Welcome to this week’s Six Pack! Each week, I’ll share a mix of thoughts (some sports-related, some not) and I’d love for you to jump in with your reactions, ideas, or recommendations in the comments. Here’s what’s on my mind this week.
1. Whatever happened to quarters?
My son Brady turns 21 today (September 1st), and even though it was a day early, he and his college roommates hosted a big bash at their off-campus house on Sunday night in order to celebrate. He was polite enough to invite us, but we didn’t want to crash his young crowd party scene vibe. We’ll get our time with him this evening when we take him out to dinner and hang out awhile.
We’ve allowed Brady and his sister Mackenzie to drink with us on special occasions since they were 19 or 20, and this summer we’ve had a few of those. What struck me most these past few months is the drinking games they have introduced me and Jamie to. My wife and I learned about “Ride The Bus,” “Circle of Death,” and “Beer Ball.” All were fun and a good way to pass the time while having a few drinks together, but they were also very much more complex and rules-driven than I remember in my drinking games as a college kid.
And it got me thinking: whatever happened to good old Quarters? That was the classic standard of drinking games when I was in college. Not only did I always enjoy it, but if I do say so myself, I was pretty good at it too.
So I told Brady, his girlfriend, and my daughter about this “ancient” drinking game. They had never heard of it but seemed intrigued. So they gave it a try a few weeks later and they recently just informed me with their verdict. They said it was way too boring.
Which I guess makes sense. In today’s world of video games, streaming, and non-stop stimulation, I suppose even drinking games need more action. Still, I’ll stand by my old friend. Quarters was simple, competitive, fun, and certainly did the trick if the goal was to get tipsy.
Either way, Happy 21st Brady. Love you so much and hope you had a wonderful day!
2. Upsets, Struggles, and Statements: A Fun Opening Weekend
It is great to have college football back. Week 1 delivered plenty of action, headlined by two powerhouses colliding in Columbus where the defending national champs handled Texas and they look primed for another title run. Arch Manning struggled, and the Heisman hype is already diminishing quickly, but let’s cut him a little slack. This was his first start, it was on the road, in a hostile environment, against an elite defense. It’s not how they wanted to start the season but Texas and Manning will be fine and are still expected to make the CFP Playoff. So don’t fret Austin, you’re okay.
LSU impressed in the Battle of Death Valleys, clipping Clemson 17-10 in a game that had an O/U of 57.5 and was expected to be a shootout, but instead turned into a grind. Notre Dame and Miami also clashed in a top ten showdown and the Canes took care of business at home behind a solid performance from transfer QB Carson Beck. I think the U could be officially back under Mario Cristobal.
And for those who don’t like Alabama, you got some good news on Saturday. Florida State, a 2-10 dumpster fire last year, beat them 31-17 and shortly after that game I saw a crazy stat. Under DeBoer, the Tide have been 14+ point favorites 10 times and they have lost four of those games. Under Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide were 14+ point favorites 139 times and they lost three of those games. It may not be fair, but DeBoer’s seat is already scorching just 14 games into his tenure.
Football is back, and that means surprises, celebrations, and plenty of “what the heck” moments every single week. The next few months will fly by, and before we know it there will be snow on the ground and the footballs packed away for the year. So be sure to enjoy it Sandman Nation. The best sport we have is back for its 2025 edition and I am pumped.
3. The Best Song Traditions In College Football
My son Brady not only goes to Miami (OH) but is also on their cheer squad, and last week they traveled to Madison to take on Wisconsin. He got to run onto the field carrying the Miami flag, leading the team’s entrance, and he cheered on the sidelines throughout the game.
Even though Miami lost 17–0, he told me that being part of “Jump Around” at the end of the third quarter was one of the coolest experiences of his life. I have been to a game there myself and can understand why he would say that. It is pretty fricking cool.
We will save a ranking of the best college football traditions overall for another time, but for now here are my top five song traditions in the sport.
5. Michigan – Mr. Brightside
This tradition started in 2016 when the Michigan student section adopted The Killers’ hit as an anthem. It is an unusual choice for a football game since it is about a guy believing his girlfriend is cheating on him, but nonetheless the song has become a staple in Ann Arbor. I’ve experienced it several times and it is a lot of fun. It may be a curious song for this setting, but it is good, catchy, and easy to sing along to.
4. West Virginia – Take Me Home, Country Roads
First played at Mountaineer Field in 1972, John Denver’s Country Roads has become synonymous with West Virginia football. The song is also an official state song, and before every game kicks off and then again after every win, more than 60,000 fans sway together arm in arm to belt it out. Few songs capture school and state pride as perfectly as this one.
