Tag Archives: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

SEC Football: Week One

“Christmas is a coming and the geese are getting fat, please put a penny in the old man’s hat…” Y’all remember that one? And here’s some more good news! NCAA Football is here and the playoffs will begin, on December 20, BEFORE Christmas! We are set!

I already did my SEC predictions for the, now upon us, season. I have Georgia and Texas at the top. And yes, Vandy at the bottom. And the 13 remaining teams “working from one end to the other and all points in between.” Just a taste of some ZZ Top there for you. From the magnificent ‘Tres Hombres’ album. ‘Jesus Just Left Chicago’. What a title!

Time to quit yammering and “git ‘er done” for week one of good ‘ol Southeastern Conference football!

AR-Pine Bluff at Arkansas (-48.5)

One of the most beautiful mornings I ever experienced during my time as an inspector for AAA was leaving Pine Bluff as the sun began to rise many moons ago. It was a true “moment.” But alas! Things won’t be gorgeous for the Golden Lions in Fayetteville tonight. Arky 52, P. Bluff 7

Murray State at Missouri (-48)

The Racers (Can’t get “The Race is On” to stop playing in my head) pace will be considerably slower than the visitors to Columbia, MO would like in this evening’s contest. Eli’s coming with his highly ranked Tigers growling loudly, fast, and furious. Missouri 62, Murray State 3.

Temple at Oklahoma (-42.5)

The Owls won’t be doing a whole lotta hootin’ in Norman on Friday night. Okie will no doubt be trying to impress in its SEC debut. No “Sooner” said than done. Chuck Wagons 55, Philly Birds 14.

Georgia (-13.5) vs. Clemson (Atlanta)

Now we’re getting into the meat of things. Number 14 and Numero Uno. And it’s a nooner. Should be a scrap well into the second half. Then the most talented team in the country, by a long shot, will tighten the screws and turn up da heat. Dawgs 28, Cousin Clem 16.

Virgjnia Tech (-13.5) at Vanderbilt

The Dores of NashVegas pose the possibility an upset. Home game. Undefeated. Hope is alive and well. Ohhhhh…. Can’t do it. Hokies 27, Vandy 17

Chattanooga at Tennessee (-38.5)

The Top will be rocky for the Mocs. You can bank on Josh Heupel putting a prolific offense on Shield-Watkins Field at Neyland Stadium. The trip up I-75 is a short one but it will seem longer as the visitors slither back home. Corn Cobbers 49, Native American Footwear 10.

Colorado State at Texas (-32)

We welcome the Longhorns to their first game as members of the SEC. And we’ll see how Ram tough these Ewes truly are. Beautiful state Colorado. More on that in the coming months. A Colorado Rocky Mountain low as it’ll be raining a raging hades in Austin on a Saturday afternoon. Horns 45, Lambs 9.

Miami (-2.5) at Florida

What do we have here?! A real knock down drag out of a football game. AND… a chance at an upset! The Swamp! I usually think of Tony Joe White or John Fogerty when I muse on a swamp. I’m taking myself up on that upset. Albeit a most mild one. Florida 28, Miami 27.

Old Dominion at South Carolina (-21)

The baby Beamer better buckle up. The Monarchs (Butterflies or Rulers?) intend to make this one interesting. It could be for the most part. The Cocks are deeper and more talented. That usually translates into a win. They will in Columbia. Roosters 30, Nervous Stomachs 10.

Eastern Kentucky at Miss State (-24.5)

How often do the Bullies find themselves as a favorite of this magnitude? “Never my love…” Well, occasionally. A State fan called in to the Finebaum show and predicted his Doggies to have a winning season. God love him. Here’s to hoping! StarkVegasians 38, Colonels 17.

Western Kentucky at Alabama (-31.5)

Eastern Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Schlemiel, Schlimazel, Hasenpfeffer Incorporated! A schlemiel is a clumsy, bungling person who often spills things or has bad luck, while a schlimazel is someone who is consistently unlucky or suffers from constant misfortune. Hasenpfeffer is a traditional German stew made from marinated rabbit meat. Coach DeBoer, minus Laverne and Shirley, will have a bowl of that. And Hilltopper it with Kentucky “brown”. It will be strange to not see Nick on the home sideline. But he’s darn good on the College GameDay crew. Elephants 45, Bowling Greeners 13.

Furman at Ole Miss (-42)

As I recall, Furman is about 20 miles north of Camden, my dear home in Wilcox Country, on the way to Montgomery. But one does have to brave the megalopolis of Snow Hill. Surely the Lane Train can easily navigate these not so murky waters. Black Bears 48, Paladins (Paladins where do you roam. Paladins, Paladins far far from home) 6.

