Saturday, November 4, 2006

Florida 25, Vanderbilt 19
Vanderbilt Stadium – Nashville, Tenn.
TV: Lincoln-Financial Sports – Attendance: 38,134

Official Trip Song: "Beer for My Horses" by Willie Nelson/Toby Keith

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Several firsts came on this trip, including the witnessing of our first car wreck on 21st Ave. Sunday morning outside the Pancake Pantry, as we traveled to Nashville to witness the Florida Gators’ SEC Eastern Division-clenching 25-19 victory over the upstart Vanderbilt Commodores with 38,134 of our closest friends at Vanderbilt Stadium.



With the drives being comparable between Birmingham and Tupelo to Nashville, we decided that it would be best (especially with separate weekend plans) to drive separately to the Music City. After a couple of progress reports, we decided on using Big Jim’s Boobie Bungalow at Exit 6 as a reference point, and I had determined that Andrew was 36 miles ahead of me on the drive. (Note: There was no stop made at Big Jim’s, but with a name like that, how can you not mention it in the blog? Come on, you can’t say it without at least a smirk coming across your face.)

Since Andrew beat me to Nashville, he ran to the airport to pick up Dave Curtis and returned to our hotel, the Ramada Inn and Suites off the Briley Parkway, to meet up for dinner. I arrived at the hotel around 8:45 p.m. and checked us into good ole room 222. This room featured the smallest bathroom I’ve ever had the pleasure of showering in as well as amenities dating back to the early 50s (I may be generous here). After a quick change of wardrobe, it was back to town and Rotiers for some burgers and good laughs.

We met Tampa Tribune beat writer Andy Staples at Rotiers and submitted our order to our self-confidence deprived waitress. The atmosphere, while a bit smoky for my tastes, is one of the best we’ve encountered on the trip, and I can’t give the burgers a better ringing endorsement than Andrew’s comment: “I would make a deliberate stop in Nashville for these burgers.” I think the smoke lets up the further you are from the bar, but as a fair warning: it’s a cash-only payment accepted.

After dinner, Andrew headed back towards our part of town while I stayed with Andy and Dave to go to a couple of bars. After a small detour to their hotel, we meandered through a couple of side streets and found ourselves at the Salty Dog Saloon. Here, we would stay for quite awhile and just talked of good times and current events. We also had the pleasure of meeting a vibrant 29-year-old female who had recently broken off her engagement. She told the story of returning the $10,000 ring to her ex-fiancé, who happened to be quite a few years older.

After I got over the fact that I was astonished by her story, she went back to her crew inside as we followed after some of the UF student writers made their way to the bar. The stories kept being told and introductions were made to random strangers before we left the bar in the wee hours of Saturday morning. I hopped a cab back out to the Ramada and grabbed a few zzz’s before daybreak.

Thanks to Lincoln-Financial, we had an early kickoff so this meant an extremely early wake-up call. We left for campus around 8 a.m., and I made the call to Craig (or Vandy420 as he’s otherwise known online) to get directions to his tailgate. We get a bit confused on the drive into town, but Craig gets us straightened out as we solicit parking at a Korean Church of Christ for $5. It turns out that we’re a very short sprint from Craig’s set up and soon meet our Vanderbilt friend.

After a few quick introductions, Andrew left to go to the bookstore and get his Vandy gear while I stayed behind to get to know the guys and help set up (as much as possible). Craig shared some of his tailgating stories from games past, including his great experience at Michigan earlier this season. Andrew returns with his “Commodore Pride” Nike hat and we have a lot of good laughs. We hung out with Craig and Co. for about two and a half hours and enjoyed some delicious grilled chicken and porkchops before leaving for the stadium around 11 a.m. Unlike our Dixieland Delight Tour counterpart, we were not going to miss kickoff at any of our games on schedule, especially Vanderbilt’s.



We traded our ticket stubs with a scalper so that we could have the official Vanderbilt season ticket design as opposed to the ticketmaster design we originally were stuck with. Our seats were a few rows closer to the field than the ones we had purchased online, and we got to our section just as the band was lining up for their pre-game show.

