Unlike Any Other
This isn’t just any old Monday with tonight’s national championship game, why they’re going to need more fireworks in Kansas and Serena pays it forward.
Today’s not just any old Monday, it’s a very special Monday with the College Football National Championship Game and “The Bachelor” on tonight.
*Sets up two TVs,*
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS - Don't forget to set your Bachelor bracket picks for tonight's rose ceremony. Want to join? Please do.
College Football
The college football season will come to a close tonight. Whether you're excited for the season to end or if you’re breaking out the tissues, LSU (Louisiana State - 1) and Clemson (3) will take the field in tonight’s College Football National Championship Game. We can tell you who is ecstatic for the game – the students at LSU. Since the game is essentially a home game for the team (it’s in New Orleans – an hour and a half away from campus in Baton Rouge), the school has cancelled classes for Monday and Tuesday. Maybe if they win, they’ll get the whole week off? ENROLLING IN LSU NOW
Tonight’s game will include a coach who might love crawfish more than his players, live tigers and conspiracy theories. Check out our five things you need to know about the national championship game.
Overtime
A persistent Serena Williams has finally ended her three-year title drought, winning at the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Auckland Classic this weekend - her first win since becoming a mother. She celebrated her victory with her daughter Olympia and then paid it forward, donating her prize money to the victims of the Australia Bushfires. Williams could make history at the Australian Open next week. It’s the first major (i.e. Grand Slam Tournament) of the tennis season. KEEPING IT ALL IN PERSPECTIVE
Sideline Stat
The Houston Texans (NFL - National Football League) came out hot in their playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs and then the Chiefs turned the ship around. They staged a comeback for the ages that even led to a lineman dumping beer on himself in celebration. The Chiefs ran the score up so high (51 points) that the stadium ran out of fireworks. GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE
The San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans and the Green Bay Packers (where fans lined up to help shovel snow for the game) all brought home wins. Next weekend’s games will determine the two teams in the Super Bowl on February 2.
Coaches’ corner
They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and in Charlie Woods' case, it looks like that could be true. Rare footage surfaced of Tiger Woods’ son Charlie, 10, playing in a golf tournament in Florida. And he’s pretty darn good. Of course, dad was there as his caddie. BIG SHOES TO FILL
Score! The 5 Things You Need To Know About College Football Season
You’ll be the smartest tailgater around.
Money talks, College GameDay rocks and they’re now serving beer. Kind of.
Cue the band,
The Last Night's Game Team
1. Believe it or not, college football has been around for 150 years. It all started in front of 100 fans back in 1869 with a battle between Rutgers and New Jersey (later would become Princeton). In the 150th year, the Clemson Tigers are the defending champions and regularly play in from of home crowds of 100,000+. Their head coach Dabo Swinney is coaching in his first year under his new record-breaking 10-year, $93 million contract. MY HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED
2. The ongoing debate in college sports is whether or not athletes should be paid. No matter what side of the argument you’re on, it allows for the universities to pay top notch coach’s salaries and build state of the art facilities to attract top talent. Case in point, LSU overhauled their locker room this year and each player gets a sleeping pod. NAPS ARE GOOD
3. While you might want to rake a head coaches’ salary, there’s no fun in that. In fact, Alabama’s head coach Nick Saban said he has no time to party and has never been to a tailgate. Don’t be boring like Nick and go to a tailgate at one of the best schools for tailgating. BREAK OUT THE BODY PAINT AND BEER PONG
4. Attendance at college football games has been on a decline. In fact, last season it was at its lowest mark in 22 years. Part of the problem is that live games are too expensive and fans can have a great experience from the comfort of their own home or a bar. (TV ratings are still strong). One lure to get butts in seats at games and maybe make a little extra cash? Alcohol. Conferences and schools across the country are lifting the ban on selling booze to general admission ticket holders. (Alcohol was typically only available previously in suites and designated luxury seats). CHEERS TO HOPING
5. We’d be remiss if we didn’t discuss the cult classic, ESPN College GameDay. It’s like Saturday morning cartoons for grownup sports fans. Each week, the show travels to the campus of the biggest game and does their report from there. It’s a perfect blend for a curious sports fan - about 65% sports and 35% screwing around and always features guest stars and famous alumni. THE E! OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Note - This weekend is what’s known as week zero of college football. There will be two games this weekend, with the big kickoff to week one of college football, which starts next Thursday. Clemson is ranked #1 in the pre-season and will again be the team to beat. SCHEDULE
Wednesday Wisdom
Can’t wait until the weekend? Here’s what everyone will be talking about this morning including a gruesome injury for an athlete on set, women giving NFL players a run for their money and a tennis player that'll have you talking. READ