LSU Tigers Vs Alabama Crimson Tide: The Defining Game Of The Season

Tuscaloosa is always as busy as a beehive on game day, but this Saturday will be unbelievably amped up.  With the nation’s No. 2 LSU Tigers coming to Bryant-Denny Stadium to do battle against No. 3 Alabama, ESPN’s College Gameday will be in T-Town and the passion of politics will blend with the passion of college football with President Trump in attendance.

Since the “Game of the Century” in 2011 when the Tigers defeated the Tide 9-6, Bama has amassed an eight-game winning streak.

Head Coach Nick Saban commented on the national rankings saying, “I don’t talk about that.  I don’t talk about rankings.  It doesn’t matter where you rank if you don’t have success in what you’re doing, you’re not going to be ranked there long.”

In the CFP era, the No. 3 team has never gone on to make the Playoff since it began in 2014 and that is why this game will be the defining game of the season.

Heisman trophy nominee QB Joe Burrows is at the top of his game and Tua Tagovailoa, also a Heisman nominee, is rehabbing from a right ankle injury he suffered against Cowbell U.

Burrows struggled against Auburn two weeks ago and I guaran-damn-tee you linebackers Anfernee Jennings and Terrell Lewis are monsters on the D-line and they will hunt down Burrows in the pocket.  The Cajun Nation’s Derek Stingley and Grant Delpit are tenacious defenders and tailback Clyde Edwards-Helaire led the Tigers with 136 yards on 26 carries against Auburn so Coach Orgeron’s team has the best chance in years to knock off the Crimson Tide.

War Eagle is Bama’s “natural rival” but over the years the contest that ensues either at Death Valley or Bryant-Denny has become an epic battle of titans far more meaningful over the past 25 years than most rivalries the media crow about.

Need proof?

Tigers wide receiver Justin Jefferson was asked how different this team is compared to the 2018 team that lost 29-0 to the Tide in Death Valley.  His answer was, “I don’t really know the answer to that question.  We’re going to dominate.  I mean, there’s nothing much to it.  I mean, we owe them so we’re going to get to it.”

Did his mouth just write a check his ass can’t cash?  My beloved Crimson Tide thrives on disrespect and revenge and there’s no better feeling than making the entire college football world mad as hell when you win again.

This week has been LSU hate week.  I don’t do Hate Week because I happen to love me some Tigahs and because over the years I’ve been honored to cultivate a friendship with fellow blogger and SEC sister Diogenes of Diogenes Middle Finger.

For the last five years we’ve had a friendly bet on this game.  The loser makes a donation to Shriners Hospitals for Children, a network of 22 non-profit medical facilities who change the lives of children through innovative pediatric care.

Here’s hoping Bama has saved it's best for LSU.

UPDATE:  Welcome readers of Whatfinger News.

UPDATE II:  There was a knock at my door after the big game.  Coach Oeaux told me, “From now on Bryant-Denny Stadium is our house.”  How could I argue with that gravelly voice?  My sincerest congratulations to the LSU Tigers and the entirety of the Cajun Nation.

No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide Vs No. 3 LSU Tigers

The game is simple.  The best ones always are.

It’s been seven long years since the “Game of the Century”. That’s the longest winning streak in the series since Coach Bear Bryant claimed eleven in a row from 1971 to 1981.  The streak lingers like a dark shadow over the Cajun Nation.

The last time LSU beat Alabama was November 6, 2010.  LSU was ranked No. 10 and Bama was ranked No. 6.  The Tigers were trailing the Tide 14-13 in the fourth quarter when Coach Les Miles called for a reverse play to tight end DeAngelo Peterson who rambled for 23 yards to Alabama’s 3-yard line and the go-ahead touchdown. LSU went for the 2-point conversion to make the score 21-14.  LSU was able to add another 3 points on a FG attempt with 5:34 left in the game making the score 24-14.

Bama QB Greg McElroy tossed to Julio Jones for a TD with 3:23 left in the game but it wasn’t enough to pull off a win.  The final score was 24-21.

Under the lights of Death Valley, the Crimson Tide will clash with the Bayou Bengal Tigers of LSU for the 14th time in which both teams have been ranked in the AP Top 20.  Nine times one of them has been ranked either No. 1 or No. 2.

The College Football Playoff Committee released its first rankings on October 30th with LSU in the No. 3 slot. A lot of people expect Alabama to keep rolling.

