Week 10 - Mountain Strong

Just five weeks ago, Hurricane Helene unleashed damage of biblical proportions on the mountain region of Western North Carolina. Some communities still lack electricity and running water. Yet, the people of the region are among the most resilient and hearty in the country. Despite the devastation, destruction, and loss of life, they continue to face each day with strength and optimism.

King Street in Boone on 9/27/24

Nearly a year ago, my high school crew and I decided our annual boys’ trip would be to Appalachian State in Boone, North Carolina. But after Hurricane Helene, the school had to shut down for several weeks, casting doubt on whether they’d play another home game this season. The Boone community and Appalachian State staff worked incredibly hard to restore the school and football program, and this past weekend, six of us, high school classmates from Seneca Valley High many moons ago, made the trek to Boone for a memorable football weekend.

The hurricane’s impact was evident around Boone, with piles of debris in driveways and businesses and signs of flood damage as high as 20 feet up in trees. We rented an amazing cabin with a stream running through the property, where the aftermath of the hurricane was clear.

On our way into Boone Friday, we stopped in Blowing Rock for a beer and pizza lunch to kick off the weekend. This beautiful town off the Blue Ridge Parkway offered stunning views of mountain and valley mosaics. After stocking up on provisions, we settled into the cabin, retelling the same old tales we share every year—and yet they never get old. Like good boys, we made sure to go to bed early as instructed by our wives. Technically 2 AM is early…..very early.

Saturday morning, we loaded up my buddy Tony’s van—a cross between an Amazon delivery van and the Mystery Machine from Scooby-Doo. We were all a bit wary about driving through a college town looking like a group of senior citizens in a kidnapper van! However, it was perfectly equipped for a tailgate, with a refrigerator stocked with beer and food. We parked in town, set up a Spartan tailgate, and enjoyed some amazing chicken salad, cold beers and southern rock before heading to the game with a 2:30 p.m kick off.

Top - Student tailgate rager, the boys tailgating and the Scooby Doo Kidnapper Van

Appalachian State first hit the national scene nearly two decades ago when, as an FCS team, they upset Michigan in the Big House. Now a Division I-A team in the Sun Belt Conference, they were hosting conference rival Old Dominion University. Neither team has had a stellar season, but this would be my first game at Appalachian State—a new venue checked off the list.

Legends of the Fall

The Mountaineers play in Kidd Brewer Stadium, one of the most picturesque settings in the country, nestled among rolling hills and trees. We swapped our original sun facing seats for ones in the shade as the action began, with both teams appearing evenly matched. App State was led by quarterback Joey Aguilar from Antioch, California, whom I saw play two years ago at Diablo Valley College. Aguilar got the Mountaineers on the board first with a 23-yard touchdown pass to receiver Kaedin Robinson. Old Dominion answered quickly, scoring 17 straight points. With just three minutes left in the half, Aguilar threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Stroman, leaving Old Dominion up 17-14 at halftime.

Picturesque Kidd Brewer Stadium AKA The Rock

Aguilar opened the third quarter with a short touchdown pass, putting the Mountaineers on top 21-17. They held the lead, adding another touchdown in the fourth quarter while Old Dominion scored only one more field goal. The crowd went wild as the Mountaineers claimed a 28-20 victory in a closely contested game.

After the game, we headed back into town for some wings and pub food, then returned to the cabin to watch more football and share a few laughs. Appalachian State quickly became one of my top college football weekend experiences in my 20 year DFT quest.

Around the Country

Several notable upsets over the weekend shook up playoff contenders. In the ACC, Louisville traveled to Death Valley and knocked off Clemson, thier first loss since week 1 against UGA. Staying in the ACC, SMU defeated undefeated Pittsburgh 48-25, damaging Pitt’s shot at an ACC Championship and potential playoff spot. Texas Tech upset previously undefeated Iowa State in the Big 12, hurting their playoff chances. In the SEC, Texas A&M suffered a 44-20 loss to South Carolina in one of the weekend’s bigger upsets. Georgia came alive in the second half against Florida to secure a 34-20 win in a storied rivalry matchup. In Group of Five action, Army remained undefeated, beating service rival Air Force 20-3 without their star quarterback, Bryson Daly. And in a heavyweight battle, Penn State hosted Ohio State in Happy Valley. Once again, Coach James Franklin couldn’t get past Ohio State, losing 20-13.

