Time For a Cocktail Party

By Sam Burnham
@C_SamBurnham

We find ourselves facing the last Saturday in October. That means it's time for the Gators and Dawgs to head to Jacksonville. 

Growing up, this was a major family affair every year. No going to the game in person but the game in general. My mother grew up in Florida and my seven uncles and my multitude of cousins represented a measurable percentage of the Gator faithful. Trips to Ocala were always more comfortable is the Dawgs won the game. Trash talk was going to happen anyway but if the Gators won...let's just say the Spurrier years were long.

I have just a few thoughts on the game itself. It's a long and storied tradition. It's been in Jacksonville since the 30's (save the two stadium upgrade years) and it should never, ever be played anywhere else for any reason whatsoever. It never needs to be in Atlanta, especially in that abomination with Voltron's Sphincter for a roof.

The game is known to the common folks as the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party." Feeble attempts to make the game some bourgeois "River City Showdown" are silly. Quit trying to dress it up. We don't want quiche. We want biscuits and gravy. This game was made by men like Erk Russell and Charlie Pell. It ain't ballroom dancing. It's a football game surrounded by people grilling steaks and drinking Bud Light. Just go with it. 

So there you have it. 3:30 on CBS. Red and black on one side, orange and blue on the other. If your companion cheers for the other team I suggest end zone seats where the colors change. I'll address the game itself in C&C. Chck back in for that.