Sixteen years ago I had visited the University of Virginia with my family as we had started to look at prospective colleges. The Cavaliers were hosting the Richmond Spiders so it was not exactly a big game. The review was a light one and I have always intended to get back to UVA to get an update.
When I saw this game on the schedule, it looked like a perfect fit. It is hard to beat early October in Virginia, especially in Charlottesville. As I planned the tailgate menu, I was assuming either a noon or late afternoon kickoff. This would be perfect because we would be able to catch the Georgia – Alabama game that night, either in a bar or at home.
Alas, much to my disappointment, the Syracuse-UVA game this week is at 7:30pm. I guess because there’s going to be big ratings for a battle of two middling ACC teams? There goes watching the Dawgs vs the Crimson Tide which is the real game of the week.
It also complicates the tailgate arrival time. If it was a noon kick-off, I’d feel pretty comfortable arriving at 8am even with it being homecoming. With a night game, it is really hard to figure out when the lots are going to fill up. I am going over to Reddit to get some advice, but I will happily take feedback from any experienced UVA tailgaters here.
And, if you are tailgating and see the Somanystadiums flag flying – stop by. We will give you a free koozie.
Oh, the Highs and the Lows
In what seems to be recurring developmental opportunity for me, I found myself rushing to get out the house and on the road to Blacksburg by 1pm. According to Google Maps, Lane Stadium is about a four hour drive away. Experience has taught me (although clearly not well enough) that it is at least five hours and on game days it can easily stretch to six hours.
The minute I jumped in the car, my arrival time slowly started getting later and later. I am sure Maps thinks that getting a late arrival update every five minutes is helpful, but it is not. It makes the drive feel like watching the Pittsburgh Pirates slowly, but surely, blow a lead. A phenomenon I am very familiar with. As I cursed the constant double trailer trucks on I-81 passing each other with sloth like efficiency, my frustration only grew. I wasn’t tailgating, but I wanted to make sure I caught “Enter Sandman.” It was slipping away right in front of my digital eyes.
MiraculousIy, I made up some time late and got to my preferred lot at 6:30pm. Of course, it was filled. Luckily, I found a nearby spot where I could park for free. A brisk 1 mile walk later, I was in the stadium just in time for Enter Sandman and an accompanying brief shower. Rain was not in the forecast, btw.
However, it stopped raining as quickly as it started. What followed was a great game. It was a back and forth affair, that if not for a missed(!?!) field goal, I would have left nearly satisfied. Nonetheless, I was reminded that once you get there, Lane Stadium is a fantastic place to watch a game.
Who do I like?
This Week
Given my dismal performance in the last couple of years, I should probably give this up. However, for the sake of continuity and not my pride, I will continue this charade. My picks this week are as follows:
- Maryland surprised me for a half last week against Nebraska and then the wheels fell off. Ohio State should score at will against the Terps.
- I guess it is all about which Mizzou shows up? Is it the Tigers that lost to Mississippi State or the one that stomped the Gators last week? A&M beat Arkansas last week, but it was Arkansas. I am rolling with Missouri.
- I will be at the Syracuse – UVA game on Saturday night. I like the Cavaliers to win, but I am not crazy about the point spread. I keep vacilating between these two. I am just going to follow the crowd and go with Virginia. Presumably, if the Orange win it won’t be a blowout. My consolation prize will be that I got to see a good game.
- The line on the Texas game is now 7.5, but I made the bet at 9.5 last week. I didn’t mean to make that pick last week, but I was in a hurry so there you go. Even if it is the Red River Shoot Out, I think the Longhorns win by more than 10.
My other thoughts on FBS Week Six:
- If you are within a three-hour and half hour drive of State College, I strongly recommend snapping up a ticket to the USC game. There will not be many times that you can experience a “White Out” for around $50. And if PSU were to win, it would be racuous, upset vibe. They better not rush the field though; USC is only ranked 19.
- Still a little miffed about the 7:30pm start for the UVA game. The day slate of games doesn’t look great. Miami O vs UMass looks as good as any game early Saturday afternoon. The evening schedule is spotty too, with Georgia – Alabama being the big game.
- I think LSU at Kentucky could be a sneaky good game. The Wildcats have been getting better and it would come with the bonus of seeing Lane Kiffin lose.
- Minnesota vs Purdue tickets are $7 right now. You’d better off spending $50 to get tickets to the Illinois (#24) vs Purdue (#16) women’s volleyball game instead. It will undoubtedly be a better event.
Last Week
Back to another 2-2 week with the vig slowly eating away my gambling stash. Honestly, last week I was lucky to get any wins. I went 3 for 13 in my other bets. Most of them were not even close.
- Even if the Hokies had made that field goal, they would not have covered. Apparently, Franklin also has a recurring development opportunity e.g. winning big games.
- WVU – Iowa State was an absolute track meet. Extremely entertaining and extremely frustrating.
- Auburn gave a typical SEC Jekyll and Hyde performance. There’s no rhyme or reason to some of these SEC games week to week. Florida hammers Ole Miss last week only to be hammered by Missouri who lost against Mississippi State the weekend before.
- And that same Mississippi State was pretty much owned by Bama this weekend.
Other games / thoughts for this week:
- I was right about Eastern Michigan being too much for the Minutemen. The UMass win streak ends at four which is still four times better than last season.
- There is a lot of football yet to be played, but the exit of Clemson from the top tier appears to be complete.
- Those were some funky uniforms/helmets that Houston was wearing against UCF.
- I really loved Kentucky going for two and the win in the first overtime against South Carolina. Fortune favors the bold.
That’s all I got – Enjoy the games and stay safe those of you in the path of Hurricane Isaias.
Tree