Bieber Award

While there are many contenders each week, this week’s Bieber Award goes to someone who probably isn’t the kind of person you’d want your daughter bringing home. During Louisiana Monroe’s game against Marshall, offensive line coach Cameron Blankenship became so incensed over a player’s performance that he was seen shoving him on the field before other players intervened. Blankenship is in his first year at Louisiana Monroe, and this incident might be his last. It’s unacceptable for a coach to throw hands on a player, especially mid-game. Although the school says he’ll face disciplinary action, Blankenship can start enjoying his new Bieber hardware while awaiting his fate. Honorable mention goes to the dork who tried to get under Jason Kelce's skin at Penn State on Saturday. "You don't tug on Superman's cap.".......

Ginger Award

This week’s Ginger Award goes to the people of North Carolina’s mountain region. They truly are mountain strong. With minimal outside assistance, these folks have banded together to rebuild their communities, relying on each other instead of outside help. They embody resilience, and it was inspiring to see how upbeat everyone was despite the hurricane’s recent devastation. Boone’s people were extraordinarily friendly and happy, and I want to give them a shoutout for their resilient spirit. Here’s to you, Boone, you are this week’s Ginger winner.

Next Up

I may or may not attend a game this coming weekend. If I do, West Florida State in Pensacola, FL—a successful Division II program—might be the destination. Otherwise, I’ll rest up for the final stretch of the regular season.

Happy Tailgating!

 

Week 9 recap- The Final Buff Clap

With #3 nearing her graduation this coming spring, this past weekend marked my final Family Weekend in Boulder, Colorado. It may also have been my last time participating in the Buff Clap, the stadium ritual performed between the 3rd and 4th quarters of a Buffaloes game.

I was joined by Mrs. Tailgate, #1, #2, and my two sons-in-law to celebrate #3’s final Family Weekend at the University of Colorado. On Friday night, we met up with friends at an outdoor brewery and later visited a speakeasy off Pearl Street in downtown Boulder—a perfect warm-up for the following game day in Boulder.

Around town in Boulder

The Buffaloes, led by Coach Deion "Prime" Sanders and his son QB1 Shedeur, faced off against the Cincinnati Bearcats in a Big 12 matchup. The only downside? An 8:15 PM kickoff. Our pregame festivities started around 4:00 at a house known as The Chateau on the Hill. Classic collegiate tailgate games with red cups and ping-pong balls kept us entertained for hours with family and friends.

The Tailgate Family

Pre gaming at the Chateau

As for the game, the Buffaloes took an early lead, thanks to multiple touchdown passes and a rushing score from Shedeur. one touchdown was even called back for taunting. The Bearcats, despite a spirited effort just couldn’t keep up with the the talented skill position players on the CU squad. The Buffaloes won 34-23, notching their sixth win of the season and becoming bowl-eligible. While this is just one milestone, Coach Prime has bigger ambitions, eyeing a Big 12 championship and a potential College Football Playoff spot. As of this writing, the Buffaloes have broken into the Top 25, now ranked at #23—their first appearance in a while.

Perhaps my final visit to Folsom Field

Around The Country
ESPN College Gameday traveled to Bloomington, Indiana, for the first time, celebrating Indiana University’s rise to football prominence with an 7-0 record. Bloomington even declared October 26th "Lee Corso Day." The Hoosiers defeated reigning national champs Washington to secure their eighth victory of the season. If you ask head coach Kurt Cignetti, he “just wins, Google it.”

In other Big Ten action, Ohio State narrowly edged out Nebraska in Columbus, where Coach Ryan Day was spotted fuming on the sidelines and was suspected of kicking a dog again. Down in the SEC, Alabama got back on track with a 34-0 rout of Mizzou. Texas A&M, backed by their eccentric Yell Leaders, might be the hottest team in the SEC right now, winning against LSU by 15 points.

In the ACC, Miami claimed bragging rights in the Sunshine State, beating Florida State and having previously defeated Florida, solidifying them as state champs. In a nail-biter in Durham, SMU squeaked by Duke with a one-point win, 28-27. Out in the Big 12, Kansas State held off in-state rival Kansas in Manhattan. Notre Dame dominated Navy, winning 51-14 in their most impressive game of the year. Friday night saw Boise State take down UNLV in a clash of two of the strongest Group of Five teams, with Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty leading Boise to a 29-24 victory in Las Vegas.

Bieber Award
This week's Bieber Award combines comedy and tragedy. During ESPN College Gameday’s weekly contest, a randomly selected student can win $100,000 by making a 30-yard field goal, cheered on by Pat McAfee. Most students miss the kick, but twice this season, someone has nailed it. However, Saturday’s contestant injured himself during warm-ups in an attempt that left him sliding to the ground in pain, turning him into an instant meme: "6 AM drinking has its hazards." Unable to kick, a replacement stepped in—only to miss the kick as well. Instead of a celebratory $100,000, this student may now be facing medical bills for ACL surgery. On the bright side, he’s also won this week’s Bieber Award.

