What's been going on and a preliminary diagnosis

Sorry for the delay in getting back to this. Over the past couple of months, I've been working like a madman with a new project - CollegeSportsMatchups.com. I've been getting up at 5:30 and 6 a.m. everyday to post articles from nearly 60 newspapers spread throughout the country on a handful of teams in the SEC, Big 10, Big East, Big 12 and Pac-10. It's been an interesting project.

Not only this, but I have signed on with Gary Brown as an insider for the SEC and Big 12. Twice weekly, we'll have game reviews and game previews from all football and basketball contests involving SEC and Big 12 teams. Our goal and hope is to offer a similar package for all six BCS conferences. If you haven't checked out the site, please do. We're trying to up our traffic to increase advertising appeal.

That has also led me to signing a contract to provide any and all original content to CSM, so I'll not be able to discuss any Auburn athletics ideas on here. I'll try to keep you posted with what's going on with me, but this site will - for the most part - be a source for tailgating information as we try to improve on last year's situation (both on and off the tailgating field).

New to this year: more responsibility sharing, better menus, more Chris Rushing original cooking (don't get too scared, I'm getting pretty good with this) and last, but not least, CORNHOLE. We've got a bigger lot at the campground and a luxurious camper that joined us about the time the AU football team went into a tailspin last season. I blame Tony Franklin, not the camper, for this.

Next week, I'll offer the La. Tech Plan to Win: Tailgate Initiatives with an items list. This and the Mississippi State game a week later are already proving to be massive with lots of fun people. Please e-mail, call or text me to let me know if you will be at the La. Tech tailgate. We're looking forward to a great season of fun (at the campground, at least) so please join us as often as possible.

Til next week...

War Eagle!

Chris

P.S. I'm going to Chicago with dad on Friday and will return Sunday night. We're going to hit up the Untouchables Tour Saturday morning, the Natural Science and Field History Museum for their Pirates exhibit and tour Saturday afternoon, Harry Caray's steakhouse Saturday night and a Sunday afternoon matinee between the Cubs and Mets at Wrigley. Look for us on the tube next Sunday since we'll be five rows up behind the Cubs dugout.