Well, here we are everyone! College football officially starts this week and I find myself gearing up for the first tailgate of the year. I've tailgated in some of the best places, for some of the best games......
Grove City High School parking lot
MCI center parking lot (Yeah, my dad and I tailgated for the Bon Jovi concert)
VT's Derring Lot
VT's Cassell Lot
VT's Stadium Lot
Harrell Street (Blacksburg, VA)
TOTS (Blacksburg, VA)
Lane Ave. lot (I'm pretty sure this isn't actually a parking lot in Columbus, but we made it one....)
Shottenstein Center (Columbus, Ohio)
The VC (Columbus, Ohio)
Midlothian High School parking lot
Stool Pigeons
My parents' driveway
Temple
Explorer of the Seas (the best cruise ship ever threw a solid "tailgate" for the VT/Auburn bowl game in 2005)
And many others.....
Take it from me, you don't need a parking lot and tickets to the game to throw down for your favorite football game. All you really need is good friends, good food and a good chair! I think we all have at least one tailgate that could go down in the College Football hall of fame. The one you'll always remember...for me, it's easily tailgating with my best friends in the Derring Lot for the Thursday night VT/Texas Tech game when Hurricane Isabelle came to town.
Tell me yours!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
It's my blog and I'll cry if I want to
I'm pretty much planning on being roughly 93% unbiased to my love/obsession with the "Hokeyes," but it's my blog and I'll cry if I want to, and I just have to say......
WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY???????????????????
WHY DARREN EVANS???????????????????????????
My obsession with Darren officially began last year when Tech played in the Orange Bowl and he ran for 153 yards and received the MVP award. I was sitting in my parents' living room screaming on the top of my lungs for my new favorite player, and looking at the bright future of the young VT team. Things looked so bright.
Sports Illustrated comes out today with their rankings, putting Virginia Tech in the #5 slot. You know things are bad when Aaron Gilcrest from Richmond's NBC offiliate starts talking sports on the morning news.
Thanks Aaron. Thanks for ruining Sharyn's birthday with this depressing news.
Hang in there Darren, I'm going to hold out for a miracle.
WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY???????????????????
WHY DARREN EVANS???????????????????????????
My obsession with Darren officially began last year when Tech played in the Orange Bowl and he ran for 153 yards and received the MVP award. I was sitting in my parents' living room screaming on the top of my lungs for my new favorite player, and looking at the bright future of the young VT team. Things looked so bright.
Sports Illustrated comes out today with their rankings, putting Virginia Tech in the #5 slot. You know things are bad when Aaron Gilcrest from Richmond's NBC offiliate starts talking sports on the morning news.
Thanks Aaron. Thanks for ruining Sharyn's birthday with this depressing news.
Hang in there Darren, I'm going to hold out for a miracle.
Friday, August 7, 2009
USA Today 2009 Top 10
USA Today released their pre-season Top 10 rankings this morning. I walked into the office this morning with the paper sitting on my desk in place of my laptop. My co-workers know me so well!
Here's the breakdown for those of you that didn't stay in a Hampton Inn last night and wake up to your free USA Today:
10. Old Miss - I know I'm an EXPERT at College Football...but I'm a little stumped by this one. Stumped and Curious. Whatever, Congratulations Rebels.
9. LSU - an SEC powerhouse with a stadium that I'm actually too scared to go to, and a coach I'm afraid of, they have a ton of returning players...but I think that guy with the long, black, frizzy hair is finally gone. Thank goodness, he's scary!
8. Penn State - Penn State had a bang up season last year and I'm happy to see them ranked in the top 10. Lots of returning players and a returning coach that I'm convinced is going to coach until he dies or wins a National Championship, whichever one comes first, should be an interesting season.
7. Virginia Tech - MY boys. In the Top 10. Tyrod Taylor and his little 'stash on the road to the top. I won't lie...I'm scared. It's not that I don't belive in my team. It's just that for 3 defeating seasons of my college career, the Hokies started the season in the top 10...and then adopted the embarassing nickname, the "Chokies" I'm sitting quiet, but ECSTATIC, on this one. The young team is growing up!
6. Ohio State - Sitting pretty at #6. We all know that September 12 will define the season for the Buckeyes. They've broken my heart too many times in the past few years. I will sit quietly on this one as well.
5. Alabama - (Ignore what I said in the posting for #7 - I plead the 5th) The Tide should be prepared to move out of this position when they meet the terrifying Fighting Goblers on September 2 in the Georgia Dome. Tech will roll over this Tide, right into a top 5 position.