Ginger Award
In a world where NIL money dominates, it’s refreshing to find a true team-first, country first athlete. Jacksonville State’s QB Tyler Huff exemplifies this spirit. Huff, who transferred from FCS powerhouse Furman, is also a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves. Watching Wednesday night’s game, it was clear that LT Huff’s military discipline translates well on the field. We wish him all the best in both his football and military careers. Keep leading with honor, LT!

Next Up
I’ll head to hurricane stricken Boone, NC, with my high school buddies for our annual outing. The Appalachian State Mountaineers will host Old Dominion in a Sun Belt showdown in the hurricane-battered town.

Happy Tailgating!

 Week 8 Recap: “The Third Week in October”

As I mentioned in last week’s recap, I finally took a weekend off from attending a game. Not that I wasn’t tempted to go to the Sacramento State vs. Weber State game on Saturday night, but instead, I indoctrinated my grandsons into a full day of watching college football on TV while enjoying Mrs. Tailgate’s famous chili.

A Shameless PSA: If you're heading to any college or NFL games this year and want to pregame properly, consider using Tailgate Connect® to take care of you. Use the code DFT24 for a discount.

Our Texas Tailgate greeters!

Around the Country: In the Big Ten, Illinois took the field in retro 1920s uniforms, complete with leather helmets, for their matchup against reigning national champion Michigan. Not only did Illinois pull off a victory, but they trolled Michigan by playing their song Mr. Brightside in the stadium as the win became inevitable. It pains me to see Lincoln Riley and USC lose once again, this time to my home state Maryland Terrapins. That must’ve been a long flight from DC back to Los Angeles for Riley.

Red Grange running over Michigan?

Meanwhile, Indiana is having its best season ever, led by cocky coach Kurt Cignetti and transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke. The Hoosiers absolutely dismantled the up-and-coming Nebraska Cornhuskers 56-7 in Bloomington. Indiana remains undefeated and should crack the Top 10 this week. ESPN College Gameday will be in Bloomington this Saturday morning.

In the SEC, Alabama traveled to Tennessee for the annual "Cigar Game" and came away with another loss in the inhospitable state of Tennessee. Teenage Tennessee fans awkwardly tried to light cigars as part of the victory celebration in the stadium. Over in Austin,TX,  Georgia thoroughly dominated the first half against Texas, going into the locker room with a 23-0 lead. Texas rallied in the third quarter, putting a couple of touchdowns on the board, but despite a controversial overturned call that led to students throwing bottles onto the field, Georgia comfortably prevailed. And yes, I still maintain that Coach Kirby Smart has the most punchable face in college football.

Deep in the hair of Texas......

In the ACC, Miami and Louisville put on a scoring clinic, but Miami ultimately emerged victorious, staying unbeaten. Clemson added another win to their tally with a victory over Virginia in Death Valley, SC.

Big 12 Action: Iowa State hung on in a thriller to beat UCF 38-35. There was some serious Bieber-worthy action in that game, as a player pulled a DeSean Jackson, dropping the ball intentionally before crossing the goal line. Down in the desert, the Sanders family and the Colorado Buffaloes took down Arizona easily, improving to 5-2 and staying in the Big 12 title chase.

Both Army and Navy continued their dominance, each moving to 7-0 on the season. In FCS action, North Dakota State recaptured its past glory, knocking off reigning champs South Dakota State in the Fargodome. Honestly, both of these teams could beat half of the FBS schools.

Bieber Award: In a week full of Bieber-worthy moments—like Tennessee fans struggling with cigars, Texas fans throwing garbage onto the field, and referees making wrong calls—one incident stood out. During the USF vs. UAB game, two members of the USF squad got into a verbal altercation. As they were being separated, USF player Dinnellson Exume decided to go the extra mile and lay hands into his teammate's face. After some pushing and shoving, Exume was led away by his teammates. While I get being frustrated when you’re losing to UAB, fighting with your own teammate mid-game is Bieber-level behavior of the highest order. Exume, whether you were suspended or kicked off the team, take solace in your new bling—this week’s Bieber trophy.

