Okay just woke up from a 5 hour nap after getting about 36 seconds of sleep last night.
When UCONN played Michigan, a couple friends and I decided to make an annual sports trip involving 2-3 sports events. During that UCONN weekend, we went to an Ohio State football game on Thursday, UCONN-Michigan Saturday, and a Chicago Cubs game Sunday. Last year we went to Green Bay Packers - Saints Thursday Night game, University of Wisconsin football game on a Saturday, and 2 Milwaukee Brewer games Saturday and Sunday. This trip was LSU-Alabama Saturday, followed by the Monday Night Football game Saints v. Eagles.
My thoughts on the LSU experience:
We booked a room at the L'Auberge Casino in Baton Rouge. Inept service, so-s0 casino, but nice rooms. We were told by the staff that busses would come by every 15 minutes to shuttle people to the game. When we got to the parking lot, there was a huge line. I got to talking to a couple of locals going to the game, and they said traffic to and from the game is ridiculous. They lived 10 minutes from the stadium and said it could take up to 2 hours to get there. They decided to try this bus service ($4.00 a ticket). I guess traffic was bad because we stayed in line for about an hour. When the bus came, it was basically a standstill. We had an awesome driver though. A couple of buses were getting a police escort, so our driver pulled in right behind and we were able to shave some good time off the trip. Of all the stadiums I have been too, this was by far the worst experience as far as getting into a stadium. Those UCONN fans that leave in the 3rd quarter to beat traffic would have to leave right after the National Anthem at Tiger Stadium.
When we got off the bus, I immediately saw 2 fist fights about 5 minutes apart. I was told that the LSU fans are generally pretty cool, but this made me just a tad nervous. The tailgating scene was crazy. People just having a blast, music playing, people dancing in the streets. Security/Police were very cool and helpful. Had a lot of offers from people to partake in the tailgates. Aside from the aforementioned fisticuffs, and what seemed like a pretty decent amount of students projectile vomiting in the street, it was a very peaceful scene. The smell of awesome food was overwhelming. Lots of Bama fans, but there was just good natured ribbing between the two groups.
Got into the stadium really early, about an hour before kickoff. We had tickets at the 50 yard line, 19 rows up. I was absolutely shocked that the student section was almost all filled up by this point. I chuckle when I hear the announcer say at our games "Welcome to the Dog Pound, the home of the best student section in the Nation!" It is debatable if they are the best student section in East Hartford, but I digress. They were doing some chants before the game, and were very loud. Alabama Band was also very impressive, but something really annoyed me about them. Whenever the LSU band began playing, the Alabama band immediately started playing so they both drowned each other out. One of the things I love about College games is the bands. That was really bush league by Alabama.
Right before the game, a Alabama Student came down with a ticket and the LSU fan (more on him later) behind me was giving him a hard time, accusing him of buying a counterfeit ticket. The kid looked nervous, we checked his ticket and he had the seat next to me. The LSU fan was just a , a recurring theme throughout the game. The kid bought the ticket 10 minutes before the game at 10 bucks above face value. He told me his buddy got a ticket in the last row of the upper deck. Nice kid, he has gone to every away Bama game, except Penn State (another aside, there were some pretty tasteless shirts LSU fans were wearing. The worst one? "I would rather shower at Penn State than root for Alabama"). Gave me the scoop on a lot of the Bama players, he took some classes with alot of them. He was surrounded by LSU fans but no one gave him a hard time, which was nice to see.
Stadium was LOUD! Wow. What an awesome atmosphere to watch a game. I felt like I had chills the entire game. Loved the energy. Student Section was awesome all game. Crowd was knowledgeable, which was great, because it led to great discussions during the game about play calls (and Les Miles' decisions led to many great discussions, and many F-Bombs). The behind me was arguing with his wife pretty much the entire game, she was basically telling him to stop pouting, they paid good money for the seats and she wanted to enjoy the game. I thought the Wisconsin's student section was better because they seemed to do a lot more things, but LSU was a close second.
As for the game itself, Alabama defense statistically is the best in the nation, but LSU was able to move the ball. And once their receivers started to catch the ball, they really started to move the ball. I thought Zac Mettenberger played a very good game. Les Miles - WTF? A horrible fake field goal call (I feared for the kicker's life when he got that pitch and a defender was right there) when it appeared Alabama had a safe D on the field. Some horrible calls later in the game. LSU should have easily one that game. Mettenberger was playing well, and he decided not to throw at all during the last 3 plays of their last drive?
T.J. Yeldon, a true freshman was the best player on the field. One word to describe him - Smooth. Kind of reminds me of a cross between Eddie George and Darren McFadden. Tall back (6'2) and has that gliding running style. Great receiver, and you just need to give him a small crease in the running game. The kid sitting next to me said his only weakness right now is pass blocking.
When the game finished, behind me was throwing a temper tantrum. Yelling at his wife. "It's not alright!!!! It's not alright!!! We lost the game!!!!" It was awkward and funny at the same time.
Left the stadium and walked to a lot about 15 minutes away where are bus was supposed to be. It was there but we had to wait until it was filled, so took another half hour to leave. When it left . . . traffic. Luckily, the bus was filled with really cool LSU and Alabama fans so a good discussion was started (Man to LSU and Bama fans really hate Cam Newton, I learned.) LSU fan was talking about how horrible getting in and out of stadium. Bama fan said that in Tuscaloosa, they close roads at specific times and only allow shuttles to travel them. This would have worked well.
My experience at the game was top notch. Really glad I went. Great atmosphere, met really good people, and watched an awesome game.
