Chops and links sizzling over red hot charcoal. Cold pints wrapped in traditional crested mugs. Flags of battle hoisted high above decorated canopies of shade. Insulated coolers packed with provisions and potions. Occasional battle cries from fans intoxicated by libations and atmosphere. Children wearing jerseys of past and present heroes while tossing footballs and imagining glory. The orchestrated chaos of festive tailgation.
It’s football time again.
It has been some time since I last updated my blog. Like Brett Favre, I took a semi-retirement hiatus. Also like the mad Mississippian (and for my Tide fans, note how to spell “Mississippi”), I just can’t stay away. After all, the first game kicks off one week from tonight. I wonder if Favre will be watching as his Southern Miss Golden Eagles take on the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.
To prepare for this year’s season, I attended the New York City/Southeastern Conference Kick-off banquet last night. The featured speaker was Brad Edwards of ESPN radio. Mr. Edwards, a Bama graduate, talked about his #1 ranked Crimson Tide, and shockingly predicted that they would lose at least 2 SEC games this year. His prognostication was that Arkansas, in Fayetteville, would upset the Tide, and that South Carolina, in Columbia, would do the same. The reason: Florida is packed right between those two games.
Edwards also predicted that the winner of the SEC East would have at least 2 conference losses, and that it would come down to Georgia or Florida….the last drunk standing after the World’s Largest Cocktail Party. Interestingly, he predicted that Arkansas was poised to win the West, and might do it going away.
As for LSU, Edwards believes it is do or die for Les Miles, and in his opinion, Miles will be gone after this season. The Mad Hatter will take his nonsensical Tea Party somewhere else.
Edwards predicted that the Vols would struggle, Vandy may not win a conference game, and Mississippi State would upset someone they aren’t supposed to beat. He finished his speech by saying that the two real question marks in the conference were Ole Miss and Auburn. His take was that both had the schedules, excitement, quarterbacks and potential to run the table. He did NOT think they would, and said that both schools could also find themselves losing 3-4 conference games each.
Finally, Edwards predicted that there would not be an undefeated SEC team this year, and because of that, the BCS would put two teams from other conferences in the National Championship Game. His final prediction: Kellen Moore, QB of Boise State, would win the Heisman Trophy.
I found all of this very interesting, coming from an Alabama graduate. Will any of this come to pass? Who knows. After all, that’s why they play the game. And besides, today…..everyone’s guess could be right.
Until next time…
WJLaneSR
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