Ginger Award: Wisconsin strength coach Brady Collins vowed that if the Badgers beat Northwestern, he would jump into Lake Michigan. With the water temperature hovering around the mid-50s, Collins made good on his promise after Wisconsin's 23-3 victory. He and some of the team headed straight to the lake to watch him get a frigid baptism. It’s refreshing to see someone follow through on an outrageous promise—unlike the dog crap man at Florida State, who is still missing in action. Congrats, Coach Collins, on earning this week’s badass Ginger Award!

Next Week: My final game at CU Boulder for Parents' Weekend. Mrs. Tailgate, #1, #2, and both sons-in-law will be in tow, likely governing my activities for the weekend.

Happy Tailgating!

Week 7 Recap - Games of the Year

As often happens in my weekend plans, I had to call a few audibles. The original plan was to attend James Madison University’s Thursday night game against Coastal Carolina, complete with some tailgating. Saturday was supposed to take me to the University of Pittsburgh for their game against Cal. However, fate had other plans. My train from New York to Maryland broke down for three hours, so by the time I arrived at my brother's house in Maryland, we barely made it to the JMU game right after kickoff. I’ll get to the game in a moment. Then, on Friday, I came down with a bug, which forced me to cancel my Pittsburgh trip and instead opt for a low-key Division III game near my brother’s house on Saturday.

The last time I visited James Madison University was during my freshman year of college when we played them in rugby. I don’t remember much about that game, but I do recall one of my high school buddies offering up his dorm room for me and a teammate to crash in. Let’s just say it was a mistake—his room was likely condemned after that weekend. Fast forward to today: walking into the stadium, we were blown away by the scene. The stands were nearly full, and it was a white-out. The student section was electric, and ESPN was there to broadcast the game live.

James Madison recently elevated its program from D1AA to D1A and is a member of the Sun Belt Conference. They have done remarkably well at the hihest level of college football and have already built a winning tradition. Unfortunately, the game wasn’t much of a contest. JMU dominated from the start, with their offense running like a well-oiled machine and capitalizing on Coastal’s mistakes. By halftime, JMU was up 29-7.

Festive Bridgeforth Stadium at James Madison University

After a spirited halftime show from JMU’s massive marching band, the students began streaming out of the stadium. By the end of the third quarter, only about 10% of the student section remained. JMU tacked on 10 more points in the second half, while Coastal remained scoreless. Final score: 39-7, in favor of the Dukes.

On Saturday, we attended Division 3 McDaniel College’s game against Muhlenberg College in Westminster, Maryland. McDaniel boasts one of the most unique tailgating setups in the country despite being a small school with only 3,000 students. As you’ll see in the photos, cars pull right up to the field—nestled in a natural bowl—and fans tailgate while watching the game from their cars and tents. They’ve been featured in multiple publications as one of the top 25 tailgates in the country. It was a picturesque early fall afternoon in Maryland with blue skies. However, the campus must’ve been on fall break because there were no students, no band, and no cheerleaders. The game itself was free to attend.

The unique game day experience at McDaniel College with my brothers and nephew.

For me, the highlights of the game were that Muhlenberg had a player named Tommy Donnelly (same as my nephew) and their 6'5" receiver, who dominated the game and looked like he could easily play for a Division I team. Muhlenberg cruised to a 31-7 victory.

Around the Country
In what many are calling the best day of football this season, epic battles played out across the nation. Penn State took on USC in the LA Coliseum in a rematch of the 2017 Rose Bowl, and once again, it was a thriller. The game ended in regulation with a score of 30-30, sending it into overtime. USC faltered in OT, failing to convert, while Penn State nailed a field goal to win 33-30. Lincoln Riley was, as usual, a bit edgy in the post-game presser.

The South Carolina Gamecocks nearly pulled off a monumental upset, falling to Alabama by just two points in Tuscaloosa. In the ABC Game of the Week, Oregon edged Ohio State 32-31. Ohio State QB Will Howard had a massive blunder by running out the clock instead of downing the ball for a field goal attempt. Meanwhile, in Boulder, Deion’s Buffs made a valiant comeback but still lost by three points to Kansas State, 31-28.

In one of the most exciting games of the season, LSU defeated Ole Miss 29-26 in double overtime. Florida also pushed their rival Tennessee to overtime, but ultimately fell 23-17. Illinois needed overtime to beat a struggling Purdue squad, 50-49, in a barn burner.In the game I was supposed to attend, Pitt edged Cal 17-15 to remain unbeaten on the season. In the Group of Five, Army continued its unbeaten streak, moving to 6-0 by demolishing UAB. For the first time in what feels like forever, both Army and Navy are ranked in the Top 25, each undefeated. And in FCS action, rogue reporter DruBaca reports that his alma mater, Cal Poly, is awful and that their coach needs to be fired.