3. Ohio State – Hang On Sloopy
Hang On Sloopy has been a Buckeye tradition since 1965, when the Ohio State Marching Band first performed it at halftime. Now officially recognized as Ohio’s state rock song, it is played at every home game. The band leads the way, the crowd joins in, and it remains one of the longest-standing and most recognizable song traditions in college football.
2. Wisconsin – Jump Around
Introduced at Camp Randall in 1998, Jump Around by House of Pain is blasted at the end of the third quarter. From students to alumni, the entire crowd bounces in unison, creating one of the most electric atmospheres in sports. The shaking has even been picked up on local seismographs, earning its place at #2 on my list.
1. Virginia Tech – Enter Sandman
Since 2000, Virginia Tech players have entered Lane Stadium to the opening riff of Metallica’s Enter Sandman. The crowd jumps in unison and the noise level is deafening. It has become one of the most intimidating entrances in all of sports. Opposing players have even admitted it gives them goosebumps. Experiencing this in person is high on my college football bucket list and I need to make it happen. Blacksburg, I’ll see ya soon.
4. Taylor, Travis & My Take
The Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift engagement is about as big as pop culture news gets. The wedding coverage alone will be non-stop, and if they ever have kids, the media frenzy will be off the charts.
I know some people have said it is a publicity stunt, but I don’t believe that. I think they genuinely love each other, and if that is the case, I am happy for them. No matter how famous or wealthy, everyone deserves everyday happiness, and I hope they find that with each other. I also have always liked Taylor Swift and her music, and I think she has done a ton of good for young girls.
But I can’t say the same about her soon to be husband. If you have ever listened to the pod, you know I am not a Travis Kelce fan. It is not because the Chiefs have ruined several Bengals seasons. In fact, Kelce went to the University of Cincinnati so he has some Queen City roots and I used to like him, but a couple years ago that all changed.
During Super Bowl LVIII Kelce didn’t like how things were going and so he not only screamed like a child at his head coach Andy Reid, but also pushed him too.
He later gave a half-baked apology and Reid downplayed it, but it really bothered me when seeing it live and I haven’t been able to get past it when I see Kelce play. I respect his talent and his accomplishments, but there is no excuse to treat your coach like that, especially in front of 123 million people, many of whom are impressionable kids who look up to you.
So my take is simple. I wish Travis and Taylor a happy life together, but I will never be a Kelce guy. Win all the rings you want, just stop throwing sideline tantrums like a whiny brat.
5. Closet Cleanout & Lots of Swimsuits
I would not call my closet small as it has plenty of space for a guy. My wife’s closet, though, is probably three times the size and every now and then I get a little closet envy. I don’t need a ton of room, but twice a year I do the big switch from summer clothes to fall and winter. This past weekend I swapped out the shorts and t-shirts for sweatshirts and sweatpants. I realize it is still warm out, but I had the time and figured why not get it out of the way.
One thing that came out of the summer pile was my bathing suits, and I realized I might have a problem. When I first met Jamie I was a one swimsuit guy. But then we started going more regularly to pools, beaches, and on cruises and she told me I needed more than one so I was not wearing the same thing every day. Somewhere along the line I took that advice a little too far and I now own 15 swimsuits. Yes, fifteen.
I have favorites of course, but all of them have gotten their turn in the lineup. Still, I decided this weekend it was time to cut it down. Five or six should be sufficient enough. So I bagged up the rest and dropped them off at Goodwill. And my closet already feels a little bigger.
6. Thanks For The Memories Coach!
College GameDay gave us a truly touching moment on Saturday, honoring one of the pure legends of this sport. Lee Corso has been part of our Saturdays for almost four decades, and it was only fitting that his final headgear pick was the same as his first: Brutus the Buckeye. Back in 1996, Corso debuted the now-famous tradition by putting on the Brutus head to pick Ohio State over Penn State. Nearly thirty years and 430 headgear picks later, he closed it out in Columbus the exact same way.
Corso’s career has been remarkable in every sense. He started as a head coach at Louisville in 1969, spent a decade at Indiana, had a stop at Northern Illinois, and even coached in the USFL. His coaching record was not what made him a legend though. What did was his move to the broadcast booth in 1987 as one of the original members of ESPN’s College GameDay. Since then he has been a mainstay and helped make the show the heartbeat of college football.
Interestingly enough, Corso has picked Ohio State more than any other school, 45 times, and he went undefeated with his headgear selections in 1999 (11-0). He has powered through health issues and missed time in recent years, but every time he returned college football fans rejoiced.
He once said his only goal was to bring a smile to people’s faces. Mission accomplished, Coach. You will be missed and Saturdays will never feel quite the same without you.
Thanks for checking out this week’s Six Pack, Sandman Nation! I’d love to hear your thoughts: what resonated with you, what you disagree with, or your own takes on these topics. Drop your comments and let’s keep the conversation going.