Here's @stephenasmith's top 5 college football teams ... 😂 pic.twitter.com/qANgLe1jCJ

— First Take (@FirstTake) October 30, 2018

LSU is a legitimate contender in the race for the national championship coming into tonight’s game.  I have the utmost respect for the Tigers.  They’ve got the best QB in Joe Burrows they’ve had in years and he’s made a substantive difference for these tenacious rivals.  This will be a bare-knuckled, slobber-knocker grudge match.  If they beat Bama they will be in the driver’s seat for a playoff berth and the Cajun Nation will be insufferable.

This is LSU Hate Week.  This is a good hate; this is a respectful hate; this is a rivalry that has become far more meaningful over the past 25 years than most rivalries the media crow about.

Hawaiian phenom Tua Tagovailoa remains at the controls of the most intimidating offense in the FBS and has yet to take a fourth-quarter snap in 2018. LSU is the team with the greatest chance of ruining the Tide’s dreams of an unprecedented 18th National Championship.  As such, this may well be the game in which Tagovailoa will finally play in the fourth quarter.

"Alabama has always been the benchmark and Coach Saban has done a fantastic job," Head Coach Ed Orgeron said. "He's going to go down as the greatest college football coach in the history of the game, so give him the credit for what they've done at Alabama.

"We've got to beat them to get to where we want to go and that's a fact."

During this Thursday’s “Hey Coach” press conference, Saban had this to say: 

Nick Saban was just asked what he will choose during the coin toss at LSU -- kick or receive?

Saban: "To be honest with you, I hope we elect to kick ass, is what I hope we do."

— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) November 2, 2018

Oz Music, a Tuscaloosa music store, immortalized the quote by turning it into a good old-fashioned election button: 

Oz Music in Tuscaloosa made some buttons for Saturday.... pic.twitter.com/kSyWilHc5L

— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) November 2, 2018

So, to the Cajun Nation I say, ”Tell ‘em Alabama’s coming and hell is coming with ‘em.”

LSU Tigers Vs Alabama Crimson Tide: Bama’s Chase For The SEC Title

The PAC 12 and ACC were thrown into a state of chaos after the upset victories over Clemson, Louisville and Washington in Week Six.  LSU beat Florida in the Swamp 17-16 and the following week made history in Tiger Stadium coming back from a 20-0 deficit to stun Auburn 27-23.

Here’s a picture of the Auburn Tiger dressed as a Troy Trojan, ruthlessly mocking LSU’s shocking loss to Troy on September 30th:

The Auburn mascot dressed up as the Troy Trojan, then they blew a 20-0 lead pic.twitter.com/55GtUiSRf6

— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) October 15, 2017

You never, ever poke an LSU Tiger.  The genius who came up with that little idea has no doubt been cast into the Nine Circles of Hell. The Bayou Bengals travel to T-Town on Saturday after their bye week.  Like two gladiators waging battle in ancient Rome’s Coliseum, the heart and courage of these two teams is inestimable.  No number of stats, predictions or series history can determine the outcome of the game.  These warriors will leave their blood and sweat on the field of play.  They will show us their heart and courage. Usually my football posts are full of smack talk about the opponent Bama will be facing that week.  No can do this week.  You see, my friend and SEC sister Diogenes’ Middle Finger, is a dyed-in-the-wool LSU fan. One team is going to lose Saturday.  One of us will be left brokenhearted.  I will hope for the best and wish Diogenes good luck against my beloved boys from Tuscaloosa.  May the best team win. ROLL TIDE ROLL!

Living Your Life As A Champion

“An atheist is a man who watches a Notre Dame-Southern Methodist University game and doesn't care who wins.” ― President Dwight D. Eisenhower

In a sport where rivalry games serve as the lifeblood of college football fans, nobody does bitterness and contentious showdowns quite like the Southeastern Conference.  Grudge matches abound in college football:  Army-Navy, Alabama-Auburn, Michigan-Ohio State, Oklahoma-Texas, USC-Notre Dame, Georgia-Florida.

For the past ten seasons Alabama and LSU have carved their own niche in iconic college football history.

How did LSU overshadow Auburn as the biggest game on Alabama’s schedule?  Nick Saban left the LSU football program for the NFL after guiding the Tigers to the 2003 BCS National Championship against Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl.  After his stint with the Miami Dolphins, Saban returned to the college ranks at none other than SEC West rival Alabama.  The Tiger Nation has never forgotten the pain he caused.