UNR Tailgaters before the big win over Oregon State

Bieber Award
This week’s Bieber could’ve easily gone to my brother Brian for two offenses: first, forgetting to tell us that his wife had packed us a “tailgate in a cooler” with all kinds of goodies until we were already on our way home from the game on Thursday night. And second, offering to cook me breakfast on Sunday but not extending the offer to his wife, who was sitting right next to me. However, since Brian already won a Bieber earlier this year, I’ll let him off the hook. Instead, this week’s Bieber goes to Kirby Smart, the UGA coach with one of the worst haircuts in the country and an extremely punchable face. During Georgia’s closer-than-expected game against Mississippi State, Smart was caught on camera shoving the Mississippi State quarterback after he ran out of bounds. Was it a mistake? Some will say he was not aware of his actions. I say no way. I’ve watched the video a dozen times—it was egregious. He should face repercussions for assaulting a minor. As someone on my Mount Rushmore of most hated coaches, it gives me great pleasure to award him this week’s infamous Bieber Award.

Ginger Award
Nothing “badass” jumps out this week, so the Ginger gets put back in the cupboard.

Next Week
I’m taking a long-overdue weekend off to hang with my family at the West Coast headquarters. In two weeks, I will be back in Boulder for my final family weekend not only for CU, but my last one as a parent forever.

Happy Tailgating!

Week 6 Recap: Upset Saturday

Did I Stay or Did I Go Now?

 As I mentioned last week, I was considering taking a break to get some rest and recovery this weekend. By Friday morning, however, I was itching to attend another game. So, I made the decision not to go to Gainesville but to head to Tallahassee to watch Clemson take on Florida State. In past years, this might have been billed as the ACC matchup of the year, as both teams have enjoyed long periods of success (with a few off years for FSU). This season, Clemson had one loss but was improving, while Florida State was struggling. I was joined by one of my college roommates, Skinny Gallagher, and his lovely wife, who live in Tallahassee.

We popped in and out of several tailgates, spending the most time at the DFNS tailgate, where we enjoyed Guthrie’s chicken tenders and cold Yuengling beer. What’s that? How much did I pay for my ticket to the game? $0, once again. I play the waiting game, and usually, good things happen. 

Tailgating and the Doak

Once inside the stadium (my third time at Doak Campbell), I noticed significant construction underway. The upper half of the west side of the stadium was devoid of seats due to ongoing renovations, part of a massive transformation that’s set to be completed before next season. The fans were fired up, and the Tomahawk Chop and chant were in full force. Chief Osceola threw the spear into the middle of the field before kickoff to a thunderous roar. As for the action on the field, the game was never in doubt. Clemson jumped out to an early lead and maintained control throughout all four quarters, despite Florida State’s attempts to narrow the gap. In my humble opinion, Clemson is good this year, but not one of their best teams (though they do it right, according to my friend Jack). Meanwhile, Florida State just isn’t very good. Although the game didn’t bring the same excitement I had witnessed at previous weekends’ matchups, I give FSU fans props for sticking with their team and staying for most of the game, even when it was clear they wouldn’t come away with the win. Clemson took the W behind an improved QB1, Cade Klubnik, and a stingy defense, with a final score of 29-13. 

Action inside the Doak

Upsets Around the Country Let’s start with the action in Bryan-College Station, Texas. Missouri, ranked No. 9 in the country, traveled to take on Texas A&M. While they were a slight underdog according to the oddsmakers, many expected Missouri to win. However, if you bet on Missouri, you’re not happy today, as they were waxed by the Aggies, 41-10, bringing their rabid fans back down to earth.

 In Seattle, in a rematch of last year’s national championship, the mighty Michigan Wolverines fell to the Huskies of Washington, 27-17. Dixon Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas, was rocking last night after the Hogs knocked off No. 4 Tennessee in a monumental upset. In Minneapolis, the Trojans from USC were knocked down by the Minnesota Gophers, 24-17. 

Two mild upsets also took place: SMU clipped the wings of the Louisville Cardinals in Louisville, and Boston College fell to the Wahoos of Virginia in Charlottesville. However, the biggest upset of all happened in Nashville, where Vanderbilt knocked off Alabama for the first time since 1984. In celebration, students carried the goalpost three miles from campus, down Broadway, and threw it into the Cumberland River. That’s just what you do in Nashville—or maybe throw chairs off rooftop bars for grins. I wouldn’t want to be Kaelan DeBoar today in Tuscaloosa. 

