Tusk to Tail: Anyone up for some biscuits, gravy and Gamecocks?

We had word about mid-week that Marty and McGee were considering shooting a segment for the SEC Nation show from our Tusk to Tail tent. By Friday we were meeting with the producer to walk through the tent and discuss the shots.

That put a little pep in our step, and had us on campus unloading by 8 a.m. Saturday with a small army of our merry crew. Everyone knew what had to be done and it was accomplished in near record time.

The celebrities were joined by former Razorback and current Food Network Star Eddie Jackson around 9:30 a.m. It was all walked through again. We did a Hog Call for some B roll and then it was time for the shot. They tasted some of Chef Brad’s brisket breakfast burritos before they were served some John Dalys from the bar. It was all a fun experience. Those guys are truly just regular guys that happen to be on TV.  They would be welcome back under our tent any time.

Overall, the tailgate was a success. We just had a lot more folks come through than expected, so supplies were running short by kickoff. I should have seen the signs when a lot of friends were asking about tickets but then again, they all found some. I’d say it was our third busiest tailgate of all time, pushing about 130-150 guests.

Once I was in the stadium I understood why. The stadium looked great. The corners of the upper deck were full and the students were standing room only under the south endzone score board. The only real empties were in the visitor section and the north endzone club seats. I imagine it was just too hot for those folks, as they have the option of watching inside if they want.

This week we have South Carolina for an 11 a.m. kickoff. Be aware that the UA will cut off traffic at 7 a.m. If you are driving in from south of the tunnel it’s going to be congested. You are going to want to be on campus by 8:30 a.m. at the latest to avoid sitting in traffic. Everyone will be trying to park at 9 a.m., and with the success of this team, I have no reason to believe it will not be another mostly packed house.

We will have biscuits and gravy, chicken nuggets, and a full array of breakfast casseroles and sweet treats. The bar will have a Bloody Mary selection as well as mimosas on hand. A full selection of Lost 40 Beers and Punchy Seltzers were graciously provided by Premium Brands of NWA. Of course, we will have the John Daly ready to go as well.

One of the things that make the John Daly the perfect tailgate drink is that you can drink it in the morning, and you can drink it all day. Some like it with lemonade, flavored lemonade, or even just with water. Water makes it taste more like sweet tea with a kick, but it’s tasty any way you want it. The two best brands of sweet tea vodka are Firefly and Deep Eddy. The Deep Eddy is not as sweet as the Firefly, so some prefer that. It’s a simple recipe: just a 2 to 3 ounce pour of the liquor topped off with lemonade. Mix and enjoy.

For this week’s tailgate tip, cut some 1”x 4” boards into 4” blocks. We use these as levelers to place under just about every table in the tailgate to get them level for food and drinks. Being made of wood, they last forever and resist moisture. I see others trying to fold boxes and such, which is time consuming and really doesn’t work as expected, especially on damp ground.

We’re looking forward to another successful game and tailgate.

Go Hogs, Beat Gamecocks!

Editor’s note: Now in its 11th year, Tusk to Tail is the sport of tailgating as organized, performed and perfected by a group of Hog fans who have been tailgating together sober and otherwise for more than a decade. The primary focus of Tusk to Tail will be to follow the Hogs through the fans’ perspective with their insightful, irreverent, smart-alecky and sometimes practical style. The diehards may also be followed on their Facebook page. Or follow the crew on Twitter and Instagram, all @TuskToTail.