Separated at Birth?
Mikey couldn’t believe his eyes a few years ago when Vanderbilt took the field. What…the…heck? Was that Steve Martin leading the Commodores onto the field? No, it’s Bobby Johnson, and he’s a pretty solid football coach. The two did finally meet when Martin toted his banjo to the Grand Ole Opry recently.
While we are at it, have you ever seen these two in the same room together? Hmmmm...
The resemblance between the comedian and the coach is purely physical – Johnson is anything but “a wild and crazy guy” and while Vanderbilt does not attract the level of scholarship athletes to give them a realistic chance at an SEC title, it is no longer a game you can just pencil in a win either. They racked up over half a grand in offense against Western Carolina last week, so John Chavis needs to get the Tiger D ready for another test on Saturday.
The Tigers opened the week favored by 15 points in Las Vegas so Chicken Little isn’t an oddsmaker. But it may also just mean that they believe our offense will put up a lot of points and escape with a win in a high scoring game. Fun to watch but not exactly comforting with Florida on the horizon.
But turn it around and imagine you are Vandy entering Death Valley to face the 2007 National Champions and 93,000 bloodthirsty Cajuns. They are leaving their band home, but Mikey has taken a look at their fight song “Dynamite” (listen to it HERE) and blew up some lyrics that might suit how they will feel on a Saturday Night in Tiger Stadium. Here’s the real lyrics:
Dynamite, dynamite,
When Vandy starts to fight.
Down the field with blood to yield
If need be save the shield.
If victory's won when battle's done,
Then Vandy's name will rise in fame.
Win or lose the fates will choose,
But Vandy's game will be the same.
Dynamite, dynamite,
When Vandy starts to fight.
Mikey thinks they would rather be playing someone else:
Rocky Top, Rocky Top,
Is who we’d rather fight
Down the hatch with Mason jars
As Kiffen sinks the Vols.
But victory’s not for us today
And Tiger Band’s in the Hall of Fame
We will lose to LSU
And hope the Vols will be more lame.
Rocky Flop, Rocky Flop
When Vandy plays in-state!
If you don’t like the parody, as a certain “jerk” once said,
“Well, Ex-cuuuuuuse me!”
As noted in those lyrics, Mikey heard that the LSU Tiger Band will be inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame at halftime on Saturday.
Here is exclusive first publication of TigerToonDude's salute. Coooool.
Back to football. It seems to be a lot of apprehension among the Tiger faithful after LSU walked away from Husky Stadium with a 31-23 victory hanging on its belt. No, we didn’t see a polished team blowing out a bottom dweller as many expected.
LSU has a lot more to show than they did, and has work to do to improve and be prepared for the meat of our SEC schedule. On the other hand, maybe, just maybe, Coach Sarkesian is turning around a dismal and once-proud program in his first year in Seattle. Mikey was among those whose respect for the Huskies rose – and curious to see how they fare against USC in two weeks.
One thing is certain: Les Miles did not show anything but basic offense and defense last Saturday. The cards have not even been fully dealt so there’s not enough to go on to make any conclusions. And all teams usually show their greatest improvement between the first and second game.
MIkey’s point is don’t read too much into this first game. We will know a lot more about the 2009 Tigers in a couple of weeks, maybe sooner. ANY SEC team is a threat and Vanderbilt has risen in stature as a competitive and well-coached team. Miles & Co. will have to play a few high cards.
We are an elite program, and all teams face adversity. Great teams overcome it and that’s what LSU did on their long trek this week. And it could have been much much worse. A sharp Tiger fan from Maine posted this message on a sports board after the game that puts things in perspective for those of us who live in the Land of Red Clay Disease: “I love my dog, and my Tigers are 1-0. Georgia traveled west and can't say the same thing.”
Game Prediction: I’ll leave it for others to break down the game since this blog is running long, but Mikey expects a win, and more importantly, signs of progress by our defense and real hope for the Tigers to be undefeated when they host the Gators Oct. 10. When asked how he can survive in the SEC Coach Johnson will philosophically quote Steve Martin in his post game interview: “I've got to keep breathing. It'll be my worst business mistake if I don't.” LSU 35, Crunchberries 10.
ATLANTA TIGER FANS – Remember that we now have FIVE metro area options to go watch the Tigers play this fall and all of the restaurants will have LSU fan specials and are donating a portion of your food and beverage purchase to LSU Atlanta. Each location will give away a door prize at halftime so make sure to see the host for your free ticket!
