College Football

Yes, college football started this week. Last night there was a game on TV, and tomorrow will be college football Saturday. I remember a few years ago, when I asked Stein one morning if he was excited. "For what?" he asked. "The start of college football," I said enthusiastically.

Preparations have already been going on for weeks around town. We hear and see the band practicing, witnessing the serious looks on the faces of the drum players as they practice beating their drums in unison (Amy and Colin, I don't know the technical names, sorry!). I went for a run this morning (the 2nd time in a week - I'm on a roll! ugh.) and noticed a lot of activity in and around the stadium. There were a ton more tents set up than there were a few days ago to sell food to all the hungry fans. There was a training session going on that must have been for the people who were working for the TV/video company. And there was a buzz that you could feel, the feeling of anticipation for another season.

College football is definitely a fall tradition, and a definite tradition in our house. Tomorrow morning, we will wake up and make some sort of dish to bring to Matt and Anne's house (my brother-n-law and sister-n-law's house). It will be anything from deviled eggs to cookies to football dip (a gross-looking, yummy tasting dip). We will also be packing our bloody mary cooler, the same one we've been packing for years, with the same ingredients: Sting Ray bloody mary mix, Clamato tomato juice, Absolut peppar vodka, Claussen pickles, worcestershire sauce, horseradish, hot sauce and celery salt. When we get to Matt and Anne's, we will be greeted by other family members and friends who also bring food to share. We will indulge in Anne's "orange dip", pigs in a blanket, and other tailgating goodies while we sip our bloody marys.

I like all the pomp and circumstance that goes along with college football, especially since Michigan is such a football school. And especially since I didn't have football games to go to when I was in college. (Marquette only had a football "club" not a team. Basketball was/is the sport). I'm always amazed to see the parties that are set up in the parking lots before and after games. Like clowns out of a Volkswagen, people suddenly set up tables and chairs, awnings, grills, and food that goes on for weeks. All of this in maize and blue, of course. God forbid you eat your hot dog on a plain white plate!

After being at Matt and Anne's for a while, we will walk to the stadium for the game. We always try to get there before the band comes out, because they all come out high stepping. It's quite a thing to see, especially when 107,000+ fans ("the largest crowd watching a football game anywhere in America" they announce proudly) raise their fists as part of "Hail to the Victors". I get goosebumps every time. We will watch the game, barely speaking unless we comment on game specifics or high five after a touchdown. When the game is over, we may go back to Matt and Anne's or hang out and tailgate with friends in a nearby parking lot. Normally we get home relatively early, turn on the TV and watch more football.