It is now 12:20 am on Friday morning. I can’t sleep and believe me I’ve tried. The eyes just don’t seem to want to close. My mind is solely on getting myself to the Highland Hundred parking lot tomorrow, oops, this morning. Yes I said this morning. I will pull into the HH lot sometime around 9:30. I don’t image there will be anyone there at that time but I do know many will soon follow. The RV’s will start to arrive around 10. I want to be there to see my friends drive them in.

My car has 14 magnets on it which includes a few leaping Tiger logos, the obligatory “GO TIGERS”, a paw or two, the school official crest and even a couple of schedule magnets. I’ve got the “city” car flag on the back window. I call it the “city” car flag because I’ve got a couple that are worn and are for road game highway travel.

I’ve organized everything knowing full well that by game time Saturday the back end of my truck will be a complete mess. There are 4 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of shoes, some sandals, 6 shirts, 3 pairs of shorts, gray underwear to wear at the game (yep, I’m that superstitious) and a half dozen hats for 34 hours or so I’ll spend out there.

But truth be told I’m really don’t think I’m unique in this. There are thousands upon thousands of guys and gals doing the same thing I’m doing. Some of them will pack as if they’re going on a European vacation. There will be RV’s full of food, clothes, and hundreds of other accessories. Yep, it’s football season and we’re all just a little happier.

I’m not one for predicting scores other than “Memphis more-Opponent less.” I do expect to win every game and there isn’t anything that will convince me otherwise. So here’s to the Tigers going 14-0. Yes, I said 14-0. I can hear your comments as I put fingers to keys.

Here’s the list so just check off all that apply.

“He’s crazy”

“Dude, take off the blue colored glasses.”

“What a homer.” (I’m just glad you used the er there.)

“Talk about a delusional fan.”

“Why can’t you be objective?”

The fact of the matter is I’m a fan. I hope you’re a fan too. Leave the realism to the experts and other parts of your life. But I’ve been there before.

If you are a Memphis fan even a casual one then get you patookie down to the Liberty Bowl tomorrow. Being at the game and giving it everything you’ve got is a wonderful thing. It will give you such a range of emotions like nothing else in your life. Sure there have been disappointments but I’m here to tell you the highs far exceed any lows.

Oh, I’ve got to share this because it might have been the strangest thing I’ve ever seen in my almost 50 years. I was at a local store today and had to kill some time while I was there. I just moseyed (southern word) up and down the aisles. There is a kid his late teens or early 20’s that I notice wearing a Memphis basketball shirt. When I run into him again and ask, “I bet you’re looking forward to the game.”

“Yes, but not for the same reason you think. I’m an Ole Miss fan.”

I must have had the most stunned look of any human being since the beginning of time. An Ole Miss fan wearing a Memphis basketball shirt period much less during game week. I just had to know why.

“I just like the shirt.” He responded.

I expected the skies to open. Lightening to strike him where he stood. An Ole Miss fan wearing a Memphis Tigers shirt simply because he likes the way it looks. Me as a Memphis fan thought it was funny. I’m guessing a lot of the Ole Miss fans would think something completely different.

See you out there. It’s football season and there is no place better to be than at a Tigers game. Even if the location isn’t exactly where I’d like for it to be.