Tinkering with tradition won’t be ‘cool’ come August 30

Tiger Talk

[Comment Below]

By Cedric Meyer

“Appalachian State is HOT! HOT! HOT!” That’s the slogan featured in a recent ASU promotional video. The Mountaineers should consider themselves very fortunate that they’re used to the heat because unless Apollo spares Baton Rouge his wrath on August 30, Tiger Stadium promises to be nothing less than a furnace when it comes time to kickoff the season opener at 4 p.m.

But don’t mistake me for dreading this as I’m one of the few that is actually excited about this proposition. See, in 2005 I attended the infamous Monday night game against Tennessee, the first game home game since Hurricane Katrina.

Drenched in what seemed like a collective sweat, the student section resembled one of those crazy religious rallies with members of the congregation fainting left and right. Maybe that’s a little exaggerated, but the suffocating combo of heat and humidity was unbearable and to this day, polling amongst friends unanimously reveals that the Tennessee game was by far the hottest game they’ve attended at LSU, a game which kicked off at 6:30 p.m.

This question may be a bit maniacal, but can it be topped?

In my best Stone Cold Steve Austin impression I say “hell yeah!”

For one, the mid-afternoon start will naturally ratchet the thermometer up more than a few degrees. But the thing people from the “it won’t be that bad” crowd fail to remember is that the Tennessee game occurred on September 26. When LSU takes on Appalachian St. it will be almost a full month prior.

Aside from the heat, the decision to move the game to 4 p.m. is a head scratcher in itself. Why screw with tradition? Half of the student body enrolls to Louisiana State University for one thing: Saturday night games at Tiger Stadium. It isn’t much to ask, especially for a season opener against a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly 1-AA) opponent. Other than the season finale against Arkansas, playing afternoon games shouldn’t sit right with anyone. Who do you think we are, Duke?

One of the things I’m not worried about is the myth about a shorter tailgate because regardless of what time it starts, I’ll get the mandated eight hours in. What I am worried about is literally frying in the metal bleachers for two hours before the game. The sweltering heat on summer afternoon in Baton Rouge isn’t exactly a joke. Go outside for a dry run at around 2:30 p.m. sometime this weekend. After about 30 minutes, you’ll notice that there won’t be anything “dry” about it.

I wish I had more answers, but here’s another question. How did we get swindled into the dreaded afternoon timeslot anyway? According to the television schedule on ESPN.com, the Louisiana Tech vs. Mississippi St. slobber knocker is set to start at 5:45 p.m., nearly two hours after the Tigers and Mountaineers kick off from Tiger Stadium.

It’s called negotiations, and maybe Athletic Director Joe Alleva isn’t used to such a bargaining chip when it comes to football. ESPN benefits more from LSU being on their network than an already established program like LSU does. If I’m Alleva, I say thanks, but no thanks. What is ESPN going do, kick the game off the network? Rubbish. A bottom line company like ESPN won’t pass up the chance to promote a BCS champion vs. FCS champion season opener, especially on the heels of the Mountaineers colossal upset of Michigan last season in Ann Arbor.

Training for the season opener isn’t limited to the LSU football player anymore. I’ve already began a daily rigorous training regiment of jumping rope and sprints on the Parade Grounds in the afternoon heat followed by a brief 30-minute cool-down in my sauna. And there’s no need to worry about getting into tailgating shape. I think it’s safe to assume we all stay in tip-top shape year round.

Originally Published: Issue 701 - August 19, 2008

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