4. USC - The Trojans have had a solid season for the past few years, hitting up the Rose Bowl but missing the Championship for the last 4 years. September 12 is just as important to them as it is to the Buckeyes and will have a huge effect on the rest of their season. I just hope they're so worried about the 12th that they bomb on Sept. 5 opening to San Jose State.
3. Oklahoma - 08 Heisman Trophy Winner Sam Bradford returns with the Sooners in hopes of stumping their hated rivals, the Longhorns, and return to the Championship game. 2 years in a row of National Championship games with Oklahoma vs. Florida. Who do these people think they are, the Buckeyes?
2. Texas - Oh Texas. Oh Colt McCoy, please continue being wonderful so I can drool over you as you win the Heisman Trophy this year. Oh sorry, I need to focus - the Longhons look to have a great season this year with all of Texas doing that "hook 'em horns" thing with their hands. I mean, I'll be doing it too if it means I get to watch my 2009 football crush on TV.
1. Florida - Hmmm, the Gators....my BEST friends. Okay, okay...they're really good. They're in "the best conference" they have a Heisman Trophy winner looking for his second (don't get me STARTED!) Ugh, too perfect for words.................................
Here's the breakdown for those of you that didn't stay in a Hampton Inn last night and wake up to your free USA Today:
10. Old Miss - I know I'm an EXPERT at College Football...but I'm a little stumped by this one. Stumped and Curious. Whatever, Congratulations Rebels.
9. LSU - an SEC powerhouse with a stadium that I'm actually too scared to go to, and a coach I'm afraid of, they have a ton of returning players...but I think that guy with the long, black, frizzy hair is finally gone. Thank goodness, he's scary!
8. Penn State - Penn State had a bang up season last year and I'm happy to see them ranked in the top 10. Lots of returning players and a returning coach that I'm convinced is going to coach until he dies or wins a National Championship, whichever one comes first, should be an interesting season.
7. Virginia Tech - MY boys. In the Top 10. Tyrod Taylor and his little 'stash on the road to the top. I won't lie...I'm scared. It's not that I don't belive in my team. It's just that for 3 defeating seasons of my college career, the Hokies started the season in the top 10...and then adopted the embarassing nickname, the "Chokies" I'm sitting quiet, but ECSTATIC, on this one. The young team is growing up!
6. Ohio State - Sitting pretty at #6. We all know that September 12 will define the season for the Buckeyes. They've broken my heart too many times in the past few years. I will sit quietly on this one as well.
5. Alabama - (Ignore what I said in the posting for #7 - I plead the 5th) The Tide should be prepared to move out of this position when they meet the terrifying Fighting Goblers on September 2 in the Georgia Dome. Tech will roll over this Tide, right into a top 5 position.
4. USC - The Trojans have had a solid season for the past few years, hitting up the Rose Bowl but missing the Championship for the last 4 years. September 12 is just as important to them as it is to the Buckeyes and will have a huge effect on the rest of their season. I just hope they're so worried about the 12th that they bomb on Sept. 5 opening to San Jose State.
3. Oklahoma - 08 Heisman Trophy Winner Sam Bradford returns with the Sooners in hopes of stumping their hated rivals, the Longhorns, and return to the Championship game. 2 years in a row of National Championship games with Oklahoma vs. Florida. Who do these people think they are, the Buckeyes?
2. Texas - Oh Texas. Oh Colt McCoy, please continue being wonderful so I can drool over you as you win the Heisman Trophy this year. Oh sorry, I need to focus - the Longhons look to have a great season this year with all of Texas doing that "hook 'em horns" thing with their hands. I mean, I'll be doing it too if it means I get to watch my 2009 football crush on TV.
1. Florida - Hmmm, the Gators....my BEST friends. Okay, okay...they're really good. They're in "the best conference" they have a Heisman Trophy winner looking for his second (don't get me STARTED!) Ugh, too perfect for words.................................
Thursday, May 14, 2009
"It's Gameday..."
Every year around this time, I get that old familiar feeling of excitement. It's true, I'm really excited about vacation at the beach (2 weeks from today I'll be sipping my morning mimosa) but that's not exactly what I mean.
I'm talking about the feeling of college football season starting right around the corner. There is nothing else like college football season. You can feel it coming. The summer winds down and leaves start to color and fall. Tailgates, Face Tattoos, silly chants in the stands, Script-Ohio in your living room...there's something for everyone!
I hope you'll join me this fall as I take you through the 2009 College Football season. Each week I'll offer you game predictions, Thursday and Saturday game recaps, Games of the week, Players of the week, my take on that weeks' rankings, the Heisman trophy outlook, how to throw the perfect tailgate...and everything else I love about the season.
