Game to Watch :: Week 2

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As much as I wanted to pick Georgia vs South Carolina as my Game To Watch, I couldn't pick the Georgia game for the second week in a row.  I picked Notre Dame at Michigan as my Game To Watch for this week.  But let me tell you, that UGA/USC game is gonna be a great one too!

Notre Dame and Michigan are both power house teams and programs in College Football.  Notre Dame is coming back from an outstanding 2012 season and sub par National Championship performance.  And although they've lost some key defensive players they remain a force to be reckoned with.

Michigan is lacking depth in the running back department with starter Fitzgerald Toussaint loosing his back-up, Drake Johnson to a torn ACL, leaving true-freshman & 5-star recruit, Derrick Green as primary back-up.  Will he be able to handle Notre Dame's defense?  Will the Michigan O-line be able to open running lanes for the RBs, especially when center, Jack Miller, looked like he didn't know what he was doing last week against Central Michigan?  Michigan's offense is new-er, three new starters to be exact and they'll be going up against big-time defensive players with NFL written all over them.

I'm saying Notre Dame over Michigan.  I don't think Michigan has what it takes to out play Notre Dame's defense.

What games will you be watching this weekend?  
I'm going to the first Rutgers home game of the season... more on that tomorrow! :)

Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game Experience

This weekend marked the start of the 2013 College Football season and as you know, I could not be more excited!!!

This weekend I had the opportunity to work in the Press Box of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game!!!  I met the people of the Chick-fil-A Bowl at the SEC Media Days and they invited me to attend their game in Atlanta.  It was such a wonderful day and I am so grateful for this experience.   

 I arrived at the Georgia Dome at 10:30 a.m. ready to work all sorts of game day operations from set-up, to social media, Press Box operations, etc.

The morning consisted of getting the press box ready.  We put out programs, name cards, information packets, media guides, etc for everyone "press" related.

Things settled down for us, and people started arriving- the media & fans.  The Georgia Dome became packed with people in both Crimson and Orange.  Then the teams made their entrances while Chick-fil-A cows parachuted from the "sky" and the game got underway.

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The game started out with Virginia Tech going 0-3 and Alabama answered with a kickoff return for a touchdown by Christion Jones.  What a start!  Virginia Tech struggled to make it down the field barely passing the 40 yard line.  Alabama scored again, Virginia Tech answered with a touchdown of their own and the Dome was the quietest it was all day.  BAMA fans were shocked the game wouldn't be a shut out.  

Alabama's offense looked less than National Championship material, but had great assistance from Christion Jones on special teams as he scored another touchdown on a Kickoff return.   At halftime Crimson Tide led the Hokies, 28-10. 

The second half was a bit of a snooze fest with Alabama and Virginia Tech punting back and forth.  Though Alabama came out with a win (35-10) and ultimately got to wear the Old Leather Helmet (a Chick-fil-A Bowl Tradition) their quest for a three-peat needs some convincing.  For their sake, let's hope this bye week is used to clean up the basics before they face Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M.  We all know Alabama is going to be looking for some revenge and after the way Johnny's been acting lately, he deserves it!

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 While watching the game I also served as a liaison to the University of Alabama Sports Information Staff.  I made sure that they had anything they needed.  When they wanted to distribute stats, I made sure everyone in the press box received them.  When they had a question, if I didn't know the answer, I found someone who did.  I loved doing this because I could still watch the game and formed relationships while doing it!  :)

After the game I got quotes from the players to be used for media purposes!  It was such a fun day and a wonderful event to be a part of!  I can't wait for the next one! :)

Game to Watch :: Week 1

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS HERE!!!!!!  Finally!

To kick off the 2013 College Football Season, I'm saying the game to watch is (No. 8) Clemson University vs. (No.5) The University of Georgia.  Kick off for this game is Saturday at 8:00 p.m. (EST).

Noone likes to lose, especially in week one!  This game will provide a preview for what's in store for these two teams for the rest of the season.  Georgia ended the 2012 season hot- winning their last 6 regular season games, nearly beating Alabama in the SEC Championship Game and then beating Nebraska in the Capitol One Bowl.  Can that momentum carry over to the 2013 season?

The University of Georgia is returning their entire offensive line, which will be lead by Quarterback, Aaron Murray for one more season.  The defense has some new faces as they only have 3 returning players and lost 4 of last year's top tackles.  As long as the offense can outscore the defense UGA should be in good shape.

But then there's Clemson.  Clemson has 12 starters remaining from an 11-2 season and a big upset over LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.  Clemson has lost some key players on both offense and defense.  This will now put more pressure of QB, Tahj Boyd to make sure execution is top notch.

The Bulldogs and Tigers have not played each other in 10 years.  And on that day UGA shut-out Clemson, 30-0.  That's the last time the Tigers were shut out.

  Both teams have wonderful talent and the potential to make it to their conference championships.  And we'll see what happens from there.  You already know my prediction.

For this game, I say the Bulldogs over the Tigers!!
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I'll obviously be watching Rutgers play Fresno State tonight, even though the game doesn't start until 10:30 p.m. (EST)!! Who's with me?


What game(s) will you be watching this weekend!!


I hope you have a wonderful Labor Day weekend! :)

UPDATE:  Linking up with Sarah from Venus Trapped in Mars

Brett Eldredge Went Skydiving

Brett Eldredge is a country artist that just released his first full-length album, Bring it back, earlier this month!  You may have heard his single, Don't Ya, being played on the radio. A few weeks ago, Brett made a deal with his record label that he would go skydiving if his single went to #1.  What you may not know is that Brett is afraid of heights and yesterday he WENT SKYDIVING!!!!  Don't Ya officially became his first #1 hit on the Country Billboard charts last week!

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I LOVE when new artists find success and are so grateful and appreciative to everyone involved.  It really is refreshing!  Not that "older" artists don't feel the same way, but there's something special about the reaction of a first #1 hit. 

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Brett's album, Bring You Back, brings a soulful and acoustic feeling, both are styles that I enjoy.  Numerous times when listening to album I found myself rocking or tapping to the beat.  The songs are emotional, vulnerable, and heartfelt, and the fact that Brett co-wrote most of the ballads assures me that he's only getting started with exploring his talents.

Brett reminds me of Jerrod Neimann in his style and approach.  Bring You Back is definitely worth downloading.  Brett is someone who's just getting started and here to stay!

My favorite songs off the album:

Don't Ya 

Beat of the Music

On and On

Raymond (his first single)

What are your favorite Brett Eldredge songs?