This year’s stadium tour is a bit different than previous years in that I am working in more repeats than normal along with at least one neutral site game. And, of course, it is always tentative. The older I get, the more likely I am to make reservations on a refundable status. It is more expensive, but with my creaky bones, I need the flexibility. Hopefully, my plans won’t change as much as the Power Five conferences to do.
WSU vs CSU and UCF vs Boise State
We start off with back to back weekends out west in the mountains. We close out the state of Colorado by catching the home opener of Colorado State where they are a nearly two touchdown underdog to WSU. We then spend a week hanging out in Yellowstone before getting to Boise State in time to see UCF come to town. I would say visiting the famous “Blue Field” has to be on any college football fan’s bucket list. It is certainly on mine.
Wake Forest vs Old Dominion
The next week is technically an off week, but we will find time to revisit ODU. Here’s hoping I was not sold a bill of goods when their sports marketing department convinced me their tailgating is completely worth the $100 parking pass.
Minnesota vs Northwestern
The third weekend of the season brings a trip to Chi-Town with the Nine O’clock club. One can only hope Northwestern can overcome their current mess and at least make it a game against Minnesota. Seeing the Buccos play the Cubbies at Wrigley may end up being the highlight of this trip.
Mid Tenn State vs Western Kentucky followed by Florida at Kentucky
Hopefully I can recover quickly, because the next weekend is the first double of the year. We start with Middle Tennessee State at Western Kentucky on Thursday and finish with Florida at Kentucky for a big SEC Saturday. I thought about driving for that weekend and then I thought better. Ten hours is way beyond my comfort zone.
Sam Houston State vs Liberty followed by William and Mary at UVA
The next week is local, sort of, with drives to Liberty on Thursday and then a revisit to UVA on Saturday. I plan on tailgating at both as long as I can get someone to join me. I saw the Bearkats play last year and I hope they have leveled up because the Flames are usually pretty good. I hope it isn’t dry tailgating because this one may need some social lubrication. W&M at UVA is really about the tailgating and getting some updated photos of Hoo central. I have not been there since we took the kids there on a campus visit.
Kent State at Eastern Michigan or Akron at Central Michigan or Miami(O) at Western Michigan
The next weekend is a big roll of the dice. TV contracts have made planning for multiple game weekends a real challenge. The three small Michigan schools – i.e. Eastern, Central, Western, have been on my multiple weekend list for years. They are all home for Week 7. It is just a question start times and how fast I can drive across “The Great Lakes” state. We are hoping to get two out of three stadiums on this trip, preferably missing out on seeing the awful Akron Zips.
GA State vs GA Southern followed by Georgia vs Florida
That run of games will deserve a weekend off. I will enjoy the rest and recovery because the weekend after is another bucket list. No disrespect to Georgia Southern, but their Thursday game against Georgia State is more of a tick the box stadium. The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party where Georgia plays Florida, however, is a different story. It may be a neutral site but it has always been on my list and the only time I would say I want to go to Jacksonville.
Utah State vs San Diego State or Connecticut vs JMU
The final game of the year is always subject to change. It will either be a big trip out to sunny San Diego to close out California, or, a local trip to James Madison a week later. It is way too early to know which game will make the cut right now.
In any case, it looks like I will pick up somewhere between eight to ten games this year along with a bunch more great memories. As always, if you see me at game, feel free to give a me a shout. I will be the one in the very cool t-shirt.