For now, I'll leave you with my* list of the top 10 College football games of all time. Tell me yours!
10. Appalachia State vs. Michigan (2007) You can't have a list of greatest college football games without "one of the biggest upsets in the history of American Sports." Michigan started the 2007 season with a plan on taking the Big Ten, a possible Heisman Trophy and a straight shot to the National Championship. 4 quarters later, they found themselves upset, in The Big House, by App. State. Ouch!
9. Notre Dame vs. Georgia Tech (1985) Many of you may be looking at this asking yourself, "wait, WHAT game was this?" I have 3 words for you: Rudy. Rudy. Rudy. No one remembers a single thing about this game except what they've seen in the best college football movie of all time, "Rudy." The greatest underdog, worked his way to the top of his game and with the final seconds ticking down on the clock, the entire Notre Dame stadium starts chanting "Rudy...Rudy...Rudy....Rudy" to get him on the field as an "official" player for the Fighting Irish. Go ahead, grab a tissue. THIS is a great moment in college football history.
8. Georgia vs. Florida (1980) Yes, I could pretty much put any match-up of "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" on this list. But a consistent favorite is the 1980 game also known as "Run, Lindsay, Run!" Georgia kept their hope for the National Championship alive with a win against their hated rivals, Florida - and you all KNOW how I feel about Florida...Then again you could also put the 2007 game in the #8 spot, where the Georgia coach ordered his team to draw an excessive celebration penalty after their first touchdown or they would be subject to extra conditioning drills. You can't make this stuff up, people!
7. Virginia Tech vs. Virginia (2004) After losing to UVA in 2003 after dominating the Commonwealth Cup for 4-straight years, the Cavaliers came to Blacksburg on a wintery November day for my last game in Lane Stadium. The first time the teams would compete for the cup in the same conference, this game also would decide the fate of the ACC championship that year. UVA scored first, but the Hokies took charge and never looked back. (And I was somewhere crying in the stands refusing to believe my last season was coming to an end...)
6. Boston College vs. Miami (1984) The "Hail Flutie" game. I won't lie, I didn't know much about this game, but it consistently was showing up on lists of the greatest games. But give me a "Hail Mary" pass that wins the game and the Miami Hurricanes on the losing end of the score board, and I'm sold!
5. Auburn vs. Alabama (1972) Another one of the biggest rivalries, this game is a great one year after year. But with Auburn trailing 16-3 and returning 2 blocked punts for touchdowns to win 17-16....something tells me they were playing a little "Sittin' on the dock of the bay, watching the Tide Roll awayyyyyyyyyyy"
4. Stanford vs. Cal (1982) There's nothing more embarassing than an overconfident group of student fans chanting "ov-er-ra-ted" at the beginning of the third quarter to then go on and lose the game. Oh wait! Yes there is! Your entire marching band standing on the field ready to rush it in a Victory Celebration and the losing team throws a now-famous series of lateral passes that gets them into the endzone and 7 more points on the scoreboard for the win. Ooops! This one is a CLASSIC!
3. Texas vs. USC (2006 National Championship) The first time 2 Heisman trophy winners played in a National Championship, the hype for this game wouldn't quit!.Down to the last 30 seconds, Vince Young came out as the superstar that he is and Texas beats USC. I went to bed with 1 minute left in the game...Lesson learned. Hook 'em Horns!
2. Oklahoma vs. Boise State (2007) Although I have blocked the 2007 Bowl Championship Series completely from my brain, you can't argue against the Boise State broncos trick-playing the Sooners on 4th-and-18 with 7 seconds left in the game throwing it into OT. Boise State comes out on top, and let's be honest, we all wanted an invite to the wedding when Tailback Ian Johnson dropped to his knees at the end of the game and proposed to his cheerleader girlfriend.
1. Ohio State vs. Miami (2004 National Championship) Give me a break. OF COURSE this is number 1. Tripple overtime, potential paralysis of a player, the Buckeyes out on top. I'll never forget watching this game and the feeling of "winning" a National Championship. I could watch this game over and over again (and if YOU ever feel the need to re-watch, I happen to be related to someone who owns the DVD of the game)
*Legal Disclaimer: This list was compiled based on personal research, personal feelings and with the many consultants of this blog. I by no means imply that these are the ONLY games worth mentioning and want to hear from you as well.
I'm talking about the feeling of college football season starting right around the corner. There is nothing else like college football season. You can feel it coming. The summer winds down and leaves start to color and fall. Tailgates, Face Tattoos, silly chants in the stands, Script-Ohio in your living room...there's something for everyone!
