Geaux Gamecocks?

So blah, blah, blah lots has happened since I left New Orleans at the end of the summer, but this is not a recap. Wedding (not mine), move (mine), new job, classes - yada, yada, yada - if you want to know more call me, now onto the topic at hand.

The 2007 football season began last weekend for college and Thursday night for NFL. Be forewarned, I am not a football fanatic. I do not know NFL or college trivia. I cannot tell you who won the championship game five years ago or even who won all the games in a single week. I do, however, follow two particular teams: the South Carolina Gamecocks and the New Orleans Saints. In the grand scheme of things these two particular teams are awfully difficult to support, but alas, I do.

Growing up in Columbia, I was inundated with everything Carolina - just not by my family mind you. I was in high school when the the gamecocks were 0-11. That's right, zero wins. I really cared little about what went on, but then I moved away. Not only that, but then they actually won a few games. Anyways, I am now a Carolina fan. Don't hate me; it's not like I jumped on the other USC's bandwagon. I still do not know trivia about the team, but I do my best to follow them from week to week. It helps that my sister is a student athletic trainer, diligently working day in and day out with the team. (I get to the hear the random little stories about which player did that and who said what - you know, the funny stuff.) From what I am told, this season looks to be an exciting one for the Gamecocks. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. We're 2-0 at the moment, and today's win is pretty exciting. I must admit that I was really looking forward to today's game. I worked all day until 5 and so missed any chance of groving (that's Ole Miss speak for tailgating). I wasn't really in the mood for a massive crowd anyway, so I went to a bar to watch the game since I don't have tv (I know it's sad, but that's another story). I searched my phone for people who might be watching the game somewhere, but no such luck. Instead, I watched the game with the bartenders and the five other people that happened to be at City Grocery at the time. Amazingly, I was content at the bar with only myself and football. I'm not sure if today's adventure proves that I'm a Gamecock fan or that I have a drinking problem, but I'm hoping it's the former. Besides, I only had four beers and walked away with a $9 tab so that's not bad. Oh, did I mention I made friends with the newest bartender there? Thanks, Peyton. Back to football. So congratulations Carolina - you boys made me watch through my fingers for the last five minutes of the game, but I'm glad you won. I was hoping this year was the year of the Rooster in the Chinese calendar, but no such luck. Y'all are going to have to pull off a winning season without Chinese astrology. I have faith.

Speaking of faith . . . oh, those New Orleans Saints. They really do drag their fans through the mud. Again, I'm not a lifelong Saints fan. I don't know who played on the 1982 team, but I do know that Drew Brees is hot. Just kidding (sort of). Last season was amazing. Really, it was. This season has started off not so hot. In fact, it was pretty brutal. I suppose losing to the previous season's Superbowl champs is ok, but it could have been at least more of a fight. It was still fun to go and watch it. I watched the Saints game at a bar too, but at least I was with other people for that one. In two weeks I'll be in the Superdome, cheering the Saints on to victory. I'm excited, and I have faith. That'll be fantastic football frenzy weekend - Ole Miss/Florida game here in Oxford then down to New Orleans for the Saints/Titans game. I'm super excited. Good games, good people, good times.

Here's to hoping USC will keep the momentum they have and keep moving in the right direction and the Saints will find their stride again this season. Do I see a Sugar Bowl and Superbowl win for these teams? Eh, let's not get too ahead of ourselves.