It doesn’t take us long to get acclimated to the crowd around us as we make several friends with some of our neighbors dressed in Vandy gear. I can’t really say that the Florida fans in our vicinity cared for us too much, but that’s not the point of this story. After Vandy elects to receive the opening kickoff, it doesn’t take long for the ‘Dores to get pushed back deep in their own territory. Before we know it, VU is punting from inside its own 10 when the kick is blocked and recovered on the Vandy 6. Chris Leak, who had a Heisman-like performance with 18-of-25 completions for 237 yards with a touchdown (plus three interceptions), snuck in from 4 yards out on second down to put the Gators ahead 8-0 after a botched snap led to a quick-thinking 2-point conversion.



In the first two minutes, UF had executed Urban Meyer’s “Plan to Win” with perfection by winning the field position battle and scoring in the red zone. It was while discussing this “Plan to Win” with Mr. Staples that I realized that the rest of the trips should also hold true. I’m still in the developmental stages of this plan, but I promise to post it as soon as it has become finalized.

Vandy responded with a convincing drive down the field, the first this season on the UF defense so I’ve been told, consummating with a touchdown from the running back with three last names. Florida would post another score later in the half, a 15-yard strike from Leak to Dallas Baker, to make the halftime score of 15-6.

In the second half, Leak snuck in once more while Chris Hetland made just his second field goal of the season to push UF’s lead out to 25-6. However, a pair of Leak interceptions kept the Gators from putting the game away and Chris Nickson was able to lead two Commodore touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to narrow the final deficit to 25-19.



So Florida left Nashville needing only one more Tennessee loss or a victory in their final conference game of the season, South Carolina, to wrap up their spot in Atlanta. Those who remember my prognostications will remind me that I picked UF to lose three conference games and finish second or third in the division. I apologize to those readers now because I was wrong about Urban’s ability to coach them up in tough road games. However, Florida looks no different coming out of the bye week this year than they did last season. Think about it: spring out to a big lead on Georgia then hold on late in the fourth quarter with a big stop and key pickup of a first down followed by a closer-than-expected game against Vanderbilt that came down to an onside kick in the fourth quarter. Last season, they followed these two performances with a damaging loss in Columbia. How do they respond to this adversity in the Swamp?

This is not to take away from anything Vanderbilt has accomplished in the last 12 months since I last saw them in person. They may have had the best player in the SEC last year (Cutler), but I think they have one of the best overall teams in the league this year. The only thing separating Vandy from the top of the SEC East is Vandy. Think about if they hadn’t have dropped the ball against Ole Miss and Alabama by choking away chances at those games. We could be looking at a two-game stretch that would possibly leave them at 5-3 in the conference (splitting between Tennessee and Kentucky). The good news for Vanderbilt is that they aren’t going to lose those games forever. The bad news is that Georgia isn’t going to be this bad again for a long time. If I had a ballot, I would cast Bobby Johnson for my Coach of the Year.

We went to the bookstore and made the ritual purchases before trekking back up the hill to the truck so we could get back to our hotel. Andrew had apparently gotten pretty cold the night before and decided against this ever happening to him again. We walked into an oven at 125 degrees since he had the heater running full blast while we were gone. While we got accustomed to our tropical feel in good ole 222, Andrew called Taylor and her friends so that we could get dinner plans arranged. After suggestion after suggestion was either noted or dismissed, Staples called in with the suggestion for Sam’s Sports Club on 21st Ave. After getting directions and informing Taylor, we were set to return to downtown.

Sam’s was a first-come, first-serve type of establishment with an apparently happening bar scene. After stalking the restaurant for an open table, we finally were able to grab a small high-top where we ordered to our extremely busy waitress. When a gigantic booth became available, we moved in there and waited on our food. A variety of entrées were ordered, highlighted by my choice of the wing-sauced chicken tenders and Andrew’s enormous pizza. The pizza received high marks, while I wasn’t very impressed with the wing sauce on the tenders. Maybe if I hadn’t have stepped out on that limb…It comes with high recommendations, but only if it’s after a Titans or Dores game.

