First Trip to Auburn in 2010

So this week, instead of writing up my thoughts on the past weekend’s college football games (in which I provide such bare-bones conclusions so noticeable that a chimpanzee could spot them), I decided I would tell of our weekend in Auburn and toss in some tidbits from games in which I either: 1) attended, 2) watched on TV, or 3) imagined.

Now given that our football tailgating consists of a good bit of recreational fun, which may or may not include alcohol (it does), then there is some probability (about 92%) that a few of my facts might be slightly inaccurate. But, in today’s day-and-age, who really worries about accuracy?

We were in Auburn this weekend for a full day of tailgating before the Clemson game. This is the first season in which I am married, which was evident because 1) I was warned against consuming too many adult beverages; 2) I was informed of wearing too little sunscreen; and 3) I kept being referred to as ‘husband.’

As far as tailgating goes, I am what one would call, ‘experienced.’ I was able to become ‘experienced’ now due to all the hard work I put in during college, such as attending more tailgates than class. My younger sister, while not yet an ‘experienced' tailgater, did display some 'experienced' tailgater traits, such as calling in late Friday to tell that she would be joining in on the early tailgating fun, only to then get home and leave a note saying that she would be attending at a later time. This is the hallmark of a future in tailgating.

Now, in case some of you aren’t tailgaters, I, an ‘experienced' tailgater will try to explain more. I’m sure that at one time, what people did was simply arrive to a parking lot early (preferably one near some sporting event), open their trunk or let down their tailgate, and enjoy some talk prior to the game. But now, a true tailgater hunts out a spot during the off-season, arrives hours (or days) prior to kick-off (sometimes battling off other tailgaters who try to “steal” their spot of university property), then set up large tents, tables, grills and tvs. And finally, the young adults start partaking in legal-age activity for the 10 hours preceding kickoff.

Of course, now that I’m a married adult, I obviously don’t do all of the things listed above. Like I may have already mentioned, I am an ‘experienced' tailgater, so I arrive just before all the work is complete so I may concentrate on livening up the tailgate during the 10-hour festivities. While demanding, I pulled through.

Auburn also hosted ESPN Gameday’s crew this week, and while I did go by to see it, by the start of the 9 a.m. ESPN broadcast, the temperature in Auburn approached that of the surface of the Sun. While some friends – who shall remain nameless (Nik) - wanted to watch Lee Corso pick a winner, we headed to Momma G’s to watch the Georgia vs. Arkansas game.

As a promise to my UGA-grad wife, I will limit my thoughts of the game to 10 words: That Georgia team just isn’t very good at playing football. (She put no restriction on contractions.) After finally finding a table that had a clear view of a television, we had a few Momma’s Loves and (quite) a few beverages to better take in the Dawgs' performance. Then the game was over and apparently some time passed and it was time to go to the game.

We were fortunate to sit with my parents, which was fortunate because 1) I know where the seats are and 2) if I forget, then I have familiar people to look for. For a full half, we then endured what Auburn likes to call ‘football’ but what many others may call a ‘sham sold to willing fans.’ My parents like to say Auburn gives its fans’ their money’s worth; though as a fan, my money would be better spent seeing my team win by 40.

But Auburn won, mainly due to what Clemson likes to do, which is choke away a sure-victory. Auburn played hard, continued a winning streak established during the Truman administration, and now turns its attention to SEC Eastern heavyweight South Carolina. Unfortunately, nothing in that last sentence was a joke.