Year: 2009
Games: LSU 33 Arkansas 30
Rating: 9 out of 10
Cost: Moderate
Tickets: Moderate
Stadium: Excellent
Description: I use the
following story to describe why SEC football is fundamentally different. I’m sure Polychronopolis is sick of hearing
the story but it did happen. (This particular trip is also Polychronopolis' low point
regarding football trips. He DID NOT attend because of some forgettable, shitty wedding. At this point in Polychronopolis' life
there is NO EXCUSE as to why he has not been to New Orleans. He’s clearly a ENGLISH CIGARETTE for missing
this trip and a FUCKING ENGLISH CIGARETTE for never having gone to New Orleans.)Back to the story: Tiger Stadium is surrounded by acres of fields. Some are recreational athletic fields and some are just large grassy areas. This makes for an extremely large and active tailgate. Park League and I were walking across this field on the way to the stadium and from a distance we observed what appeared to be the head of an animal. It should be noted that LSU was playing their rival Arkansas who’s mascot is a Razorback (which is an angry and dangerous pig). Park League and I were pretty hung over from our previous night in New Orleans so we weren’t necessarily firing on all cylinders. As we got closer to this object we marveled at how “lifelike” it looked. When we finally got up close we realized that the head was, indeed, real as there was blood dripping down the stake that the head was mounted on. It was 100% Lord of the Flies. This sums up SEC football to me. They take it serious down there. A mounted Pigs head distracted a couple of northerners for a second, but it certainly didn’t phase anyone tailgating at LSU.
As far as the
game: the atmosphere was superior. I actually think that, for a big game, this
has to be the best atmosphere in the country (maybe the world, for any even, all things considered). I can’t be sure of this unless I am lucky
enough to attend something like the 2012 Alabama @ LSU game….one can dream…but
how much money would you have paid to go to that game in retrospect?
Personally I need
to go back to LSU in the near future to 1) properly experience the tailgate and
2) check out the campus a bit. Park League and I were too hung over to experience all LSU had to offer (but we
did get a proper taste of New Orleans). Post game we grabbed a pizza at the Mellow Mushroom, which is a pretty good pizza chain (with a bar) located south of the Mason-Dixon line.
Misc: This game is the same weekend as the Grambling vs. Southern game. Park League and I got into New Orleans on a Friday and hung out in the French Quarter. The Gramblilng and Southern fans took over the Quarter and were going CRAZY. I've never seen anything like it for just a run of the mill rivalry game.
Don’t Miss: The Tailgate, New Orleans
If you want to make it part of a bigger trip: Well, New Orleans isn't too far away.
If you want to make it part of a bigger trip: Well, New Orleans isn't too far away.
Avoid: Getting too drunk the night before the
game
Attendees: Bones, Park League
