If I am going to see my beloved Ole Miss Rebels go down in defeat, it is easier to take against the best team in college football.

Thanks to Clemson’s fart against North Carolina and Tua’s 6 TD passes against a suspect Ole Miss secondary, the Tide is now the number one team in the country.  I doubt they will be supplanted, even in January.  This is a great team.

I have been to some great college football venues.  But Saturday was different.  Walking into Bryant-Denny Stadium on the campus of the University of Alabama, there was a nervous tension inside me that I was not expecting.  I knew it would be special.  I did not expect to be as overwhelmed as I was.  Maybe it was seeing the Crimson Tide in their Crimson jerseys for the first time.  I had seen the Tide play two times before in their whites.  I thought is was cool to see the Tide in the past.  Saturday was different.  It meant something.  Is it because I am older?  Is it because I never thought I would get to Bryant-Denny Stadium before Saturday?  I truly do not know.  But I sure thank my friend Tim Petty, the Roll Tide aficionado, for making it all it was.  Tailgating with with specter of the Stadium to the west.  It was all so special.  It reminded me of a line from a movie I first saw in 1988.  One character looked at another and ask, “What do you do when real life exceeds your dreams?”  The other character answered, “You keep it to yourself.”

I can’t do that.  Yes, the Rebs got beat 59-31.  Yes, it was hottest I have ever been in my life.  Yes, Carrie and I did not stay for all the game.  Yes, it was more than I ever dreamed it would be.

The following photos chronicle what I speak the rights about:

I would be remiss if I did not include the Cracker Barrel gang.  Carrie and me with Tim and Michelle Petty and Mr. and Mrs. Petty.  They are such a joy to hang with.  Great stories and just wonderful folk.  I am proud to know them.

Two weeks ago I got my picture taken with one football legend at Indiana, Anthony Thompson and this weekend outside the Bear Bryant Museum I got my picture take with Brother Tim Petty.  I must be living right.

Tailgating in style.

Carrie and I with Tim and Michelle and David and Jessica.  The two on the right brought a little culture to campus, even though our team got beat.

Denny Chimes on game day.  Wow.

Carrie and me outside the stadium.  Yes, it was hot.  Mom said the heat index was 101 at kickoff.  I thought it was more.

What a sight.  This was wonderful.  Sitting in the Ole Miss section, of course.

The Rebels before the game.

Bama about to score.

You didn’t think I could post about this game and not include a picture of the kicker did you?

I made a second trip to The Rose Bowl Stadium last year and saw a game at Bama this year.  Both made me appreciate and thank what this game has meant to me over the years.  It is amazing how I feel at home at these iconic stadiums.  That’s when you know it is right.  This past Saturday was one of those.  I am a blessed man.  I will keep saying that.  Thank you, Bother Tim.

Speaking the rights.

Danny Johnson