In other action, both Army and Navy remained perfect on the season, going 5-0 and defeating their respective combatants. In the late game featured on ABC, Miami once again slipped by an opponent they were supposed to beat—allegedly with the help of their friends in black and white stripes. ESPN College GameDay was in Berkeley for the first time ever, where it was reported there was a certain haze and smell in the air that had never been experienced at an ESPN GameDay before. In D2 action, the mighty Bobcats from Frostburg State improved to 5-0 by mauling West Virginia Wesleyan. 

Top L -clockwise - Mahoney's cheering on the U, Ziesings at the Blue, Andy Reid at Penn State, Buckleys at South Carolina

Bieber Award - In a week with good behavior and no Darwinism events, we have no awardee for the first time in a while. 

Ginger Award - This week’s Ginger Award goes to my buddy, Chris Desimone, one of the Dons of Danville. Last week, while Hurricane Helene was trashing the Southeast, Chris was the only one of my crew from California who made it in for the Alabama-Georgia game. As if that feat wasn’t impressive enough, I received a FaceTime from him yesterday morning, and he was at ESPN College GameDay in Berkeley at 7:00 a.m.! Mind you, if you’ve ever seen Back to School with Rodney Dangerfield, Chris was a dead ringer for Rodney, looking like the oldest student in the crowd. He even took a page out of my book, crashing a GameDay hospitality tent and rubbing elbows with some big names. When interviewed by local news and asked why he was there, Chris said he thought he was at an ANTIFA rally and was promised free donuts for participating. At Chris’s advanced age, he didn’t stick around for the night game but instead went home and took successive power naps throughout the day. Regardless, I’m proud he showed up to represent and teach the young kids how to stay vigorous. Next time I’m back in Cali, Chris, I’ll personally present you with your very own Ginger Award. Congratulations, old friend. 

"You my boy Blue"

Next Up - On Thursday night, I’ll head to Harrisonburg, VA, to watch the undefeated, “Group of Five” darling, James Madison, host Coastal Carolina. On Saturday, I’ll make my way to the Rust Belt city of Pittsburgh to watch the Pitt Panthers take on the Cal Bears. Happy Tailgating!

Week 5 Recap: Dixieland Delight Indeed!

As predicted, Hurricane Helene threw a wrench in our plans last weekend. The Dons of Danville were supposed to fly into the Redneck Riviera on Thursday for some beach time before heading up to Tuscaloosa for the Alabama vs. Georgia showdown. Unfortunately, Panama City Beach airport shut down all incoming flights that day, leaving the crew scrambling. Only one Don, Chris DeSimone, managed to fly directly into Birmingham on Friday. So, I made the call and drove up to Birmingham for the night, where we grabbed dinner at Saw's Juke Joint and enjoyed some stellar barbecue. My prayers are with those affected by the storm especially in the North Carolina mountains and Eastern Tennessee.

Saturday started early. I needed to be on campus at the University of Alabama by 9:00 a.m. for my live interview at 9:45 a.m. on Sirius XM Radio's Jimmy Mack Show, channel 146, broadcasting from our tailgate. Afterward, we strolled over to catch a bit of ESPN College GameDay. Terry Saban, Nick's wife and a revered figure among the Crimson Tide faithful, was the guest picker.

Dan on the Jimmy Mac Show, Joe and Dan repping Tailgate Connect!

Back at the B.U.T.T. tailgate, hosted by Randy Darby, we welcomed over 100 guests through Tailgate Connect®. The food, catered by Shelly’s Kitchen, was phenomenal—baked chicken, loaded potatoes, buffalo chicken dip, green beans, and an assortment of beers and cocktails. The DJ kept the energy high, and the people-watching was top-notch as tens of thousands passed by, many stopping to dance to the tunes. The campus buzz was as electric as I've ever felt, with anticipation through the roof for both teams.

The B.U.T.T. and the Goodyear blimp in the sky

Brad showing the horse soldier bourbon, Randy Darby the Legend, Butch Ferguson, played for the Bear.

Best ESPN Gameday sign, the gate in full swing, the fellas taking in the ESPN scene.

People keep asking, "How much did I pay for my game ticket?" Well, let’s just say, knowing someone like my good friend Alabama Al helps. What would’ve cost $500-$600 on the open market, we snagged for $200 each—Row 16, 20-yard line behind the Alabama bench. And the perks didn’t stop there. We had a front-row view of Hank Williams Jr., Kid Rock, John Daly, as they were in front of us for the 2nd quarter on the Bama sideline. Even  former President Donald J. Trump was in attendance for this epic game. The security presence was intense, with Secret Service agents seemingly everywhere.

