My first trip to Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge for a football game was for the LSU-Alabama game in 1973. Both teams were undefeated at 9-0. Alabama was ranked Number 1. LSU was ranked Number 7. LSU had Mike Miley at QB. He was a two sport star (Baseball & Football) at LSU and a hometown hero. He played at East Jefferson High School, which was only a few miles from where I grew up. Alabama had All American tailback Johnny Musso. I remember two plays from that game. I remember LSU's Brad Davis getting a big gain on the Tigers' first play from scrimmage. Then, the second play I remember: We were in the endzone stands. Alabama had the ball and their backs to us. They ran the Wishbone offense then. Tide quarterback Terry Davis took the snap, ran to the end of the offensive line with Musso trailing him waiting for the pitch. When Davis got to the end of his offensive line, he turned upfield ... and there was nothing between him and the endzone except the green, green grass of Tiger Stadium. Everyone in the stands gasped. He ran about 70 yards untouched.
My fondest memory of that game and, perhaps, my fondest memory of any game I attended had nothing to do with the play on the field. Because the game had national interest, it had been moved from Saturday night to Thanksgiving Thursday night. That upset a lot of LSU fans, who view Saturday night football as religion. That's how I ended up with free tickets. I digress. We were there early. About two hours before the game, the Alabama bus arrived. Bear Bryant, in his houndstooth hat, walked onto the Tiger Stadium turf along with his players, dressed in their black slacks, tie, and brilliant crimson blazers. They were very impressive. The student section rose and started yelling TIGER BAIT - TIGER BAIT - TIGER BAIT at them. The rest of the stadium rose and joined in. People milling about on the ramps and at the concession stands hurried into the stadium to join in, too. Thanks, Bear. You were truly a one-of-a-kind crowd pleaser.
Oh, Alabama won, 21-7.
The oddsmakers have installed Alabama as a 5pt favorite for tomorrow night’s big game. In my view, they’re giving them 3 points because the game is in Tuscaloosa and 2 more points because of Alabama head coach, Nick Saban. LSU head coach, Les Miles, has been underestimated his whole time in Baton Rouge and he’s being underestimated now. Saban may be stronger on X’s and O’s and techniques but Miles is better with his players. He believes in them. Always. He also has that does-he-have-any-idea-what-he’s-doing thing going for him that drives other coaches crazy, particularly tightly-wound coaches like Nick Saban. Les Miles is NOT overmatched. This is his kind of game. He enjoys this and that carries over to his players. They’ll be ready.
About the game: Both teams have great defenses. Both teams like to run the ball. Both teams are loaded with NFL-type talent. I’m a homer but I like LSU in this game because they have more experience at quarterback and because they have a wide receiver, Reuben Randle, who is a matchup problem for the Tide. Overall, I think the Tigers have more playmakers across the board.
Today's QOTD comes from a lovely article about LSU head coach, Les Miles.
One more thing:
Man up, Tide. The Tigers are coming.
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5 song iTune shuffle from the CrabAppleLane Five Star playlist:
- Highway Star - Deep Purple - Machine Head (Roger Glover Remixes)
- Gimme Shelter - Grand Funk Railroad - Caught In The Act
- Ashes to Diamonds - Tom Cochrane & Red Rider - Tom Cochrane And Red Rider
- Temptation Eyes - The Grass Roots - 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Grass Roots
- Death On Two Legs (Dedicated To...) - Queen - A Night At The Opera
Quote of the Day
The crowd stands and applauds. Other parents offer congratulations. He is happy. There will be plenty of time to recruit and watch film, solitary meals eaten out of Styrofoam with a plastic fork, endless hours spent on his team. He will undoubtedly put his work above everything else in the days and years ahead, but tonight, on Friday, Oct.28, he chose family.
Wright Thompson, ESPN
Blog of the day is here.
Quote from said blog: "Are you going to really concentrate at work today? Yeah, me neither."
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5 song iTune shuffle:
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