I wish I loved anything as much as I hate Nick Saban #LSUvsBAMA

— Duty/ Doody (@EmboG) November 8, 2015

I have been a Bama fan since I was knee-high to a grasshopper; going all the way back to the Paul “Bear” Bryant era.  If I couldn’t be a Bama fan I would be an LSU fan.  Through adversity, triumph and defeat the LSU faithful are rabid, devoted fans.  I admire their heart.

A tradition that began three years ago between friend and SEC sister Diogenes’ Middle Finger involves a friendly wager on the slugfest between our two beloved schools.  For two years we made sizeable contributions to Wounded Warrior Project.  Last year we directed our donations to Shriners Hospitals for Children.  We have agreed to do so again this year.

It hurts when you lose to your most-hated rival.  Diogenes and I know one of us will face losing the ballgame on Saturday. Somehow, giving from the heart to a noble cause like Shriners Hospitals, we know we’ve helped make these children champions in their own right.

It’s all too easy to lose track of what matters in this world.  What could be better than helping a precious child become all God meant for him to be?  I hope you’ll join us in making a donation of whatever amount you can afford to Shriners Hospitals for Children.  The holiday season is right around the corner.  Your gift will help provide the highest quality care to children with neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries and other special healthcare needs. 

For almost 100 years, the Shriners Childrens Hospitals have helped more than 1.3 million children under the age of 18 and through the generosity of its donors turns patients back into kids.

Dear God, let Your grace and love fall on them like gentle breezes and give them inner strength and peace and patience for the journey ahead.

Please click here to make a donation.  Thank you.

NOTE:  According to Charity Navigator, Shriners Hospitals for Children has an Overall Score and Rating of 93.58.  Their financial rating is 91.44 and accounting and transparency is 97.00.  All ratings are four stars.

For charities performing similar types of work, Shriners ranks highest over Interfaith Dental Clinic (87.17), Turner House Children’s Clinic (91.70), Doctors Care (90.67) and Mission of Mercy (93.62).

Alabama Crimson Tide Vs LSU Tigers

Seven undefeated teams went on the road last weekend and four failed to come away with a win.

Saturday night my beloved Crimson Tide visits Death Valley in Baton Rouge.  Legendary Coach Bear Bryant once said, “It’s the worst place in the world for a visiting team. It's like being inside a drum."  Tigers faithful say it’s where visiting teams go to die.  Anyone who has had more than a casual conversation with a resident of Baton Rouge knows, “Deaf Valluh at naught is majicole.”

If you root for a team in the Big 10 or PAC 12 you might rely heavily on ESPN’s Matchup Predictor to determine Saturday’s winner.  You might be inclined to check the Vegas bookies for the betting odds.

 

Predicting the outcome of this game is folly.  The team with the most grit, guts and determination will win. This game could decide the conference and national championship race.  There’s a reason CBS reserves a slot on the First Saturday in November every year—so they can carry the game between two teams whose lifeblood centers on bragging rights. 

Oh, there’s bitterness aplenty alright.  During Bye Week, LSU’s defensive back Dwayne Thomas did a little trash talking, “I really see us dominating this offense. I really see us dominating this team. This is the year. We've been letting them off the hook for the last couple of years. This is my senior year. We're going out with a bang. It's time for us to bring that win back. We're going to be at home. I feel like we have the edge to take it to them, and we're going to take it to them. I feel like we're going to dominate this game."

The Tide’s monster linebacker Reuben Foster had an answer for Thomas:

The Purge #savage pic.twitter.com/N8PnSCrmk4

— Reuben Foster (@reubenfoster_FG) October 28, 2016

Saturday night one war horse will bask in the glory of victory; the other will languish in disappointment.

My SEC sister, Diogenes, is a devout LSU fan.  I am a rabid Alabama fan.  I consider it a blessing to share a sport I love with someone I care about.  Since 2014 she and I have had a friendly wager on the Bama-LSU game.  The loser would make a donation to The Wounded Warrior Project; out of love for our brave military service members the winner would make a donation as well.  This is the way two dyed-in-the-wool fans handle their fierce competitive spirit.

Continuing our tradition, this year we agreed to make a contribution to Shriners Hospitals for Children.  Since 1922, more than 1.3 million children have received life-changing care at Shriners Hospitals helping them reach their potential to lead more fulfilling lives regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

I’ve already wished her the best of luck and expressed my hope for a good, clean game where neither team has any serious injuries.  

