Forrest Knows Best

gumpbamacoach.jpgSome of us will be headed down to Tuscaloosa later today so that Number One can attend Bama Bound, the student orientation at the University of Alabama. Needless to say, he’ll be facing some very tough decisions.

Nah, I’m not talking about classes. I figure that there’ll be plenty of sections of “N’Yuck, N’Yuck, N’Yuk–The Three Stooges in the 21st Century” and “Careers in Guitar Hero–You Too Can Be Ronnie Van Zant” to choose from.

I’m talking about more important stuff like football.

You see, since the resurgence of interest in Crimson Tide football following the hiring of multimillion dollar messiah Nick Saban, the student government moved last spring to only allow entering freshman to attend part of the scheduled home games so that more tickets could be spread around and more students could attend. Their solution was to divide the seven game home schedule into two “equally desirable packages,” one for four games, the other for three.

And here they are:

Package #1: Arkansas, LSU, Houston, Louisana-Monroe

Package #2: Western Carolina (the home opener), Georgia, Tennessee

I thought I would help Number One out in his decision and take an opinion poll among my readers. I know none of you would ever lead a nice young man like Number One astray, despite whatever misguided allegiances you might have. So, which of these packages would you choose and why?

I have a feeling I know which one he’s going with, but who knows what impact you might have on this decision? For road games, since he will have less than 65 credit hours at Bama, he’ll be able to choose two games from any of the road schedule–except the Big One down at that Barner school. Bummer.

If this poll doesn’t work out, I know who’ll I’ll ask–he’ll know.

Forrest knows best.

23 Comments
  1. Terri

    I’ll just leave my snide comments out of this discussion. You’re welcome.

  2. Donna

    which would be more annoying….Rocky Top or those Pig noises?
    But I think I would go with package #2….mostly because I would want to be at the opener. and I always like seeing Tennessee get beat.

    But there is that emotional thing with Saban and LSU…..either way he will have a good time.

  3. Laura

    I would choose package 2, but that’s mainly because I’m a Georgia fan. I’m actually trying to get tickets for that game from my uncle who is a Bama booster.

    Plus he’ll definitely want to be in attendance to watch UT go down and no matter who the opponent is going to the home opener is always special.

  4. JRB

    Are you kidding? No. 2 in a walk! There’s really no debate here is there? How could you possibly not think that one Tennessee game is worth more than a Houston and a La-Monroe combined. Goodness, gracious me, I’m beginning to doubt your bona fides.

    Go Vols! Go Vols!

  5. Mike the Eyeguy

    It’s early, but I’m sensing a consensus here. Keep going everyone!

  6. Scott

    The returning Heisman favorite? A top five school from last season? 4 games as opposed to 3?

    Take package one and encourage him to start dating a girl who picked package 2.

  7. Mike the Eyeguy

    Good contrasting view, Scott, and food for thought.

    Ah, this is college the way it should be–exposure to varying opinions, the weighing in the balance of contrasting world views, respect and tolerance for those from foreign and strange cultures–like Arkansas and LA (Lower Alabama).

    All that, and you don’t even have to set foot in a classroom.

  8. Brady

    Package 1. I’ve got a Razorback hat. NOT made of plastic…

  9. Stoogelover

    Package 2 … only three games leaves more time for far more important things in a college person’s life than football. Oh, wait a minute … this is Alabama. There is nothing more important than football! What was I thinking?? I’d still go with #2 for the chance of seeing Bama take out the Vols.

  10. Mike the Eyeguy

    From as far away as Switzerland, they weigh in…

    Sl–what did you think of those Alabama course offerings?

  11. Wisdom

    Definitely choice #1! Woo Pig!!

  12. Mike the Eyeguy

    That makes 4-3 in favor of #2. This may be closer than I thought.

  13. Stoogelover

    I could be a visiting professor! If they ever offer a graduate degree in stooges, I just may have to come back home for the duration of Ph.D. in stoogology.

  14. Charlie

    Mike,
    Gotta go with package 1. He gets an extra game and the LSU game will be the best of the home matches what with all the love the Cajuns feel for Nick.

  15. Mike the Eyeguy

    Sl–You’d have tenure in no time flat. I’ll put in a good word for you when I’m on campus tomorrow.

    Charlie–That makes it 4-4. I can only imagine how loud and rowdy Bryant Denny will get when those mad and slightly inebriated Cajuns roll into the Capstone.

    Keep in mind everyone that it’s usually possible as game weekend approaches to pick up a student ticket for 20-30 dollars for less desirable games. Knowing that, now which one would you choose?

  16. Jon

    As far as a seeing good games I would pick #2. LSU and UA will be rebuilding and besides there is larger lure to seeing the VOLS game. But I would also encourage the plan that Scott had in dating the girl with the other package.

  17. Heather

    I would pick package number 1. More games and good schools. Tell us which he chooses

  18. bpb

    Pkg 2 – the TIDE is going to roll over Tennessee this year!!

  19. Mike the Eyeguy

    Okay, the verdict is in. We just got back from Tuscaloosa.

    He went with #2. The Tennessee game was the deciding factor, plus Georgia rarely comes to Tuscaloosa. And the WC game is the season opener to boot.

    He figures he can easily score Houston and LA-Monroe tickets the weekend of the game for a reasonable price. That leaves LSU and Arkansas which will be tougher, but not out of the question. Plus a road trip to Starkville and maybe one other should make for a fine season.

    We talked to an administrator today who told us that by dividing the games up, they’re ensuring that every freshman will get some tickets. This is in contrast to the upperclassmen who bought 7 game packages. With only 11,000 of those for over 20,000 upperclassmen, those sold out in less than 24 hrs and many were left without any.

    She went on to say that they are now considering dividing the games up for upperclassmen as well. That could be a problem on those years that Auburn plays in Tuscaloosa. A package without an Auburn ticket would not go over well at all.

    Thanks to all for the input! Roll Tide!

  20. David U

    So sorry I am getting in on this discussion too late, but let it be known……………he made the RIGHT decision! As somebody said earlier, to any long-time TRUE Alabama fan, this was a no-brainer. Other than the last game of the year against that other school in the state, there is NO game bigger than the Tennessee game……..period. I would have picked that package if the Vols were the only ticket I got! So, congrats to #1…………..he will be watching the #1 team in the country before too long.

    And I am not in the LEAST bit biased! 🙂

    DU

  21. Mike the Eyeguy

    Spoken like The Bear himself…

    Roll Tide, DU!

  22. KS

    Made the right choice, now he has a few months to find some girl that made the wrong one…

  23. Mike the Eyeguy

    The perfect solution might be to date a cheerleader. And believe me, that thought has crossed his mind.

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