The Sugar Bowl

The day Ohio State University was selected to participate in the first ever college football National Championship semifinal, my daughter Holly, a senior at OSU, made an argument as if before the Supreme Court.  Next thing I knew, we were in the car.  Destination: The Sugar Bowl. Traveling through Alabama Crimson land en route to New Orleans, we felt empowered by the level of Buckeye representation.  Ohio State mini flags whipped from car windows.  Ohio license plated cars with OSU decals became our road neighbors.  Our “GO BUCKS” attire gave us away, and there were more than a few “Bama” fans whose smiles turned dark after noticing our Buckeye bead necklaces.  Of course, it doesn’t help when we make a pit stop in Tuscaloosa, the home of University of Alabama.  We felt a bit like a can of Pepsi at a Coca Cola board of directors meeting. Walking into the Superdome heightened our excitement.  This was big business college football.  We arrived at the stadium 90 minutes before kickoff to absorb the experience of watching the field come alive with pregame festivities and team warm ups.  We settled into our seats giving each other “high fives”.  The yard line markers were stark white, like a crisp shirt for Sunday church.  The end zones marked team names as if awaiting Neanderthal chest bumps.  OHIO STATE and ALABAMA: foes even in block lettering.  This was the big time. “Mom,” Holly said calling my attention. “I know we’re going to win.”  I took her hand recognizing her fan hope.   She pointed towards the field.  “Alabama has some bad karma going on.”She was observing.  Along each sideline, behind where the team gathers, bleacher-like benches configured so the players could sit, tend to minor injuries, or regroup for the next series of plays.  On the OSU side, these benches were arranged in a wide semi circle expanding the length of the team area, looking like an encouraging and supportive arm. The aura of team unity provided a noted backdrop. The University of Alabama sideline had these same benches formed in two V shapes separated by prominent distance. The image of the sharp configurations separated by Gatorade coolers and athletic equipment stood out in contrast to the wide enveloping U shape across the field.  Imagine if you were having a once in a lifetime family gathering and you had one big round table because you wanted to be together, or two tables in two separate rooms.  The cohesiveness (or lack of) on the sidelines screamed.  “Bad karma,” my daughter concluded.

Now for all you naysayers who think my 21 year old doesn’t know what she’s talking about, you may be right. I wonder what Urban Meyer, OSU’s head coach would have said. Upon accepting the Sugar Bowl trophy following their victory over the favored Crimson Tide, Coach Meyer was asked how his Buckeye team reached this point after being on the third quarterback of the year. “This could be the closest group of players I have ever been around.” He responded. “One guy goes down and someone’s gotta go….More importantly, we play for each other.”

I ‘m sure the sideline bench configurations are no accident. Just like its no accident that one talented quarterback after another trumps expectation because of the players around him. Who knows how the death of teammate Kosta Karageorge infiltrates and propels the team’s determination? I wonder if those in the locker room hear the roar of a stadium when the OSU band performs with chiseled precision “Script” Ohio. Even Alabama fans clapped in awe. I saw the energy of “Buckeye Nation” invigorate the Superdome with chants of O-H-I-O. There’s nothing by chance at a big game like this. The bench design, after all, mimicked a horseshoe. I guess the “shoe” came to New Orleans. Next stop: Dallas. Go Bucks.