ROLL TIDE ROLL!

Competitive Spirit

Randy Rosetta noted today at Gridiron Now, “In a sport where rivalry games serve as the constant lifeblood, nobody does bitterness and contentious showdowns quite like the SEC. Every week, it seems like at least two teams from the best football league in college football collide with bragging rights at stake and hatred for the other overflowing like the stadiums that are often filled to capacity and then some.”

For the past 10 seasons, the Alabama-LSU game has catapulted into the spotlight as arguably the biggest game in the SEC and one of the most impactful games nationally every season.

My SEC sister, Diogenes, is a devout LSU fan.  I am a rabid Alabama fan.  I consider it a blessing to share a sport I love with someone I care about.  Since 2014 she and I have had a friendly wager on the Bama-LSU game.  The loser would make a donation to The Wounded Warrior Project; out of love for our brave military service members the winner would make a donation as well.  This is the way two dyed-in-the-wool fans handle their fierce competitive spirit.

Continuing our tradition, this year we agreed to make a contribution to Shriners Hospitals for Children.  Since 1922, more than 1.3 million children have received life-changing care at Shriners Hospitals helping them reach their potential to lead more fulfilling lives regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

I designated the Shriners Hospital located in Shreveport and here’s the letter they sent me:

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” — John Bunyan

As we approach Thanksgiving and the season of giving, I hope you’ll join us in the joyful act that reflects a thankful heart and relishes in the happiness that comes from helping those less fortunate than ourselves.  If you’d like to donate to the Shriners Hospitals for Children here is the link.  May God bless you today and always.

Saturday Down South Opening Week

Marvel Comics came out with custom covers celebrating the start of “The Road to the College Football Playoffs”

Hallelujah!  I have endured a pitiful baseball season for my Boys of Summer.  The 51-83 Braves have 15 home games left before they say goodbye to Turner Field and a lackluster 2016.  Hopefully, their inaugural season at the brand-spanking new $1.1 billion SunTrust Park along with some promising new acquisitions to their roster will mean a better 2017.

My attention is now directed toward F-O-O-T-B-A-L-L.  Not so much the NFL with all the out of touch rich guys (I’m talking to you Kaepernick), but real football, as in COLLEGE FOOTBALL.

Blogger friend and SEC sister Diogenes and I are amped.  She’s a diehard LSU fan and I am a fanatic Alabama Crimson Tide fan.  We poke good-natured fun at each when our two teams are pitted against each other in what is arguably college football’s most bitterly contested rivalry.  Let the trash talk begin unabated from now until The First Saturday in November.  ROLL TIDE ROLL!

And speaking of trash talk, Mark Schlabach, sports journalist for ESPN recently opined, “LSU coach Les Miles will survive another Alabama loss: Once again, the Tigers will roll through September and October before meeting a familiar stumbling block in November:  Alabama. The Tigers will fall to the Crimson Tide, 21-20, at Tiger Stadium on Nov. 5, which will be their sixth straight loss in the series. This season, though, LSU will recover to win its last three games and will finish 11-1. Alabama will win the SEC West, but the Tigers will be the second-highest ranked SEC team and will be invited to the Allstate Sugar Bowl.”

Diogenes has a thought for Mark:  “The Expert Sports Monkeys have picked their top 20, conference champions, National Champs and even the Heisman Trophy winner. And as usual, they will be wrong.”

Who is ready for some Alabama football? #RollTidehttps://t.co/IfpeA7FH91

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) August 24, 2016

Diogenes’ Unavoidable Envy

It all began with a blog post by Hammer and Loupe over at The People’s Cube in which the absurd notion was floated that the University of Alabama would replace its “racist elephant” mascot with a donkey.

“According to President Obama, the University of Alabama lost their privilege when they did not share their football trophies with the less fortunate colleges and universities.  Some folks thought they could get away with putting a Republican elephant next to a word that has ‘Bama in it.  That was a distasteful and disrespectful attack against me and I want Americans to realize that personal attacks against me will not be tolerated.  It’s not who we are.” 

“University of Alabama students became divided on the issue, with the best and the most progressive part of the student body organizing spontaneous marches in support of President Obama and his ruling.” 

"’Elephants are a symbol of oppression and Alabama has won too many trophies for their own good. The mascot change is progressive, and I hope Alabama will learn to share a bit more,’ said Melissa Click, former communications professor at the University of Missouri, who joined the march as a volunteer legal observer.” 

