Are your Georgia Bulldogs playing an elimination game against a top five team with a backup quarterback while coming off a long layoff and navigating an unusual, even surreal, game day environment? Then you could probably use a drink.
I can help you with that.
You could be forgiven for feeling that this afternoon’s Sugar Bowl is really more of an afterthought given the events that transpired early Wednesday morning in New Orleans. I expect there are a lot of people who will be physically inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium West but not fully mentally present for what promises to be a rough and tumble football game.
And it’s also entirely probable that many of the folks who planned to physically be there won’t in fact be present. I’ve heard reports of both Georgia and Notre Dame fans who have flights to catch today and business to attend to that couldn’t wait for another day. Some also quite understandably may just not want to be in a big crowd in the Big Easy right now. So there’s really no telling exactly what the environment in the stadium will be like by kickoff this afternoon, or how the two teams will react to that environment.
I do take some heart from the fact that the Bulldogs have played in a lot of big games over the past few seasons, and collectively appear to have a resting pulse rate in the single digits. The Irish may find themselves fixating a bit more on one of the biggest games in recent program memory, and playing a bit tight. This Bulldog team, as we’ve seen time and time again, comes out looser than the elastic on a cheap pair of boxer shorts.
If anything, I’m a little concerned that the three teams who had first round byes in the quarterfinals have looked more rusty than rested. I’m acutely concerned about that for a Bulldog team that occasionally plays tackling-optional defense under the best of circumstances.
I’m still concerned about Gunner Stockton pressing. And about Drew Miller punting. And the secondary covering. And about defending Riley Leonard when he extends plays. And tackling. Did I mention I’m worried about our tackling? Oh great. Now I’m the one who needs a drink.
In the end, one team is going to leave N’awlins feeling sour. I just hope it’s the Irish. And there’s really only one libation to enjoy when you’re hoping to send the Irish away sour: The Irish Sour.
It’s essentially a class Tom Collins, but with Irish whiskey in place of the traditional gin. Irish whiskey comes in a variety of forms, but I recommend Jameson’s, a classic spirit that’s been popular in the U.S. since at least the early 1800s. Jameson’s is triple filtered, so it has a cleaner, less smokey taste than the bourbons and scotches favored by many whiskey aficionados. However its faint notes of vanilla, citrus and butter make it perfect for this type of cocktail that normally calls for a clear spirit. You’ll need:
* 1 and 1⁄2 ounces Jameson’s Irish Whiskey
* 3 ounces sparkling lemonade
* ice. The ice doesn’t have to be Irish though. That seems overly prohibitive.
It’s a pretty simple preparation. Pour the whiskey in a highball glass over ice, then top it with the lemonade, stir, and garnish with a citrus wedge of your choice. Enjoy.
We’ll be back later with the first half game thread. Until then, enjoy responsibly and….
Go ‘Dawgs!!!!