These are the good times. No, our baseball team isn’t going to an NCAA Regional this year – and probably won’t even make the SEC Tournament unless things drastically change over the next few weeks. And no, there’s really no reason to expect our football team will be picked to win many games this fall, not with our easier SEC match-ups all on the road, plus a non-conference slate featuring Georgia Tech and Houston. Hey, I’m not being pessimistic. I’m just stating the obvious. But the good thing is none of this really matters because Super Bulldog Weekend transcends winning and losing. Even though you won’t see any of our teams in the rankings, here are the top five reasons this weekend will still be a blast.
1. We’re probably going to score.
And I’m not talking about after the parties. I’m talking about during the spring game. Last year, that wasn’t the case. Yeah, we might struggle a bit this year, but under new head coach Dan Mullen, our offense should at least show some creativity and cater to our skill. Saturday’s contest will already sport a decent atmosphere from crowd numbers alone; it ought to look like the Fourth of July compared to last year’s dud. In addition to the gridiron action, the first-ever Scott Field Student Challenge will take place at halftime. It’s basically a condensed field day, but it should be fun to watch. Last but not least, two fans will “coach” the spring game squads. Their qualifications? Winning an auction. It could be bad for the play calling, but it’s good for State’s bank account – and I’m all for that.
2. Free live music.
Who is Darius Rucker? What Burger King commercial? Oh, you mean Hootie. Well yeah, I know who that is. Even though he’s sans-Blowfish, I’m hoping the crowd will be in festive enough spirits to show him a good time when he takes the MSU Amphitheatre stage Saturday night. Rucker used to play alternative rock but now plays country music – not exactly an appealing transition, but don’t think he won’t be playing some blasts from the past. Just before you ditch the scene because you don’t dig his new stuff, he’ll bust out “Only Wanna Be With You” and you’ll be a dancing fool. Who knows? Stick around after the show and you might get some free coupons for a TenderCrisp Bacon Cheddar Ranch. I hear he has some kind of lifetime supply. If you’re out of the loop, search “Hootie Burger King” on YouTube. The girl on the swing seems nice.
3. The people.
Okay, so I might have taken the sappy route here, but it’s my last semester at State and that’s tough for me so BACK OFF! Didn’t mean to get all Billy Madison there, but the fact is, the one thing you can count on during Super Bulldog Weekend is being in good company. Whether you’ve just made your first college friend with the video-game obsessed hermit …
across the hall or you’re racking up friends on Facebook like some kind of homecoming queen, you’ll find somewhere to take in the experience. Hospitality will be in abundance during Super Bulldog Weekend. Have fun with your pals, meet some new folks and make some memories that’ll last a lifetime. Believe me, the real world is out there, but this is the perfect time to put off any worries you may have in your mind and enjoy yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask someone for something, don’t act like an idiot with disregard for moderation, and most importantly, don’t forget your cowbell. Live by this and ye shall be a Super Bulldog.
4. There’s less than seven months until basketball season.
Granted, it’s a ways off and has nothing to do with this weekend, but there’s a lot to look forward to on the hardwood. If you want to spend your Saturday afternoon having visions of Bulldog grandeur, think about the possibilities in store as you walk by the Hump on your way to the spring game. Jarvis Varnado should be back for his senior campaign, which means we’ll only lose one player with significant playing time this past season. In fact, the returning roster represents over 96 percent of our minutes from last season. If you like superstition, the number 96 is a good omen (see Final Four). Considering the talent and experience featured in our line-up, the 2009-2010 squad should compete for an overall SEC title. Winning the conference tournament and getting their feet wet in the Big Dance last month didn’t hurt either. With LSU and Auburn graduating several guys, Ole Miss dealing with two key attritions and Arkansas and Alabama not adding much talent in the off season, Rick Stansbury could be asking the rest of the SEC West if they like fish sticks come next March.
5. At least we have the Dude.
Our bullpen has been explosive (that’s not good in baseball). We’re sinking under .500 in the SEC. Heck, we even let Tennessee triple their conference victories last weekend. Yeah, that’s us. But John Cohen knows his stuff, and it’s only a matter of time before we’re nationally relevant again . I hope. That being said, for the next three days it won’t matter. Being bad in football and basketball can put a drag on visiting Davis Wade or the Hump, but hanging out at Dudy Noble Field will always be good on Super Bulldog Weekend. The best tailgating atmosphere in college baseball will be in full swing with all the ribs, tenderloin, burgers, dogs and you-name-its your stomach can handle, not to mention the crawfish and beverages. Just follow your nose, and you’ll find bliss. The Dude is special. The Dude abides. And so should you.
John Alden Patton is a senior communication and religion major. He works on-air and in production for Southeastern Drive Time, a sports talk show that airs weekdays on 91.1 FM from 5 to 6 p.m. He can be reached at [email protected].