The F18 flyover, the flight crew, Hank Jr. and all his rowdy friends!

As for the game, well, what a rollercoaster! Alabama dominated the first half, jumping out to a 28-0 lead, leaving many viewers assuming it would be a blowout. Jalen Milroe was unstoppable, and his favorite target, 17-year-old phenom Ryan Williams, looked “uncoverable.” But Georgia, under Coach Kirby Smart, made all the right halftime adjustments. Carson Beck, who struggled in the first half, came alive, leading the Dawgs to three second-half touchdowns. Georgia cut the lead to 34-28 and even took a one-point lead late in the game.

Battle in the trenches, the crew, Lt. Dan and Forest reunite, the celebs.

However, Milroe and Williams had one more trick up their sleeve. Williams broke away for a stunning go-ahead touchdown, leaving Georgia with less than two minutes to mount a final drive. That drive ended with an interception in the end zone, securing Alabama’s victory in what’s already being called an instant classic. We managed to beat the traffic and headed back to our hotel in Birmingham, high on the adrenaline of such an epic day.

Around the Country
Friday night delivered two big games. Virginia Tech got robbed in the final seconds of their game against Miami, with a controversial reversal of a Hail Mary touchdown that many believe was ACC interference to preserve Miami’s playoff hopes. On the same night, Rutgers knocked off Washington, going 4-0 for the first time in my lifetime. The biggest upset came when Kentucky stunned Ole Miss, thanks to a botched field goal. Arizona shocked Utah in Salt Lake City, and Oklahoma squeaked by Auburn despite lacking much offense. Meanwhile, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty continued to put up video game-like stats in their win over Washington State.

In FCS action, Montana beat Eastern Washington in a thriller on the “red inferno,” and in D2 action, Frostburg State improved to 4-0.

Bieber Award
Plenty of candidates for this week’s Bieber Award—Hurricane Helene, the ACC’s bad call, or even me for forgetting to mention Mrs. Tailgate during my Sirius/XM interview—but none come close to what former UNLV QB1 Matthew Sluka did. After leading UNLV to a 3-0 start, Sluka demanded $100,000 in NIL money, allegedly promised to him. When UNLV refused, Sluka quit on his team midseason. The slippery slope in the world of NIL that Sluka possibly has created will have effects that are far-reaching for a long time unless guardrails are put in place ASAP. Poetic justice was served when UNLV’s backup led them to victory on Saturday. Congratulations, Sluka—you’ve earned this week’s Bieber Award. Enjoy your new Bieber hardware, because it’s probably the last trophy you’ll see in your college career.

Ginger Award
This week’s Ginger Award goes to The Final Mile, a charity that supports truck drivers and their families during times of need, especially when a driver passes away far from home. Two gentlemen from the organization, Randy Dye and Brad Bentley, were part of the 25-person group from the truck driving industry attending the B.U.T.T. tailgate. We ran a raffle Saturday to help raise money for The Final Mile. Please consider visiting their website and making a donation: The Final Mile. This is one badass organization.

Next Up
After six straight weekends of games, I’m seriously considering taking a breather. October is going to be packed with travel, and I might need to recharge. That said, if I can be persuaded, I could be tempted to drive to Gainesville, Florida, for Saturday night’s Gators vs. UCF showdown. What do you think? Should I take the weekend off, or keep the streak alive?

Happy tailgating!

 We Coming… Part Two: Back to Boulder

And so back to Boulder I went! This time, for my final Dad’s weekend to hang out with my beautiful #3 and her crew of Buffs. Sko Buffs! I’ve written so much about Colorado over the years that it’s tough to add anything new, other than to say that the stadium, campus, and flatiron mountain backdrop are perhaps the most beautiful in all of college football. This Saturday was no different, with another great late-summer day in the high altitude of Boulder, CO.

Beautiful setting with my beautiful daughter!

True to form, I played my usual waiting game on tickets (which is a strong strategy, by the way). I snagged two tickets for me and my stepbrother, Brennan Huff, at just $83 each—before fees. No one else got their tickets for that price! Stick with me on game day, kids. I know what I’m doing.

Pregame Festivities

The pregame was hosted at  the house known as “The Chateau” on the Hill just off campus. The spread featured three types of homemade dips, chips, crackers,chocolate chip cookies with a football in the middle,  cold beer, seltzers, and gold Jell-O shots. Plenty of collegiate activities took place, including beer pong and cornhole—played by both the kids and the overgrown kids. Many people I have met over the three plus years # 3 has attended CU Boulder popped in and out throughout the day making it a very special event. After four solid hours of pre-gaming, we made the ¾-mile walk to Folsom Field to watch the Buffs take on the Baylor Bears. With Colorado now back in the Big 12, this renewed rivalry had some extra spice to it.

