Name Your Traditions

[Snaggletiger]

With kickoff a few short (Looooonnng) days away, I got to thinking about those things or moments that hit you personally and tell you this is what football season is all about.  I know we all shiver in moist anticipation of the calling of the taint.  That's a given...just as Sani's spirit filled seat cushions help usher in each Fall Saturday.  But each Fall, I can't wait for.....

Walking shoulder to shoulder with thousands as you enter JHS and push your way slowly through the portal.  You can see the upper deck and the scoreboards on the opposite side.  You can hear the bands playing and the crowd roaring. Damn people, walk faster.  Then, you finally clear the protal and look down to see the orange and blue warming up. Instant wood. A glance to the left and there's the sacrificial lamb.  How dare they set foot on our turf.  And get your damn band off the field and in the stands where they belong. Man, LSU looks good warming up.  I hate those bastards.  God, I hope we don't suck today.  Please don't let us suck. Please, please, please......

Jordan Hare Stadium time is 5:30.  We're 30 minutes away from the kickoff between the Auburn Tigers and.....

If Auburn is out of town, the tradition is wings.  The rituals must be performed correctly for optimum TV viewage.  3-4 dozen wings/drumettes are purchased the Friday before, cleaned and bagged up to marinate overnight in the secret sauce. (Whatever is in the fridge that looks good at the time).  Then it's off to a high school football game of my choosing.  The next morning at around 10:00 or 11:00, depending on hangover levels, the coals are lit in the Weber Grill located in Man-Pit on my back patio.  The wings are grilled to perfection (Charred beyond recognition because I had to go in and watch Game Day) then glazed with the super secret BBQ sauce (Again, whatever I could throw together from the fridge and pantry).  I put the wings out on the island in the kitchen with a big veggie tray and the outside fridge is stocked with frosty cold beverages of choice.  Grab a plate full and a bunch of napkins and retire to Man-Cave for a day of football, gluttony and drinkage. And if I'm having folks coming over to watch AU, you bettah bring your own wings and beer.

What are your traditions and/or rituals for a successful football Saturday?   

[AWK]

The Auburn Dance...enough said.

[chinook]

With kickoff a few short (Looooonnng) days away, I got to thinking about those things or moments that hit you personally and tell you this is what football season is all about.  I know we all shiver in moist anticipation of the calling of the taint.  That's a given...just as Sani's spirit filled seat cushions help usher in each Fall Saturday.  But each Fall, I can't wait for.....

Walking shoulder to shoulder with thousands as you enter JHS and push your way slowly through the portal.  You can see the upper deck and the scoreboards on the opposite side.  You can hear the bands playing and the crowd roaring. Damn people, walk faster.  Then, you finally clear the protal and look down to see the orange and blue warming up. Instant wood. A glance to the left and there's the sacrificial lamb.  How dare they set foot on our turf.  And get your damn band off the field and in the stands where they belong. Man, LSU looks good warming up.  I hate those bastards.  God, I hope we don't suck today.  Please don't let us suck. Please, please, please......

Jordan Hare Stadium time is 5:30.  We're 30 minutes away from the kickoff between the Auburn Tigers and.....

If Auburn is out of town, the tradition is wings.  The rituals must be performed correctly for optimum TV viewage.  3-4 dozen wings/drumettes are purchased the Friday before, cleaned and bagged up to marinate overnight in the secret sauce. (Whatever is in the fridge that looks good at the time).  Then it's off to a high school football game of my choosing.  The next morning at around 10:00 or 11:00, depending on hangover levels, the coals are lit in the Weber Grill located in Man-Pit on my back patio.  The wings are grilled to perfection (Charred beyond recognition because I had to go in and watch Game Day) then glazed with the super secret BBQ sauce (Again, whatever I could throw together from the fridge and pantry).  I put the wings out on the island in the kitchen with a big veggie tray and the outside fridge is stocked with frosty cold beverages of choice.  Grab a plate full and a bunch of napkins and retire to Man-Cave for a day of football, gluttony and drinkage. And if I'm having folks coming over to watch AU, you bettah bring your own wings and beer.

What are your traditions and/or rituals for a successful football Saturday?   

 

[Tiger Wench]

I have to actually be in the stadium where the game is being played or in my own recliner.  I have never watched Auburn win from any other location (Vegas?  Georgia Tech.  Watch party? USC.  Twice.)  Even when I watch from my parent's or my sister's house, it is a nailbiter (3-2 anyone?  I was at my sister's house...)

Actually, now that I ponder it, I have never seen them win outside of JHS... so revise that to read "Actually in JHS or in my own recliner".

I have my favorite grey Auburn shirt, and my Auburn Tervis Tumbler if I am at home.  I do not answer the phone because it is my mom, who waits until the Tigers are down by one, and lined up to kick the game winning field goal as time expires, and she likes to call right then and ask "Whatcha doin'?"  Bitch.