Notre Dame at Texas A&M (-3)

PTL! Seems like yesteryear since we got to pick a stem-doggie! Fighting Irish vs. Aggies. Reckon this will be a brawl? No doubt! Gwen Stefanie and the whole shootin’ match. I fell in love with Ireland and do so want to pull for all things Irish. Can’t do that here. SEC! I do expect Mike Elko, A&M’s new head coach, to have his team primed and Kyle Field will be swaying. In a dandy! College Station 27, Emerald Isle Gang 23.

Alabama A&M at Auburn (-47.5)

This is a blowout I am really looking forward to watching. Finally! My Tigers. We’ll do it from the comfort of 116 Sundown Way. The Huntsville Bulldogs will pounded severely but they will receive a fat check. We’ll get to see a lot of new faces. Everybody will play. How much will the Tigers score? Auburn 63, Other Guys 0.

Southern Miss at Kentucky (-28)

The Cats used to be referred to as the Mildcats. No more. Not for a long while. And I, for one, am glad to see that. The more competitive the conference is it’s all for the better. (Or “butter” if you’re Gus). Mark Stoops has done quite the job in Lexington. The Golden Eagles (The Syrup Soppers) will make a bit of a fuss. The home town Kroger Fielders shall whup ’em. Canetuck 34, Hattiesburg 14.

And on Sunday! Be there!!! From Viva Las Vegas!!!

USC vs LSU (-4.5)

Maybe the best for last! Number 13. The Tyguz! And number 23. The Trojans! (Do not make condom jokes, Tweetie!) The Heisman Trophy winner has departed Red Stick but the talent has not. It’s still wait and see for (Abraham ) Lincoln Riley and the LA aggregation. Dandy #2! LSU 35, South Cali 31.

John Brown! Is that all? This took two days! That’s what a 16 team Super Conference will give you on opening weekend. And where’s my NIL money!? It’s been fun. I’m thrilled to be beginning my 64th season of predicting college football games in some shape or form, and may each of your teams have the best of luck.

Stay safe out there and, as always, love thy neighbor.

This one is dedicated to the memory of our dear departed Big Daddy Lawler. He always posted my picks and I miss him dearly. Peace.


Ramblin’ 4/20/17 (And the Summer of ’73)

Have mercy! It’s been far too long since we rambled! The truth of the matter is that I have been doing a whole lot of reading (James Lee Burke) and very little writing. I need to do both. We shall strive to do better.

It’s April 20th or 4/20. 4/20 is a huge day for many who partake of cannabis sativa. Here is an article that seeks to trace the origins of  this “high” holy day.

*Disclaimer*  The editorial staff at Ramblin’ in no way condones the use of mind altering substances. But if one chooses to do so… be cool. My apologies to Jeff Sessions.

And what has Apple Music conjured up for us today? Rock Hits: 1973.

1973. Whew! That was the year that was. It started with my second attempt to master an academic agenda at Auburn University, which also failed for a second time, and ended with the University of Alabama being upset by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Sugar Bowl on 12/31. Yes, the Tide was a 7-point-favorite and there were many of us in Wilcox County who lost a goodly sum of money on that contest. I won’t name names but you know who you are.

Sigh.

From mid-March through mid-September of ’73 I was a disc jockey at WMFC AM radio in the “Hub of Southwest Alabama”, Monroeville. Six days a week. Sunday through Friday. I went on the air at 6AM and completed my shift at “high” noon.

We opened with gospel music and a Church of Christ preacher and then news, weather, and sports. At 7:08 AM we went to pop music. Suffice it to say, the powers-that-be did not care for Led Zeppelin at 7:08. Fine. Next day, ‘Shout Bamalama’ by Wet Willie. They didn’t like that either.

They also didn’t like me smoking cigarettes in the control room, speeding away, while I drummed my fingers and waited for the preachers to conclude their devotionals. There was also a Southern Baptist minister at 9 AM. I don’t think he liked me. His daughter did, though.

I was summarily dismissed from my position in September. I won’t go into details. You’ll have to speak to me personally about that little “misunderstanding.”

Sigh.

To my knowledge there was no official “4/20” celebration in the “Hub City.” If you came to 328 Lazenby St. during those days I can assure you there was one. There would have been on 4/21, 6/22 and 7/23, as well.

Also there were cattle owners in Peterman and Tunnel Springs that were puzzled by a few “long hairs” so interested in their pastures in those times.

Again, details will have to be obtained form moi.

The Psychedelic Summer of ’73 she was.

*See disclaimer above*

Some of those songs from that eventful time? Money, Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting, We’re an American Band, Kodachrome, Live and Let Die, Tie a Yellow Ribbon, and Stuck in the Middle With You.

