LITTLE ROCK — It was a day that had been looked forward to for more than two weeks.
The Arkansas Razorbacks were off and that meant it was the one day every football season this reporter can be like any other football fan. Just enjoy games from 11 a.m. until falling asleep that night.
A year ago to the day the Hogs were not off. They played Auburn. I walked my daughter down the aisle that day, so Whitney and Brad were celebrating their first anniversary in Eureka Springs over the weekend.
They couldn’t make the Kremer-Gardner-Fletcher-Hall cookout Saturday night to watch football and celebrate Savannah being home from Vanderbilt for the weekend, with Mike of course.
Since there was a festive occasion that night, there were errands to run and the day could have taken a sharp turn into cloudiness at 10 a.m. when Rachel, my wife, decided we could save time if I went to the grocery store alone while she ran another errand.
This probably doesn’t put me in exclusive company, but I don’t like to shop. Not for clothes, shoes, groceries or anything.
It took 45 minutes because I couldn’t decide between ground chuck and hamburger meat (ground chuck) and how many chicken breasts we needed. I got 8 pounds too much and forgot the soft drinks.
By the time we got home, washed the lettuce and tomatoes and put everything else in order, and Rachel made cheese dip, South Carolina and Mississippi State were going at it.
About the middle of the third quarter I decided it was too bad there are no ties in college football. I wasn’t sure either team deserved to win. The Gamecocks finally did, 14-12, but lost running back Marcus Lattimore for the season.
Started watching Texas and Oklahoma State and couldn’t help but wonder, how do the Longhorns ever lose a ballgame with all the great recruiting classes they have?
Was already switching back and forth between that game and LSU-Tennessee when I realized if I sat in the corner seat at the table I could easily watch two TVs. That was great for 20 minutes, and then I had to start cooking.
I had already made the executive decision to cook before everyone arrived so I would be free to visit, and I had never cooked 14 chicken breasts, 16 hamburgers and 8 hot dogs all at one time. If I messed up I wanted to be able to order pizza before the guests arrived.
From the grill I could see through the window, over the table and sofa, to the TV over the fireplace; although it wasn’t perfect, it was enough to know LSU is for real.
LSU dominated the Vols. Tennessee is very balanced. It is average on offense and defense.
The Tigers don’t have balance on offense. Every pass should be accompanied by a prayer. But they do have a running attack, churning out a 38-7 victory.
Ole Miss led Alabama 7-0 after a 72-yard opening drive. Game over. The Rebels finished with 141 total yards, and Bama moved to No. 1 in the nation in total defense. Trent Richardson had 183 yards rushing. The 52-7 final was Bama’s largest victory margin of the season.
Before that game ended all the family had left and we turned our attention to Florida at Auburn. Again, too bad there are no ties in college football.
Before the first quarter of Arizona State-Oregon ended Rachel was asleep and I woke up to turn the TV off at the half.
It was a great Saturday to recharge the batteries, and I’m ready to get back to work.
Sports, Pages 17 on 10/18/2011