I hope you'll join me this fall as I take you through the 2009 College Football season. Each week I'll offer you game predictions, Thursday and Saturday game recaps, Games of the week, Players of the week, my take on that weeks' rankings, the Heisman trophy outlook, how to throw the perfect tailgate...and everything else I love about the season.
For now, I'll leave you with my* list of the top 10 College football games of all time. Tell me yours!
10. Appalachia State vs. Michigan (2007) You can't have a list of greatest college football games without "one of the biggest upsets in the history of American Sports." Michigan started the 2007 season with a plan on taking the Big Ten, a possible Heisman Trophy and a straight shot to the National Championship. 4 quarters later, they found themselves upset, in The Big House, by App. State. Ouch!
9. Notre Dame vs. Georgia Tech (1985) Many of you may be looking at this asking yourself, "wait, WHAT game was this?" I have 3 words for you: Rudy. Rudy. Rudy. No one remembers a single thing about this game except what they've seen in the best college football movie of all time, "Rudy." The greatest underdog, worked his way to the top of his game and with the final seconds ticking down on the clock, the entire Notre Dame stadium starts chanting "Rudy...Rudy...Rudy....Rudy" to get him on the field as an "official" player for the Fighting Irish. Go ahead, grab a tissue. THIS is a great moment in college football history.
8. Georgia vs. Florida (1980) Yes, I could pretty much put any match-up of "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" on this list. But a consistent favorite is the 1980 game also known as "Run, Lindsay, Run!" Georgia kept their hope for the National Championship alive with a win against their hated rivals, Florida - and you all KNOW how I feel about Florida...Then again you could also put the 2007 game in the #8 spot, where the Georgia coach ordered his team to draw an excessive celebration penalty after their first touchdown or they would be subject to extra conditioning drills. You can't make this stuff up, people!
7. Virginia Tech vs. Virginia (2004) After losing to UVA in 2003 after dominating the Commonwealth Cup for 4-straight years, the Cavaliers came to Blacksburg on a wintery November day for my last game in Lane Stadium. The first time the teams would compete for the cup in the same conference, this game also would decide the fate of the ACC championship that year. UVA scored first, but the Hokies took charge and never looked back. (And I was somewhere crying in the stands refusing to believe my last season was coming to an end...)
6. Boston College vs. Miami (1984) The "Hail Flutie" game. I won't lie, I didn't know much about this game, but it consistently was showing up on lists of the greatest games. But give me a "Hail Mary" pass that wins the game and the Miami Hurricanes on the losing end of the score board, and I'm sold!
5. Auburn vs. Alabama (1972) Another one of the biggest rivalries, this game is a great one year after year. But with Auburn trailing 16-3 and returning 2 blocked punts for touchdowns to win 17-16....something tells me they were playing a little "Sittin' on the dock of the bay, watching the Tide Roll awayyyyyyyyyyy"
4. Stanford vs. Cal (1982) There's nothing more embarassing than an overconfident group of student fans chanting "ov-er-ra-ted" at the beginning of the third quarter to then go on and lose the game. Oh wait! Yes there is! Your entire marching band standing on the field ready to rush it in a Victory Celebration and the losing team throws a now-famous series of lateral passes that gets them into the endzone and 7 more points on the scoreboard for the win. Ooops! This one is a CLASSIC!
3. Texas vs. USC (2006 National Championship) The first time 2 Heisman trophy winners played in a National Championship, the hype for this game wouldn't quit!.Down to the last 30 seconds, Vince Young came out as the superstar that he is and Texas beats USC. I went to bed with 1 minute left in the game...Lesson learned. Hook 'em Horns!
2. Oklahoma vs. Boise State (2007) Although I have blocked the 2007 Bowl Championship Series completely from my brain, you can't argue against the Boise State broncos trick-playing the Sooners on 4th-and-18 with 7 seconds left in the game throwing it into OT. Boise State comes out on top, and let's be honest, we all wanted an invite to the wedding when Tailback Ian Johnson dropped to his knees at the end of the game and proposed to his cheerleader girlfriend.
1. Ohio State vs. Miami (2004 National Championship) Give me a break. OF COURSE this is number 1. Tripple overtime, potential paralysis of a player, the Buckeyes out on top. I'll never forget watching this game and the feeling of "winning" a National Championship. I could watch this game over and over again (and if YOU ever feel the need to re-watch, I happen to be related to someone who owns the DVD of the game)
*Legal Disclaimer: This list was compiled based on personal research, personal feelings and with the many consultants of this blog. I by no means imply that these are the ONLY games worth mentioning and want to hear from you as well.
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