Staples and Curtis arrived shortly after we received our food with Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi. When we finished dinner, I left my group to hang out with the writers for a while. Andrew took my truck and Taylor back to her friend’s house and eventually to our hotel. We stayed at Sam’s for the remainder of the evening’s ball games, including the disappointing Arkansas victory over the hapless Gamecocks.

We dropped Bianchi back off at their hotel and hit the streets again one last time. We met up with a couple of the Alligator writers at another bar (I can’t remember the name of the establishment – Dave or Andy?) where we sat and, through a few rounds by everyone, developed the plan for the ultimate college football playoff. Andy is supposed to write a blog detailing the bracket, so stay tuned to www.tampatrib.com for that.

I returned to the hotel via cab once more and slept until Andrew’s wake-up conversation at 8:30 a.m. We checked out of the hotel around 10 and made our way towards the Loveless Café. However, a detour messed with the directions so we decided to reverse our course and eat at the Pancake Pantry. This was possibly Andrew’s best decision of the Nashville trip. Despite the long wait, the food was amazing, especially the cinnamon sauce they bring out with the maple syrup. I highly recommend this staple Nashville restaurant for breakfast, and the food is rather affordable considering how much you pay at a Waffle House or IHOP.

I returned to Mississippi after breakfast, while Andrew remained in Nashville for a little while longer to spend time with his sugar momma. It’s about that time to do it all again.

A few odds, ends and notes from the trip:

Favorite quote: “He didn’t get the contract he wanted.” – Ah, thank you, Pancake Pantry for not only having the best French toast and cinnamon syrup that I’ve ever had (in a restaurant) but also bringing out Mitch. If we had gone to the Loveless Café as originally planned, we may not have been able to get a Mitch for this trip.

Best Toupee of the Tour de SEC Award: We were standing in our section awaiting the beginning of the second quarter, when out of nowhere, we’re hit with a new hairdo for the trip. While we came across several mullets-in-progress, a gentleman walking up the stairs to his seats in the next section over had one of the most obvious toupees I’ve ever seen. His wig was tilted at an angle towards his eyebrows, almost meeting his aviator sunglasses at the brim. Should there have been a gust of wind from his back, the hairpiece would have flown off his noggin. Much like a crazed single woman at a wedding attempting to catch the bouquet from the bride, I had visions of Marvin Harrison-esque diving catches to take home the souvenir.



Things we learned: Florida fans really don’t like when their cheers are turned back on them. Dennis Franchione did not leave Tuscaloosa in the middle of the night in order to secretly take the job with Texas A&M – he was fired from Alabama in 2002. We also learned that there is a logical solution to a college football playoff that would not destroy the bowls. Vanderbilt is located in the SEC’s largest city, and VU fans are pretty proud of this distinction. Vanderbilt also has the SEC’s only person walking around tailgates selling victory cigars during pregame.

Mitch Sighting: Nashville holds a higher class of people, and Vanderbilt has one of the highest-educated and knowledgeable fan bases in the country. Finding a Mitch was extremely difficult for this trip, although no town big or small exists without its village idiot. Finally, at the Pancake Pantry Sunday afternoon, he showed his face.

As we are standing in line, I’m on the phone with John Hines discussing the television selections for Nov. 11. After learning that Auburn-Georgia had been passed up by ESPN in favor of LSU-Alabama, I was just a little ticked off and vented a bit to John and Andrew. Enter Mitch. He was standing right in front of us, daughters in tow, and, being the keen observational creature he is, notices my Auburn shirt before asking me who Auburn plays this upcoming weekend. When I say its Georgia, he nods his head and says, “Georgia is terrible. No wonder ESPN didn’t take that game.”

It was then that I knew this guy could truly be something special to our trip. We, of course, retaliated with “The Deep South’s oldest rivalry isn’t a better game than Alabama-LSU?” (Remember his keen observation tactics…) His response: “Of course. Alabama and LSU are both good. Georgia lost to Vanderbilt, and Auburn hasn’t done anything this season.” When we remind him of Alabama’s loss to Mississippi State the previous day, he has a look of disbelief on his face and refuses to acknowledge Alabama’s embarrassing loss.