And so, late September found me running hard on my $35 per week unemployment check, falling for a young lady down there, and, then, back to Camden, AL and reuniting with my homies. As one, now prominent citizen, said as we were riding around and sipping Schlitz one October afternoon, “Welcome back to society.”

Auburn went 6-5 that fall. It was the year they went to an 11 game schedule. It was also the first year that freshman began to play, again, on the varsity. I attended the Chattanooga, Ole Miss, LSU, Houston, and Florida games. They went 3-2 with the losses coming to LSU and Florida.

My mother talked me into going back to school at Troy and I applied there and was accepted late that autumn.

It was there, in the dog days of the summer of ’75 (which was becoming far too similar to the summer of ’73) that I found myself, late on the night of August 1, prostrate at the altar of the Episcopal church in Troy begging God to forgive me and come into my life.

He did.

I was, five years later, ordained as a Southern Baptist minister. As one of my fraternity brothers told me several years after the ‘event’, “Bird, they still talk about it down in Troy.” I wonder what those long-suffering preachers who, patiently, tolerated my presence in the WMFC control room would think about that. God bless them.

Amazing Grace… truly.

May that same grace be yours today.

 

 

 

 

Ramblin’ 7/25/16

Fall camp begins next week for all but one or two SEC teams.

Another political convention begins tonight. It will, mercifully, be over before the weekend, just like the nightmare that was last week’s circus. Deliver us, God.

I miss Hunter S. Thompson. I would truly love to read his scathing takes on these events. Fear and loathing, no doubt.

The Braves continue to hobble along.

A few of the songs on the Apple music setlist playing now. Sundown – Gordon Lightfoot, Shotgun Willie – Willie Nelson, Slow Rollin’ Low – Waylon Jennings, and 300 Pounds of Hongry – Tony Joe White.

A quick Tony Joe story. He and Tom Kimmel, a friend of mine and many of you, had been put together by the record label they shared, years ago. They hung out, did some riding around, shared ideas, and so forth. I suppose the label expected some big collaboration. One day they were eating lunch at a place famous for fried chicken in Franklin, TN. Tony Joe leans over Tom’s plate and, in his deep slow drawl, says, “I don’t see how anybody can eat that dark meat.”

Later he asked Tom when he did his best songwriting. I don’t remember what Tom’s response was but Tony Joe said that he, “…Did his best songwriting when he was driving to Arkansas.” You really need to hear Tom tell it. He has a gift for such.

Poke… salad, UNH!

I haven’t been to a movie, at the theater, in quite some time. I don’t tend to like summer blockbusters, action, popcorn movies, etc. Woooo!!! That blowed up REAL good! I do love popcorn though. Had some last night.

Bob Dylan is now serenading me with a song entitled Isis. Nope, not that ISIS.

Auburn’s first five games will be played in the friendly confines of Jordan-Hare Stadium this fall.

I love Kroger fuel points.

I wonder how One-A-Day Multivitamins are holding up against the onslaught of vitamins and supplements we have today.

Supplements? I take Fish oil, folic acid (My how my taste in acid has changed! Gettin’ old!), probiotics, Co-Q 10, cinnamon,  B-6, and B-12. That’s in addition to the meds which my myocardial infarctions have necessitated. Yes, I have one of those damn trays that you load this stuff into by days of the week.

New setlist time. I’ll go with Rodney Crowell Essentials. Rodney wrote one of my favorite songs of all-time, Till I Gain Control Again. The first time I heard it was Willie’s cover on the ‘Willie and Family Live’ album. That was 1978. Goodness! What a great song!

There was, actually, an Apple Music option for me called ‘Songs With Parental Advice’.

Have y’all been getting some good home grown tomatoes?

We’re gonna get the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls pretty soon. Look for Alabama, LSU, Tennessee, Florida State, Clemson, Ohio State, Michigan, Oklahoma, Baylor, Stanford, and Notre Dame to jockey for the top ten spots.

Google or Yahoo?

Fallon or Colbert?

How about Kimmel and Conan?

Two different Kimmels in one short blog.

Burnt Siena is a good name but the crayon used to make me nervous, as did Periwinkle.

I really would like a couple of more days at the beach before school starts, but it ain’t happening.

What’s your favorite Beatles song? Stones? Those are really tough calls.

It’s been 41 years since the summer of Jaws. Yep, gettin’ old.

Speaking of The Beatles and the Rolling Stones and gettin’ old, Paperback Writer and Paint It Black were big summer hits 50 years ago, as were When A Man Loves a Woman, Hanky Panky, and Wild Thing.

Chip Taylor wrote Wild Thing. He also wrote Angel of the Morning. If you want a tip on a great record, Chip and Carrie Rodriguez did an album by the name of Red Dog Tracks. That and/or their ‘live’ record are must haves, IMHO.

