Take the Highway

Lord knows I've been gone too long
Lot of sad days
One day you'll turn around and I'll be gone

And the time has finally come
For me to pack my bags and walk away

Hear me say (Toy Caldwell) 

Today is a big day for me.....for the first time since the Fall of 1988 , I am beginning a College Football season while living in SEC/ACC  Country. I remember fondly the days of living in Jacksonville and heading to a the Bars of Atlantic Beach on Saturday afternoons to watch the Likes of Georgia, Florida, Bama and Auburn. Tonight i will take a 7 minute stroll to Joey's Clubhouse ( I live between the 7th green and the 8th tee box, and the bar is between the 9th & 18th greens)  to watch the big Clemson-LSU game , but first we are headed to the beach to watch Texas-Ohio St from a Tiki Bar.....that's my version of America.

Before i talk about the upcoming season i need to eat some crow......I have been very vocal in my criticism of the Big Ten, and although i still stand behind my accusations of cronyism , weak non conference schedules and inflated poll rankings......I have to admit that they have won back to back National Championships, and honestly i think the expanded playoffs will favor this conference....one rivalry loss will no longer sink a teams season........and the midwest voters are blindly loyal to all things Big 10, so not only will they continue to put multiple teams into the playoffs, but they will probably host early round game(s) , so they have a greater chance to advance.

That being said....I will continue to call out the absurd when i see it.

There really is no point in making predictions anymore....with expanded playoffs, college Football has become like the NFL and other sports, just get in, and then hope for good matchups........but I will continue to shine a light on some overlooked Conferences......starting with my favorite, The American Conf.....Tulane, South Florida and Memphis are legitimate programs that can give anyone a game and will play any one.....Army and Navy do not need any introductions and  Tulsa, Temple and East Carolina are always solid and occasional spectacular........the jury is out on Charlotte....a program with great potential.

The Most fun conference to watch however will again be the Sun Belt, and i am not just saying that because of my proximity to Conway, Home of the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (although the Teal Field is awesome).....but throw in the Dukes of James Madison,  The App State Mountineers, Troy, Marshall and the Warhawks of UL Monroe and you have weekly mayhem and chaos.

The one thing i like about the creation of the Super-Conferences is the elimination of Divisions  ...the ACC, SEC and BIG 10 all went back to one large division from head to toe......that makes every Conf game count....nobody wants to live in the basement and everyone is clawing their respective ways to the penthouse...

on a personal rooting note, I have always been part of the Wolfpack and still am....but i have added Clemson and South Carolina to list of core favorites along with perennial members Navy and Coastal Carolina.....and of course Army 364 days a year.

i am looking forward to sipping bourbon in my Garage and in my Carolina room and thinking back to the legends of the Grid Iron from the Deep Red South...and i look forward to many road trips in my retirement years to visit the massive Cathedral like stadiums  erected on Campus...and participating in the local tailgating customs, it's time to take back September after a long retreat.

Today also marks the final show for Mr. Lee Corso,,,,,an old school classic fella.....funny but Legit....his good natured , self deprecating demeanor takes way from the fact the he was an incredible teacher and groomer of young men ...and a football genius.......his son told a funny story about when he played for his Dad at Indiana.....Corso Guided the Hoosiers to the second Bowl game in school History in 1979...they played the undefeated and heavily favored BYU Cougars in San Diego .....when they arrived on day one Corso told his players there were only 2 rules.....the first one is that there is NO Curfew , you are all adults.....the second rule is when you go to breakfast, put on a clean shirt so nobody knows you were out all night.........the game came down to a last second chip shot field goal attempt for the win from BYU......Corso called over his friend Father James Higgins ( the IU team priest) and he said "cmon, nows your chance, say a prayer....it's you against 6 million Mormons".....and the BYU kick was blocked......IU won 38-37........first ever bowl win in School history.

Sweater Nite will be proudly represented in Chestnut Hill as the Rams of Fordham take on BC ....look for the Hospitality tent flying the SN Flag...............and also down in Hollywood Florida for Irish against the Hurricanes........slainte

2+3= 6 points

I'll be back someday
But darling, please don't wait for me too long
There's just one place I can't stay
Memories of your love still lingers on

And the time has finally come
For me to pack my bags and walk away
Make me stay

Take the highway
Take the highway
Take the highway
Take the highway