I never place too much stock into preseason results, but this has got to bring a little optimism to Hawks fans. Is this at least a sign of a return to respectability?

Will the Indians close out the Series tomorrow night?  You have Schilling vs. Carmona going.

Can Boston repeat 2004 and come back from 3-1 down?

I made my way to Nashville last Friday just in time for the UGA/Vandy game Saturday at 5 pm. I bought tickets about three weeks ago thinking the game might end up selling out since so many fans would make their way up 75 for the game. Sure enough, about a week ago, it sold out. Our seats (Scott went with me) were at the 40 yard line 50 rows up. Not bad since the capacity is an ACC-esque 40,000. I’d say the crowd was 55% to 45% Vandy with lots of red around us (Scott said he felt like we were surrounded by used tampons).

The game started out great with Vanderbilt turning the ball over early and Stafford throwing a TD to Sean Bailey on the ensuing possesion. Things turned ugly after that as Stafford started spraying the ball around and Georgia’s defense having huge problems stopping the ‘Dores pitiful offense. The home team ran off 17 straight points to lead 17-7 at the half. My fellow Bulldog fans were certainly hanging their heads at the half as most expected a cakewalk. I told Scott that Georgia would come out and run the ball on almost every play for their first drive of the half since that’s what most college teams do when they are superior physically. Sure enough, Moreno left and Moreno right were the order as UGA passed once on the first drive. They quickly made it 17-14. They tied it with about 10 minutes left. Vandy then drove down the field, getting it inside the 20 with under 4 minutes left. The ‘Dores then remembered who they were and proceeded to fumble. Georgia then drove down for a field goal attempt with 3 seconds left. Coutu booted it through for the decisive score of 20-17. The numbnuts on this team decided to celebrate by stomping on the V at midfield. Classy! Richt got pissed and ran them off. Do you think Tech would do that if they won at Duke a year after losing to them? I doubt it.

Looks to me like every game from here on out will be a struggle. Even Troy could beat this team (I’m not just saying that either, it would not surprise me at all). Oh well, maybe they’ll play in the Music City Bowl this year.

After Todd contacted the offices at FC Dallas to inform them of our “Pizza Incident” during our visit to the game between FC Dallas and Chicago, one of their customer relations reps contacted him about attending a game on the house in the future. After he told her where he lives, she was kind enough to let me use the free ticket since I live in Dallas and was at the game with him when it took 15 minutes to get a pie. The free ticket for the Chivas game was for the 5th row at about the 20 yard line. It was Juan Toja mullet night and they were giving away free wigs to the first into the gates. I didn’t get one but did enjoy all of the people that were wearing them. The game ended up being 0-0 with minimal scoring chances for each team. I left a little early as I was leaving for Nashville the next morning. The concession stand that had issues with keeping pizza on hand last time passed the test this time and I enjoyed a cheese pizza during the halftime break.

Was anyone surprised one bit that Tech beat Miami? This is all part of Gailey’s M.O.- win games you’re not supposed to and lose to mediocre teams. It’s amazing how consistent this up-and-down pattern has been over the past six years- the only consistency in the Gailey era.

Who do you think will make it to the World Series and who do you want to make it? 

NLCS: D’Backs vs. Rockies

ALCS: Red Sox vs. Indians

I want a Rockies vs. Indians World Series with the Indians taking it, but I think it will be D’Backs vs. Red Sox with the Sox winning it all.

The reason why I want the Indians to win is that I think Cleveland fans are devout and have suffered enough. 

Oh to be back on the bayou! As part of Stephen’s giant step into manhood, his bachelor party took a Saturday drive to Baton Rouge looking to soak up the atmosphere at Tiger Stadium. Loading up the pary bus at around 2:30 pm, we were shocked at the extreme heat on the bus. The fact it also lacked the promised DVD player hookup and satellite radio was also a surprise. We decided to overlook these impediments and started slugging down frosties early. After picking up some steam via a quick stop at Popeye’s, we made our way to Diddy’s tailgate spot, which was about 200 feet from the stadium. The pre-game crowd was buzzing as this was the first #1 ranking for LSU since ‘58. Stephen made the difficult allocation of two tickets Diddy provided and chose me due to my Keiland Williams jersey and Thor for his oral skills (he’s quite an accomplished talker).

Thor and I made it to our seats a little before kickoff. There was a guy next to me that was as big and sweating almost as much. He told me there would be some dicey language thrown around and I told him not to worry, nothing would shock me. Little did I know he was speaking for the “lady” behind me that was dropping some salty language from kickoff (not to mention she was grabbing me all night and making our Tiger beads kiss). The game took on a “Florida will dominate” feel early as they took a 17-7 lead at the half. LSU had a few dropped passes and Florida’s offense was able to run with ease and Tebow had all day in the pocket if he decided to pass. The Tigers missed a late field goal that would have cut it to 7.

In the second half, LSU took the opening drive straight down the field by running the ball. They cashed in with a TD, cutting the lead to 3. I thought this would be a big momentum shift but Florida proceeded to do the same and stretch things back to 10 at 24-14. It stayed that way until LSU scored in the 4th quarter to make it 24-21. After a little back and forth, LSU got it with about 8 minutes left. They slowly drove down the field until facing a 4th down deep in Florida teritory. They went for it on 4th instead of kicking a field goal to tie and made it (they were 5-5 on 4th for the game). Then, on 3rd down near the goal line, Jacob Hester bulled his way for the TD that made it 28-24 with 69 seconds left. The crowd went nuts! Thor was cursing the 3 and 18 when Flynn scrambled for a 17 yard gain setting up one of the 4th and shorts that LSU made. Teabag was unable to rescue the Gators as a hail mary was batted down in the endzone and I screamed “F_ck Tebow” to no one in particular. We heard after the game that he was crying. Good to know that both the coach and QB have shed tears after losing in Death Valley. Urban Cryer indeed!

The party bus was actually cool when we got back on but Chris (I believe) ran the smoke machine so Thor could give him a Handy and we had to crack the windows, which let the hot air in. To the others that attended, please fill in any blanks or views from your side as many aspects are now only a blur.

Ismail and I went to the Hawks open practice day last weekend at Philips. They had a practice session and then a scrimmage game, both of which were open to the public. Because we are season ticket holders, we got to go in early to enjoy a Continental Breakfast and also got to sit where we wanted-we sat on the front row in the corner. The practice was pretty interesting to watch- a lot of the drills revolved around up-tempo play, supposedly the philosophy that the team will employ this season.

Some observations: 

-Tito looked pretty good at times in the scrimmage, but fouled quite a bit on defense.

-Josh Smith really lays into players a lot when they make mistakes, especially when someone messes up during the drills that he’s in; he kind of seems like a jerk. I wonder if anyone lays into him when he takes all of those ill-advised threes from the corner?

-Both Joshes “Walked it Out” when the song came over the PA.

-The Hawks were wearing new-style practice unis, but didn’t have their game uniforms on. They were selling the new unis (home and away) in the Team Gear Store; players available were JJ, J-Smith, Tito and Acie.

-The floor hasn’t been updated yet with the new color scheme, but it was mentioned that it should be in place for the first preseason game.

Now that the MLB playoffs have started, what teams do you see making the World Series? Which would you prefer to see in the Series? Do you have a favorite to win it?

I think we’ll see the Angels against the Cubs (yikes!) with LAA winning it. I’d like to see the Indians versus the Rockies with Colorado winning it all.

For all you Braves fans, what are your thoughts on the Braves decision not to get in the Andruw Jones sweepstakes? Good move or will they regret it?