"Finally, there is someone else important that agrees with me,” added local sophomore Colin Cowherd, whom Ms. Click trusted to carry her purse.”

I had a good chuckle, but then my friend Diogenes apparently thought that goading her “SEC sister” (me) would be funny and decided to post Hammer and Loupe’s fairy tale over at her place.

I posted this comment:  I thought we were friends. Now I have carte blanche to post Tiger jokes right?

She replied:  It’s only fair I guess. LOL!  And we’ll try and relieve ya’ll of the burden of another SEC trophy this year. ;)

To which I replied:  That's a provocation.  I'll go all Trump on your ass.  I'm counting down the 5 1/2 months until we come to Death Valley and swing Mike by his tail in an epic victory.  ROLL TIDE!

Soon there appeared a comment by blogger buddy Woodsterman who noticed an uptick in my attitude and declared:   WHOOHOO! Girl Fight!

The advent of the Crimson Tide’s on-field mascot, Big Al, came during a game between Bama and Ole Miss waaaaay back in 1930, but it was legendary Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant who was instrumental in Big Al coming to life in 1979 during the Sugar Bowl, the game made famous for the goal-line stand that turned back the Nittany Lions of Penn State and gave Bama its 11th national championship.

The original costume now resides in a place of honor in the Paul W. Bryant Museum.  Big Al continues to stomp into the hearts of fans.

I’ve made good on my threat by photoshopping Mike the Tiger (LSU’s mascot) as half jackass, half tiger along with the highly coveted 2015 SEC Championship Trophy and Big Al clutching the 2016 CFP National Championship Trophy.

The rivalry between our schools is one of the most bitterly contested in all of football, but it doesn’t get in the way of our friendship.  Diogenes always roots for my boys and I for hers except when they battle each other.

The smack talk is all just good-natured fun and to prove it Diogenes' last reply to me was:  Okay, I guess as reigning national champion we can forgive your Trump-like bluster ‘til this fall. You earned the right.  We can stay SEC sisters, at least until that glorious night in November. ♥  Geaux Tigers!!!

Sorry Jan, but I have to get in this dig at ya:  Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry ran for 210 yards and three touchdowns and Alabama's defense smothered Leonard Fournette in a 30-16 rout over your Tigers a year ago.  See ya November 5th on the field of battle.

Hey Tex, You’re Gonna Need A Bigger Six-Shooter

Tonight at 9:00 PM in a game carried on ESPN, No. 22 LSU takes on unranked Texas Tech in the Advocare Texas Bowl.  The last time these two schools met on the gridiron was 58 years ago.  LSU won that game 19-14.

My friend Diogenes is a rabid Tigers fan and even though I am a Bama fan, I’ll be rooting hard for LSU tonight.  I feel strongly that the Bayou Bengals are going to maul the Red Raiders and here’s why:

It’s only a little more than a 4-hour drive down I-10 from Baton Rouge to Houston, so expect NRG Stadium to be filled to the rafters with fans dressed in purple and gold.  Tigers fans want their 2015 season to end on a high note after losses to Alabama, Arkansas and Ole Miss.

The sports “experts” claim the Red Raiders have an advantage over LSU with quarterback Patrick Mahomes who is touted as “one of the best in the nation.”  Brandon Harris stumbled badly for LSU towards the end of the season but Head Coach Les Miles has had a month to build Harris’ confidence back up.

Look out for Leonard Fournette to run wild against a Texas Tech defensive liNe that has more holes in it than Swiss cheese.  Heisman committee, you’ll regret not inviting Fournette to your little trophy party in New York.  No. 7 is going to take his anger out tonight.

If LSU’s offensive line can avoid being penalized and protect their passer, they can wreak havoc on the Red Raiders.  Malachi Dupre was one of Harris’ favorite receivers and though the advantage goes to Texas Tech for wide receivers and tight ends LSU can be explosive.

Finally, LSU players love ‘em some Les Miles.  This will be the first game for Miles and the Tigers since the dramatic regular-season finale against Texas A & M in which Miles’ job status was in jeopardy before athletic director Joe Alleva announced afterward that Miles would continue at LSU as head coach.

I don’t dare predict the final score of tonight’s game, but rest assured this game will be a slobberknocker and that is, after all, why we love the game of college football.

GEAUX TIGERS!

