10. Texas Tech's coach used to coach Auburn.
Tommy Tuberville seems like a nice enough guy. Anyone who lists one of his interests as "The American Military" is okay in my book. But we have a problem here. You see, he used to coach Auburn. In fact, he was at Auburn as recently as 2008. You know what that means? He signed off on the recruitment of Ben Tate. And if there's any Auburn player I hate with a passion, it's Ben Tate. You might recall Tate as that prick who had the audacity to dunk the ball over the goalpost like he was a NFL player in the Outback Bowl. He also was the moron who proclaimed himself the best running back in the state of Alabama. (By the way, Ben Tate, karma is a bitch.) So through Ben Tate, I sports-hate Tommy Tuberville, and you should too. Guilty by association? Absolutely. If you're looking for something else, the man has been a head coach in the SEC for most of his life, and we all hate the SEC on principle. So get FIRED UP for the chance to beat Tommy Tuberville!
9. We're playing in the Cotton Bowl!
The actual Cotton Bowl is not played in the Cotton Bowl which is up there with the Orange Bowl not being played in the Orange Bowl for most confusing scenarios around. Imagine if they played the Rose Bowl in AT&T Park and put the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl (formerly the Emerald Nuts Bowl) in the Rose Bowl. Never mind, my head hurts. In any case, the stadium is certainly historic, but is now home to only three football games a year: the Red River Rivalry between OU and UT (it used to be the Red River Shootout until the PC police ruined everything like they always do...see Sweet Sioux, Tomahawk.), the State Fair Classic between Grambling State and Prairie View (where the halftime show is more important than the football game), and now...the Ticket City Bowl. Obviously this game is on the same level as the other two in historical importance! In all seriousness, it's nice to be playing a football game in an old, I mean historic, stadium that is actually fit to hold a football game.
8. A source (read: buddy) tells me that Texas Tech students can drink anyone under the table.
Men's Health confirms that is very close to the truth.
This game is on New Years Day...aka the day after the biggest party of the year that's not held at DJK's Drug House.
Get pumped.
7. Multiple sources tell me that Northwestern's run defense plans to show up for this game.
That's sort of irrelevant since Texas Tech doesn't really run the ball, but it's nice to know. I hear the run defense's vacation in the Bahamas was quite nice. It was peaceful and uneventful...which is more than you can say for this guy. (Sorry, I'm bitter because Florida International now has as many bowl wins as Northwestern. Florida International has had a football program since 2002. Excuse me while I light myself on fire.) Meanwhile, the impostors that showed up for the Ill-ANNOY and Wisconsin games have been sent back to Evanston Township High School. It has not been confirmed whether or not Mike Bolden went with them.
6. Adam James plays for Texas Tech
You remember Adam James right? He's the man who, along with his father, the immortal Craig "take the money and run" James brought down the quirky, possibly sadistic, Mike Leach. Needless to say, the new coach has brought new life to Mr. James, right? Wrong.
Is this really a reason to get FIRED UP? Not particularly, but this game is freaking boring and I found that tidbit interesting. So sue me...it's my blog.
5. Mike Trumpy is a game time decision!
Oh, the game day drama! Will the Trump Card play? This is the most exciting NU running back question since "why did Arby Fields REALLY transfer?" The answer is quite the scenario, I'll tell you that much. You just have to sit there and find a way to figure it out. I hope Trumpy has the intestinal fortitude to play because that will be a big upgrade over Adonis "Fitz hates Iowa" Smith and Stephen "remember me?" Simmons.
4. Northwestern plays Purdue in men's basketball the day before the game.
One of the best experiences at the Outback Bowl last year was gathering at a NAA event and watching NU take on Illinois in men's hoops as we bowled (literally). The basketball team lost that game, but it was still a fun experience to talk with alums young and old alike. Bonding is great, and if you're not attending the Ticket City Bowl, you're missing out on that! For some reason the NU press conference conflicts with the basketball game on the 31st. The only reason I would go to the presser over watching the game with a bunch of NU alums is if Adonis Smith is allowed to speak.
3. At least we're not in the GoDaddy.com bowl.
It's the small victories in life I savor.
2. 1949
We're all tired of hearing about it. We're all tired of watching the old video in a pathetic attempt to feel some connection to NU's last bowl win. Let's get this monkey off our backs so I never take a cheap shot at Florida International again. (That is, until the Golden Panthers win another bowl.)
1. After NU wins, there will be only 288 days until Dan Persa unleashes holy hell on the Iowa Hawk-highs.
GO 'CATS!!! FINISH!!!
Filed under: Football
Tags: college football, Finish, FIRED UP, northwestern, pat fitzgerald, texas tech, ticket city bowl
