Fall = Football

Well hello, September! So very nice to see you again. I like when you come around because it can only mean one thing - FOOTBALL! And though I am 100% girl in every imaginable way, there is little sweeter than the sound of ESPN Gameday each Saturday morning from now til November. (And yes, life is a wee bit better when your team is ranked #1 in the pre-season rankings after winning a national championship. A game that I watched while on my honeymoon, mind you.

What can I say, I Roll Tide whereever I go. Even in Mexico.)


In fact, because that was such a sacred moment, let's pause a moment and pay our respects to Coach Saban and his winning crew, shall we?

So to kick off football season in style, I'm happy to report my wonderful husband found two tickets for the Titans/Saints game tomorrow night. And yes, I know it's a pre-season game but it's the SAINTS, people. As in Super Bowl Champs. As in the city that just marked the five year anniversary from an atrocity called Katrina. They SO deserved that victory. Let's take a moment and rewind back to February for two of my most favorite images of that sweet win.

You deserve it, Coach Payton.

And you're the man, Drew Brees.


Now I must admit, I'm not a huge Titans fan. I feel like you can only have one true allegiance in both college and pro football and mine happens to be the Crimson Tide and the Saints. In that order. But it is pretty awesome to live in a city that has a pro team, and it's even better when the stadium is a five minute drive down the road.

And it's even MORE better (more better? eh, just go with it) when the field doesn't look like this, thanks to the Flood of 2010. Hard to believe this was only four months ago.

And while we're on the subject of football, I'd be remiss not to pay tribute to the new Vanderbilt head coach, Robbie Caldwell. Who apparently had the reporters in stitches at Media Days. He even found out he became head coach while he was out tending to his farm. True story.

I happen to love Coach Caldwell for his rough and tumble, good ole boy nature. I think he's just what Vahn-de-bilt needs to get off their high horses and get some W's. Surely he can beat last year's 2-10 record. Come on boys, represent for the SEC!

And finally, because I know my husband does occasionally read my blog and I'm being a good sport, I'll give a little shout-out to his team too. Virginia Tech. They take on Boise State at Fed Ex Field on Labor Day, and we're taking a quick trip up to Maryland to see them play. Even though last year, as luck would have it, Alabama actually PLAYED Virginia Tech for the opening game in Atlanta. I mean really, what are the chances? We made the most of it and had a fun little engagement party before the game with friends from both sides of the football field. We even had the perfect cake to go along with it.

We agreed we would play nice and I really tried to minimize the trash talking. Really I did. But then, after a few gameday beverages, I was bringing it with all I had. Have I mentioned Mr. T has two older brothers? Which equals three die-hard fans? I had to fend for myself. Which is probably what I'm doing here.


But then Alabama proceeded to PLOW Virginia Tech and go on to have an undefeated season. Boo ya, husband. Let's not pretend I didn't love that a little. But now that we're no longer opponents and back on friendly turf I've decided to be a good sport and TRY and pull for the Hokies. Because those are the kinds of things you do for love.

Happy Fall, Y'all!