I generally eat before or after but not during.  Breaks my concentration.  Also, with a few exceptions (*cough LSU game**cough), I never drink during the game.  Breaks my concentration.

I cannot touch or use anything red on gameday.  My kids think the name of our biggest rival is "bamastinks", as in "Mommy, is that red team bamastinks?"

OH... and lest we all forget, I always ALWAYS shave my legs before gametime.  I forgot in 2004 and we were losing to Ole Miss at halftime, when it dawned on me what the problem was.  Ran to the shower, shaved and came back before the second half kickoff, and the rest is history.

Because, as you all know, it is ALL about me and my direct impact on the game.

[JR4AU]

Before I gave up the sauce...

Bloody Mary for breakfast.

The recipe was very specific.  Absolut Vodka, Tabasco Mix (hot with the horseradish, and ONLY Tabasco Bloody Mary Mix),  squeeze of lime, dash of Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce, dash of Louisiana Hot Sauce, mixed, poured over ice in a Celery Salt rimmed glass  (stadium cup if tailgating), garnished with shake of black pepper, pickled okra, the lime wedge, and stalk of celery to stir.  Always the first thing in the morning once the tailgate was set up.     

Always want to get there to hear the time announced as snaggle said, and always in time to see the eagle fly. 

Stadium dog, mustard only. 

[AUTiger1]

For the games that we unfortunately can't make it down or travel away to, we just do the norm.  We get up early on Saturday  and start preparing food, fire up the smoker. We cook and drink all day.  We usually invite most of the neighbors over.  I usually have plenty of bourbon on hand and neighbors are always good about keeping enough beer stocked that no one goes thirsty.

We have Butts, ribs, yardbirds or wings on the smoker.  If it's a day game, I will fire everything up about 5am so we can eat ribs, chicken or wings and then have the pulled pork that night.  If it's a night game, I will start a little later.  Also if it's a night game and I am up to it, I will pull out the burner, a big pot full of grease and fry some catfish fillets with jalapeno hush puppies, slaw and fries.  We typically have tons of snacks coming off the smoker as well, ABT's, stuffed banana peppers (wrapped in bacon),  fatties.   

We try to do it up right since we are not there. 

[GH2001]

Simple:

Home Games - grilling and drinking on campus....drinking continues into the stadium, Shhhhhhh

Away Games - grilling and drinking at home, sometimes for a day full of good games I will hit up Buff WW in Opelika or Columbus.

[dallaswareagle]

I am lucky enough to travel back for two games a year. This year arky st and corn dog. I do the same thing every year for the games I come back for.

From outside I simply stare at the stadium-once inside, walk up the ramp-take a good look around-close my eyes and take the deepest breath I can. It has to last me awhile.

Here in Dallas the Auburn group meets at a bar north of dallas, somewhere between 20 to 100 have shown up for games. Most likley won't go back- the smoke is killer. (hack-hack)

At home invite some folks over (big 12-er big 10? whatever) and have them watch some real football.
Auburn loses-never invite them back.

[Saniflush]

The Auburn Dance...enough said.

I thought yours involved a trash can and some feces?

[AWK]

I thought yours involved a trash can and some feces?

That is a new thing, we will see if the tradition continues this year.

[Snaggletiger]

Late Saturday nights, you've had a full day of football and drinkage.  But wait, Oregon State is playing Washington and Steve Physioc has the call.  It's cold as balls and snowing just a bit at Huskie Stadium.  Think I'll switch to bourbon for  while.

[Pell City Tiger]

If I'm at home (not at the game), I don my faded orange ball cap an hour before kickoff. Snaggle gave me shit back in '07 for wearing a light pink cap (it's that damn faded), but that fucker is undefeated....12-0!  I sit on the edge of my recliner whenever our defense is on the field and only kick back for the offense. I have no special menu - whatever is available. I follow up every win with a cigar on my deck.

At the game, I arrive inside the stadium no less than 45 minutes to kickoff and I'm n my seat at the 30 minute announcement. On the way in, I make it a point to welcome a visiting fan to Auburn. I walk out of the tunnel and stop to slowly take in the beauty of JHS. I never leave early - ever! Afterwards, the victory cigar and I file out and walk around campus.

On the road, the routine is similar to JHS. In either location, I am in my orange shirt - but I'm tinkering with the idea of going blue this season.

My record thus far is 17-3 in JHS, and 3-1 on the road. I am 3-0 in Iron Bowls I have seen in person, 2-0 vs Tennessee, 2-0 against Old Piss, 2-1 against MSU, 1-0 with Arkansas, but 0-2 against LSU. My only other live loss is USF.