His next nugget comes in the form of this question: “Who is Auburn’s head coach now?” I answer, “Tommy Tuberville.” This is my favorite. “Oh yeah, he hasn’t done anything as Auburn’s head coach, and he’s going to leave Auburn after this season anyway. My people say he’s going to Texas A&M.” Of course, this kind of stupidity cannot go unpunished, so I respond: “You do realize that he was 13-0 in 2004 and has won 31 of 35 games, right? This includes 21 of 23 SEC games.” He has a Mike Shula face after this statement before thinking of this: “He didn’t receive a contract extension last year. He also didn’t get a raise.”

Not to be outdone, I quickly reply: “He just signed a 10-year contract and got the rollover year after last season. He’s the third-highest paid coach in the country AND has the highest-paid coaching staff in the country. What more would he want?” Mitch just shook his head and looks to his daughters. He then explains to them, “If Fran hadn’t have been fired by Alabama a few years ago, that Tuberville wouldn’t have done anything at Auburn. Fran is the best coach Bama has had since HIM.” Before things got really ugly, I left the line to go to my truck and get my camera.

I could lie to you and say that the story ends there, but it just got better. Keep in mind that this guy is probably 20 years older than either Andrew or myself. He has his family with him in a pretty upscale city, when you consider some of the other towns we’ve visited on this trip. The interaction between us and Mitch die down for about 30 minutes as we move forward in the line. Once we cross the doorway and the hosts start seating groups, Mitch’s family is one of the first groups to leave. Right after Mitch, the host grabs our menus and is about to direct us.

As he’s walking away, Mitch turns back to us one last time and says, “You were right, he did get the extension, but he didn’t get the raise he wanted. He’s gone.” I look at him and say, “Man, he’s the third-highest paid coach in the country.” His response, while backpedaling, “He didn’t get the contract he wanted. He’s going to Texas A&M.” Andrew comes back by saying, “Fran’s not getting fired at A&M.” By this point, we’ve almost got him cornered into a booth, my fist clenched as I prepare to unleash a FOUR on him, followed by the thumb. “Of course Fran’s getting fired. He has done a terrible job this year at A&M.” Andrew retaliates with, “He’s 8-2 at A&M this year.” I chime in, “And he’s going to have A&M in the Holiday Bowl, worst-case scenario.” This gem erupts from Mitch’s desperate face: “He hasn’t beaten anyone and will lose to Texas. They’re going to fire him.” At this point, he runs away to the safety of his family.

Up until our interaction with Mitch, the title was going to be shared by Andrew and myself thanks to our constant bombardment of taunts thrown in the faces of Florida fans in our section. We also had another candidate…

This guy will be referred to as “Scraps.” Much like the name suggests, he went from tailgate to tailgate in search of food during the morning. When he came upon Craig’s setup, he calmly asks, “What’s on the grill, fellas?” Craig tells him what we’re cooking and the guy just stands there and holds out his plate. When Craig informs him that we just have enough for our crew, Scraps gets an angry look and moves onto the next tailgate. I even hear him tell the guys working their grill how he likes his burgers cooked. (In the picture below, he is the older gentleman standing to the right of the grill. Notice part of Craig's halloween costume - he was a beer keg with full working tap.)



It feels like coming home this weekend as we take in the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry on the rolling plains of Dixie. For the first time this season, we get to see Auburn in person and don’t have to worry about watching the Tigers via text messages or phone calls as they take on the wounded Georgia Bulldogs.

A31 – South Carolina 15, Miss. State 0
S2 – Southern Cal 50, Arkansas 14
S9 – Georgia 18, South Carolina 0
S16 – Kentucky 31, Ole Miss 14
S23 – Georgia 14, Colorado 13
S30 – Florida 28, Alabama 13
O7 – West Virginia 42, Miss. State 14
O14 – LSU 49, Kentucky 0
O21 – Tennessee 16, Alabama 13
O28 – Florida 21, Georgia 14
N4 – Florida 25, Vanderbilt 19
N11 – Georgia @ Auburn
N18 – Auburn @ Alabama
N24 – LSU @ Arkansas (Little Rock)
N25 – Miss. State @ Ole Miss
D2 – SEC Championship Game (Atlanta)