan, Most likely I will finish my climb in November of 2025 at the University of Hawaii with a massive Lua tailgate. You are all invited, of course!
Next fall, the goal is to hit at least 15 first-time venues, several repeats and a bowl game or two. I am also tentatively planning on attending the Notre Dame vs. Navy game in Dublin, Ireland. If that happens, I may join the ranks of a very select group of people who have seen a regular season college football game on three continents (Australia in 2016). Other candidates for next season include Miami, FAU, FIU, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana Monroe, Southern Miss, UAB, East Carolina, Appalachian State, UTEP, New Mexico State, Georgia State, EMU and WMU. Once all conference schedules are released, I’ll officially put out a tentative DFT schedule.
End of year Bieber - TCU for failing to get off the bus and play the game at SoFi Stadium for the Natty. No doubt UGA had better talent and should have won the game. However, when you are playing against better competition, you have to bring a higher energy level than your opponent and not make your odds worse with countless mental errors. I think mirrors should have been put under the noses of the TCU team and coaching staff to see if they were still breathing and alive during the game. Everyone loves a great underdog story, but unfortunately this one did not play out like a Disney theatrical. No Natty hardware for the Horned Frogs, but a nice Bieber statue will reside within the ring of honor in Fort Worth.
Ginger - To my daughter Erin for being such a professional proofreader and copywriter for me the past few seasons. I can always count on her to make suggestions for the jumbled thoughts I put on paper that make my recaps infinitely better. She has been an amazing addition to team DFT, and I am grateful for her stellar work. I will buy her an ice cream to show my gratitude!
Next up - Seven months of other hobbies and going back and forth between the Cali and Florida DFT Headquarters. Have a great off season and see y'all in the fall.
