Bring it On, You T(w)erps!

Oh what fun college football season can be!  The camaraderie, the rivalries and most definitely the smack talk.

My version of a game face with a double chin.
So tough, I know.

Being raised in Iowa, we had no (and still have no) NFL team to support. So you’re either an Iowa Hawkeye (yeehaw!) or an Iowa State Cyclone (ew, gross) and pretty much rally around your team, hoping for a conference title and possibly, a trip to one of the top college bowl games (which can feel like the Super Bowl if your teams wins – don’t judge).

Vintage proof that Iowa was at the top of their game….decades ago.

To me, nothing can really beat a college football game at my alma mater with the tailgating, the rowdy crowd, the marching band and the memories of raucous times of yesteryear (you know, like catching one hour of sleep between Friday night shenanigans and the Saturday morning shit show of a college town at 7am on game day).

“Responsibly” reliving our college days at the first Hawkeye game in Iowa City.

One of my blogging buddies, Mark Bialczak went to the University of Maryland and they just joined our conference this year – the Big Ten. Our alma maters are playing this Saturday at 11am CST on ESPN2 and with a virtual pinky swear bet, the loser must post a photo of the winner rolling around in all of their victorious glory on their blog next week.

Mark’s all smiles until the Hawks come to town…

Even though my team has the better record (Hawks are 5-1 overall with the Terps at 4-2) us Iowa fans know that anything can happen out there on the field. I ‘m in heavy prep mode as it’s no game day without a tailgate and I’m bringing out my non-secret weapons for help in the fun department.

Weapon #1 – Skinny Pirates.

Weapon #2 – Popcorn Sutton ‘moonshine’ for touchdown shots.

Because you know, my family has classy traditions like that.

Weapon #3 – Hawkeye Jell-O shot jigglers.

Weapon #4 – my lucky glass.

Weapon #5 – our typical tailgate spread.

So with full bellies and some tipsy swagger, we’ll be cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes at my Nashville mini manse (with hopes they kick some Maryland Terrapin ass) knowing Mark and his wife will be tuning in on the East Coast.

Terps fans smiles and brews.

Nashville based Hawkeyes celebrating another seven points with a moonshine shot.

And our fingers are crossed that we do more shots than the Terps fans.

Right Dad?

He really hates scoring.

Let’s hope you see Mark’s smiling face on my blog next week….

Game on! Go Hawks!

CBXB