I had the opportunity to attend the ACC-SEC Chick-Fil-A Bowl (fka Peach Bowl) on New Year's Eve. I was sooo excited! It was my Alma Mater, Georgia Tech, playing LSU. I have been to plenty college football games, but never a bowl game. The experience was very cool. We had amazing seats - 3rd row in the Club Level on the 10 yard line. I always had a hard time with that "flying" camera that you sometimes catch a glimpse of on TV. My dad tried explaining to me that it was connected by 4 wires that allows it to move all over. Well, being the visual learner that I am, I couldn't "see" it, so I was convinced that it flew by remote control (silly, I know, it was just the image I had in my head). Well, I got to see it in person, and dad was right, it is on 4 wires.
Anyway... The pregame was good. GT performed their pregame, complete with the Ramblin Wreck. LSU, while their band did sound better, just doesn't hold to a candle to Tech, but I may be biased. Game started off pretty good. Tech won the toss and decided to defer until the second half. In retrospect, I think that was a bad idea. I have always felt that whoever makes the first touchdown will most likely dominate the game. Since Tech deferred, LSU had possession first, and they had the first touch down within the first 5 min of the game. Their kickoff was then followed by a dirty offside kick, which they then regained possession of. This continued on throughout the first half. You could see the Tech fans loosing enthusiasm quickly. It was sad really.
In Tech's defense, LSU has had 3 weeks to study their offense that led them to the victory over UGA. That's the only defense I have for them, however. I think they went into the game over confident from the GT-UGA game, underestimated LSU's defense, and once they realized the crap they had gotten themselves into, psyched themselves out. In addition to LSU's dirty offside kick (I know they are totally legal, but it didn't work in Tech's favor, so I call it dirty), Tech fumbled a punt, thus resulting in LSU recovering the ball which then led to yet another touchdown.
Final score: 38 - 3, LSU
Embarrassing, really. I was almost ashamed to be wearing a Tech shirt, and promptly zipped up my jacket as we were exiting the stadium during the 4th quarter with 10 min left in the game.
While the game didn't go well, the company was great. Jon and I went with my college friend and co-worker Daniel, and his girlfriend Eliska.
Tech, my respect for you will return promptly in August. Until then, get your act together!
I shall leave you with a few pictures from the game. Enjoy, and Happy New Year!
