Here’s a question: who would you choose in a fight? A) A Tiger. B) A Chicken?

The “Ol’ Ball Coach” comes to Baton Rouge on Saturday afternoon, guess who will be there! Check back for reports and a post-trip recap.

It’s much like rock-paper-scissors … a bengal tiger roar beats a cock-a-doodle-doo any day of the week!

Ever since I heard this book was coming out, I could not wait to get my hands on it and see what John Ed Bradley had to say. I’m from Louisiana and there are two universal truths about being from that state. One, you are going to be sociable and interesting. Two, the state revolves around L.S.U. - especially L.S.U. football.

John Ed was a center for the Tigers when I was in grade school. While, I don’t remember him as a player, I vividly remember his peers. They were all folk heroes, legends and celebrities in a compartmentalized culture that reveled in their being. John Ed talks about his childhood in Louisiana in much the same way mine existed - we all pretended to be Tigers in our backyards, schoolyards and pee-wee football teams. To be an L.S.U. football player represented an epic accomplishment to kids growing up there. I’m quite sure it’s the same in many of the different cultures across the country.

This book has needed to be written for a long time. But it could not have been written by anyone other that someone like John Ed who had been there and and experienced that life in that limelight. John Ed has put to words what so many who have played a game and have been successful at that game feel. I would expand that to include anyone who has been accomplished at anything - be it business, personal, sports or anything else.

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10 Years Ago, today, the Tennessee Titans, then Oilers, played the Oakland Raiders in their first game as Tennesseans. Eddie George had the best ever opening game for a rookie by rushing for 216 yards in the 24-21 win at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.

Here’s a great recap of the game by Paul Kuharsky of the Tennessean: George Starred, Injuries Marred Tennessee Debut

I was listening to Mike Tirico on the radio today and he was talking about teams he likes and such. He then dropped, “well Michigan is my team-in-law.” I’ve never heard the term - but I love it. I looked around the ‘net for a definition and couldn’t find anything - so here’s a stab at it.

team-in-law - noun

1. An obligated devotee, follower, or admirer of a sports team due to marital influence.

My team-in-law is the University of Tennessee. My wife’s an alumni and loves “The Big Orange”.

I can’t wait. My beloved LSU Tigers kick off a little more than 72 hours against Mississippi State on Thursday evening. And, two more weeks until the Titans head to Jacksonville. Here are my Top 10 reasons you know football is right around the corner:

1. You actually watched a High School football game on ESPN because a) it’s football & b) there’s nothing else on.
2. You’ve spent way too much time analyzing your fantasy football draft - time you should have spent with the ‘ol fam.
3. You’re not tired of the Nick “Satan” Saban hype yet.
4. You’ve already placed your bets on your favorite College Football Bowl grids.
5. You sent your gameday attire out to the cleaners to have it freshly laundered and pressed for the first game. Because, if you win it’s not gonna be clean again until you lose. Respect the streak, man.
6. You had a dry-run, at the stadium of your choice, with all of your tailgating friends to make sure the operation still runs smoothly.
7. You’ve not dared to udder the words, “wait ’till next year,” …yet. Gotta give it at least until November the 1st.
8. You’ve been listening to radio re-runs from last year to remind yourself of the little phrases and quirks of your favorite radio announcer. You’re ears have to be in tip-top, gameday shape, too.
9. You’ve scoured the Internet looking for that one pundit who thinks your team has a shot at the Super Bowl or National Championship - and proclaimed him to be a genius.
10. You had to get a prescription for Ambien because you’re losing sleep in anticipation of your team’s first kickoff of the year.

My wife and I were at lunch today and SEC football previews were running on the TV. The Florida Gator preview came up and she reminded me about the time in the spring of this year when my step-son, Tommy, had his picture taken with Urban Meyer.

The family was down in Gainesville (I was absent, on a work trip). They were visiting some family and GrandPoppy wanted to show Tommy and my other son “The Swamp”. So, they went to look around and took some pictures. Well, GrandPoppy had to take my little one for a potty break when out of the blue Coach Meyer came out and started running stairs in the stadium.

He ended up stopping right near my wife and Tommy and she asked if he would take a quick picture with Tommy (who happened to be wearing his University of Tennessee t-shirt).

As you can see, Coach Meyer at the last minute covered up the UT logo and was a great sport about it.