Well, my daily walk ain’t gonna take itself.

Grace and peace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The March To Tampa: Let The Hype Begin

It’s that time of year. On Monday, three major college football publications, Lindy’s, Athlon, and The Sporting News, released their Preseason College Football rankings for the 2016 season. Ever since I was a kid, waiting for Street and Smith’s to publish their preseason magazine, this has been a much-anticipated time for me.

Where is Auburn? Alabama! Again? That refrain rings true once more as Auburn is nowhere to be found in any of the three polls and Alabama resides in the top spot in all of them. The more things change, the more they remain the same.

There are a great many of the usual suspects, from years past, that also find themselves in the hunt. Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan, Texas, and USC would count among those teams. There are also a few teams that would not have been rated back in my younger days. They would include Baylor, TCU, Louisville, Clemson, Houston, Oklahoma State and Oregon.

And here they are with links:

Lindy’s Athlon The Sporting News
1. Alabama 1. Alabama 1. Alabama
2. Clemson 2. Florida State 2. Clemson
3. Oklahoma 3. Ohio State 3. Oklahoma
4. Ohio State 4. Clemson 4. Ohio State
5. Baylor 5. Michigan 5. Baylor
6. Tennessee 6. Oklahoma 6. Florida State
7. Michigan 7. Tennessee 7. Ole Miss
8. Florida State 8. Notre Dame 8. Michigan
9. LSU 9. LSU 9. Stanford
10. Stanford 10. Ole Miss 10. Notre Dame
11. Notre Dame 11. Washington 11. Michigan State
12. Houston 12. Stanford 12. LSU
13. Ole Miss 13. Michigan State 13. Tennessee
14. Louisville 14. Baylor 14. Houston
15. Iowa 15. UCLA 15. USC
16. Oklahoma State 16. Houston 16. Oklahoma State
17. USC 17. Georgia 17. Iowa
18. Georgia 18. TCU 18. North Carolina
19. San Diego State 19. Louisville 19. Oregon
20. TCU 20. Iowa 20. Georgia
21. Washington 21. Florida 21. Washington
22. Michigan State 22. North Carolina 22. Louisville
23. UCLA 23. USC 23. Arkansas
24. Oregon 24. Oregon 24. Texas
25. North Carolina 25. Oklahoma State 25. TCU
In the SEC, we have Alabama, Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia, Florida, and Arkansas. That’s half of the league in and half of the league out. Auburn would be the most prominent exception. Now, lets take a look at all of the SEC teams that made their way in and what the average ranking of each, between the three magazines, would be. We will divide the total of each team’s ranking by three, thus, Alabama 3 divided by 3 = 1. I was hell in arithmetic.

Alabama – 1.0

Tennessee – 8.67

Ole Miss – 10

LSU – 10
( A tie. Interesting.)

Georgia – 18.3

Florida was ranked just once, at 21 by Athlon. Arkansas was also ranked only once and that was at 23 by the Sporting News. I suppose they would both fall into the “others receiving votes” in our combined poll.

And so, that leaves only four teams, Alabama, Tennessee, Ole Miss and LSU as being unanimously ranked. That is not what the SEC is accustomed to. Does that mean it will be a down year for the SEC? I don’t know. I could see Auburn making it in when all is said and done. But Missouri, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Mississippi State, and Texas A&M? No.

The way I’m looking at it, there would be a maximum of seven SEC teams being ranked when the final poll results are in. A maximum, but there, obviously, could be fewer than that.

I mentioned only four teams that are unanimously ranked in the three publications, and they all fall within the top ten. There is certainly a chance that some of those four teams do not meet expectations.

Will Alabama, truly, be as good as they were last year or in years before? Danny Sheridan, oddsmaker and Bama grad, thinks the Tide could lose a couple of games and finish behind LSU. Alabama also lost Kirby Smart to Georgia. How about them Dawgs? There is an entire new coaching staff, and system, that the Bulldogs have to adjust to.

What about LSU? And Tennessee? There are pundits who are beginning to surmise that these teams are overrated. I disagree. In fact, the more I think about these two, the more I like them.

Tennessee, and Butch Jones, have been steadily building this program and those freshmen that were talented, but green, back in 2013 are bigger, stronger, and experienced. The Vols are also deep. I fully expect them to win the East and play for the SEC Championship.

LSU? Same thing with Brandon Harris, Leonard Fournette and their fellow Tigers. I’m beginning to see Danny Sheridan’s point of view and I understand why he thinks the Bayou Bengals will win the SEC West. It could happen.

Hype! Hype! Hype! That’s all we’ve got until September 1 when South Carolina and Vanderbilt open SEC play. And that, my friends, is only 98 days away!