Week 2 - God Bless America

On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, it was rewarding to see the tributes across the college football landscape commemorating the tragic events of 9/11/2001. In a nation that often seems divided, for the most part we all come together on this hallowed, somber occasion.

Once again, I was kept off the active roster due to my slower-than-expected recovery from last month's total knee replacement. I did not make it to the local JUCO game to see the 47-year-old player on the visiting team. That being said, I filled the void in my life by watching ample action on the big screen from Thursday at 4 PM Pacific until midnight Pacific on Saturday, including a Friday night pizza watch party at HQ with family. My sister-in-law was visiting from Maryland, and I forced her to sit and watch Saturday's action with me. She immediately became a Ginger candidate for that heroic effort.

Ginger Candidate

Around the Country

Perhaps the biggest shocker of the weekend took place in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The number two team in the country, the Oregon Ducks, traveled to Stillwater for what appeared on paper to be an easy victory, seeing as the Cowpokes had been defeated the previous week by the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. However, first-year coach Eric Morris of Oklahoma State dialed up an amazing game plan in all facets of the game. Oklahoma State ended the day on top 39-31.

In a personally disappointing outcome for me, the number 11 Oklahoma Sooners traveled to Michigan for what also appeared to be an easy victory after Michigan had been awarded a win the previous week against Western Michigan. Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham clearly outcoached Oklahoma and stifled their offense all afternoon, resulting in a 17-10 win in the Big House.

In one of the greatest comebacks of the year, deep in the heart of Texas, the Texas Longhorns found themselves down 23-3 to the Ohio State Buckeyes at the start of the fourth quarter. Ohio State clearly looked like the best team in the country for almost three quarters. And then something happened. Arch Manning and the Texas offense woke up, and some critical mistakes by that dog-kicking coach Ryan Day allowed Texas to come all the way back and take a one-point lead with less than 30 seconds left. The Longhorns won 24-23. All right...all right ...all right!

Tailgate Connect's Texas Tailgate in action!

Maybe why they ....um....choked?

In the annual Cy-Hawk game in the state of Iowa, the Iowa Hawkeyes narrowly defeated the Iowa State Cyclones 16-13. It is nice to see the stability Iowa has with Kirk Ferentz in his 28th season as the head ball coach for the Hawkeyes.

The Cal Bears traveled to the Dome in Syracuse and delivered new coach Tosh Lupoi his first victory as Cal's head honcho. Cal played a physical game that has not been seen in those blue and gold uniforms in some time. They repeatedly put hard hits on former Notre Dame QB Steve Angeli and escaped the 'Cuse with a 21-18 win.

The reigning FCS champion Montana State Bobcats traveled to Reno, Nevada, and knocked off the FBS Nevada Wolf Pack 20-7.

Two ex Cal Poly players pre gaming at SJSU

Bieber & Ginger Awards

In an unprecedented announcement, for the first time ever the same incident will be awarded both the Bieber and Ginger Awards. I must clarify that there are two sides to this one. The incident took place when Oklahoma State knocked off the mighty Ducks of Oregon in Stillwater. After the game the fans stormed the field, which I absolutely love. It is part of college football and should never be quelled. In addition to storming the field, they tore the goal posts down, carried them from the stadium to Theta Pond on campus and dumped them in. Good job, students. In my view that is exactly what you should do after a monumental victory. Therefore, you students who participated win my Ginger Award for your heroic efforts.

On the other side of the coin, the Big 12, in its infinite wisdom, decided to fine Oklahoma State $50,000 for not adhering to the no-storming-the-field rule it has implemented. That would be all well and good, except the Big 12 has not been consistent in this ruling, handing out fines to some schools while letting others slide for the exact same infraction. Because the powers that be at the Big 12 first wanted to dampen some fun, and then did it inconsistently, they can now hug their new Bieber Trophy, which will sit in the foyer of Big 12 headquarters.

Chaos in Stillwater!

Next Up

I had organized the big Danville DFT trip to South Bend for the weekend. Due to not being cleared by the DFT team physicians, I unfortunately have to miss the trip and the other upcoming games over the next few weekends. In fact, there is a very good chance I will not make it to a live game for five more weeks, when we go to Stillwater for Mrs. Tailgate's homecoming weekend. Maybe they will throw me in the Theta pond for my punishment if missing 1/2 the season!

Happy Tailgating!