WRECK TECH!

LSU Tigers Vs Ole Miss Rebels: SPECIAL EDITION

What is a dyed-in-the-wool Alabama fan doing touting a football game between the LSU Tigers and the Ole Miss Rebels?

My dear friend Diogenes has a broken heart following the death of her friend and former business partner Allen Toussaint.

Toussaint, the gentlemanly Rock and Roll Hall of Fame songwriter, producer, pianist and singer whose career spanned decades, passed away of a heart attack shortly after performing in Madrid, Spain.  He died doing what he loved—spreading the gift of New Orleans music around the globe.

As Diogenes prepared to say her final goodbye to her friend, she requested I post what she had intended put up at her place about her beloved Tigers.  It is my great honor to do that for her.

LSU @ Ole 'Missy—What started out as a promising season for the young Tigers is all but lost after last week’s loss to Oliver Hardy and an Arkansas team with a fraction of the talent.  The attempt to confuse the Hogs with an unfamiliar split offense instead of dancing with the one that brung ya, did nothing but confuse them. I don't blame the players; their youth and expectations seem to have caught up to them. 

What was expected by everyone to be a successful 10-2 season for the Tigers became blown up in the sports media into a No. 2 ranking they were never worthy of.  Hopefully the Tigers can take a deep breath and get back to playing at the level they're capable of or they'll be playing the Fighting Nuns of St. Mary's in the “99 Cent Bowl” next month. 

Diogenes’ Prediction:  Tigers by 6 

Charleston Southern @ Alabama—After convincingly silencing those @#$& cow bells of Starkville last week, my advice to Nick Saban is just play the second string and save their energy for Auburn…Oh wait…the entire team is first string!  

Diogenes’ Prediction:  Bama by 45 

TCU @ Oklahoma—This week TCU goes to Norman, Oklahoma to face the Sooners who laid waste to Baylor in their own house last week. This week the Froggys meet the same fate and become roadkill as the Sooners continue their march toward a chance at a playoff berth.  

Diogenes’ Prediction:  Here Comes Big Red - Sooners by 13 

LAST WEEK:  Once again I put the “Expert Sports Monkeys” in the weeds by correctly calling the upset of the overrated undefeated Baylor Bears at the hands of the Oklahoma Sooners last week and correctly called the Alabama/ Miss State game, but missed on the LSU/Arky game leaving me at 2-1 for the week.  

Diogenes’ Picks YTD - 19-5

Diogenes, we know the Good Lord will place His Hand upon your shoulder and give you comfort in the middle hour of your grief.  Stay strong, take care and know that we love you dearly.

GEAUX TIGERS!

If you’d like to say a few words to Diogenes, you can do so by visiting her tribute to the great Mr. Toussaint here.  I know she’d love to hear from you.

Alabama Crimson Tide Vs LSU Tigers

The weather guys in Alabama are forecasting 100% precipitation, 86% humidity and winds up to 11 MPH for the battle at Bryant-Denny Stadium.  Big hairy deal.  Remember the Rain Bowl against the Dawgs of Jawja?  A little rain and mud ain’t nothin’.

Kickoff is 8:00 PM ET.  The game will air on CBS.

No. 7 Alabama is going to put eleven warriors on the field against the No. 4 boys from Baton Rouge and no matter what the stats or series history says about the game, it’s the heart and courage, sweat and blood of the players that will determine the final outcome.  Both teams will leave everything they have on the field.

Ordinarily, I would be trash-talkin’ the opponent.  This is no ordinary game.  You see, my blogging sister Diogenes, is a dyed-in-wool LSU fan and a dear friend.  We made a deal, a wager if you will, a couple of years back that the loser would contribute to Wounded Warrior Project.  Somehow doing something wonderful for our brave service members reduces the sting of a loss.

Saturday night one war horse will bask in the glory of the victory; the other will languish in disappointment.

Diogenes, I love ya gurl, but I gotta say:

ROLL TIDE ROLL!

If you’d like to join us in supporting our wounded warriors, click here to give a one-time donation or here if you’d like to participate in the WWP Advanced Guard monthly giving program.

Is It Saturday Yet?

“An atheist is a man who watches a Notre Dame—Southern Methodist University game and doesn't care who wins.” ― Dwight D. Eisenhower

On Saturday two of the strongest teams in college football are set to collide.  LSU is undefeated.  Alabama has lost one game.  The game between these two powerhouses will determine who’s in for the College Football Playoffs.  November is wild, cruel and exhilarating.  November is about everything.