Clockwise top L-R - Don't challenge a pro, blurred vision, elder abuse, Pual Newman and his G-daughter and  me and #3

The Core Four and their dads! 

On the Gridiron

The first half was a back-and-forth affair in a light drizzle. Buffs QB1, Shedeur Sanders, was running for his life as the Colorado O-line resembled the French defense in WWII. On both sides of the ball, Travis Hunter played like an All-World talent, boosting his case for a Heisman invite. Despite Hunter’s heroics, Baylor went into halftime with a 24-17 lead and plenty of momentum.

In the third quarter, Colorado tied the game, only to surrender another Baylor touchdown. With the Bears up 31-24 and only two seconds left in the game,  Shedeur unleashed a 43-yard Hail Mary to LaJohntay Wester, sending the game into OT. It felt like a flashback to Doug Flutie’s famous 1984 Hail Mary against Miami.

In OT, the Buffs scored on their first possession. Baylor had a chance to answer, but on the 2-yard line, the Bears' runner fumbled the ball through the back of the end zone. Game over! The students rushed the field before security could stop them.The play was under review which temporarily stymied the celebration. Once confirmed, the security team in yellow was trampled! The heavy drizzle felt refreshing in one of the most thrilling finishes I’ve seen live.

Clockwise top L-R- The gang, the first field storming, Dale Doback and Brennan Huff, best jacket ever!

Around the Country

• ESPN College GameDay was in Norman, OK, for Oklahoma’s first SEC game against Tennessee. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel was QB1 for the Sooners back in 2000 when they won their last National championship. He also was their offensive coordinator a decade ago and was fired and replaced by the traitorous Lincoln Riley. I am sure internally he felt like he had a lot to prove coming back to Norman for the first time since then. The Sooners looked awful on offense, and QB1 Jackson Arnold was benched midway through. Tennessee walked away with a 25-15 win that didn’t even feel that close.

• The aforementioned Lincoln Riley’s Big Ten debut with the USC Trojans was knocked down a peg, losing to Michigan in the Big House. This matchup used to only happen in an occasional Rose Bowl.

• In a heavyweight Big 12 matchup, Utah impressed on the road with a big win over Oklahoma State in Stillwater, OK.

• In Baton Rouge, the Tigers did the mauling on the Bruins, winning by two touchdowns.

• Clemson and Miami dominated NC State and USF in the ACC in respective beatdowns.

• Navy shocked the Group of Five darlings Memphis with a drubbing in Annapolis.

• In the wildest scoreline of the week, James Madison beat UNC 70-50 in what looked more like a basketball game.

• Don't look now, but both Florida and Florida state scored wins this weekend cooling down those red hot seats for both of their coaches for the time being.

• FCS powerhouse North Dakota State handled Towson with a 41-20 victory.

Bieber of the Week

Last week’s Bieber Award went to the guy who ran out of gas. This week, we have a new awardee. During the third quarter of the Colorado-Baylor game, I saw a blur out of the corner of my eye, as a very intoxicated young lady shot down the steps near our seats like a cannon clown at a circus.. She failed to navigate the stairs, careening down them like a cannonball, before bouncing off the metal bleachers with a nasty thud. As people rushed to help, all she could say was, “Where’s my cell phone?” No doubt, she was trying to text while walking down steep, wet steps. Congratulations, unknown drunk girl, you may have incurred a concussion but at least you’ve earned this week’s Bieber Award!

Ginger of the Week

After last week’s Bieber fiasco, I’m redeeming myself with the Ginger Award for my ticket-buying prowess. Through six games this year, I’ve paid a grand total of $120! Prior to this Colorado game, I had 5 games for $37. My secret is playing the waiting game and scoring deals. Anytime I have pulled the trigger too early, I have been burned. If you recall, last year, Mrs. Tailgate earned the Bieber Award for buying tickets way too early! Now I am going to be in the doghouse again.

Next Week

The Dons of Danville, along with our token Scotsman, are headed to the Shack near 30A for some pre-gaming before making the trek to Tuscaloosa for the Georgia vs. Alabama showdown. Hangover cure has been shipped in bulk to my house as a preventative measure. There’s also  Hurricane Helene brewing in the Gulf that may impact our plans, so stay tuned for updates.

Happy Tailgating!