Week 2 DFT: Double Header Death March Down South

Greetings DFT Nation! I hope everyone enjoyed another thrilling weekend of college football action. For reasons I still don't fully understand, I decided it would be a good idea to tackle not one, but two college games in a single day, both down in South Florida. The main event was my first-ever visit to Florida International University (FIU) at the newly renamed Pitbull Stadium, where FIU hosted Central Michigan. Kickoff was at 6:00 PM in Miami.

The bonus game for me was Army at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton. This was my second time at FAU in just over a year. Whoever thought it was a good idea to have a noon kickoff in South Florida in September clearly needs their head checked. Nonetheless, I was joined by my trusty game day companions, long time buddies Sparky and Ouzie. We set up a poor man’s tailgate under a giant banyan tree in the parking lot, with a simple but delicious spread of Publix subs aka “Pub Subs” and Yuengling beer. The temperature was in the low 90s outside of the stadium and over 100 inside, with off-the-charts humidity. We saw fans bailing on the game before the opening kickoff!

Los Tres Amigos

Once inside, it was clear we wouldn’t last long. After Army took a 14-7 lead at halftime, it looked like they had the game in hand. Sure enough, the Caissons went rolling along to a 24-7 victory over FAU. When Ouzie started getting woozy from the heat, we knew it was time to bail. We retreated to the hotel pool for a cool-down session and to catch some games on TV.

Even my phone camera was steamy!

After cooling off, Sparky and I (absent the aforementioned woozie Ouzie) made the 45-minute drive down to FIU’s beautiful campus. FIU is part of Conference USA, and Pitbull Stadium (recently named after the rapper) seats exactly 20,000. It’s a perfect enclosed lower-bowl stadium with room to expand. We didn’t have time for a proper tailgate, but I was impressed with the energy in the tailgating lot and the Greek houses all had tents in the common next to the stadium, where students were tailgating in full force. 

FIU’s head coach is Mike McIntyre, known for reviving struggling programs at San Jose State and Colorado. The Panthers jumped out early and often against Central Michigan, taking a commanding 28-8 lead into halftime. The marching band, though small, brought great energy, but I could have done with less piped-in music, which takes away from the college football atmosphere.

The highlight of the game came in the 3rd quarter during a video board look-alike contest. They showed a picture of Pitbull on the board, then panned the crowd to reveal the real Pitbull, wearing his signature white blazer in the stands. I thought for sure with my bald head and suave and debonair aura about me, that I would have won that look alike contest. In the second half,  FIU kept pouring it on, winning 52-16, sending the Chippewas on their own "Trail of Tears" back to Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

Action from Pitbull Stadium

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Around the Country:

First, I must apologize for missing Boston College’s upset of Florida State last Monday night in last week's write-up. By the time that game was being played, I had already published last week’s recap. On Saturday, Texas steamrolled Michigan in the Big House, leaving Big Blue feeling blue. There was no luck of the Irish as Notre Dame suffered the shock of the season, falling to Northern Illinois 16-14 in South Bend. They are now known as” NIU owe me $1.5 million” for allowing me to whip your ass on your home field in a guarantee game. Iowa State edged Iowa on a game-winning field goal to secure the Cy-Hawk Trophy. Boise State pushed highly ranked Oregon to the limit but came up short in a 37-34 thriller. Oklahoma State survived a double-overtime slugfest against Arkansas, winning 39-31. The Cal Berkeley hippies upset the good ole boys from Auburn in a stunner down on the plains. Lastly, Deion and the Colorado Buffaloes got ruled by Matt Rhule and the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a rematch of last year's game. Both of his coveted sons were injured in the contest and the huskers shucked the buffs in a big way. Be careful what you say to create future bulletin board material there coach!

Navy Dog and his G daughter

Frank and Friend of Frank at Rutgers

The Eagle Tailgaters raising a toast to BC

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Bieber Award:

We had plenty of worthy contenders this week! We could nominate whoever scheduled FAU’s noon game, which was brutal in the South Florida heat. Then there were reported freeloaders at a Navy tailgate, who ate and drank without offering so much as a shekel. But the biggest Bieber goes to DirecTV and Disney. Due to their squabbling over carriage terms, millions of people have been without ESPN or ABC for nine days. I know the back-and-forth involved in these negotiations from my years in the industry, and this standoff reeks of stubbornness and arrogance on both sides. This fiasco personally affected me when I couldn’t watch the late games at my hotel because they use DirecTV. So, for being the first-ever dual Bieber Award recipients, congratulations, DirecTV and Disney! Maybe this will be the nudge you need to settle things.

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Ginger Award:

Love him or hate him, it’s hard to argue against Nick Saban being the greatest college football coach of all time. He’s had success everywhere, from LSU where he won a national championship, Michigan State where he made the spartans relevant again, and of course, at Alabama winning 6 national championships. Last year, I had the privilege of seeing him coach one of his last games at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and this Saturday, Alabama honored him by naming the field after him during the game against USF which they won. Coach Saban, you’re a legend, and now, you’ve earned the Ginger Award as well for being a badass in the world of college football.

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Next Week:

Mrs. Tailgate and I are heading to Greenville, North Carolina, to meet up with my siblings where East Carolina University will host Appalachian State. It’s the battle of the coastal vs. mountain regions of North Carolina, we’ll be tailgating and taking in all the game day action as I am told that Greenville rolls out the purple carpet on game weekends. Also, don’t forget if you are looking for a tailgate on your travels, be sure to check out https://www.tailgateconnect.com/ 

Happy tailgating!