The Playoff Selection Committee unveiled its first rankings last night.  The top six teams in order of their rankings are:  Clemson, LSU, Ohio State, Alabama, Notre Dame and Baylor.

I don’t give a hoot about the "quality wins" controversy that surrounds the rankings. LSU or Alabama has represented the West Division in the SEC Championship Game in nine of the last 15 seasons.

Blogger sister Diogenes and I have waited a whole year for Saturday’s game.  To my mind you’d have a hard time finding two more ardent fans of college football or more devoted followers of the rivalry between our two schools.  She bleeds purple and gold and I crimson and white.

This post is not about a “chick fight”.  Instead it’s about the mutual respect we have for one another.  No matter how the game ends we have decided once again to make a charitable contribution to Wounded Warrior Project to honor our military service members.

On June 6, 1984 President Ronald Reagan stood on the spot where Allied soldiers stormed the beaches of Normandy to throw off the yoke of Nazi tyranny at Pointe du Hoc.

“Forty summers have passed since the battle that you fought here. You were young the day you took these cliffs; some of you were hardly more than boys, with the deepest joys of life before you. Yet, you risked everything here. Why? Why did you do it? What impelled you to put aside the instinct for self-preservation and risk your lives to take these cliffs? What inspired all the men of the armies that met here? We look at you, and somehow we know the answer. It was faith and belief; it was loyalty and love.”

I, like you, have seen the public service announcements that have aired for Wounded Warrior Project.  Each story is compelling.  There is one; however, that evokes the greatest degree of compassion.  It is the story of Dennis.  Army National Guard Sgt. Dennis Cabanting spends his days fighting battle-related Multiple Sclerosis, PTSD and traumatic brain injury.  This returning hero’s palsy-like tremors almost turned him into a tragic figure.  Through the assistance of Wounded Warrior Project’s Independence Program Dennis is learning to live life on his own terms.

From Iraq and Afghanistan our brave warriors are coming home wounded.  Some with wounds you can see, some with wounds you can’t see. Wounded Warrior Project was created to support our brave men and women coming off the battlefield.

Next Wednesday is Veterans Day.  What better way to honor their service than by giving whatever you can afford to Wounded Warrior Project?  Click here if you can give a one-time donation or here if you’d like to participate in the WWP Advanced Guard monthly giving program  On behalf of Diogenes, we thank you.  Please help carry these warriors the rest of the way home.

One Guy Going “Boom”, One Guy Going “Whack” And One Guy Not Getting In The End Zone

Explaining the pure delights of a football Saturday in the South to anyone who has not enjoyed them may be impossible—it’s like trying to describe the ocean to a blind man—the dynamism of the fans, their passion for their team, the electricity in the stadium.  For sixty minutes, people from across religious, geographic and political divides can come together and celebrate what former Head Coach John Madden described as “one guy going boom, one guy going whack and one guy not getting in the end zone.”

Today my beloved Crimson Tide will not take the field.  It’s their bye week.  Another team, the LSU Tigers, will also stay at home.  But next week the two will clash in Tuscaloosa.

All season long my friend Diogenes, who bleeds purple and gold, put up blog posts about her boys from Baton Rouge.  She boldly predicted the outcome of each game and always had something positive to say about my Bama boys.

With each of her postings I would enter a comment including a graphic of a ferocious Bengal tiger intimidating the hapless mascot of the opposing team and when the game was over would post another graphic of the vanquished loser.  She would do the same here as well as offer her spirited support for the Crimson Tide adding “Roll Tide Roll”.

It has been big fun for me.  During this bye week neither of us will be able to show our support for the other’s team.  Next week, however, the “truce” will end as Alabama and LSU do battle for a college football playoff berth. 

Just so I don’t go through withdrawal I’ll be rooting for Auburn to whip Ole Miss’ ass, the Gamecocks to tear into the Aggies, UT-Martin to barbecue some Hogs, the Dawgs to maul the Gators, the Vols to skin the Wildcats and the Owls of Temple to crush the Irish.

UPDATE:   Ole Miss easily handled Auburn 27-19, Texas A&M defeated South Carolina 35-28, Arkansas whipped UT-Martin 63-28, Florida had its way with Georgia 27-3, Tennessee trounced Kentucky 52-21 and the Irish plucked the Temple Owls 24-20.