Tailgating Still Fun After All These Years

Posted by Gaylord Campbell

Tailgating is something almost every family I think has done once or twice in their lifetime. My family though is a tailgating family that enjoys all aspects of it. Most of the time people associate tailgating with just sporting events. I have been to college and pro football games and those have been some of the best tailgating parties I have been associated with. Meeting family and friends to enjoy company and talking about sports cannot be beat. Tailgating combines food, fun, and a happy atmosphere that cannot be beat.

Besides great company tailgating also lets you try new food and recipes that others bring. Many times you will taste something that is just unbelievable and you will be able to get the recipe for it. This is one of the things I really enjoy about tailgating. Before leaving home to go tailgating I set my home security alarm installed by ADT milwaukee WI. Tailgating has really grown over the years and meeting new people is part of the enjoyment. Sometimes even some of the players stop by to check out the food and meet people. It does not happen often, but it has. All part of the fun called tailgating at your favorite sporting events.

Clash of the Titans: Florida/Alabama

As the Alabama Crimson Tide continue to run the “gauntlet” of the SEC, ‘Bama will come face-to-face with the best all-around team on the 2010 schedule…the Florida Gators.

The Gators no longer have the “magic” of Tim Tebow, but they have the talent that many Florida fans have come to expect and appreciate.

Both Florida and Alabama are obviously loaded with talent…but who has more talent?

As is the case with many “epic” games, the “small things” can mean the most.

Can the Florida defensive front handle the Alabama offensive line?

In what could be the most vital element of the game, will Florida be able to limit the “push” of the Crimson Tide offensive front?

Football “life” begins in the “trenches” and at the point of attack. It will be vital for Alabama to establish a strong offensive presence…and that begins on the line.

Taking nothing away from Florida, but I feel once the game arrives in the final period of play, the Alabama offensive line will allow the Tide running game to possibly seal the fate of the Gators.

On the flipside, the Florida offensive line “could” have problems with the Alabama defensive front, especially in the latter stages of the game.

Outside of the “trenches,” I look for the wide receiver position to play a crucial role in the game.

Who has the better group of receivers? Alabama.

Florida has talent, (Thompson, Burton, etc) but Alabama has more weapons. More weapons...more options/chances.

If the Gators are able to contain the Alabama ground attack, Julio Jones will likely see man coverage…which is a plus for the Alabama offense.

The Gators have a talented secondary, but Julio Jones on an “island” would be a tall order for any defense.

On the other side, John Brantley is a talented quarterback for the Gators…but he’s no Ryan Mallett. One would have to like Alabama’s chances when the Tide decides to pressure the Gator signal caller.

The Alabama offensive line, the ground attack and possible man coverage on Tide receivers “could” spell trouble for Florida.

Florida is a great team, but from top to bottom…Alabama is better.

Unless ‘Bama turns the ball over and gives the Florida offense a short field several times during the game…you have to like Alabama’s chances at home.

ALABAMA 31
FLORIDA 20

Gators in the Moonlight: Florida/Tide in Primetime

The top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide will enter the second game of a demanding three game stretch on Saturday night, as the No. 7 Florida Gators come to Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Life without Tim Tebow has been a struggle at times for the Gators, but Florida is still loaded with talent and speed on both sides of the ball.

At the quarterback position the Gators are led by John Brantley.

Unlike Tim Tebow, Brantley is a true
pocket-passer. However, Brantley does possess quickness and solid footwork.

Brantley has thrown for 700 yards thus far in 2010, including six touchdowns and one interception.

One of the biggest storylines for this game has centered (and will continue to center) around Jeff Demps.

Demps, the leading rusher for the Gators (almost 400 yards), injured his left foot against Tennessee and injured the foot once again in the contest with Kentucky.

Demps was in a protective boot the initial portion of the week and is listed as “probable” for the ‘Bama game.

Even if Demps plays, his effectiveness will certainly be in question.

If Demps is unable to play or heavily hindered by his injury, the bulk of the ground game will depend on Mike Gillislee and Emmanuel Moody.


Florida’s Trey Burton will also provide the additional storyline for the Florida/Alabama contest.

Burton is simply a “do everything” performer for the Gators.

Burton set a Florida school record with six touchdowns against Kentucky. The
all-purpose athlete lined up at quarterback, tight end and receiver against the Wildcats.

At the quarterback position Burton ran the “Wildcat” to perfection, but also completed a 42-yard pass.

It goes without saying; the Alabama defense will need to limit the production of Trey Burton.

Florida is known for having speed merchants on offense that can do a little bit of everything. Trey Burton is certainly one of those guys.

For the second consecutive week, the Alabama secondary will be forced to cover a talented group of receivers.

The Gators are led by Deonte Thompson (18 receptions for 248 yards), Carl Moore (11 receptions for 148 yards) and Omarius Hines (9 receptions for 125 yards).

Jeff Demps also has 11 receptions for 61 yards on the season, but as mentioned above, his playing status and certainly playing effectiveness is in question due to his injury.

We know how talented Alabama is on the offensive side of the ball, but the Crimson Tide will be facing a very talented and very tough Florida defense.

The Gators have designed a plan to contain the Alabama ground game. In what is known as the “heavy package,” the Gators will use five defensive linemen and two middle linebackers to limit the Alabama rushing attack.

Alabama gained 251 yards against Florida in the SEC title game so it goes without saying, stopping the run will be critical for the Gator defense.

Not only will Florida attempt to stop the run, but the Gators will look to shutdown Greg McElroy thanks to three of the best cover men in the nation.

Safety Ahmad Black, safety Will Hill and cornerback Janoris Jenkins will be a tough challenge for the Alabama quarterback and receivers.

Crimson Notes 9/28/10

Alabama safety Robert Lester has been named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his stellar performance against the Arkansas Razorbacks.



Lester intercepted Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett on two occasions Saturday afternoon in Fayetteville.

The first interception ended an Arkansas scoring drive (in the end zone) and the second allowed the Tide to obtain the go-ahead touchdown in the final period of play.

On the injury front, Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus continues to recover from an ankle injury he suffered against Arkansas.

Dareus was injured during the latter portion of the first half and was noticeably favoring his ankle during the second half of action against the Razorbacks.

Although the injury is not considered serious, Dareus isn’t expected to practice in “full form” until Wednesday.



‘Bama quarterback Greg McElroy sustained a deep thigh bruise in the contest with Arkansas.

However, the injury is considered minor and will not cause McElroy to miss any practice time this week.

The Tide quarterback admits to being sore, but says the injury is just simply part of the game.

McElroy took a shot to the upper portion of his leg which was not protected by his thigh pad.