As you read this (Thursday) I am on my way to South Bend, Indiana, to watch the Notre Dame/USC football game. If you are reading this on Saturday I am on my way to Notre Dame Stadium to watch a rare night game. I can’t wait to see “Touchdown Jesus.” I’m not sure what that is but I know they sell replicas in the bookstore.
Thanks to son Dan, who set this all up, I left John Wayne Airport at 11:30 a.m. and will wind up in South Bend Saturday morning. Where is South Bend? My understanding is that it’s not far from Indianapolis near a south bend of a river.
I understand the town is pretty small and the hotel gets full during football games but Dan has it all figured out. All I know is that Gayle and I, as well as Dan and Lorri, will join 80,791 other fans rooting on our teams.
Lorri is the only USC grad in our group but my dad graduated from there and we have been Trojan fans from birth. But I have to admit, Dan does take it a little more intensely than he should sometimes.
He went to the Ohio State game in Columbus a couple of years back by himself. Yes, with his USC shirt with the 24-inch letters and everything!
Last year we all went to the Minnesota game, at Minnesota. Lucky to be alive. For some reason fans don’t like you walking through their tailgate parties with USC colors and advertising! Then Dan flashes the victory sign and I found out how fast I can run.
But this year we better be even more careful. First, Notre Dame is favored. They are hot. They beat Michigan State for State’s only loss and I think Michigan State will play for the national title.
Secondly, the Fighting Irish beat us last year and are brimming with confidence. Perhaps I will wear my non-descript jacket over my USC shirt. At least when we walk through the tailgate parties. I understand our tickets in the end zone will be in with other friendly folks getting tickets like us. I’ll let you know how true that is!
Two weeks ago the weather was warm. I understand it’s cooling fast and we have a night game, of course. But I can’t wait to see this fabled campus and stadium. After all, I’ve seen the last 60 games, or so. Now I get to see it in Notre Dame. Thanks, Dan.
Next week I’ll fill you in on how things went. Wish me luck. After all, I’m going against the luck of the Irish.
Are you ready for the World Series? No Eastern division teams even made the playoffs this year. Things are looking up. Last year at least we had Texas and the Giants. This year I’m having trouble warming up.
I actually went on a ghost ship in Newport Beach last weekend instead of watching a playoff game. What am I supposed to do, yell “Go Brewers?” Gayle is dumfounded. I actually make my own sandwiches during the games. I need a local team or at least the team that plays the Yankees. That’s my favorite team. The team that plays the Yankees. Thank you Detroit for beating them. I was rooting for you!
Many of us just can’t root for Texas. They are the ones that beat the Angels in the AL-West and they were in the World Series last year. I’ll root National League this year if I can get into it.
But I can always get into college football. Is there a better team in college football than Oregon? I just can’t see them losing another game. They lost their first game by 13 points to LSU, who are undefeated and ranked first in the nation.
The Ducks have rolled through everyone since, including the ranked Arizona State team. USC plays ‘em November 19 in Oregon. I don’t think I’ll go to that game.
Meanwhile the UCLA Bruins are fighting for a bowl game. They have several weaker teams on their schedule including Arizona, Cal, Utah and Colorado. They can do it.
Next week: The truth about Notre Dame. Contact Don Alexander at Journaldon@aol.com.
