Through my tenure in sports information at both Auburn and Florida, one of my favorite pastimes was being able to keep up with all the catch-phrases uttered by both coaches and players. Jason Campbell's was "ya know" while Carnell began every statement with "no doubt." The counts could sometimes reach near triple-digits depending on how long these two stood in front of the cameras and tape recorders. One of my personal favorites, though, was Urban Meyer's "Plan to Win," which was outlined the Monday after every Gator football game in the press conference. So, in tipping our hats to the lone coach in Southeastern Conference history to ever be embarrassed by Mike Shula, we turn our attention to our tailgate's "Plan to Win."
Coaches across the country this week have been harping on minimizing mistakes in the season openers, and we will attempt to mirror those game plans with a new tailgate in a new location to open the 2008 campaign. Thanks to the help of Frank Buttler, we were able to set up shop at University Station on Hwy. 14, just inside the Loachapoka city limits. While we will be separated from the goings on all over campus, I think we'll be able to make up for it with the endless possibilities (and having a good core group of weekly tailgaters including Frank's crew) the campsite affords us.
In addition to the Rushings in attendance will be RSVPers Andy Shores, Dr. Andy Shores, Andrew Monroe, Katy Braden, Brad Gregg, Amber Gregg and Brad's younger brother Jared as well as likely appearances from Josh Jackson, "What's the news" Katie Hughes, Andi Boulay and Neal Cheatwood. The menu has yet to be finalized, but it's most likely to have some sort of steak in addition to wings from Buffalo Connection. I'll pass around a donation bucket for the wings, but aside from that, all we ask is that tailgaters bring their own chairs and drinks.
Directions:
From College Street, the easiest way is to turn onto Glenn and hang a right onto Donahue. Get in the left-hand turn lane ASAP and hang a left on Hwy 14/Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Stay on this for approximately 3 miles and look for the Thunder Cat gas station sign on your right. Once you pass the gas station, there will be the campground with several gravel entrances on your right. We'll be in the back corner (look for the enormous RUSHING orange flag atop the camper). Call me with any questions (334-750-1735).
As far as the game, as I stated earlier this week, I foresee a final of 41-10. We won't see very much more of the offense than what was shown in the Chik-fil-A Bowl. I really think this team is ready to hit someone else, and I'm not sure what to think of the supposed punter controversy (what, you thought I'd call our two-QB system a "controversy"?). I spent most of the summer thinking that we'd see Chris Todd take a majority of the snaps, but I'm leaning towards Kodi Burns getting the nod from Tony Franklin and Tommy Tuberville.
Aside from just getting past the excitement of finally getting to go back through the gates at Jordan-Hare, I'll be keying in on the new guys in the secondary as well as to how we approach going into nickel and dime situations. While I hate to see Gabe McKenzie leave the tight end spot and leave Tommy Trott as the lone experienced veteran (yikes), I know that we'll get to see a healthy dose of what McKenzie can do at the defensive end position and our coaches have wanted him there since the day he stepped onto campus. Yes, I am pumped about the offense too, but I know enough to realize that the success of the hard hat defense, under the tutelage of Paul Rhoads, will be the difference in a good and a great season.
See you guys Saturday. It's here...it's finally here. War Eagle.
-6-
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